1.8 million children are currently living with older persons.

Living a long life is a great achievement and the older persons of Uganda have made immense contributions to building and developing the country. This includes caring for their grandchildren, especially orphans, many of whom have been affected by HIV and AIDS.

 In fact, 1.8 million children are currently living with older persons. Grandmothers, in particular, play an important role in caring for their grandchildren which enables working age parents to produce food for their families or enter the labour market.

Older persons continue to guide and inculcate Ugandan cultural values in their children and grandchildren, as well as preserving Uganda’s rich and diverse cultures. A case in point is this grandmother in Nalutuntu sub-county she is 76 years and she takes care of seven (7) grand children many of them have lost parents to HIV/AIDS. “They are my grand children and i love them I will continue to take care of them as long as am still alive. I have lost three sons and two daughters to HIV/AIDS. ‘Mukeneya ya tujira’ AIDS is terrible!  Maria Teresa laments.”