Introduction
Despite numerous government and non-governmental efforts to promote economic growth, reform, and poverty alleviation, income inequality and poverty remain prevalent in Uganda.
The African Development Bank assessment pointed out that Uganda has the third highest level of inequality in East Africa, trailing only South Sudan and Rwanda, with over 16.36 million out of about 45 million Ugandans being impoverished. “In most East African countries… income is relatively concentrated in the hands of a few, while the majority struggle to meet basic needs such as food, energy, health care, housing, and education,” the report states.
According to Oxfam, a global confederation that focuses on the alleviation of poverty, the richest 10% of Uganda’s population receive 35.7% of national income, while the poorest 10% receive only 2.5% and the poorest 20% receive only 5.8%. Uganda’s national poverty line stands at US$0.88–US$1.04. Rural poverty rates are typically higher than urban poverty rates with a UNICEF report showing that 55% of rural households experience poverty against 23% of urban households.
Poverty is more prevalent in the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions which experienced a civil war between the Ugandan government and various rebel groups, most notably the Lord’s Resistance Army for more than two decades from the mid-1980s to the late 2000s. The eastern region faces the sugarcane plantation business, pests and diseases, and low education level compared to other regions. Widespread income inequality frequently exacerbates poverty, creating a difficult to break vicious cycle. Wealthy families have greater opportunities which reinforces the poverty cycle – the wealthiest become richer as the poor become poorer.
These two intertwined issues are not just buzzwords or statistical data points, they are real-life phenomena that impact the lives of millions in Uganda.
According to Makerere University Professor John Dumba-Ssentamu’s article, “Uganda’s inequality has been exacerbated by uneven land distribution and the complex land tenure system.” Furthermore, “differences in access to education, disparities in employment opportunities, urbanization, and generational poverty” are hurdles to equitable access and resource distribution. Other factors such as corruption and weak governance are significant factors that contribute to income inequality in Uganda, according to analysts.
The Ugandan government has taken steps to curb the inequality, but it hasn’t sustainable, but the NGOs and CBOs like Link Hands Uganda have come up to empower and change lives of people through education, sensitization, medical care, clean water, and preaching the word of God. A lot has been done, but still a lot needs to be done.
Activities of the Month:
Like the previous months, this October we were filled up with medication for individuals and supplies for the Malnutrition ward at Nalufenya children’s hospital. Surprisingly, we have two cases which need medical surgeries. 1) Malnutrition ward of Nalufenya Children’s hospital.
We support this malnutrition ward monthly with mostly supplies used in making nutritious solvents for the children. In this month of October, we were able to supply them with sugar, rice, sun seed cooking oil, packets of milk, soap, and beans. Luckily enough we met the head of the Pediatric department, Dr. Nambuya Harriet. She is a senior consultant in East Africa, and she is a senior pediatric in Uganda. She welcomed us and was happy to receive the help. She thanked us for our consistency in supporting the hospital. She requested help to go to other wards like the emergency ward, sickle cell disease ward, and HIV/AIDS ward. Dr. Kizito highlighted that we should consider the caretakers or mothers of these children while at the hospital because they come and lack food to eat. In attendance was Dr. Nambuya, Dr. Toko Manisul, Dr. Kizito, and Nurse Sandra. The hospital management is happy and grateful for this kind of relationship and support.
2) Layet Dorothy
She is a 47-year-old lady a mother of 6 children and a resident of Nakabango. She has not been on our social program list, but we got to know her through a Lutheran congregation. She is battling with goiter disease in her throat. When her daughter, Florence, came to our offices we had to reach out as soon as possible by taking her to hospital for further medical examinations where the doctors saw that she must be operated on or undergo surgery. We paid the hospital bills and the medical bills until her time of operation comes in late November. Link Hands Uganda now seeks to look for funds to see that Layet Dorothy is operated and recovers from sickness. We shall follow up on her until condition.
3) Waiswa Emmanuel.
He is a 14-year-old boy suffering from hydrocele condition that causes her testicles to swell and be filled with water. His caretaker or guardian called Kasirye Joseph reach out to Rev. Benard Mwesigwa and explained the situation of Emmanuel. Link Hands got involved and rushed him for CT scan, and other examinations. The results showed that he needs to be operated on in time, so he was given some medication for two weeks. Emmanuel will have to go back to hospital and talk to the doctor who will later schedule an appointment. Link Hands Uganda will continue to follow up on Emmanuel’s situation until he is healed. 4) Brenda Mirembe
She one of our favorite women we have supported in the past with the small business start up capital, clothes from Sweden, and other supplies. Brenda, a mother of four now, the eldest being 8 years old, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy and she named him Mukisa (blessing) Marvin. Link Hands Uganda handled her situation by transporting her to hospital, paying medical bills, catering for her family while she was at the hospital, and taking her back. We give thanks to God that she delivered well. While she was in the hospital bed she said, “Take me a photo and send it to Anders his wife. I love those two souls and I am happy because they have supported me.”
Accountability for the month of October
Conclusion
This month more funds were used than the expected monthly budget, but we used the other small balances which remains in the account to support our dear beneficiaries. The hospital management requested that we increase the supplies so that they can sustain them for a month. What we gave in October was greatly appreciated but was to run at least for a week and half. They requested that, if possible, we increase to enable them to serve the malnourished children.
We hope to continue and follow up on Emmanuel and Dorothy who need surgery in November, and we pray to God that the funds can be present for them to be saved from the terrible sickness.
Link Hands is forever grateful for the sacrifice Mr. Anders and Ingela take to see that many people in Uganda are helped, and their lives improved. We do not take this for granted, but we know and understand that you do a lot to see that this goal is fulfilled. Thank you for being good parents, friends, and partners!!! Christ bless you abundantly. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Mathew 5:16 Compiled by, Rev. Benard Mwesigwa
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