President Yoweri Museveni has tasked the National Council for Older Persons in Uganda to roll out advocacy initiatives to fight preventable diseases that torment the elderly.
The president made the call while presiding over a virtual event to commemorate this year’s international day of older persons held at state house Entebbe under the theme “upholding the Rights of Older Persons during COVID 19 Pandemic: A Call for Action.”
He noted that most elderly illnesses like diabetes, stroke and heart related complications can be prevented if locals were sensitised on the right thing to do.
“The elderly council should work with the medical association and get the information on healthy living which they should pass on to the elderly. They need to embrace proper nutrition , good hygiene and other practices to be able to live longer.” Said the president
The head of state said Ugandans should be grateful to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government which he said has led to the raise of the life expectancy of Ugandans from 43 to 63 years by improving their welfare.
“We have succeded in improving the life expectancy of Ugandans. The old people should thank the NRM government because people used to die young at only 43 that’s the reason why people used to call me Mzee at 30, they thought I was also going.” Said president Museveni
Meanwhile the president said government is committed to creating an environment that guarantees old persons diginified and respectable lives through responsive polices, legislation and programming
Museveni also expressed optimism that with the representation of the elderly in parliment as a special interest group, the older persons lives will be improved in the country.
The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year.
It was desiginated on December 14, 1990 by the United Nations General Assembly as recorded in Resolution 45/106. The holiday was observed for the first time on October 1, 1991.
It is celebrated by raising awareness about issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
Uganda started commemorating the day in 1999.