Parliament has urged the government to allocate an additional UGX71.47 billion to expand the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) programme, following a Cabinet directive to lower the eligibility age from 80 to 65 years.
The proposal was presented by Agnes Kunihira, Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development, during plenary on April 16, 2026, as lawmakers reviewed the 2026/27 Ministerial Policy Statement.
Kunihira said the policy shift would significantly increase the number of beneficiaries but warned that current funding falls short. “Cabinet directed the lowering of the age for access to SAGE from 80 to 65 years. The Committee observed that while the number of beneficiaries is projected at 1,048,598, the total funding required stands at UGX373.36 billion. However, only UGX121.22 billion has been provided, leaving a funding gap of UGX252.14 billion,” she said.
She added that although the ministry requested UGX192.69 billion for the programme, only UGX121.22 billion was allocated, creating a shortfall of UGX71.47 billion needed to partially support the expansion.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about access to SAGE funds, noting that many elderly beneficiaries must travel long distances to collect payments from sub-county headquarters.
Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu described the system as burdensome and inefficient. “Some of these elderly people cannot move, and for those who try, they spend nearly half of the money on transport. This defeats the purpose of the programme,” he said.
Ssewungu proposed that Uganda adopt digital payment systems similar to those used in Kenya, including mobile money transfers, to improve access. He also suggested providing basic mobile phones to elderly beneficiaries without access to such technology.
“When funds are sent via mobile money, government still benefits through transaction taxes. This is a practical and efficient solution already working elsewhere,” he said.
Speaker of Parliament Anita Among welcomed the proposal and tasked the committee to explore practical options. “This is an important matter. We must plan how best our elderly citizens can receive their funds with ease. The Committee should study and advise government accordingly,” she said.
In a related development, Parliament called for an additional UGX3.714 billion to fully fund the Industrial Court, bringing its total requirement to UGX7.914 billion. Currently, only UGX4.2 billion has been allocated in the 2026/27 budget.
Kunihira noted that although the approved structure provides for five judges, only two are in place, despite plans to recruit three more. She said operational costs for the additional judges and 15 panelists—covering transport, fuel, furniture, and other essentials—have not been budgeted.
Napak Woman MP Faith Nakut criticised the delay, saying it undermines efficiency. “It is not cost-effective to have judges who are paid but unable to work due to operational constraints, especially when other courts are overwhelmed with cases,” she said.
Parliament also approved an additional UGX5 billion to rehabilitate remand homes, reception centres, and vocational rehabilitation facilities, many of which have been deemed uninhabitable.
Kunihira said the intervention is urgent. “It is critical to rehabilitate these institutions to ensure the safety and dignity of the vulnerable populations they host,” she said.
The Gender, Labour and Social Development sector has been allocated UGX532.616 billion in the 2026/27 national budget, including UGX10.877 billion for wages and UGX521.738 billion for non-wage expenditures.
However, legislators warned that unless key funding gaps—particularly in social protection and labour justice—are addressed, the sector risks falling short of its mandate to support Uganda’s most vulnerable populations.
Original article AT:https://www.parliamentwatch.ug
