Maracha District Local Government held belated celebrations to observe International Day of Older People with a strong appreciation for their role in the pacification of West Nile region. 

During the celebrations on Thursday, November 27, 2025, Maracha Deputy Resident District Commissioner Ms. Kotevu Monica appreciated the older persons for the meditation role that the played between government and the several rebel movements in the West Nile which laid a fertile ground for peace negotiations.

“Today when we are peaceful as a country, region and district, it was you who said no our children we don’t want rebellion, we don’t want disturbance, the various insecurity incidents which were occurring in our region it was you the elders who said to government let us sit on a round tale so that we talk peace rein,” she said.

She additional said through the peace that West Nile attained through the help of the West Nile it opened West Nile to the borders with the neighboring countries.

“Today we don’t talk about West Nile Bank Front, we don’t talk about Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF) , We don’t talk about other insurgencies, it is because of you that our borders are open, we owe you respect.”

Kotevu said the life expectancy in the country has tremendously improved due to the social economic investment the government has undertaken to improve the welfare of Ugandans.

“The life expectancy of our country has gone up to 72 years from 30s in the 1980s, it has a lot of economic analysis, there is improvement in health, immunization, maternal health, governance, security,” she pointed out.

She however challenged the elders to champion campaigns to change social behaviors that are a threat to the future generation in Maracha District.

“Our young girls who are below 18 years some of them have children by the time they reach 20, 30 years they are grandparents, this responsibility goes back to you,” she said.

Government last month approved sweeping reforms to widen access to social protection for older persons, including lowering the eligibility age for the Senior Citizens Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) from 80 to 65 years starting in the 2026/27 financial year.

To implement the expanded eligibility, government will add UGX 252.16 billion to the current SAGE budget, raising total annual funding to UGX 373.36 billion.

Maracha District Vice Chairperson Hon. Bosco Asea in his speech commended government for the reforms in the SAGE program and is optimistic that the lowering in the age of beneficiaries will see more people in Maracha District benefit from the program.

The Chairperson Maracha District Council for Older Persons, Hon. Philliam Olubo warned against lifestyles that are detrimental to their health such as consumption of alcohol and consumption ofmarijuana which jeopardizes their quality of life.

The theme for the 2025 International Day of Older Persons in Uganda is “Enhanced Household Incomes: A Key to Dignity and Respect for Older Persons”,

The Female District Councilor for Older Persons, Hon. Paskwalina Ogavu said the government has played an important role in the uplifting the household of the older persons through the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE), Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons (SEGOP), and Parish Development Model programs , but pointed out some older have not received programs due to the issues related to their identity.

Hon. Ogavu revealed 11 groups have benefited from SEGOP with each group receiving UGX 5 million, however, she called for additional funding for all government programs.

The LC3 chairperson Oleba Sub-county Hon. Ronald Musema said older persons play a critical role in the preservation of cultural heritage through memory of historical facts.

However he expressed dismay that old persons have become a source of conflict and insecurity most especially in the settlement of land disputes when they try to distort facts due to the influence of the youth.