Uganda sued over digital ID system that excludes millions

A dirt road through the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement in Bweyale, Uganda. Three charities have filed suit against the government, saying women and the elderly are missing out on healthcare and welfare benefits due to flaws in the identity card rollout. — Bloomberg

When Otajar John heard senior citizens would be given 25,000 Ugandan shillings (RM30) per month as part of a new government welfare scheme, he jumped at the chance to apply.

After a lifetime of working as a farmer, the octogenarian from rural eastern Uganda was living hand to mouth, reliant on begging to survive. The financial support offered by the state would certainly help him, he thought.