Self-help initiatives in fighting poverty in war-ravaged situations: a case of Lango Sub-Region, Northern Uganda, 1995-2008

Abstract

This study focused on the contributions of self-help initiative groups in fighting poverty in Lango sub-region. Its specific objectives included: examining the categories of self-help initiative groups in Lango sub-region, analyzing the contributions of self-help initiative groups in fighting poverty and investigating the challenges the group face. The data were obtained using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. It used questionnaires, interview schedule and focus group discussions. The data obtained were statistically analyzed. It was found that, categories of self-help initiative included: Community service groups, peasant farming groups, saving and emergency social support groups. It also found that they were playing vital role in society. These included: encouraging savings, promoting income generation, strengthening social relations, supports and maintenance of social services and helping in soliciting external support. They face various challenges such as imitated resource, misuse of group funds, poor record keeping, low levels of education and poor leadership. To overcome these challenges, the study recommended the strengthening of adult education so as to improve on educational level, proper identification of active self-help initiative group, putting in place by-laws and regulations for managing the group, encouraging financial institutions to invest in rural areas and encouraging government and NGOs to work with self-help initiative groups to fight poverty.