Elders in Moroto concerned over delayed SAGE payments

Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The elders in Moroto district have expressed concern over delay in the payment of their money under the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) program.

The SAGE is a social transformation program in which the government hands out cash to old persons aged 80 years and above. But the elders in Moroto district are saying they have missed payments for one year and there is no clear communication from the authorities.

Lomeri Apaa Loduk, an elder and resident of Lotisan sub county says ever since he was enrolled in 2021, he has never received any money from the government even after fulfilling the necessities.

Lomeri says whenever he goes to the paying point, his names do not reflect in the system and yet he was confirmed as a beneficiary.

Maria Nachap, another elder said she only received her money from Post Bank once, before the system was changed to Centenary Bank that has kept them waiting in vain.

“I don’t remember the month I was last paid, but I only received shs 75,000 for three months then they told us that we shall be transferred to Centenary Bank. It is now one year and there is no response,” says Nachap.

Nachap says this is the time the government should consider supporting them because they are hit by hunger and they have nothing for survival.  She says four of her colleagues have died due to starvation and many more were on the verge of dying.

She also noted that although there is relief food, they still need their money because the food sometimes doesn’t reach them in time.

John Loduk, an elder in Rupa sub county appealed to the government to consider reducing the age of SAGE beneficiaries to at least 60 years based on the harsh conditions of living in the region.

“The condition of life in Karamoja is not easy, someone of 60 years is just like one of 80. So if the government is interested in the 80 and above then many vulnerable elders who deserve these grants will be left out,” he added.

John Robert Adupa, the LC3 chairperson Lotisan sub county acknowledged that over 600 elders from his sub county have not been paid for the last six months over unclear reasons.

Adupa says he received the report that the payment delays were caused by the transfer process from Post Bank where the beneficiaries have been receiving their pay to Centenary Bank. But he wondered why it would take all that long to settle the system.

He revealed that about 22 elders who have been benefiting from the program have died due to starvation between the month of May and July in Lotisan sub county.

Meanwhile, Sight Musinguzi, the communications officer for SAGE program said there are so many factors that could have led to delayed payments of the beneficiaries. Musinguzi noted that they have been carrying out a verification exercise of the beneficiaries but most of the elders have not been turning up for the exercise.

She said they have been struggling to mobilize the elders to come for verification and to transfer their details from the Post Bank that used to pay them to a new system in Centenary Bank but unfortunately elders don’t avail themselves.

“We also realized that the number of beneficiaries is dropping out from the register but fortunately it’s being replaced by the new entrants,” she added.

Musinguzi says some beneficiaries have died due to several factors and they have been replaced with newcomers. She says the last payment was done in the month of May this year and they plan to resume the payment in this week starting with Moroto and Kotido district.

Karamoja sub-region has a total of 20,921 beneficiaries enrolled under the pilot Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment. The elders who are 80 years and above are entitled to a monthly payment of Shs 25000.

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