Speaking at the Social Protection National Dialogue 2025 held at Serena Hotel under the theme “Enhancing Access to Social Protection for Inclusive Socio–Economic Transformation”, on Tuesday, Tayebwa commended Uganda for making remarkable progress in promoting social welfare and inclusion.
“As a social protection advocate, I always take every opportunity to add a strong voice to how important it is to our society,” Tayebwa said, noting that Uganda has made significant strides through programmes such as the Senior Citizens Grant (SAGE) and the proposed National Child Disability Benefit.
He highlighted government’s continued investment in livelihood programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP), which he said empower individuals and build community resilience against economic and social shocks.
Tayebwa also welcomed Cabinet’s approval to lower the age of eligibility for the Senior Citizens Grant from 80 to 65 years, describing it as a step toward inclusivity and dignity for older persons.
However, he urged participants at the dialogue to move beyond discussions and focus on implementation.
“Many times, we meet and have great conversations but fail to translate them into action. Moving from words to action is vital because the role of social protection cannot be underestimated in our continuously changing social and economic environment,” he emphasized.
The Deputy Speaker observed that traditional community support systems have weakened over time, leaving many vulnerable individuals without assistance. He called for stronger and more sustainable national social protection mechanisms.
“I grew up with my grandmother, and she used to receive a lot of support from community members. That sense of community is fading. We must therefore strengthen social protection systems that secure the well-being of all Ugandans who need them,” Tayebwa noted.
The Social Protection National Dialogue brought together policymakers, development partners, and civil society actors to discuss strategies for ensuring that no Ugandan is left behind in the country’s socio-economic transformation agenda.
The Source Reports.