Western Uganda leads in poverty reduction

By Innocent Anguyo

WESTERN Uganda has made the biggest strides in poverty reduction efforts as eastern and northern regions continue to register high levels of chronic poverty, a government report reveals.

The national baseline survey conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) established that in the western region, between 2010 and 2012, 15.2% people moved out of poverty.

In the same period, 29.5% of people in the northern region remained chronically poor and 17.3% more slipped into poverty. However, the eastern region had the highest number of people slip into poverty at 18%.

Nationally, 18.6 % of Ugandans remain in chronic poverty as 13.5% of people slumped into poverty. Only 10% of Ugandans jumped out of poverty. 

The western region therefore, performed better than the entire country as regards poverty alleviation, but 15.8% of residents in western Uganda remain chronically poor while 10.7% fell into poverty.

Despite posting the least number of people who climbed out of poverty (5.4%), the Central region continues to register the least number of chronically poor people (3.7%).

The region also registered the least number of people who slid into poverty at 7.8%. In the eastern region, 9.6% of people got out of poverty while in the northern region, 8.4% got freed from the jaws of poverty.

The findings of the Uganda A poor Ugandan is one who spends no more than $1.20 (about sh3,170) a day.

According to James Muwonge, the director, socio-economic surveys at UBOS, the survey used the 2005/06 Uganda National Households Survey as the baseline and the findings are based on interviews and literature review.

Out of the 7,400 households interviewed during the 2005/06 survey, 3200 households were selected for the panel surveys.

As a result, the same sample was maintained in 2009/10, 2010/11 and 2011/12 rounds of surveys.

67% most likely to become poor

Despite more than half of Ugandans not being poor, at least 67% of the population is highly vulnerable to poverty, the expenditure review for Uganda 2012 done by the Directorate of Social Protection in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development revealed.

Dr. Fred Matovu, a senior lecturer of economics at Makerere University who participated in the review, it was aimed at establishing the number of Ugandans who require social protection due to their susceptibility to poverty.

Social protection, as defined by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, is concerned with preventing, managing and overcoming situations that adversely affect people’s wellbeing.

Social protection consists of policies and programmes designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by promoting efficient labour markets, reducing people’s exposure to risks and enhancing their capacity to manage economic and social risks such as unemployment, exclusion, sickness, disability and old age.

Matovu said the 67% represented both Ugandans who spend below the poverty line of $ 1.20 (about sh3,170) per day plus those who are below twice the poverty line, $2.4 (about sh6,340) per day. 

Hence, most Ugandans are still likely to regress into poverty.