Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda

Abstract

This article deals with the statistical data and analysis con-cerning poverty among the young people in Uganda. The poverty is continuously ascending, with the most affected region being Northern Uganda. The major cause of poverty in Uganda has been the “South-North divide” fuelled by poor political leadership, that divides people along the lines of politics and ethnicity. Poverty has caused many young people of Northern Uganda to resort to rebellion against the government currently in power. This has led to unending political instability and civil strife most especially in Northern Uganda. In this article atten-tion is given to the conflict in Northern Uganda and attempts are made to propose some amicable resolutions. The discussion includes the current poverty scenario in Northern Uganda and possible strategies for reducing the poverty rate that has caused much damage in Northern Uganda.

Full text

In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 181
Principles for poverty alleviation among
the youth in Northern Uganda
A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
Practical Theology
Potchefstroom Campus
North-West University
POTCHEFSTROOM
E-mail: aseawilsonbush@yahoo.com
rantoa.letšosa@nwu.ac.za
Abstract
Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern
Uganda
This article deals with the statistical data and analysis con-
cerning poverty among the young people in Uganda. The
poverty is continuously ascending, with the most affected region
being Northern Uganda. The major cause of poverty in Uganda
has been the “South-North divide” fuelled by poor political
leadership, that divides people along the lines of politics and
ethnicity. Poverty has caused many young people of Northern
Uganda to resort to rebellion against the government currently
in power. This has led to unending political instability and civil
strife most especially in Northern Uganda. In this article atten-
tion is given to the conflict in Northern Uganda and attempts are
made to propose some amicable resolutions. The discussion
includes the current poverty scenario in Northern Uganda and
possible strategies for reducing the poverty rate that has
caused much damage in Northern Uganda.
Opsomming
Beginsels vir armoedeverligting onder die jeug in Noord-
Uganda
Hierdie artikel hanteer die statistiese data en analise wat
verband hou met armoede onder jongmense in Uganda. In hier-
die omgewing neem armoede deurlopend toe, met Noordelike
Uganda as die grootste geaffekteerde area. Die grootste oor-
saak van armoede in Uganda was die “Suid-Noordskeiding”
aangevuur deur swak politieke leierskap, wat die mense ver-
deel langs die lyne van politiek en etnisiteit. Armoede het baie

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
182 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
van die jongmense in Noordelike Uganda in opstand teen die
huidige regering laat kom. Dit het tot ongekende politieke on-
stabiliteit en siviele stryd gelei, veral in Noordelike Uganda. In
hierdie artikel word gefokus op die konflik in Noordelike Uganda
en daar word gepoog om aanvaarbare oplossings voor te stel.
Daar word ook na die huidige armoedescenario in Noordelike
Uganda gekyk en na moontlike strategieë om armoede, wat
groot skade in Noordelike Uganda veroorsaak het, te verlig.
1. Introduction
The twenty years of conflict in Northern Uganda between the rebels
of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government have
brought increased poverty among the youth of Northern Uganda.
The question in this article is: What strategic plan could be imple-
mented to alleviate the poverty among the young people in Northern
Uganda that has led to unending ethnic conflict between the South
and the North? In response to this question it is vital to primarily find
out to what extent ethnicity, tribalism, sectarianism and war hindran-
ces contribute to poverty as well as to identify possible measures to
be utilised in addressing the existing problems. The hypothesis is
“[s]ince violence has failed, dialogue must be applied”. The issue of
ethnicity, tribalism and sectarianism would be addressed by creating
an atmosphere of “unity in diversity”, that could further contribute to-
wards poverty reduction. This article also focuses on the influence of
poor political leadership that resulted in a “South-North divide” in the
wake of which followed the endless war and the damages caused by
it. In conclusion possible strategic guidelines to alleviate poverty
among the youth in Northern Uganda are provided.
2. Definition of key concepts
The following definitions of keywords form the building blocks of this
article to demarcate its meaning and contribution towards poverty
alleviation.
2.1 Concept of
poverty
Recent anthropological and sociological studies have shown that the
word poor refers to more than merely an economic concept by en-
compassing such aspects as honour and social status (Freedman,
2007:27). Gustavo (1983:114) adds that the new “poor” are the
alienated and the uncared for. Pieterse (2001:30) views poverty as
the inability of individuals, households or entire communities to com-
mand sufficient sources to satisfy a socially acceptable minimum

