HelpAge International III

Uganda, March 2007

The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) signed in Spain in 2002 by over 70 countries, recognized that older people throughout the world have a right to participate and benefit from development. But in many African countries ageing is still not taken into consideration in key policy areas.

As a signatory of MIPAA, however, the Ugandan Government is acting on its commitment to the Plan. In 2003, the Government, in collaboration with HelpAge International, embarked on a pilot program to address issues affecting older people through Uganda’s poverty, nutrition and health policies.

As a result of HIV many elderly people throughout Uganda have been left as the sole carers of their grandchildren. Helpage International, through their Ugandan Partner Organisation, URAA have been trying to alleviate the poverty of families affected by the epidemic as well as assisting the government to implement wider programs of social support.

John Riukaamya is 73 years old and lives near Hoima in Eastern Uganda. He has over 20 Orphans dependent on him since four of his children died of Aids.
John Riukaamya is 73 years old and lives near Hoima in Eastern Uganda. He has over 20 Orphans dependent on him since four of his children died of Aids. He has had to write all of their names and ages in a book to keep a record of the children he is now responsible for.
John Riukaamya's wife, Mary, cooks lunch for over 30 people every day.
John Riukaamya is 73 years old and lives near Hoima in Eastern Uganda. He is photographed here with some of his 23 orphaned grandchildren who are now dependent on him.
John Riukaamya sits with one of his orphaned grandchildren who is HIV positive. John has attended a workshop, run by URAA, that has taught him more about HIV prevention and treatment. It has also taught him how to counsel his grandchildren who have been infected.
Antoinette Nakaiza is 60 years old and has trained as a home based carer. She also undertakes income generation activities funded by Helpage International. Antoinette and her husband keep pigs and sell them as part of the community income generation project to give them money to support people in the community most in need.
Antoinette Nakaiza is 60 years old and has trained as a home based carer. Here she is seen talking to a young girl her community who is HIV positive
Antoinette Nakaiza is 60 years old and has trained as a home based carer. She has five orphaned grandchildren dependent on her. Here she is seen taking one of them to the doctor.
Dorothy Namuri is 63 years old and receives a pension from the Ugandan government of around $5 per month because she was a nurse. With this she is able to buy her grandchildren school books and equipment. Helpage International is campaigning for all elderly people in Uganda to receive a pension like Dorothy.
The daily meal for elderly people and their dependent grandchildren in Uganda.
A woman cooks manioc to sell by the roadside in an income generation project for elderly women run by URAA in Kampala, Uganda.

John Riukaamya is 73 years old and lives near Hoima in Eastern Uganda. Kate Holt.

John Riukaamya's wife, Mary, cooks lunch for over 30 people every day. Kate Holt.

John Riukaamya sits with one of his orphaned grandchildren who is HIV positive. Kate Hole.

Antoinette Nakaiza is 60 years old and has trained as a home based carer. Kate Holt.

Dorothy Namuri is 63 years old and receives a pension from the Ugandan government. Kate Holt.

The daily meal for elderly people and their dependent grandchildren in Uganda. Kate Holt.

A woman cooks manioc to sell by the roadside in an income generation project for elderly women. Kate Holt.