2. structure
• Mission scope
• Definition of Poverty
• Research Topics
• Methodology
• Introduction to Fieldwork
• Pre-trip expectations that matched reality
• Key Findings from Fieldwork
• Recommendations - Areas for future
research and institutional adjustment
3. mission scope
• urban / rural context in Mbarara
• poverty reduction and reversal
thereof
• recommendations “for making
adjustments in these areas to
achieve a positive contribution to
sustained poverty reduction”
(Fieldtrip TOR)
4. definition of poverty
A lack of the means to satisfy basic
material and social needs, as well
as a feeling of powerlessness
(MFPED, 2000 & 2002 as cited in CPRC report,
2005: 16)
Powerlessness in the sense of
insecurity, helplessness against
corruption in public service
delivery, general exploitation by
service providers, vulnerability to
natural and economic shocks, and
isolation from the larger society.
(Okidi and Kempaka as cited in CPRC report,
2005: 16)
6. research topics
Q1: What do the poor in Mbarara perceive as
poverty? What do they consider as factors that
drive them into poverty, or “carriers” that keep
them in poverty?
Q2: What is the direct impact of policy initiatives
like ‘decentralisation’ and ‘good governance’ on
the poor in Mbarara?
Q3: Do statistics reflect reality?
8. framework for research
What do the poor in Mbarara perceive as
poverty? What do they consider as
factors that can drive them into poverty,
or carriers that keep them in poverty?
What are the direct impacts of policy
initiatives like decentralisation and
good governance on the poor in
Mbarara?
Do statistics reflect reality?
Broad research topics SL Component
Livelihood assets,
Livelihood strategies,
Vulnerability
Transforming
structures and
processes
Livelihood assets,
Livelihood outcomes
T
1
3
2
12. rwanyamahembe (rural)
Interview with Local
Leaders
Group Discussion in
village (landless farm
worker families)
Interview in
village
(land-owning
farmer family)
13. bwizibwera (rural)
Focus group discussion in
Primary Health Centre
Interview with Fabric-
seller, Vegetable-seller
& Traditional Healer at
Weekly Market
15. expectation ~ ground reality
physical capital
• condition of services
(roads, schools,
hospitals)
• under-developed
electricity distribution -
reliance on fuel wood
for cooking etc.
• lack of water and
sanitation infrastructure
16. social capital
high prevalence of social
networks and informal
safety nets (e.g. family,
neighbourhood)
expectation ~ ground reality
17. natural capital
• fertile soils
• favourable but
unstable weather
conditions
• high reliance on
subsistence farming
expectation ~ ground reality
18. financial capital
• existence of
microfinance sector
• low usage of
financial services
• strong tendency for
self-help (e.g.
revolving savings
funds)
expectation ~ ground reality
19. Transforming structures & processes
• general reduction in poverty
• prevalence of corruption
• traditionally large families
• strong gender bias
• alcoholism
expectation ~ ground reality
20. key findings
The PEAP is part of policies within the SL framework. As the main
policy for poverty eradication, our findings show that:
PEAP
•Positive Macroeconomic Indicators
•Low inflation
•Economic growth
•Low fiscal deficit
•Declining poverty rate, except for 2002 figures
•“Blip” due to statistical error/ coffee prices
•Statistics vs. Reality?
Effect of PEAP
or
Increased Stability and
Security in the region
22. key findings
Large
Families
Povertywhat is leading to ..? how to get out ..?
Education
•Burden of many children
•Cost of Education
•Division of Assets
High Value
Acknowledgement of
Family Planning Methods
• Religious
• Cultural
• Implementation problems
?
23. key findings
Micro-
credit
Povertywhat is leading to ..? how to get out ..?
Initial
Capital
More Problems than Benefits
•Terms unfavourable
•Loss of Assets
•Broken Family Bonds
•Evictions
•Prison
New loan to repay the previous one
Micro-credit as
answer to poverty
•Lack of understanding
•Used to pay non- recoverable expenses
(school cost, medical bills, weddings, etc)
•Creditors: Banks, MFI, Individual money-
lenders
?
•High expectations
from income-
generating activities
•Sustainable?
25. key findings
Advantages: Food security,
access to land and property,
majority of Ugandans live in rural
areas
Problems: agriculture depends
on climate conditions
(vulnerability), large families
means great division of the land,
soil is being depleted, no
technological advance in
agriculture to increase yields.
Livelihood Strategies
Agriculture
26. key findings
Creation of Small Enterprises:
generation of a stable income
and reduction of agriculture-
dependence vulnerability
Problems: licenses (corruption),
still dependant on the
agricultural economy, common
goal means more competition
Livelihood Strategies
Small Enterprises
28. future research
institutional
adjustment
• vulnerability & support systems
• poverty reduction - PEAP vs. stability/ security
• statistics vs. reality
• decentralisation (participation vs. corruption)
• cultural values – education & family planning
• credit (disease or cure)
• agriculture (subsistence/primary good/value-addition)
• small enterprises (sustainability)
29. Special Acknowledgements
Ms. Immaculate Tumuhumbise
(Mbarara University of Science & Technology)
Ms. Sarah N. Ssenwanyana
(Economic Policy Research Centre,
Makarere University)
Ms. Julie Crespin
(ACTOGETHER UGANDA, Kampala)
