In Uganda, HelpAge International has trained 90 people to work as volunteer paralegal advisors to help protect the rights of older people and children affected by HIV. In 2009, our paralegal advisors helped settle 84 disputes through counselling and referred another 35 to the local courts.

Uganda

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Why we work in Uganda

Many older people in Uganda struggle to bring in a reliable income and are vulnerable to living in poverty. Many live in chronic ill health or have disabilities that limit their ability to lead independent lives and participate in their local communities.

Yet countless older people have the responsibility of caring for orphaned grandchildren who have lost their parents to AIDS or other diseases.

Age discrimination is rampant in Uganda, particularly around inheritance laws, which tend to disproportionately impact women.

Building secure incomes

We advocate the Uganda Government to continue to expand its grant to older people that is being piloted in only a few districts, as well as help older people access existing poverty reduction programmes.

Supporting older people’s health

We work with the Government to improve health services for older people, and ensure they are included in key national health policies, such as HIV and AIDS programmes.

Helping refugee communities

Uganda hosts more than a million refugees fleeing South Sudan. We work with other humanitarian agencies to protect older people’s rights in these communities. We empower older women and men to strengthen their voices through older people’s associations so they can advocate for legal aid services and opportunities to bring in a reliable income so can sustain themselves.

Our network members

  • Health Nest Uganda
  • Reach One Touch One Ministries
  • Uganda Reach the Aged Association

Our donors

  • Big Lottery Fund
  • European Commission-European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights
  • Federal Ministry for Economic operation and Development (BMZ)
  • Irish Aid
  • National Endowment for Democracy
  • Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
  • Steven Thomas Johnson Foundation
  • Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency