Inside Museveni’s emphasis on prioritizing household income in Uganda

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, in a recent meeting with Gomba and Sembabule district leaders at his Kisozi farm in Gomba District underscored his emphasis on the importance of household income for Ugandan communities, especially in the context of prevailing poverty and economic dynamics.

The President highlighted the crucial role of household income in addressing poverty and facilitating development. He emphasized that while infrastructure projects such as roads and electricity are essential, they alone cannot alleviate poverty. Instead, he stressed the need for communities to focus on generating steady sources of income, asserting that this would lay the foundation for sustainable development.

According to the Uganda National Survey Report 2019/2020, poverty remains a significant challenge in Uganda. The report indicates that while there has been a slight reduction in the percentage of the population living in poverty between 2016/17 and 2019/20, the absolute number of people in poverty has increased from 8 million to 8.3 million over the same period. This means that approximately one in five persons in Uganda lives in poverty, with about 3.5 million persons living below the food poverty line.

Furthermore, the incidence of rural poverty is more than two times higher than that of urban poverty, highlighting disparities in income distribution and access to resources. The northern region of Uganda has experienced an increase in poverty levels, with 35.9% of the population living in poverty in the 2019/20 period. This underscores the need for targeted interventions to address regional disparities in poverty.

Amidst these challenges, President Museveni’s emphasis on prioritizing household income resonates strongly. By focusing on initiatives that empower communities to generate income, such as the project initiated in nine villages in Gomba and Sembabule Districts, President Museveni aims to address the root causes of poverty and facilitate sustainable development.

The findings from the Uganda National Survey Report further highlight the prevalence of households in the subsistence economy, with 39% of households engaged in subsistence activities in 2019/20. Of these households, the majority were involved in subsistence agriculture, reflecting the importance of agriculture as a source of livelihood for many Ugandan communities.

President Museveni’s commitment to prioritizing household income aligns with the broader goal of poverty reduction and economic empowerment in Uganda. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to poverty, such as limited access to income-generating opportunities, President Museveni seeks to create a more inclusive and prosperous society for all Ugandans.