BUSOGA | POOREST | UBOS

In a report released by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) last year, the Busoga region maintained its position as the poorest region in the country.  

It contributes the largest percentage of poor people (14%) more than other regions.
Experts blame poverty on poor population planning and low levels of economic activities.

However, Leo Mmerewoma, the district community development officer for Kamuli district, attributes Busoga’s tribulations to a poor mindset. 

He says many adults and young people in Busoga seem to be comfortable with poverty because they fight some eradication interventions like family planning and education for all.

Mmerewoma adds that some domestic violence cases happen after men discover that their wives are using birth control methods. 

They still pride in having many children even if they cannot look after them. This is worsened by parental negligence. The same parents look on as their children get wasted away in drugs and prostitution. 

Some Of The Parents And Children Who Attended

He made these remarks during the Uphold the Girl Child Organization (UGCO) key stakeholders’ dialogue that happened at the Pentagon hotel in Kamuli town early this week. 

The dialogue followed the project dubbed; Improving adolescent reproductive health services, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and management in Kamuli district. 

Global Fund through The Aids Support Organization (TASO) funded the project.

John Muyeyero, the acting Executive Director of UGCO, said they reached 1,625 adolescents; 944 were school-going and 681 were out of school. They were between 10-24 years. 

They also worked with Multi Community Based Development Initiatives (MUCOBADI) and carried out mobile clinics, community and stakeholder dialogues, HIV self-testing, outreaches, and community radio talk shows.

They also had talks with influential stakeholders about negative cultural beliefs, poverty, and practices such as early marriages.