Residents of Alwi Sub-County, Pakwach District, are mourning the loss of 84-year-old Sophia Ocidhi, who tragically collapsed and died while waiting for her Social Assistant Grants for Empowerment (SAGE) payment from Centenary Bank.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, October 16, at the Pangyeth Parish pay point in Pangyeth Central Village. Sophia, a resident of Theyao Central Village, was transported to the pay point on a motorcycle, which aggravated her already poor health, according to her relatives.
“She was very sick,” her grandson Fred Akenda shared. “Her condition worsened at the pay point, and she collapsed and died immediately.” He added that Sophia insisted on collecting her payment in person after missing her June stipend, despite their concerns for her well-being.
Local leaders are calling for changes to the SAGE programme to better accommodate elderly beneficiaries, many of whom are suffering from serious health issues.
Robert Odia, the LCIII chairperson of Alwi Sub-County, expressed deep concern at the scene, stating, “We are losing our elderly people who come to seek their SAGE payments. Many of them are in their 80s and 90s and can rarely leave their homes. They shouldn’t have to be carried on motorcycles just to receive their money.”
Odia urged Centenary Bank to reconsider its policy, suggesting that bank officials should work with parish chiefs to deliver payments directly to the homes of those unable to travel to pay points.
As news of Sophia’s death spread, local leaders awaited police officers from Pakwach Central Police Station to investigate the incident.
Efforts to obtain a response from Centenary Bank have been unsuccessful.
The SAGE programme, launched in 2013, provides quarterly payments of 75,000 shillings to elderly individuals aged 80 and above as part of a nationwide initiative to improve the well-being of older citizens.
Unfortunately, incidents of elderly individuals dying while waiting for payments have been reported in other areas, including Kisoro and Amuria.
