Extensive research has been conducted on diverse socio-demographic issues such
as child and maternal mortality in Uganda but the contribution of older persons
to their households and communities has been comparatively under-investigated.
This article bridges the gap by discussing prevalence and determinants of the value
of persons aged sixty and above in the country. Four rural districts were randomly
selected while one urban area was purposively chosen in a cross-sectional study
conducted from March to April 2012. An interviewer-administered questionnaire
was used to collect data on 605 older persons. Engagement in income-generating
activities, possession of indigenous knowledge, advice on behaviour norms, role
played in social organizations, propagation of cultural norms, dispensing local
medicine and providing childcare were all aspects of value studied. Using scaling
technique, these eight variables were aggregated into a single total indicator of
value, operationally defined as aggregate value.