By Joan Tendo
Cabinet this week approved the elderly to have five Parliamentary representatives as a special interest group.
The Cabinet this week cleared the election of five members from the elder group to represent them in Parliament.
Judith Nabakooba, the Minister for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Judith Nabakooba, who also doubles as the cabinet spokesperson said in the press release that was accessed by the Homeland this week.
House in session
Nabakooba said that this will help to strengthen inclusive representation of all special interest groups in Parliament.
“It would therefore be proper to have the elderly, who in this bracket are 60 years of age and above have representation to provide a levelled platform for discussion of needs and concerns of older persons,” she said adding
“And also enhance good governance through inclusive representation of all special interest groups,”
Nabakooba said that older persons in Uganda contribute immensely to the creation of wealth, support and care of families yet their representation stops at the district and there is no linkage between the older person’s council structure and Parliament.
“In spite of government’s commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of older persons, there is still need to have a streamlined structure from village to parliament to enhance participation of older persons in decision making,”
Nabakooba said that this population increase therefore presents far reaching implications on the demand and access to specialized social economic services for older persons.
“This therefore creates a gap in information flow as older persons’ views, interests and opinions are not adequately represented in Parliament unlike other special interest groups,” she added
