By John Kusolo
On a landmark day for the elderly community in Uganda, the HelpAge Advocacy Network Uganda (HANU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, unveiled its transformative five-year Strategic Plan for 2024-2029. Led by Namara Arthur Araali, Chairman of HANU, this strategic launch marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to address the pressing issues affecting older persons (OPs), ensuring that their rights, dignity, and well-being are safeguarded.
The newly launched strategic plan is designed to serve as a comprehensive roadmap that outlines the mission, vision, and key objectives HANU aims to achieve over the next five years. It reflects the organization’s commitment to addressing the ever-growing needs of Uganda's aging population through advocacy, capacity building, and evidence-driven approaches.
The plan comes at a time when Uganda, like many other African nations, is experiencing a demographic shift, with an increasing number of older persons facing socio-economic vulnerabilities. This strategic plan is thus a timely and essential tool for improving the quality of life for older Ugandans.
Vision and Mission
HANU’s Strategic Plan for 2024-2029 is anchored in a powerful vision: “A society where all older persons lead dignified and secure lives.” This vision encapsulates HANU’s unwavering commitment to creating a Uganda where older persons are not marginalized or neglected but are embraced, supported, and empowered to live fulfilling lives.
The mission of the organization, as articulated in the strategic plan, is clear: “To coordinate capacity strengthening and evidence-based advocacy efforts for the improved welfare and rights of older persons.” This mission underscores HANU’s focus on building the capacities of older persons, advocating for systemic and sustainable changes, and promoting interventions that are backed by data and research to directly benefit the elderly population.
Chairman Namara Arthur Araali, in his remarks, highlighted the significance of this mission. He emphasized the critical role that evidence-based advocacy plays in influencing policies that can improve the welfare of older persons. He pointed out that for too long, older persons have been underserved in policy discussions and decisions, and this plan seeks to reverse that trend by ensuring that older persons have a voice in shaping their future.
*Core Values and Strategic Objectives*
In order to fulfill its mission and vision, HANU's operations will be guided by core values that reflect its commitment to transparency, inclusiveness, and leadership. These core values include:
*Leadership* : Prioritizing the role of older persons in decision-making processes at all levels.
*Equity:* Ensuring that the most vulnerable older persons are supported and given the attention they deserve.
*Inclusiveness* : Promoting diversity and inclusion in all activities related to older persons.
*Accountability:* Upholding integrity and stewardship, ensuring that resources and initiatives are transparently managed and effectively implemented.
These values will guide all of HANU’s programs and partnerships over the next five years, ensuring that they are community-driven and respond to the real needs of older persons.
*Strategic Objectives*
The Strategic Plan 2024-2029 is built on several key objectives that define HANU’s focus for the next five years. One of the most critical objectives outlined is Information Management for advancing active aging in Uganda. This objective will be achieved by establishing a national digital knowledge hub that collects and shares data on the needs, challenges, and contributions of older persons across Uganda. Chairman Namara Arthur Araali emphasized that the need for reliable, up-to-date data cannot be overstated, as it will serve as the foundation for designing policies and interventions that are responsive to the unique challenges of older persons.
Capacity strengthening and advocacy will also play a central role in the plan, with a strong emphasis on empowering older persons to take active roles in shaping their communities. Namara reiterated that older persons, with their wealth of knowledge and experience, should be at the forefront of decision-making processes, both at the national and local levels. This approach will foster a culture where older persons are not seen as passive recipients of aid but as active contributors to Uganda’s development.
*Key Areas of Focus*
The strategic plan outlines several key areas of focus that will be prioritized during the 2024-2029 period. These areas include:
*Health Advocacy:* Strengthening health systems to better cater to the specific health needs of older persons. This includes promoting access to age-friendly healthcare services, addressing non-communicable diseases prevalent among the elderly, and ensuring that older persons have access to affordable medical care.
*Economic Empowerment:* Developing and promoting sustainable livelihoods for older persons. This includes ensuring that older persons have access to financial security, income-generating opportunities, and pension systems that can support them in their later years. Namara emphasized the importance of economic empowerment as a way of reducing dependency among older persons and promoting their financial independence.
*Representation:* Ensuring that older persons are adequately represented in policy-making spaces. One of the key issues that HANU aims to address is the underrepresentation of older persons in decision-making bodies. By advocating for their inclusion in local, regional, and national governance structures, HANU seeks to amplify their voices and influence policies that directly affect their lives.
*Collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development*
The partnership between HANU and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has been instrumental in the development and launch of the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. Both parties have committed to working together to ensure that the goals outlined in the strategic plan are achieved. This collaboration is particularly important in the areas of policy advocacy and social protection programs, where government support is critical for the success of HANU’s initiatives.
The Ministry’s participation in this strategic plan launch signals the government’s growing recognition of the importance of addressing the needs of older persons. In his address, a representative from the ministry reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting older persons through improved healthcare services, social protection measures, and inclusive policies that prioritize the elderly.
The launch of the HelpAge Advocacy Network Uganda’s Strategic Plan for 2024-2029, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, is a major step forward in Uganda’s efforts to address the needs of its aging population. Under the stewardship of Namara Arthur Araali, HANU is set to play a pivotal role in shaping a future where older persons are not only valued but are also empowered to live dignified, secure, and fulfilling lives.
With a clear vision, a strong mission, and the backing of government and stakeholders, the next five years will be transformative for older persons in Uganda. As the nation continues to experience demographic changes, HANU’s leadership will be critical in ensuring that no older person is left behind. Through sustained advocacy, capacity building, and data-driven approaches, HANU is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of Uganda’s elderly population.
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