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 183
standard of living. According to Banda (2005:19), the definition of
poverty is rooted in failure to afford basic needs like food, shelter,
medical care, education, employment and clean water.
2.2 Concept of
youth
The term youth has different meanings depending on its context.
The report (human development) of the United Nations Develop-
ment Programme (UNDP) for Jordan in 2000 defines youths as
young people between 15-29 years of age (Wright & Tropp, 2006).
Sociologically youth may be viewed as a transition stage between
childhood and adulthood, from dependence to independence and
from being recipient of society’s services to becoming contributors to
national economic, political and cultural life (Wright & Tropp, 2006).
In the context of this study youth will be defined as all young
persons between the ages of 18-25, in line with the decision of the
National Youth Council Statute 1993 and the 1995 Constitution of
the Republic of Uganda. According to the 2002 population census
they constitute to approximately 78% of Uganda’s 28 million people
(cf. Kibanja, 2005:104).
2.3 Concept of
alleviation
Alleviation would include the step or steps taken to reduce or re-
move poverty that results in lack of food, shelter, medical care, edu-
cation, employment. It also manifests in terms of deprivation, injus-
tice and marginalisation (cf. Hartmut, 2000:73).
3. The three specific barriers to development in the North
3.1 Biased political leadership
Good leadership should be competent, non-corrupt, and non-discri-
minative (Kaketo, 2007:34). However, ironically the political history
of Uganda has been littered with corrupt and inadequate leaders.
Since the rule of Milton Obote and Idi Amin in the 1970s and 1980s,
Uganda has been infamous for its abuse of human rights and the
deaths of over half a million people, mostly young people. Although
the election of President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986 has
provided for many promising democratic reforms and a substantial
decrease in human rights violations, violence and discrimination still
plagues the Northern region of the country (Olanya, 2008:11). The
reason for this conflict is that the people of Northern Uganda are
unhappy about the government’s lack of firm commitment to deve-
lopment in the North, and to their knowledge the government is

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
184 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
actively working to over-develop the South and under-develop the
North. As examples they mention poor infrastructures like roads,
health facilities, schools and a lack of electricity in many parts of the
Northern region while the Southern region would appear to be better
provided for (Olanya, 2008:12).
3.2 “South-North divide”
The political institutions and processes that operate in Uganda at
present, formed by the government headed by the Southern region,
have created marginalisation especially among the people of North-
ern Uganda. The rise and fall of oppressive military dictators and
authoritarian regimes in Uganda tend to institutionalise human rights
violations as a necessary measure to maintain prevailing patterns of
domination. Thus, political institutions respond to the “few-tribes”,
ensuring the working of the social structure is in their favour and
aspiration: these few reap the reward (Razwanul, 2006:44).
The scourge of tribalism and sectarianism is still kept alive today by
strong political and economic powers. Therefore, discrimination,
segregation and division led to an unequal educational system and
employment opportunities. Hence, the processes of impoverishment
continue to grow from strength to strength among the young people
of Northern Uganda (Kaketo, 2007:38).
3.3 Endless conflict in Northern Uganda
The rebel leader Joseph Kony has failed to emerge from hiding in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Peace talks between
the LRA and the Government of Uganda have been abandoned, the
ceasefire has not been renewed, President Museveni has again
resorted to force, having obtained permission from Sudan and the
DRC to seek out remaining LRA rebel fighters. The indictment of the
rebel leader Joseph Kony and his fellow-four top leaders by the
International Criminal Court remains an obstacle (Abandu, 2007:34).
Although Uganda made the original referral to the International
Criminal Court (ICC) in 2003, the terms of the LRA agreement with
the Government of Uganda envisage trials for the most serious
crimes in a special national court (not international), with traditional
forms of justice known as mato opu’t dealing with lesser crimes.
Inevitably, international groups are uneasy about any process that
by-passes the International Criminal Court with regard to the trial of
these rebel leaders. The rebels of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)
have also refused to enter peace negotiations unless the Inter-

