Social protection refers to public and private interventions to address risks and vulnerabilities that expose individuals to income insecurity and social deprivation, leading to undignified lives. It is a basic service and a human right that ensures dignity of people. In the Ugandan context, the social protection system is comprised of two pillars, namely: social security and social care and support services. Social security refers to protective and preventive interventions to mitigate factors that lead to income shocks and affect consumption. Social Care and Support Services are a range of services that provide care, support, protection and empowerment to vulnerable individuals who are unable to fully care for themselves.

The Government of Uganda recognises that social protection is a critical pre-requisite for achieving national development goals. Government recognises the need to guarantee social security to the population and to provide assistance to people who are vulnerable either by age, social class, location, disability, gender, disaster or who do not earn any income in order to promote equity.