The sustainability of “social protection grants” for realizing socio-economic rights of older persons in Uganda : a case of “social assistance grant for empowerment” in Kole District

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the sustainability of “social protection grants” for realizing socio-economic rights of older persons in Uganda: It focused on Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) in Kole District. The objectives of the study were to examine the perception of SAGE beneficiaries, to assess the contribution of SAGE, and to analyse the sustainability of SAGE programme to the realization of older persons social and economic rights in Kole District. The study adopted Sociological theories of ageing (Disengagement, Activity, Subculture, and continuing and person engagement), the Change theory and the human rights theory. These theories are embedded in the concept of social Protection which gives rise to the social Economic rights of Older persons. The study employed a case study design and a non-structured method of data collection. It covered a sample of 30 respondents. The researcher employed interview guides as a tool which helped her in gathering information from the key informants on the perception, contribution and the sustainability of SAGE programme in Kole District. Although the findings reveal that SAGE has greatly contributed to achieve the social Economic rights of the beneficiaries including Restoration of hope, access to medical services, access to education, improvement of agriculture, SAGE is facing several challenges. These challenges cut across the entire programme right from the planning to the implementation level Findings also reveal that the beneficiaries were not involved in the entire planning process, making the beneficiaries not to fully own the programme. Regarding perception of the beneficiaries, SAGE is perceived by the beneficiaries as a grant by the government of Uganda to the older persons to meet their basic needs, few have invested the money. In the aspect of sustainability findings indicate that the Government has introduced other cash transfer programmes such as Social Enterprise Grant for Older persons SEGOP) as well as the integration of SAGE into the mainstream programmes like Parish Development model (PDM). In conclusion, . Failure to address the challenges identified above including funding delays, irregular payments, design related concerns, monitoring and evaluation, human resource, and enrolment challenges among others will render SAGE programme short-lived and therefore unsustainable. The study recommends among others, Timely payment of Funds, emphasizing sustaining in project design. Effective human resource planning and management, reduction of the eligibility age of the beneficiaries, establishment of clear legal frame works regarding SAGE implication and effective collaboration and partnership between key stakeholders including beneficiaries.