The management of poverty eradication programmes and poverty eradication in Uganda: a case study of Budaka District

Abstract

The study on which this report is made was carried out to examine the management of poverty eradication programmes in Budaka District. It specifically sought to establish the managerial and ethical flaws embedded in the programmes that are impeding quick realisation of poverty eradication effects. The research was carried out through a case study design to allow for in-depth exploration of the selected case-Budaka. The study instruments involved a semi-structured questionnaire, an observation guide, and interview guides. It involved 180 questionnaire respondents and 20 Key informants. I found out that there are several poverty eradication initiatives operating in the place and with a number of benefits to the residents including provision of animals and improved seed varieties, digging of boreholes, improvement of roads and school structures, health centres, UPE and sensitisation on educational benefits. I, however, further established that, though the programmes have some managerial strength, all the respondents (residents) identified flaws in the way they are managed. These include corruption in the form of nepotism, cronyism, embezzlement, partisan sectarianism, fraudulent award of tenders and misappropriation of public funds. They also cited the charging of high interest rates by credit bodies and failure of the programmes to reach the grassroots. Together with the insufficiency of programme funds these tendencies can be blamed for the slow pace of poverty eradication in the area. I therefore recommended that: more efforts be put on involving people in the eradication processes; lower interest rates be charged; preferential treatment be given to the poorest people at the grassroots; school facilities and resources be improved; commercial farming be encouraged more; family planning awareness be carried out more rigorously and sufficient financial feasibility study be carried out before programme implementation.