By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe

THE findings of a recent survey show that poverty and unemployment are ranked as the top most concerns Ugandans.

According to the survey which was conducted by Afrobarometer, an independent research organisation, people also worry about health, food shortage, the state of roads, water supply and education. The report said perception regarding the creation of jobs has improved.

People are less worried about keeping prices stable, fighting corruption and narrowing the income gaps, the report added.
On political parties, it said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) still leads, followed by the FDC, DP and UPC.

The report said FDC had a higher political following in urban areas, followed by the NRM.

It said there was increasing dissatisfaction with the Government’s performance in addressing people’s problems.

The survey was carried out by Wilsken Agencies and the Centre for Democratic Governance between July 27 and September 3 last year. It sampled 4,096 people in 55 districts across all regions in the country.

Male and female respondents in the voting age group were interviewed.
Afrobarometer is a research instrument that measures social, political and economic atmosphere in Africa, according to Robert Sentamu, the managing director of Wilsken Agencies.

The organisation has conducted a similar survey in over 20 African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Tanzania.

The findings indicate that there was more freedom of speech and political association in Uganda.
For example, 86% of the people believe there is freedom to join any political party, while this was 65% in 2005, the report said.

It, however, said there was increasing criticism of the country’s quality of democracy.

There is declining trust in the political institutions including Parliament and the ruling NRM party, the report added.
The trust in the Electoral Commission has also declined, it said.