Poverty levels soar
Nov 10, 2003
MOST Ugandans are becoming poorer though the economy is growing, a national survey released yesterday has said.
By Charles Wendo
MOST Ugandans are becoming poorer though the economy is growing, a national survey released yesterday has said.
The proportion of Ugandans living below the absolute poverty line has risen from 34% in 1999 to 38% presently, according to the results of the Uganda National Household Survey 2002/3.
About 9.8 million Ugandans are in this category.
The report released by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), says the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. In towns and villages alike, a minority has become richer while the majority have become poorer during the last three years.
The figures were obtained by interviewing more than 10,000 households sampled country-wide between June 2002 and May 2003, and comparing it with the results of a similar survey done from 1999 to 2000.
This is the first time in more than 10 years that a national survey has revealed increasing poverty. The Movement Director of Economic Affairs, Dr Ezra Suruma, said a slowdown can occur in any economy.
A World Bank economist said this did not represent a crisis.
MOST Ugandans are becoming poorer though the economy is growing, a national survey released yesterday has said.
The proportion of Ugandans living below the absolute poverty line has risen from 34% in 1999 to 38% presently, according to the results of the Uganda National Household Survey 2002/3.
About 9.8 million Ugandans are in this category.
The report released by the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), says the gap between the rich and the poor is widening. In towns and villages alike, a minority has become richer while the majority have become poorer during the last three years.
The figures were obtained by interviewing more than 10,000 households sampled country-wide between June 2002 and May 2003, and comparing it with the results of a similar survey done from 1999 to 2000.
This is the first time in more than 10 years that a national survey has revealed increasing poverty. The Movement Director of Economic Affairs, Dr Ezra Suruma, said a slowdown can occur in any economy.
A World Bank economist said this did not represent a crisis.