1. Social Protection in Uganda
Beatrice Okillan
Policy and Learning Manager, Social Protection Secretariat
Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development

2. Uganda Poverty Context: 2011
24.5% - more than 7 million people - living below poverty line
Significant numbers living in chronic poverty
20% of children are underweight
Inequality increasing – current Gini of 0.42
Resource constraints identified as limiting access to health & education services
Consistent growth – stronger base for financing SP

3. Social Protection Context
Refer to IUPE and Health Care – free in principle
NSSF and Public Service Pension - covered 700,000 families
95% of active labour force excluded from formal social protection
No minimum wage – labour unions weak and fragmented
Fragmented provision of social protection
No clear institutional leadership on SP and no overarching policy, planning or legal framework
Limited donor engagement in SP

4. Policy Initiation
Recognition of chronic poverty & limitations of existing livelihoods and emergency cash / food for work policies;
MGLSD concept paper in 2005
SP Task Force led the development of SP policy
International cross-GoU capacity building on social protection;
DFID supported design for cash transfer pilot
2007 MoFPED view– sustainability & affordability?

5. Policy Process: Drivers 2008-2010
2008 Kampala conference raised awareness of international interest and African experience of SP
2008, Uganda signed up to the AU’s Social Policy Framework -commitment to invest in social protection
2009 DFID funded redesign of social protection programme with MoFPED endorsement
2010 Social Protection well represented in the 5 year National Development Plan
Select Committee established leading to ....Cabinet full endorsement and approval June 2010

6. ESP Overview Housed within the MGLSD Around $60 million / 5 years
Purpose: to embed a national social protection system that benefits the poorest as a core element of Uganda’s national policy, planning and budgeting processes.
Parallel processes of:
Policy development
Pilot implementation and
Evidence generation (national and international)

7. Social Protection Institutional Development
Creating a Social Protection Secretariat within the MGLSD
Providing technical support to the SP Sub-Committee
Strengthening GoU Leadership Structures on SP:
Building a strong social protection team within MGLSD for policy & management of cash transfers
Building cross GoU capacity for policy development, analysis and implementation
Considering from the outset the long term institutional structures necessary for policy and implementation

8. Social Protection Policy Framework
Will bring together core ‘pillars’ of the social protection policy framework in Uganda
Will provide a long-term vision
Significant consultation process
Strategic and prioritized
Underpinned by legislation as required

9. Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE)
14 Districts
15% of the population / 600,000 beneficiaries
22,000 UGX / month (aprox. $10 usd)
Experimental targeting approaches
Innovative payment mechanism

10. Building Demand & Political Support
Evaluation of cash transfer pilot will be critical
Research (including by Ministry of Finance)
Training and awareness raising, study tours – including political level influencing
Support to civil society
Communications strategy

11. Challenges and Opportunities
Institutional: SP agenda driven by SP Directorate in MGLSD – Directorate of Labour, decent work agenda, labour legislation not prominent in Ugandan debate
Political: on-going advocacy on affordability and sustainability required
Opportunities
Increasing development partner interest – e.g. new EU SP policy
Increasing regional and international focus

12. Thank you and Questions?