Examining the Effectiveness of Government-Run Poverty Eradication Programmes in Kabarole District: A Case Study of LGDP, PMA and NAADS in Bukuuku Sub-County

Abstract

BYOMUHANGI APOLO (2007-MO53-10005) Examining the Effectiveness of Government-Run Poverty Eradication Programmes in Kabarole District: A Case Study of LGDP, PMA and NAADS in Bukuuku Sub-County This dissertation is about examining the effectiveness of government-run poverty eradication programmes in Kabarole district, basing on Bukuuku sub-county as a case study. It is a report of a study that was carried out from November 2009 to July 2010. The study was carried out with an aim of evaluating government-run poverty eradication programmes, in order to establish their strengths and weaknesses and suggest policy changes that could lead to effective poverty eradication. In the study, the researcher collected data by distributing questionnaires to fifty households and twenty individual farmers, interviewing local leaders and heads of departments and farmers, carrying out focus group discussions, documentary analysis and observation. It was found out that most people understood poverty as low income. This was mainly due to the fact that there were few economic activities in the area, with most people engaged in subsistence agriculture. Since most of them had no marketable surpluses from their production, they lacked income, which they pointed out as the major cause of poverty. Furthermore, the researcher found out that a number of factors were responsible for household poverty among the rural poor. The main factor was drunkenness followed by unemployment, lack of education and training, lack of capital, infertile soils and disasters. Other factors pointed out included lack of market, population pressure on land, gender discrimination, resistance to change and physical disabilities. Regarding evaluation of government-run poverty eradication programmes, it was discovered that most poor households had not received any financial assistance from the government and were not aware of how to get it and for what development activities. The few who were assisted expressed dissatisfaction because of underfunding. A number of people expected large sums of money to buy land build houses and start big businesses. Also it was discovered that some projects had failed due to insufficient funding and poor mobilisation/sensitisation of beneficiaries. In view of the above, the researcher came up with suggestions on policy changes and recommendations that could lead to effective eradication of poverty. These were in agreement with theoretical expectations, such as; promotion of the spirit of self-reliance, good use of local labour and resources, provision of essential social services to all rural people, development of infrastructure and diversification of rural economic activity. Keywords: Poverty eradication, NAADS, Kabarole