Uganda is traditionally viewed as one of the world’s youngest nations, with nearly half the population under 18.
Yet behind this youthful imagery lies a silent demographic shift: the number of older citizens is steadily rising, creating significant challenges, but also untapped opportunities.
Since 2003, the population of Ugandans aged 60 and above has more than doubled, rising from just over 900,000 to more than 2.2 million today.
According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, older adults now represent roughly 5%of the total population, with the numbers projected to balloon to six million by 2050.
This has largely been due to a rising life expectance, which according to the 2024 Population and Housing Census rose to 68.5 years from 63.7 years in 2014.
Thin social safety nets
Despite this growth, Uganda’s social support systems for the elderly remain sadly inadequate.
The SAGE (Senior Citizens’ Grant) scheme provides just UGX 25,000 per month, and only those 80 and older can get that money.
But even then, many eligible individuals are excluded due to bureaucratic hurdles.
Yet, nearly 40% of elderly Ugandans live in extreme poverty, earning less than $2.15 a day.
Pension coverage still limited
The challenge is compounded further by a measly pension coverage system, with only around 15% of Uganda’s working population participating in retirement savings programmes, whether through voluntary schemes or National Social Security Fund.
A different estimate places the figure even lower – at 12.6% – highlighting huge gaps in pension inclusion.
Healthcare systems under strain
The ageing population require specialized care, but cannot be sufficiently offered by the current healthcare infrastructure.
Uganda’s healthcare system continues to struggles.
It still finds challenge to address the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
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Diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis, that affect older adults disproportionately, have been becoming more hostile increasing .
Specialized geriatric care is rare, and most families shoulder the burden without external support.
Yet the cost implications are sometimes too huge to be afforded by many families.
But even those that can afford find it difficult because of absence of facilities that provide eldercare.
The business case for eldercare
Therefore, an opportunity presents itself at the right time, an if taken up, it will be Uganda’s next growth frontier.
Globally, the “silver economy” is a multi-trillion-dollar market, yet Uganda has not fully tapped its potential.
There is growing interest in services such as retirement homes, assisted-living facilities, senior-focused insurance products, and age-friendly financial services.
Some local innovators are piloting community-based eldercare programmes and mobile health monitoring solutions.
What needs to change
To seize the growing opportunity in eldercare, Uganda needs to expand pension access among informal sector workers and geriatric care training for healthcare professionals.
Other focus areas include private sector incentives to invest in eldercare infrastructure and public–private partnerships that blend social protection with sustainable business models.
What should be done
Uganda’s demographic shift calls for action. Eldercare must transition from a family responsibility to a growth frontier for the finance, healthcare, and services sectors.
Whether that translates into a thriving business opportunity depends on how swiftly government and investors respond.
