7.5 Million Ugandans Living in Poverty

from All Africa

New Vision (Kampala)

By Patrick Jaramogi
Kampala

At least 7.5 million Ugandans live in chronic poverty, a minister has said. State minister for disabilities Suleiman Madada also said the majority of the population still lacked access to safe and clean water, health and education services.

Madada, who was addressing editors during a breakfast meeting at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday, said income inequalities, high rising food prices, climatic change, environmental degradation and HIV/AIDS were some of the causes of chronic poverty.

People living in chronic poverty cannot afford a meal a day or access education, health and other social services, he said. According to the 2005 Human Development Report and the Uganda Chronic Poverty Report, 26% of Uganda's population lives in chronic poverty. The most affected are orphans. "Social protection is important in addressing livelihood risks and shocks experienced by the population," Madada said. "A total of 13 million Ugandans are jobless, yet the population is growing. We anticipate that this number will shoot up to over 20 million in 10 years. That is why we need social protection."