The contributions of theologies towards anti-poverty formulae and related educational challenges in selected regions in Uganda

Abstract

The main focus of the study was to investigate the contributions of theologies towards antipoverty formulae and related educational challenges in Uganda. The study had a particular concern to the problem of poverty which stifles advancement of education in many ways; prevents authentic spiritual and material development; and also with the awareness that poverty in extreme cases kills people. The study put more emphasis on the three Christian theologies that influence larger populations as follows: Catholics (42%) Protestants (36%) and Pentecostals (5%) forming about 83% of the entire population of Uganda. This was made in particular reference to three main regions of the country namely the Western, Southern and Central parts of Uganda. The apparent nature of the three theologies underlined the holistic (spiritual and material) development based on the metaphysical, epistemological and axiological bases in Christ’s philosophy of life, that demand the catering for the holistic needs of people, including the need to fight poverty. This is amidst the challenge that biting poverty in many instances appear to remain and in others appear to even worsen, despite the above theological inputs. Subsequently three research questions were formulated as follows: Are the Christian theological doctrines and plans reflecting the holistic nature, towards anti-poverty and related educational challenges in Uganda? Is what is to be implemented (towards anti-poverty formulae), being achieved, up to grassroots levels?; What are the factors affecting the above contributions, including the metaphysical, epistemological and axiological aspects therein?; This was done in connection with three hypothesis which were also formulated as follows: xiii i. There is a significant relationship between the Christian theological doctrines/plans and the theoretical inputs towards anti-poverty formulae as well as related educational challenges in Uganda; ii. There is a significant relationship between the Christian theological doctrines/plans and the Christian anti-poverty practical implementations as well as related educational challenges up to the grassroots levels. iii. There is a significant relationship between the theologies’ anti-poverty contributions and the factors of inadequate implementations of their ideals, when merged with other factors thereof. The findings revealed that on the theoretical level, the theological doctrines and plans, also upheld by respondents (98.7%), were upholding the values of both spiritual and material development, as confirmed with their base of scripture (that talk about christ’s words; writings of theologians; official documents of churches and examples of Christian witness in their way of life. Thus the first hypothesis was maintained. On the practical implementations level, despite the many anti-poverty activities, categorised in 67 activities, the majority of the respondents (52.8%) conceded that the anti-poverty implementations were not being done successfully up to the grassroots level, more especially given the criteria of Christian ideals of genuine love and sharing with the poor. Thus the second hypothesis was rejected. The leading factors affecting the current theologies contribution were also analysed to include inadequate incomes; inefficient planning, holistic xiv imbalances amidst metaphysical epistemological and axiological realms; as well as varied interpretations of Christ’s messages, thus the third hypothesis was maintained From the above, three main conclusions were drawn following the three main objectives and the three main research questions. In addition to the above the study forwards three main recommendations. The two recommendations are mainly the theological and educational components while the third is with mainly the educational component this is finally followed by three areas of research recommended for further study.