Uganda’s Old Age Pension: Who Benefits?

Uganda has been piloting two social protection schemes over the last few years, under its Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme. This is a 5-year government programme, supported by DFID and Irish AID. The pilot schemes are intended to gather evidence on impacts of cash transfers as a means of informing...

MPs in Uganda make case for universal social protection programme

When discussing the governance of social protection in developing countries, we usually focus on the Executive Branch institutions and their role in policy development – as well as the design, implementation and monitoring of schemes – but pay little attention to the role of Parliaments. Nonetheless, as part of their...

The Zomba conditional cash transfer experiment: An assessment of its methodology

In the 6th edition of our Pathways Perspectives publications, Stephen Kidd and Rebecca Calder examine the results of a study undertaken by the World Bank in an attempt to assess...

Grandmas, Pensions and Female Genital Cutting

Rebecca Calder reports on the surprising finding that pensions may be contributing to a reduction in female genital cutting in Karamoja, Uganda. In the 7th edition of our Pathways Perspectives...

An overview of Kenya’s Single Registry Model

The launch of Kenya’s Single Registry scheme marks a major step forward in the management and monitoring of social protection in low- and middle-income countries, writes Richard Chirchir. The Registry has enabled the government of Kenya to link together the Management Information Systems (MISs) of five social security schemes (the...

Pensheni Kwa Wote! Building the Social Protection Floor for Older Persons in Kenya

The 31st of March 2017 marked a great step forward for Kenya with the announcement of a social pension for all older persons. Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich – the Minister of Finance – presented the 2017/18 Budget to both Houses of Parliament which included measures to address poverty through social...

Social Exclusion and Access to Social Protection schemes

Exclusion from social protection remains a significant challenge. This study, based on interviews with researchers and programme implementers in Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, and a literature review and experience across many countries, explores factors behind this.

What ails Kenya’s elections? Thoughts on a way forward

Unfortunately, Kenya’s election is becoming a circus. We had elections on August 8th that were annulled by Supreme Court over irregularities and illegalities. So, we then had another election on October 26th that was boycotted by the leading opposition figure, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and his supporters. Before or...

How a nation can own its social protection strategy: the Case of Mozambique

In Mozambique, there are plans for substantial increases in cash transfers, as the government attempts to fulfil its progressive social protection strategy approved last year, writes Joe Hanlon. That strategy calls for expanding cash payments to most older people and small children. Under plans sent to Parliament, cash transfers to...

Inclusive lifecycle social security: An option for Uganda?

Inclusive lifecycle social security: an option for Uganda? considers the feasibility and likely effects of introducing a comprehensive social protection system in the low-income country. The report, available for download below, for...