Building a brighter future for older people in Uganda

A new chapter for older people 

HANU was formed to continue the work of HelpAge International after its Uganda operations closed. Eight organisations joined hands to form this network – Reach One Touch One Ministries Uganda (ROTOM), Health Nest Uganda (HENU), Uganda Reach the Ages Association (URAA), Grandmothers Consortium (GMC), Palliative Care Association Uganda (PCAU), Reach a Hand Uganda (ROHU), Community Based Rehabilitation Alliance Ltd (COMBRA), and Voice of the Elderly.  

Together, they’ve built a strong voice for Uganda’s ageing population. Their vision is a Uganda where older people are valued, free from discrimination, and supported by their communities. 

Transformative impact on older people 

Since its formation in 2023, HANU has been a lifeline for thousands of older people in Uganda. Through practical initiatives, hands-on training, and advocacy, HANU has tackled the real challenges that older people face – from lack of income and healthcare to being left out of national statistics. Between 2023 and June 2025, their efforts have touched communities across Uganda, bringing hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging to older people who were often overlooked. 

1. Economic empowerment through the Income Security Project 

For many older people, financial insecurity is a daily struggle. To address this, HANU launched the Income Security Project in January 2025, focusing on Iganga district in the east of the country and Kamwenge district in the west. The project has been a turning point. 

• 80% of Older People Associations (OPAs) in these areas are now actively running income-generating activities (IGAs) such as small-scale farming, poultry keeping, and craft-making. These initiatives have put food on the table and have also restored independence and pride among older people who can now support themselves and their families. 
• 60 older people received specialised training in financial literacy and how to access government income security funds. This knowledge is already opening doors to grants and micro-loans that older people previously did not know existed. 

The project’s success has caught the attention of local governments, who are now making clear commitments to prioritise older people in economic programmes.  

2. Advancing healthcare through the Long-Term Care Project 

Older people’s healthcare needs are unique, and for many, they go unmet. To bridge this gap, HANU rolled out the Long-Term Care Project from January to April 2025 in Kampala, and the nearby Wakiso, and Mukono districts. 

A baseline survey uncovered pressing issues: 70% of older people in these districts suffer from chronic illnesses, while more than half struggle with mobility. To respond, HANU trained 45 Village Health Teams on elder care, palliative care, and nutrition. These Health Teams – now celebrated as “Champions of Long-Term Care” – are helping communities provide compassionate and effective care for their older members. 

 To ensure healthcare services are guided by up-to-date information, the project introduced a real-time data collection system – already capturing over 380 responses to date. The findings have drawn the attention of government officials, particularly highlighting the challenges faced by caregivers. In response, there are now growing calls for specialised support systems for those caring for older people.

3. Advocacy and policy influence 

One of HANU’s greatest strengths lies in its voice. Through close collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD), which is responsible for older people, HANU has strengthened national coordination on ageing. 

HANU has strongly advocated lowering the age limit for the Senior Citizens Grant under Uganda’s Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) programme, enabling more older people to benefit. SAGE provides monthly cash transfers of 25,000 Uganda shillings (about USD $7) to help recipients meet basic needs such as food, healthcare, and household essentials. At present, only those aged 80 and above are eligible for this support. Alongside this, HANU’s engagement with the Ministry of Health has resulted in commitments to integrate geriatric training into health worker curricula, improving the quality of care available nationwide. 

In 2024, HANU took on an important challenge: the National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) data had drastically undercounted older people, recording only 80,000 of the estimated 350,000 Ugandans over 80 years old. Through a powerful press briefing in October 2024, HANU pushed the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) to revisit these figures. Their advocacy is ensuring that older people are properly counted, represented, and included in national planning and budgeting. 

4. Capacity building for lasting impact 

Behind HANU’s success is a commitment to strengthening both people and organisations. Through training sessions and workshops, they have equipped caregivers and volunteers (Village Health Teams) with advocacy skills and practical knowledge in palliative and home-based care, improving the quality of support available to thousands of older people. 

Looking ahead 

In the future HANU plans to: 

• Train more health workers and run health camps reaching 10,000 older people. 
• Increase participation in income-generating projects by 70%. 
• Reduce elder abuse cases in targeted districts by 20% through awareness campaigns. 
• Ensure older people are included in 50% of national emergency response plans. 

A future full of hope 

In just two years, HANU has touched thousands of lives and built a foundation for lasting change. With every training, advocacy effort, and policy win, they are showing Uganda – and the world – that older people deserve not just to survive, but to thrive.