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 185
national Criminal Court warrants of arrest against four of their top
rebel leaders are dropped and in this way perpetual conflict con-
tinues (Onegi, 2008:86).
4. Poverty scenario
4.1 Dimensions of poverty
Uganda National Household Surveys (2006-2007) reflect a general
consensus that defines poverty as a lack of basic needs and
services. In order to obtain a fuller picture of poverty conditions
among the youth in Uganda over the years, the income as well as
other relevant dimensions of welfare must be considered. Income
poverty – usually measured in terms of average personal con-
sumption expenditure – relies heavily on data obtained from national
household surveys. The data are used to estimate the proportion of
the youth population below poverty line, defined in terms of money
value of a basket of commodities. Other dimensions of poverty may
be assessed in terms of the level of access to or deprivation of basic
services (Hartmut, 2000:213).
4.1.1 Income poverty
Since poverty may be defined in terms of a lack of income in relation
to essential consumption needs, it may be defined and quantified.
Kibanja (2005:26) sets the poverty line among the youth in Uganda
in 2006 at Uganda shillings 70 000 (equivalent of US$35) per month,
computed on the basis of the price of an average food basket for the
poor youths’ population and youth food consumption of 2 000 kilo
calories per day plus estimated consumptions of non-essential
items.
4.1.2 Understanding
poor
and
ultra poor
youths in terms of their
expenditure
According to Uganda’s household survey (2006-2007) 64,9% of the
youths live below the poverty line and only 35,1% have managed to
attain the standard above the line of poverty. Kibanja (2005:27)
distinguishes between poor and ultra poor youths. According to his
analysis 53% can be categorised as poor and 11,9% as ultra poor.
As per this definition youths that expend less than 70 000 Uganda
shillings or US$35 per month are considered as poor and those that
expend less than 20 000 Uganda shillings or US$10 per month are
regarded as ultra poor. According to Kaloli (2007:32), this figure
must upset any right-minded person with some kind of social

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
186 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
conscience to the core. This state of affairs, if reflected upon as a
social task, is one of the greatest challenges facing the governments
and societies of our time.
5. Poverty hint and statistics among the youth in Uganda
5.1 Poverty assessment by regions
Poverty among the youth in Uganda is not confined to one region or
ethnic group. It cuts across all groups, but the concentration is
manifested higher among the youth of the Northern region (Munene,
2005:22). The Northern region has consistently been regarded as
least developed and most poverty ridden. The unending civil war in
the North and the difficult conditions in which the majority of the
youth of this region live, confirm their suffering and poverty pro-
blems. The regular cattle rustling in the North and North-East re-
gions by the Karamojongs has caused migration of the young
people to safer locations. District officials in those areas have iden-
tified victims of cattle rustling as the most desperate and vulnerable
to famine and starvation. A large proportion of displaced youths live
in dire poverty in the towns and villages in Lira and Soroti in
Northern and Eastern Uganda respectively (Munene, 2005:23).
Table 1: Poverty incidence among the youth by regions,
localities, and percentages (2005-2007) (Uganda
Household Survey, 2005-2007:56)
Geographical
location Chronic
poverty Moving out
of poverty Moving in-
to poverty Never in
poverty Total %
National 64,9 46,7 56,8 14,0 100
Northern
region 80,6 29,3 37,1 7,5 100
Eastern
region 73,2 33,7 32,8 9,6 100
Western
region 35,8 54,4 16,5 36,3 100
Central
region 33,5 58,5 14,8 38,9 100
Rural area 81,2 30,7 61,2 7,8 100
Urban area 28,3 67,8 23,9 38,8 100
The poor youths in this country comprise 80,6% for the Northern
region and 73,2% for the Eastern region. After that the percentage

