Assessing the implementation of the right to social protection in Uganda : a case of senior citizens’ grant in Kalaki District (2011-2018)

Abstract

Old people are often seen as a burden and ignored but they make a significant contribution to their families and society. The Senior Citizens’ Grant (SCG) program was intended to improve their welfare but in Kalaki Sub-County like elsewhere in Uganda senior citizens are still faced with a host of vulnerabilities (chronic illness, increases dependency and cost of living) in enjoyment of their rights to social protection. The study focused on ‘’Assessing the implementation of the right to social Protection in Uganda: A case of Senior Citizens’ Grant in Kalaki ’’ (2011-2018). The study was guided by these objectives: a) Explore the old person perception about the SCG, b) examine the impact of the SCG on the enjoyment of the right to social security; and c) establish the challenges facing the implementation of Senior Citizen Grant in Kalaki Sub- County. The study adopted a case study design, which involved the collection of data using qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data was collected by the use of survey questionnaires and interview guides from one hundred participants selected to represent others by purposive and random sampling techniques. The research findings indicate that with proper implementation, the SCG programme can bring hope to the beneficiaries hence reducing their vulnerability and it has brought improvement on the old persons’ economic and social welfare. However, it was noted that, elders have to travel long distances to the pay point, yet the money received is little. It is recommended that there is a need to bring the pay points closer for easy accessibility and for the government through the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) to address the existing gaps in the implementation of the SCG programme to ensure that, the rights and income security of old persons are improved.