Page 29 - Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme - Newsletter

INCLUSIVE SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEM

Towards a more Adaptive, Responsive,

and Inclusive Social Protection

System through a Lifecycle Approach

Francis Tahinduka – Operations
Officer, Systems Strengthening

rior to 2010, there
were limited Prof. Narathius Asingwire delivers his key note at the launch of The Operational
government-led Framework for Social Care and Support System and National Strategy for Strengthening of
efforts to support the Social Service Workforce in Uganda on 30:01:2025.
P vulnerable groups
facing shocks. People primarily persuade government to develop assistance grants, public works
relied on kinship groups and a comprehensive social protection schemes, and social care and
communities as safety nets system. The implementation of the support services.
during crises. Unfortunately, SCG yielded improved nutrition, The Ministry of Gender, Labour,
these networks have over time increased access to education and and Social Development has now
been eroded by factors like health services, and enhanced developed the National Social
rural-urban migration, poverty, participation of older persons in Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2024-
and globalization, leaving a large social and economic activities, 2028, aimed at making social
portion of the population more among many other positive protection more comprehensive,
vulnerable. At that time, efforts by impacts. adaptive, transformative and
development partners and charity In 2015, Government adopted responsive in addressing livelihood
organizations were also scattered the National Social Protection shocks across the lifecycle.
and not well coordinated due Policy (NSPP 2015) and its Despite these efforts, a 2019
to weak policies and regulatory Programme Plan of Interventions review of Uganda’s social
framework. (PPI 2015-2020), a significant shift protection sector found that
In 2010, development partners towards a more government-led progress was more visible in policy
led by FCDO (formerly DFID), social protection system. This and institutional frameworks than
Irish Aid, and UNICEF supported system emphasized expanding in programmes coverage.
the pilot of the Social Assistance access to social security benefits, From 2019 to 2024, Government,
Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), enhancing care for vulnerable in partnership with the UN
through delivery of the Senior populations, and strengthening World Food Programme, and
Citizens Grant (SCG) in 15 districts. the institutional framework for UNICEF implemented a Child-
The goal was to gather evidence social protection delivery through Sensitive Social Protection (CSSP)
of the programme’s impact and initiatives such as direct income programme in West Nile refugee
support programmes, social hosting districts. The programme

MARCH - JUNE 2025 / ESP PROGRAMME NEWSLETTER 29