ZOMBO: 24 SAGE beneficiaries die mysteriously within three months

Zombo, (UG):- The Zombo District Secretary for social services cum District councillor for Older persons, Mr Tom Orwodhi has ushered to limelight the alarming and double quick rate at which the older persons who are beneficiaries of the Social Assistance Grant for Elderly (SAGE) persons are passing on mysteriously.

While speaking to DailyExpress on Thursday, May 30, Mr Orwodhi noted that 24 older persons across the district ceased living in the due course of the last three quarters without any known medical causes but rather speculations of reckless social life and underlying palliative conditions.

“As we pay the SAGE grant I suggest health workers be around and test these people to find out whether they have abnormal blood pressure or diabetes and other complicated health conditions then advise them on what kind of food to eat, some are under palliative care when they gate the money they drink out frustrations and die,” said Orwodhi during an exclusive interview with this publication.

In an effort to salvage the situation, a district council member for older persons visions scheduling health care days and camps to offer free medical checkups, treatment and management of underlying health conditions of older persons during the disbursement of the SAGE funds that brings the majority of the beneficiaries to a common point once every three months.

Mr Pascal Kumakech, area councillor for Zingili Ward in Paidha Town Council attested to the reckless social life of alcoholism by some male and female Beneficiaries of the SAGE fund and prayed for meaningful utilization of the assistance grant.

“I discourage the SAGE beneficiaries from over during alcohol but instead use the money from the SAGE fund to engage in productive activities that can yield returns for them to better their standards of living,” Mr Kumakech remarked.

Paidha TC in this financial year 2024/25 is privileged to front beneficiaries for the Special Enterprise Grant for Older Persons ( SEGOP) that caters for people aged below the bare minimum enrollment requirements for Social Assistance Grant for Elders (SAGE) which is 80 years and above.