HelpAge staff member in Uganda, Joseph Mugisha Bitature passed away on Thursday 8 June.
Joseph was a committed activist and supporter of the rights of older people, first as the leader of Uganda Reach The Aged Association from 2009 to 2012, and subsequently as a key member of the HelpAge team in Uganda for many years, including as Country Director from 2013- 2014.
Since 2014, as the Social Protection and Advocacy Advisor, Joseph developed our programming and engagement around the social protection agenda and his expertise in the sector was widely respected among stakeholders in Uganda and further afield.
Joseph was a key advocate in the development and roll-out of the cash transfer system in Uganda and advancing our work on social accountability. Above all, he was an inspiring colleague, a mentor and friend to HelpAge and especially the Uganda team over many years.
He is credited by colleagues for his high level of humbleness, expertise, kindness and friendship. Our thoughts are with his family and the team in Uganda at this very sad time.