Business & Management
Hon. Gidudu calls for Improved Health Care for Older Persons
People worldwide are living longer. Today most people can expect to live into their sixties and beyond. Every country in the world is experiencing growth in both the size and the proportion of older persons in the population. The World Health Organization estimates that the world will have 1.4 billion old persons by 2030. Older persons are defined as those with 60 years and above.
This growing population in Sub Saharan Africa is unfortunately getting many governments unaware of how to handle the growing aging population in addition to continuously harnessing their potential. This dilemma was the centre of discussion during the three-day conference on “Aging and Health of Older Persons in Sub-Saharan Africa” which took place in Entebbe from February, 20–23. The State Minister for the elderly, Hon. Dominic Mafwabi Gidudu, who opened the conference called for more research into health challenges faced by the elderly. There are few countries that have Geriatricians and specialized centers for older persons, the Minister noted.
“When we look at social protection, very few countries have instituted social protection programs for older persons yet when people age, they are prone to social shocks and vulnerabilities which need to be cushioned,” Hon. Gidudu said. Some of the health challenges facing the elderly are dementia, eye sight challenges, and hearing problems. The Minister said there is need for research to provide practical guidelines on how to respond to such conditions. “We have a big task to educate our people on how to manage this condition least they will continue to stigmatize older persons with dementia,” he added.
Older persons in Uganda constitute 4.3% of Uganda’s population. This number is projected to increase from 1.5 million to 6 million in 30 years. This follows an increase in the life expectancy of Ugandans from 53 to 60 years.
The minister however noted that almost 45% of older persons live in poverty and yet care for young orphaned children.
According to researchers, two out of three older persons are caring for young children while only one of five older persons can access credit, one of five older persons have severe disability. The according to researchers are some of the many challenges governments need to address in an effort to improve the livelihoods of older persons and also improve their productivity. Research also shows that there is widespread illiteracy among older persons with more than 50 % of then being illiterate. In the case of Uganda, only 2.3 % older persons receive a pension. The minister said the government had taken some steps to address some of these challenges through the enactment of the National Policy for Older Persons 2009 which came in place to provide a framework for development of interventions and programmes for older persons.
The government has also put Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment, a cash transfer programme that provides monthly grants to older persons, Hon. Mafwabi said.
The conference was organized by the Department of Population Studies, Makerere University, University of Groningen in the Netherlands, the Federal German Institute for Population Studies, the Max Planck Institute of Demographic Research and the United Nations Department for Social Affairs. While addressing researchers from the various countries, the Principal of the College of Business and Managements Sciences Prof. Eria Hisali, said there was need to slow down lifestyle diseases among the elderly. He said it was important to address the issues of social security, financial security and healthcare for older persons. He said the issues concerning older persons had not attracted a lot of attention because Uganda has a young population. He called on researchers to continue with work in this area and also educate the population about issues concerning older persons. Prof. Hisali thanked the Department for organising the conference and Volkswagen for sponsoring the conference. The Dean, School of Statistics and Planning also joined the Principal in thanking the sponsors and organisers of the conference, especially Dr. Stephen Wandera from the Department of Population Studies, Makerere University.
Staff members from the Department of Population Studies, within the School of Statistics and Planning at Makerere University, have successfully completed a comprehensive three-day training on Doctoral Supervision. The training, held from June 28 to June 30, 2024, was meticulously conducted by esteemed faculty from the College of Education and External Studies, alongside experts from the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing the supervisory skills of doctoral advisors, underscores Makerere University‘s commitment to academic excellence and robust research mentorship. The Deputy Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences, Prof. James Wokadala, officiated the closing ceremony, commending the participants for their dedication and active engagement throughout the training sessions.
“We are committed to fostering a supportive and rigorous research environment for our doctoral candidates. This training is a testament to our dedication to academic excellence and effective mentorship,” remarked Prof. Wokadala in his closing address.
He said the college has got plans to improve PhD graduation levels, some of which include appointing two PhD coordinators per school. He asked the staff to exhibit high ethical standards while supervising the students.
The training program was generously funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation, secured by Dr. Patricia Ndugga. The grant facilitated a series of interactive workshops, case studies, and collaborative discussions, designed to equip the faculty with advanced supervisory techniques and strategies to support doctoral students effectively.
Dr. Patricia Ndugga expressed her gratitude for the support, stating, “This training is a significant step towards enhancing the quality of doctoral supervision at Makerere University. We are grateful to the Carnegie Corporation for their continued support in our quest to improve research training and mentorship.”
The participants, who included both seasoned and emerging academic staff, have expressed their enthusiasm for applying the new skills and knowledge gained to their supervisory roles, thereby enriching the academic journey of their doctoral students.
Makerere University remains steadfast in its mission to provide top-tier education and research training, continuously seeking avenues to enhance the capabilities of its faculty and the academic experience of its students.
In a key gathering at College of Business and Management Sciences’ School of Economics, stakeholders from diverse sectors convened yesterday (June 20, 24) to envision the future of economic education in Uganda. The occasion centered around the unveiling of the proposed Bachelor of Science in Development Economics, a program poised to reshape how economic challenges are addressed and opportunities harnessed in the country.
Among the esteemed speakers were Prof. Edward Bbaale, Principal of the college, and Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics, whose shared enthusiasm for the new program underscored its potential impact. “This initiative aligns seamlessly with Uganda’s Development Goal Vision 2030 and the National Development Plan III (NDPIII),” Prof. Bbaale remarked. “Our aim is to empower students with the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable development across the nation.”
“Our aim is not only to contribute to the development of Uganda but also to impact the wider African region and beyond,” Prof. Bbaale said.
Development Economics, as emphasized by Prof. Okumu, represents a fusion of economic theory and practical application aimed at fostering inclusive growth and poverty reduction. “This program,” he explained, “is not just about classroom learning; it’s about preparing future economists to engage directly with real-world challenges and policy-making processes.”
With an emphasis on research-led teaching and innovative approaches to economic analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to position graduates as thought leaders capable of driving sustainable economic growth and development.
The workshop provided a dynamic forum for stakeholders from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, as well as representatives from KCCA, CHUSS, CONAS, URA, and the private sector, to offer valuable insights. Discussions centered on curriculum design, industry relevance, and collaborative opportunities, reflecting a shared commitment to equipping graduates with the skills demanded by today’s economy.
“The Ministry of Finance recognizes the pivotal role of this program in advancing Uganda’s economic agenda,” noted a representative during the workshop. “By focusing on development economics, we are fostering a cadre of professionals capable of driving innovation and sustainable growth.”
From the private sector, there was a clear call for graduates who possess not only theoretical knowledge but also practical experience. “We look forward to collaborating with the School of Economics to ensure that students gain hands-on skills that are directly applicable to our evolving business landscape,” remarked a representative from a leading industry player.
Looking forward, the School of Economics aims to integrate stakeholder feedback into finalizing the program’s curriculum and securing necessary accreditation. With an emphasis on research and policy analysis, the Bachelor of Science in Development Economics aims to prepare graduates to become catalysts for change, equipped to navigate Uganda’s economic complexities.
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