The Government has announced plans to introduce a medical insurance policy specifically designed for older persons, with a strong focus on supporting senior citizens living in rural communities.
The revelation was made by the Minister of State for Gender in charge of Older Person Affairs, Jacqueline Mbabazi, during the Meeting for the Dissolution of the Second National Council of Older Persons held at Skyz Hotel in Naguru, Kampala, on July 8, 2026.
Mbabazi said the proposed insurance programme is intended to address the growing healthcare needs of older persons, many of whom suffer from non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and other age-related illnesses.
She noted that many elderly people are increasingly left alone in villages as their children and grandchildren relocate to urban centres or move abroad in search of employment opportunities. According to the minister, access to medical insurance would enable neighbours and community members to assist elderly persons in seeking healthcare without the burden of hospital bills.
“Many older people are left alone in their homes after their children migrate to towns or abroad for work. If they have medical insurance, neighbours can easily help them access medical care because treatment costs will already be covered,” Mbabazi explained.
Currently, most insurance providers in Uganda do not extend medical insurance coverage to people above 60 years because they are considered to be at a higher risk of chronic illnesses. However, with Uganda’s ageing population steadily increasing, the Uganda Insurance Regulatory Authority has been advocating for insurance products specifically tailored to meet the needs of senior citizens.
Mbabazi said the Government will engage the Ministry of Health, insurance companies and other key stakeholders in developing a policy framework that supports affordable and accessible medical insurance for older persons.
She emphasized the need for round-table discussions to design insurance packages that are friendly to the elderly and responsive to their unique healthcare challenges.
The Commissioner for Disability and the Elderly in the Ministry of Gender, Prosper Muhumuza Byonanebye, said the insurance programme will be implemented in partnership with non-state actors and faith-based healthcare providers.
He revealed that sustained advocacy by the ministry has encouraged insurance companies to begin developing products targeting older persons, a demographic that had previously been overlooked by the insurance industry.
“Insurance companies never used to target older people, but through our advocacy they have accepted to start developing packages for them,” Byonanebye said.
To make the programme sustainable, the commissioner proposed that Shs10,000 be deducted from the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) to finance each beneficiary’s medical insurance cover.
Currently, SAGE provides Shs25,000 per month to Ugandans aged 80 years and above, with beneficiaries receiving Shs75,000 every three months. Beginning this financial year, however, the Government has lowered the qualifying age to 65 years and increased the monthly grant to Shs35,000, expanding support to more older citizens. 
Byonanebye said the ministry intends to pilot the medical insurance programme for older persons as part of the Government’s broader plan to achieve universal health insurance coverage.
The meeting also featured the presentation of the National Council of Older Persons’ achievements for the 2021–2026 term by the council chairperson, Charles Mughayira Isabirye.
In his report, Isabirye highlighted several challenges affecting the council, including inadequate funding, lack of quorum, delays in the enactment of the Older Persons Bill, and unresolved legal gaps that continue to hinder the council’s effectiveness.
The proposed medical insurance scheme marks a significant step towards strengthening social protection for Uganda’s ageing population, ensuring older persons receive affordable healthcare and greater dignity in their later years.
