Global older population to surge by 2.1bn by 2050

The state minister for Gender (Elderly Affairs), Dominic Gidudu Mafwabi said that by 2050 older persons both in Uganda and globally will have increased by 2.1billion. 

He made the revelation while speaking during plenary on Tuesday, October 10, in commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons that took place on October 1, 2023, in Kyegegwa District at Humura playgrounds. 

The United Nations General Assembly under Resolution 45/106 designated October 1 as International Day for Older Persons. 

According to Gidudu, Uganda has commemorated the day since 1999 and it's a time to take concern and address issues of older persons. 

"Between 2017 and 2050, the number of older persons in developing countries is expected to increase from 652 million to 2.1 billion," Gidudu said. 

Gidudu added that by 2047, the number of older persons will have increased to surpass the number of children. 

"We have blessed all MPs to go to at least 90 years," Gidudu said. 

The Uganda National Household Survey shows that older persons increased from 1.7 million in 2016/ 2017 to 2.2 million in 2019/2020. 

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa asked Gidudu to arrange the visit to Parliament of a woman thought to be 134 years old from Fort Portal. 

"Parliament will make special arrangements of bringing him or her here and we pay tribute to her," Tayebwa said amidst applause. 

In response, Gidudu said she was frail and the journey was long. 

According to Tayebwa, this is a big record for someone to hit 134 years. 

"This is not something simple, someone who is 100 plus years old," Tayebwa said. 

Presidential directives 

In 2021, President Yoweri Museveni directed that the ministry develops guidelines on healthy ageing to guide the community workers on how to support older persons in living healthy lives.  

The guidelines are ready and were developed in partnership with the World Health Organisation. 

The President also directed the health ministry to ensure that old age-related diseases are provided for in the requests for drugs by lower health facilities, that old age medical specialities (geriatricians) are recruited, and that awareness of diagnosis for old age disease is prioritised. 

Legislators react 

The older persons’ day came at a time when Tayebwa also visited, Rhoda Kalema affectionately known as the Mother of Parliament, where he encouraged female MPs to visit her. 

"Visiting older persons means a lot to them," Tayebwa said. 

Bugweri Moman MP, Rachel Magoola, said she only knows one geriatrician in Kampala since she treats her elderly mother. 

"If there is only one (geriatrician) in Kampala, what is happening to the rest of the country," Magoola wondered. 

Buhweju West MP, Biraaro Ephraim, said the elderly in his area are being affected by stress. 

"Their goats are stolen. We need special tribunals to try people who stress the elderly in terms of bad manners," Biraaro said. 

Terego Woman MP Rose Obigah said most of the elderly have turned from being grandparents to babysitters.