By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Hon. Dominic Mafwabi, the Minister of State for Elderly Affairs has outlined six major types of Abuses usually inflicted on Uganda’s Older Persons. Older Persons according the Uganda Constitution are those above 60 years.
Mafwabi made the revelation today, Wednesday, September 25, 2024 while addressing the media on the International Day of Older Persons at Uganda Media Center.
The Minister says the types of Abuses include; Physical Abuse which is the physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment. It includes assault, battery, and inappropriate restraint. Approximately 25% Older persons in Uganda suffer from this form of abuse.
The other is Sexual Abuse which is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older person. An estimated 6.8% older persons in Uganda suffer this form of abuse.
Domestic Violence; this involves violence by an intimate partner where the violence is used to exercise power and control. It is estimated that 44.7% of Older Persons suffer this form of abuse in Uganda.
Psychological Abuse is the willful infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct. Appropriately 49 % of older persons in Uganda suffer from this form of abuse.
Financial Abuse is the illegal or improper use of an older person’s funds, property, or resources or denial of an older person’s access to financial rights by virtue of their age. It is estimated that 46.8% of Older Persons in Uganda suffer from this type of abuse
Finally, Neglect and Isolation is the failure of a caregiver to fulfill his or her care giving responsibilities. Self-Neglect is failure to provide for one’s own essential needs. It’s is estimated that 86 % of Older Persons in Uganda suffer from this form of abuse.
Meanwhile, Minister Gidudu announced that the National Celebrations will take place at Liberation Square in Masaka City, with His Excellency, the President of Uganda expected to preside over the event on 1st October 2024.
