I have noted the tremendous work done by development practitioners to highlight issues faced by different sectors of our society. These issues include Malaria, HIV/AIDS, increasing number of orphans, war in some parts of Uganda and indeed poverty. In all this however, one sector has been forgotten. The older persons in Uganda. They are a sector of our society forgotten first by their families who traditionally were their security, the community, development Organisations and the government. Despite having set up a department responsible for the elderly a few years ago, to date there is no government policy on older persons. As a result, government of Uganda has not set apart funds to facilitate this department. Secondly, there is lack of awareness among Ugandans of the needs, rights and problems of older persons as well as contributions of older persons to our society.
According to the 1991 Uganda Population and Housing Census, the population of older persons in Uganda was 686,260(4.1%) of the total population of 16,671,705. This number has increased to 1,525,000(6.1%) as per provisional Uganda Population and Housing Census results of 2002.
Traditionally the Ugandan social structure was organized around the family and community. The African extended family network knitted together a network of blood relations, in-laws and close friends. This network acted as insurance against all disabilities of old age and other shortcomings. The young and energetic were insurance for their older folks and took care of their needs. Sadly, several factors have interfered with the treasured network leaving the elderly vulnerable. These factors include rural urban migration, debt crisis, unemployment, wars, poverty, disease especially AIDS, influence of foreign cultures, and lack of alternative social security system.
Poverty: According to Uganda Reach the Aged Association, Older persons in Uganda constitute the poorest members of society. 64% of them survive on less than US $1 a day. They do not have access to regular income and the majority do not benefit from social security provisions. They are discriminated against and denied employment. Relatives grab their land and other property leaving them destitute and with no means to fend for themselves.
Housing: The majority of the older persons in Uganda live in semi permanent and makeshift structures usually grass thatched with mud walls. These structures threaten to collapse over them any time especially during heavy rains. The walls, floors and roofs are full of cracks exposing the inhabitants to cold and harmful animals and bags. Others are homeless and live on streets of towns like in Gulu where over 200 older persons live on streets.
Food and Nutrition: Most elderly persons depend on one meal a day or none for two days. Lack of balanced diet leaves many emaciated and exposed to disease.
Healthcare: Elderly suffer from many diseases ranging from STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), joint pains, to recurrent malaria. Health care is inaccessible due to high costs and long distance to health centers on average 6 Kms. Some of the diseases they suffer are a result of lack of clean and safe water. Water sources are far from their homes and they are unable to walk these distances fro water.
HIV/AIDS: In addition to being at risk of HIV infection, the elderly in Uganda have to care for infected adults and orphaned grandchildren. The care role aggravates poverty. AIDS claims the lives of younger and stronger family members who the elderly would otherwise depend upon for support. The elderly care for more than 500,000 of the over 2.1 million orphaned children in Uganda.
Disability: Many older persons suffer from one form of disability. Physical disability accounts for 56% of the cases while visual impairment accounts for 39%. Impairment leaves the elderly dependent on others due to inability to engage in income generating activities.
Lack of social security system: While the traditional system has diminished, it has not been replaced by any other form of social security system which caters for the disabled and the elderly. The present Social Security Fund only caters for those in formal sector (salaried employment)
Conflicts and Emergencies: Present and former wars and conflicts in the west, north and northeastern parts of Uganda has had a devastating effect on the elderly. It has killed their family members and left them helpless. In situations of war, the elderly are less able to scramble for food and other resources.
Older persons are also increasingly neglected and abused physically, economically and psychologically by their families and communities. They are segregated and denied access to opportunities other people have access to. This leads to loneliness, hopelessness, loss of self-esteem and economic deprivation.
For example, Janet 69yrs was born and grew up in a village in Mukono. She had three children though she was not formally married. After the death of her children, four years ago, she was left alone and vulnerable. Her relatives tried to kill her so that they could take her property. First they poisoned her through food but she survived. Then they tried burning her in the house and again she survived but this time with serious injuries leading to disability.
After these two incidents, Janet could not stay in her home. She left and started loitering in the village in search for food and shelter. At times she ate from garbage and slept outside. Other times she slept in abandoned buildings and churches. This happened for over a year until last July when her cousin who was living in town heard about her plight. The cousin then rescued her and brought her to her one roomed home where she was living together with her husband and child. By this time, Janet was sick, dirty and filthy says the cousin.
It was pathetic. No one except her wanted to even say hello to Janet. Since then, the cousin has cared for Janet and she is slowly recovering. Janet is also one of the 46 older persons benefiting from ROTOM's seniors program where she meets with other seniors to share their experiences, pray, study the Bible and eat a hot and nutritious meal weekly. She is also visited by ROTOM's volunteers weekly. Her cousin is constructing a house for her in another place and ROTOM is helping with some money to for building materials and skilled Labour so that the house can be completed. Janet has also accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. She is happy her cousin came to her rescue.
Janet's story is just one of hundreds of thousands in this or worse situation. Imagine what is happening to those in the war affected areas of Northern Uganda.
Let us rise up and do some thing for our seniors. Do not be deceived that the African extended family is taking care of them. Neither is our local and national governments doing much.
The Writer is the Executive Director of Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM), a Christian Non profit Organization reaching out to elderly and children under their care to:
· Receive weekly hot and nutritious meal.
· Participate in weekly fellowship for Bible study, prayer, free sharing, exercise, peer and group counseling and learning craft making and other skills.
· Receive weekly visit from a volunteer counselors
· Receive regular medical screening and treatment.
· Access safe and healthy housing
· Advocate for their rights and opportunities.
He can be reached on:
P.O Box 12100, Kampala
256 71 717723
0r
ReachoneUganda@netscape.net