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 187
drops sharply to 35,5% for the Central region and only 33,8% for the
Western region (Kaloli, 2007:57). Therefore, the Government must
focus mainly on the Northern and the Eastern regions in the mam-
moth task that lies ahead, but also without neglecting the poor
people belonging to other regions. Co-operation with non-govern-
mental organisations and other agencies is vitally necessary (Bar-
rett, 2008:189).
5.2 Poverty analysis according to localities
Uganda is divided into rural and urban areas. Most of the young
people live in rural areas including remote areas. The poverty rate
among youth classified as poor in the countryside is 91,2% as
opposed to 28,3% in the cities (Frances, 2002:13). The disparity
between rural and urban areas can be expressed in terms of access
to basic services by urbanites and rural inhabitants. There is
tremendous inequality in the standard of living, and hence in the
quality of life, in these two categories. This is reflected in their re-
spective access to basic services (Freedman, 2007:26).
Table 2: Access to basic services in percentages
(Comp. by Frances, 2002:16)
Services Rural Urban
Indoor running water 14,5 76,4
Indoor flush sanitation 8,7 63,5
Electricity 6,4 80,3
Telephone 3,7 70,7
Television 15,8 99,8
5.3 Poverty description in terms of gender
Poverty and gender in Uganda are interlinked since young men and
women play different roles and have different needs and face dif-
ferent constraints in responding to economic and the social changes
and incentives. These differences arise from the fundamental imba-
lances in the rights and obligations between the two gender groups,
in particular rights to education, employment and businesses. In
these two categories female youths especially in rural areas are the
victims of poverty. The majority of young women in rural areas are
not allowed by their parents to engage in the above incentives for
the fear that they might end up being prostitutes and the result is
that they get chained up by poverty. Many of these parents engage

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
188 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
their daughters in early marriages in exchange for goats, cows and
money. The girls have no inheritance rights, have low literacy rates,
suffer from social prejudice, unfair division of labour and lack of
ways out to earn money elsewhere (Cecillia, 1998:498).
5.4 Poverty and education
Worldwide a correlation between a restricted level of education and
a restricted standard of living has been confirmed, i.e. with very few
individual exceptions. The Uganda Household Survey 2007 re-
affirms this. In this country there are also some obstacles surround-
ing access to educational achievement and among these is the cost
of education. The amount and timing of school fees can be a signi-
ficant barrier to accessing education. Transportation to and from
school is still a big problem to many youths, especially in the rural
areas. Poor planning and insufficient resources for studies like text
books, teacher and student ratio as well as teen pregnancies cause
them to drop out of school. Apart from the mentioned problems there
are certain cultural or traditional practices that force young ladies to
get married at an early age, especially in rural areas (Kirunda,
2005:35).
Table 3: Poverty rate according to educational level (Uganda
Household Survey, 2005-2007)
Education Male Female Total rate %
No education 13,6 26,9 24,3
Primary education 96,5 88,2 89,0
Secondary education 77,4 56,4 65,0
Tertiary education 56,8 21,3 37,0
Although the government of Uganda has introduced universal pri-
mary and secondary education, full support does not reach the
grassroots so easily because of corrupt education officials. There-
fore, corruption must be fought by all means and attention must be
paid to girls’ education with emphasis on rural young women as
already indicated in the table above (Kibanja, 2005:38).

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 189
5.5 Poverty and unemployment
The major contributor to poverty among the youth in Uganda is un-
employment. Large numbers of unemployed young men and ladies
are from the Northern and Eastern parts of Uganda that are war-
stricken regions. Furthermore, unemployment rates are higher in ru-
ral areas generally among the female youths (Nabushawo, 2007:
65).
Table 4: Poverty rate according to unemployment (Uganda
Bureau of Statistics, 2005-2007)
Unemployment Male Female Total rate %
Urban 54,0 80,4 68,1
Rural 86,7 98,0 92,6
The unemployed youths in impoverished families make up 83% of
all unemployed youths in Uganda. The unemployed youths from
non-poor households constitute only 17% of the unemployed total.
These statistics strengthen our awareness of the desperate need of
the already poor but still unemployed youths (Razwanul, 2006:371).
The message is clear: their government urgently needs to “take the
bull by the horns” through job creation (Toko, 2000:38). The reality,
however, is that unemployment and the resultant poverty are dras-
tically increasing in this country. The official unemployment rate was
shown to have dropped from 76% in 2000 to 74% in 2003, but
increased in 2004 to 79%, and in 2005-2007 rose to an undesirable
82,3% (Rizwanul, 2006:372). The majority of the unemployed are
from Northern and Eastern Uganda, i.e. 75% from the North, 71%
from the East, 36% from the West and 32% from the Central region
(Munene, 2005:19).
5.6 Explanation of poverty in relation to orphans, street
children, displaced persons and the handicapped
In the 2002 census, 10% of the young people below the age of 20
years were classified as orphans mainly due to the HIV and AIDS
epidemic and civil wars. Such young people allow their close rela-
tives to control the property left to them by their deceased parents.
The relatives later misappropriate these properties, exposing the
orphans to poverty. Street children/young people form a sizeable
proportion of the poverty-stricken youths. Parental neglect and
change in marital status together with existing household poverty
often force the youngsters to leave home in search of survival. In

