Government has been urged to fasten the implementation of the social protection fund so as to empower elderly persons across the country.

The program which was adopted six years ago is only rolled out in 35 districts of Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Zombo and Nebbi among others out of the 116 Districts according to Parliament’s Committee on Social Protection.

The former Forum’s Chairperson, Flavia Kabahenda in an earlier meeting about ratification.

The Forum’s former Chairperson, Flavia Kabahenda says that the fund under Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment remains meager and needs additional allocations to cover all districts and ensure all the elderly above 65 year benefit from this support.

Kabahenda has also called for the enactment of a law that will streamline the program to avoid any duplication of the kind and also give access to only those entitled to it if its goal is to be achieved.

She said that all older persons should be given 25000 Uganda shillings per month to enable them look after the grand children and orphans who are in their possession.

Meanwhile, Kabahenda notes there is a challenge of the elderly who missed out on the ID project due to defects on their figures which she said has failed them to benefit from this assistance yet it was not for their own making.

The fund is a poverty alleviation support to the elderly where qualifying persons in selected districts get 25,000 Uganda shillings per month to help them cope with life’s challenges in their old age.