Man collapses dead in queue to receive SAGE money

KALIRO, UGANDA: An old man in 80s on Thursday collapsed and died as he lined up to receive money from Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) programme which was conducted in Kaliro District.

Mr Wadaate William lost his life at Kasokwe Sub-county headquarters where the SAGE programme officials had gathered to disburse SAGE money to over 50 elders who started benefiting from the programme.

The deceased was a resident of Busandha village in Kasokwe sub county.

According to Mr Maka Godfrey the grand son of the deceased, Mr. Wadaate died at around 1pm as he was waiting in line to get served.

“When we reached here we waited from 8am up to when my grandfather died at around 1pm,” Maka said.

He said that he carried his grandfather to the headquarters to receive money which could be used by him for financial support.

“I’m so grieved to lose my grandfather William Wadaate. I brought him when we heard that they are going to give elderly money,” Mr Maka said before adding that the deceased complained of illnesses before leaving his home for Kasokwe at the sub county headquarters.

The councillor representing elderly in Kasokwe sub county, Hassan Basomelakyi mourned the deceased saying him and the colleagues were told to report early but were delayed service from SAGE officials.

“It’s very unfortunate and sad to lose our colleague today, we reached here at 8pm but they delayed to serve us. They should tell us the actual time to report to designated areas for giving out money, maybe someone might die from home than here,” Mr Basomelakyi said.

He called upon government use the money which the deceased was going to receive as support at the burial ceremony.”We urge government that the person we brought and died at site, the money which is in the register and the deceased was going to get it should be forwarded to relatives for support at the burial,”Basomelakyi added.

However, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Kaliro district Ms Billy Janet Mulindwa urged people to always get tested and know about their health.

“I want to request fellow elderly people that if you’re in SAGE age and even though you haven’t reached there, it would be good for everyone to get tested and know about your health,” RDC Mulindwa said.

Mrs Mulindwa also called upon the banks which gives out money to elderly people in the district to always know that people receiving SAGE funds are grown-up and urged them to always identify those very ill and get served first.

“I call upon the banks giving money to the elderly to avoid delaying these people. You should always reach in time and disburse money such that someone can move to where they wants to go,” Mulindwa said.

“It came to our attention that this man had come to get the money and proceed to the hospital other than first going to health center and finding the SAGE officials gone.”