More Locals Face Poverty in Uganda

from All Africa

By Anne Mugisa and Ganzi Muhanguzi

Kampala, - Experts have warned that more people in Uganda are likely to slip into the chronic poverty category.

Currently 26% of the population is living in chronic poverty. A total of 31% live under the poverty line, surviving on less than sh1,600 a day.

International researchers and experts said at the launch of the Chronic Poverty Report for 2008/2009 last week, that those living above the poverty line are also at risk.

The report, launched at Protea Hotel in Kampala, was drawn from a research done by the UK based Chronic Poverty Research Centre.

The experts complained that many programmes aimed at poverty eradication are short term and are drawn without consulting the target groups.

They advocated for looking at society as a whole and warned against handouts and cash transfers to individuals.

However, the Minister for Investment, Ssemakula Kiwanuka, said cash transfers could be used to facilitate poor people and increase their income.