The Cabinet has approved lowering the eligibility age for the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) from 80 years to 65 years, effective in the 2026/27 financial year.
Minister for Elder Persons, Gidudu Mafabi, confirmed at the Uganda Media Centre that the monthly SAGE allowance will also increase from Shs 25,000 to Shs 35,000, raising the elder persons’ budget from Shs 121 billion in the current financial year to Shs 252 billion in 2026/27.
The decision responds to inflation, the government’s responsibility to care for elders, and the long period without an increase in allowances.
Since its inception in 2010, over 300,000 older persons have benefited from SAGE, currently receiving Shs 75,000 every three months.
Minister Gidudu added that Cabinet also approved Shs 20.6 billion to clear SAGE arrears and Shs 5 billion for the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP) to strengthen income security for older citizens.
Previously, the SAGE program had arrears of Shs 20.6 billion, while SEGOP had a funding gap of Shs 5 billion covering frail older persons.
By Olivia Nabaggala
20th Nov 2025
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