Lotimo Paul

Expanding Social Protection Programme (ESPP) - Uganda

On 16 June 2010, the Ugandan On 16 June 2010, Cabinet approved the Expanding Social Protection Programme including one of its core components Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) on a pilot basis for three years. The year programme is funded by DFID, Irish Aid and UNICEF with a budget of £41 million. Implementation is led by the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development and as per the joint Memorandum of Understanding, the Government of Uganda has pledged to provide counterpart funding of up to 15% in 2014/15. The Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) aims to provide monthly direct income support of UGX 24,000 to 95,000 poor and vulnerable households in 14 pilot districts of Apac, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kiboga, Nebbi, Kyenjojo, Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Kyegegwa, Kyankwanzi, Zombo, Napak and Kole. A core component of SAGE is a Senior Citizens Grant (SCG) to citizens aged 65 and above (60 years and above in Karamoja). The Expanding Social Protection programme is about more than developing a policy and provision of social assistance cash grants. The vision is to promote social protection as a basic, core government service in the same vein as health and education.