Citizens below 80 Years to Remain Locked Out of Grant for Elderly

The ministry of gender labour and social development says there are no plans to lower age criteria by which the elderly get money under the senior assistant grant for employment program – commonly known as SAGE.

Under this program,persons aged 80 and above are paid a monthly fee of shs 25,000. 

Minister of state for culture peace mutuuzo says,  there has been an outcry from the general public to lower the age of beneficiaries of SAGE.

“You must have heard people crying out that we must reduce the age from 80 years and above to 70 or 60.” She remarked.

She however says will require government to look for more money because even the funds currently being received  for those of 80 years and above are not adequate.

“If we lower the age,it will require government to look for more money when even the money given to those of 80 years and above is still not enough”. Mutuuzo noted

So far 280 billion shillings has been disbursed in the last 3 years and the program is reaching out to 299,342 older persons.

Mutuuzo was presenting the performance of the ministry of gender at the NRM manifesto week at the office of the president.