Human capital development will drive poverty out of Uganda — Besigye

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To address Uganda's poverty challenge, former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr Kizza Besigye is advocating for a multifaceted approach, including investing in human capital.

According to him, this involves developing education, healthcare, and skills training programmes to equip Ugandans with competitive advantages, encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation and inclusive economic policies to stimulate job creation and wealth distribution.

“There is a need to strengthen resilience which should include implementing social protection programmes and safety nets to safeguard vulnerable populations against economic shocks,” he says.

Besigye, who is also a four-time presidential candidate, made the remarks on October 9, 2024, as Uganda marked its 62nd independence anniversary. He was addressing journalists about the independence anniversary at Nakasero in Kampala.

According to him, human capital development is needed because there is 'stark contrast between the country's jubilee and the crippling poverty that persists among its citizens'.

Dr. Col. (Rtd) Kizza Besigye addressing the Press on Independence Day at Plot 6 Katonga Road in Nakasero Kampala (Photo by Isaac Nuwagaba)

“Today, some people still use $1 (approximately shillings 3,700) as the poverty line to survive daily. Generally, now, it is agreed that those who earn below $2.5 (about shillings 9,300) a day are living in extreme poverty,” he said.

The World Bank's poverty assessment report: Strengthening Resilience to Accelerate Poverty Reduction in Uganda, reveals that the country's poverty reduction pace has been sluggish, with minimal progress made between 2012 and 2019.

“The report attributes this stagnation to numerous shocks, including climate change, economic downturns and health crises, which have disproportionately affected Uganda's poor and rural populations,” he said. 

“Limited access to education and healthcare by the poor and all the disparities in access to essential services have hindered human capital development, perpetuating poverty cycles and income gaps between the rich and the poor,” Besigye said.

On economic growth, the Opposition strong-man highlighted that Uganda's economic growth has not been inclusive, leaving many citizens vulnerable to poverty and inequality by foreign investors who are dealing in what the locals should be doing themselves in terms of trade, animal industry, manufacturing and agriculture.

Besigye stresses that Uganda's political parties, including his former party (FDC and the National Unity Platform (NUP), are not immune to the country's poverty crisis.

Now under the umbrella of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Besigye noted that parties are often forced to rely on government funding, which can compromise their independence and effectiveness in providing accountable leadership to the benefit of all Ugandans across board.

 Stop chasing economic growth indicators

“The National Resistance Movement (NRM) government led by President Yoweri Museveni should stop chasing economic growth indicators and instead address the pressing welfare needs of the citizens. They are obsessed with Growth Domestic Product (GDP) ratios and economic growth but this has not translated into improved living standards for the majority of Ugandans,” he said.

Besigye cited the high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality as evidence that the government's economic policies have failed to benefit the ordinary people.

“The government is too focused on impressing the international community with impressive GDP figures, but meanwhile, our people are suffering," Besigye said. 

"We need to redefine what we mean by development and focus on the things that truly matter to our people."

Economic growth trajectory

Uganda's economy continues to grow, with the World Bank projecting a growth rate of 6.5% in 2024. 

The Opposition leader said the Government's economic policies have largely benefited a small elite, while the majority of the population remains marginalised. He called for a more inclusive approach to development, one that prioritises the needs of the people over the interests of foreign investors and the wealthy elite.

Besigye also criticised what he called the Government's reliance on foreign aid and loans, which he said has created a culture of dependency and undermined Uganda's sovereignty. 

He argued that the government should instead focus on mobilising domestic resources and investing in key sectors like agriculture, education and healthcare.