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
190 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
addition, youngsters are sent by their parents or the guardians to go
and beg on behalf of the family in order to earn a living. This is
common with the tribe of Karamojong. In the 2002 census 5,5% of
the youths were on their own and slept in the streets while the rest
remained in contact with their parents or guardians (Hartmut, 2000:
213). In the wake of these practices and in the face of such poverty
follows badly neglected health care, that include the spread of
sexually transmitted diseases and especially a lack of proper im-
munisation programmes. The absence of proper health care toge-
ther with civil strife can be identified as the main causes of the
increase in the number of disabled youths. The National Union of
Disabled Persons in Uganda (NUDIPU) and the 2002 population
census suggested that 15-17% of the youth population were
disabled. This percentage excludes those mentally or emotionally
disabled due to traumatism caused by civil wars (Hartmut,
2000:215).
5.7 Poverty and mental conditions
Copeland (1997:36) says that poverty and impaired mental com-
petence or well-being very often go hand in hand with poor mental
conditions. The existence of a weakened mental state may well be
the result of poor nutrition, illness (especially if unattended to), al-
cohol or drug abuse. All of these are unfortunately capable of creat-
ing and prolonging poverty. On the other hand all of these probably
are the very result of an already existing poverty. Together with this
as already stated, in a certain sense a lack of knowledge and tech-
nical information/competence would result in poverty, and unfortuna-
tely, vice versa.
Apart from physically-related poverty, poverty can also exist within
the mind in the form of poverty of being. Copeland (1997:37) calls
the attention of the impoverished young people to the reality of the
web of lies that they believe and points out that by believing them
they end up being even more disempowered. He also states that
this hopelessness has its roots in the distorted history of the poor
and in the actions of the non-poor in making and writing history. In
this way, the past can become a limitation to the future. Proper edu-
cation to improve skills, knowledge and competence would allow for
improved ability to deal with the future in its own right.

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 191
6. General causes and effects of poverty
The causes of poverty have been grouped under seven headings:
historical, economic, governance, land, natural, personal and cultu-
ral.
6.1 National
One of the major causes of poverty in Northern Uganda has been
and still is political instability. Northern Uganda has been experienc-
ing civil unrest for the past twenty years. It started soon after the fall
of the military regime of General Tito Okello who was born of the
Northern region. It is still carrying on into President Museveni’s re-
gime, a man from Southern Uganda. For many years endless rebel
activities, supported by the ruling regime in Sudan under President
Omar Al Bashir, have continued wrecking havoc in the Northern
Uganda. The rebels called themselves the Lord’s Resistance Army
(LRA). This paramilitary group of murderers, thieves, and rapists
have substantially disrupted the social fabric in Northern Uganda.
Hence, a full generation of people have lived an entire lifetime in an
unpredictable and deadly war zone without proper food, shelter,
medical care, education and employment (Olanya, 2008:12).
According to Kasirivu (2007:46) unemployment and the lack of
education are both mentioned and identified as other major causes
of poverty among the youth in Northern Uganda. Powerlessness and
conflict, including organised crime, are some of the contributors to
poverty. Youths are uneducated, unemployed, powerless and
caught up in conflict. They are poor because they are unemployed.
Today in Uganda, the excluded youths promote conflict. They have
no alternative projects. Hence, rebellions explode among them –
violence is fought through violence. The impoverished youths are
driven to violence and violence makes them poor. This is a vicious
circle.
The current government of Uganda has also contributed greatly to
poverty among the young people in Northern Uganda, especially the
bad, weak and corrupt government together with unefficient govern-
ment officials. Even now it fails to provide the Northern region with
what is often referred to as adequate basic infrastructure in terms of
health services, education, employment, water, electricity, sanita-
tion, roads (especially in rural areas) and public transport. On many
occasions, the government abdicates responsibility to the private
sectors that do insufficient work. The state has ceased to be a gua-

