UNDP advises govt on poverty eradication

May 18, 2013

Government has been called on to consider the rural communities during the planning process if the country is to increased household incomes that will reduce poverty levels.

By Prossy Nandudu
 
Government has been called on to consider the rural communities during the planning process if the country is to increased household incomes that will reduce poverty levels.
 
The call was made by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Helen Clark while visiting some of the projects supported by UNDP in Misoli village and landing site in Entebbe municipality.
 
She said that Uganda is an emerging economy which has great potential of eliminating poverty among the rural population if the inclusive modal growth pattern is adopted.
 
“Uganda is emerging and has a lot of potential, we argue for the growth modal to be inclusive as soon as possible so that for communities like these can have better times ahead too,” said Helen Clark.
 
Clark added that this can be possible with interventions like grants projects which UNDP has been offering to rural communities through the GEF Small Grants Programme (SFG) that is helping communities to sustain their livelihoods.
 
Clark also said that supporting women with simple and practical facilities like putting up a fish drying place for the women has increased the value of their fish that is fetching more money than before.
 
“Its very interesting to talk to the ladies who are smoking fish and learn that something as simple as being able to have a roof over a small house for drying the fish  can increase the value of fish and that is more money for them and also the economy at large,” said Clark.
 
She also advised fish women to embrace fish farming since fish takes about six months to mature yet there is need of constant supply of fish to for trade.
 
“I learnt from the women that fish takes about six months to mature  but this will not have sustainable supply and we also know that the main source of fish which is L.Victoria which  is under pressure because its feeding other countries so they should think of fish farming,” Clark added.
 
Out of this project the women have been able to pay school fees for their children and improved their living conditions according to Nassuna Hanifa one of the women smoking fish as the source of a living for the last six years.
 
Residents in the area also requested for additional eco san toilets saying the one in place cannot handle the increasing population on the landing site.
 
“The only ecosan toilet we have takes on more than 50 people a day, because the landing site is visited by traders, fishmongers and is the same being used by the residents in this village,” said Omulangira Nakibinge, a resident in the village.
 
UNDP has been able to support the construction of a modern fish during house equipped with drying trays and nets, one ecosan toilet, and also equipping women with skills in weaving among other activities, under the Environmental Women in Action for Development (EWAD) ,a non government organization.
 
Helen Clark is in the Country to address the common wealth local government’s forum and the UN team and also to get an impression of how UNDP programmes are faring in Uganda.

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