Success Stories
It is a rainy day in Rwenkuba Village, Fort Portal City, as 82-year-old Apolonia Kaheeru prepares to walk four kilometers for a monthly group meeting. The gathering, organized by Kumbuka Wazazi, an elderly persons’ group she belongs to, has become a lifeline for many older men and women in the community.
Formed just a year ago with the goal of empowerment and reducing isolation among older persons, the group has grown to more than one hundred members across the district.
Normally, these gatherings follow the same agenda. But today’s meeting is different. It is a celebration of a simple yet powerful act of generosity, one that has restored dignity, hope, and a sense of belonging among Uganda’s elders.
Through Mihama Development Initiatives’ (MDI) Silver Care Program, Kumbuka Wazazi recently received a community tent to support income generation and strengthen social inclusion. For a group made up largely of individuals aged 70 and above, the gesture goes far beyond the tent itself.
For many elderly persons in rural Uganda, ageing comes with profound challenges: limited access to healthcare, diminishing family support, and a lack of stable income. Yet amidst these realities, the elders in Rwenkuba have found renewed purpose through collective action and shared community spaces.
“This tent means more than just income,” said 76-year-old Tibagwa Grace from Harugongo Village. “It shows us that we still matter, that our community still cares. I feel at peace when I come here and meet other old people like me. When you lose your children, you become lonely staying at home alone. But when I come here, I feel alive again.”
The tent will be hired out for weddings, meetings, and community functions, providing a steady income stream to strengthen the group’s savings and welfare fund. These funds will help members access food, healthcare, and other essentials, turning a modest intervention into a lifeline for the community’s senior citizens.
“I’m happy for the tent Mihama has given us,” said 65-year-old Jooki George William from Kitumba Central, East Division. “When we have an event, we won’t have to borrow or hire anymore.”
“At MDI, we believe that development begins with people,” noted Ms. Florence Kugonza, MDI’s Field Mobilizer. “I feel proud that we have achieved one of our key objectives, supporting the elderly. The members are happy to sit in their own tent.”
According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC), 5 percent of Uganda’s population is aged 60 years and above. Through the Silver Care Program, MDI currently supports 30 elderly persons in Fort Portal, offering psychosocial support, regular home visits, and linkages to essential health services. The program also strengthens intergenerational connection by engaging local youth volunteers to visit and assist older persons.
Beyond its economic value, the tent stands as a symbol of dignity, respect, and belonging. It is a reminder that Uganda’s elders, the custodians of wisdom, culture, and community values, deserve not just care, but opportunity.
“This handover represents the heart of our mission: empowering people to build communities that thrive,” said Betty Kagoro, Co-founder and Communications Lead at MDI. “We believe that small steps can lead to big change. When communities take charge of their own progress, the results are lasting and meaningful. This initiative is a clear example of what local solutions can achieve.”
As MDI continues to strengthen its livelihoods portfolio, the organization envisions scaling similar micro-enterprise solutions to elderly groups across western Uganda, ensuring that no one is left behind.
About the Silver Care Program
Mihama Development Initiatives’ Silver Care Program focuses on improving the health, wellbeing, and social inclusion of older persons aged 70 years and above in Fort-Portal, Uganda. Through community-driven models, the program promotes dignity, income security, and intergenerational solidarity.
