Paper short abstract:

The paper explores the role of cultural systems in enhancing social inclusion for older persons in Uganda, interrogating the claim that government social assistance empowers them. It argues that the cultural practices have enhanced their inclusion and that the contribution of the SCG is overrated.

Paper long abstract:

Traditionally, older persons in the Ugandan society of Ankole, were taken care of by the young. The Banyankole even have a saying that “Orume kurukura rwonka abaana baarwo”, literary translated as “when a hare grows old, they get milk and sustenance from their children”, meaning that a person’s children were expected to take care of them in their old age. This meant that the elderly, although growing weaker, were not considered useless and were not excluded from the social activities. In fact, they enjoyed special status and privilege in society. This has altered as modern lifestyles have replaced the traditional ones and the traditional values have been eroded over time. The paper explores the role that traditional and cultural systems play in enhancing social inclusion among older persons in Ankole. It also examines the claim that the introduction of the social assistance for the elderly through the Senior Citizens Grant (SCG) by the Ugandan government has helped in reducing the vulnerability of the older persons, enabling them to contribute to the livelihoods of their households and local economies. It argues that the traditional cultural systems have helped to keep older people relevant as repositories of traditional knowledge. The older persons are consulted in cultural matters such as rituals related to birth, child naming, raising children, herbal medicine, marriage customs etc. It also argues that the contribution of the SCG has been overrated, since the amount that is given is too small to make a considerable impact on the household income.