MPs Join Campaign for a Comprehensive Social Protection Program for Uganda

Published By UNNGOF |  February 4, 2017

Members of the Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection (UPFSP) have pledged commitment to collaborate with Civil Society Organizations in advocating for a comprehensive social protection program for all Ugandans. The MPs argued that whereas the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) program came in to support the elderly, a number of other vulnerable groups like women, children, unemployed youth, albinos, the disabled have been left out which necessitates a comprehensive program to end vulnerability in the whole country.

This was raised during a breakfast meeting on the Business case for social protection in Uganda organized by Uganda National NGO Forum (UNNGOF)/Uganda Social Protection Platform (USPP) for CSOs and Policy makers on 3^rd February 2017 at Golf Course Hotel Kampala. Hon. Opolot Jacob, the Chairperson of Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Social Protection stated that SAGE has not been able to reach all older persons, causing discontent amongst the citizens. He called for total government commitment towards social protection financing. Hon. Genensio Tumuramye the MP Kashongi constituency in Kiruhura district re-echoed this saying “It is not fair that some elderly persons in some districts are getting grants while others are not. The Government through Ministry of Finance must look for money to roll out the program country wide”.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Richard Ssewakiryanga the Executive Director of Uganda National NGO Forum noted that the Uganda Social Protection Platform is committed to transforming social protection thinking in Uganda and they would use all avenues and stakeholders to ensure that there is an appreciation of the need to have a comprehensive social protection program for the country.

He explained that the Business case for social protection is an analytical piece of work developed by UNICEF, civil society and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development that clearly identifies key valuables the country needs in terms of social protection. Some of the areas include disability grants for people with disabilities and child grants for breast feeding mothers. For instance if a mother is given a child grant, it will secure the health of the child and may have better outcomes when it comes to child mortality.

Story by Robert Ninyesiga