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
192 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
rantor of welfare measures for the impoverished youth in Northern
Uganda (Hickey, 2005:99).
At worst, the ruling government regime in Uganda today has caused
poverty because of its system that divides the young people along
political and tribal lines or lines of ethnicity, known as the “South-
North divide”. In fact, only a few reap the reward. The Southerners
occupy, in most instances, well-paying jobs and the majority of the
Northerners are left surviving on the mercy of others. Thus, it
polarises the young people of Northern Uganda. Instead of working
for the good of everybody, the government chooses to segregate.
Hence, the unemployed youth of Northern Uganda have decided on
rebellion and crime in order to sustain life (Okot, 1995:66).
In Uganda corruption contributes greatly to poverty, sometimes
referred to as the misuse of public resources and funds. Corruption
is practically institutionalised. This monster is created by the greed
of institutional bureaucracies. It is estimated that over 60% of funds
and other resources do not reach their intended destinations (the
grassroots). There are many scandals that come to the surface dai-
ly, related to illicit purchases and the sales of state property, bribes,
tax evasion, ghost wages and embezzlement of money meant for
health care, education and social amenities of the Northern region.
Such scandals speak for themselves with regard to the type of
public officials that forms part of the present government (Kaketo,
2007:54).
The grabbing of the land from the poor by the few rich and the
government to establish so-called public enterprises has also added
to poverty among the youth – most especially in rural areas of Home
and Gulu in Northern Uganda. Uganda is an agro-based country
with 98% reliance on agricultural products in the rural areas. If the
resources to work with are, however, taken away, there is a likeli-
hood of increased poverty (Frances, 2003:13).
In certain instances the impoverished young people themselves are
to be blamed for their poverty, because they are lazy. They lack
determination, drive and ambition. They suffer from low self-esteem
and a negative frame of mind. They are unwilling to help them-
selves. Nevertheless, blame is also to be placed on the shoulders of
the rich, which are greedy, selfish, and lacking in charity and the
necessary integrity. They also mislead and deceive the poor working
youngsters in terms of cheap labour (Nabushawo, 2007:48).

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 193
Apart from the problems discussed above, Uganda has also been
afflicted with many diseases, including malaria, HIV and AIDS. Such
diseases are acknowledged worldwide as crippling the economic
growth of a country and causing unemployment (due to physical
weakness) and poverty to escalate. Thousands have died so far.
Contrary to this, overpopulation and large families are also high-
lighted among the causes of poverty. Thus, 78% of the Ugandan
population are youths aged between 15-29. The production rate is
high in every family. In the rural areas, in Northern Uganda, children
range between 7-12 per family and 4-7 among urban families, ex-
cluding extended families. Therefore, Uganda is already becoming
overpopulated. A country with over 28 million people has 78%
youths between the age of 15-29. An annual population increase of
around 5% is threatening the future of the country and is slowly
devouring all the fruit of development and achievements (Razwanul,
2006:381).
6.2 International
There are also global influences. While there has been much
international concern about poverty in Northern Uganda, many reso-
lutions drawn by the international conferences and seminars do not
reflect what happens on the ground. Policies of the World Bank, like
poverty alleviation strategies, have not directly benefited the suffer-
ing young people of Northern Uganda. Instead, they profit the mino-
rity senior officials (Izako, 1997:248). It seems that international poli-
cy makers do not consult the grassroots, who should have been
planners of their own destiny and implementers for their well-being.
Therefore, some policies have had adverse effects on young work-
ing people like government and private sectors’ retrenchment
scheme from work. Most retrenches have left workers without sav-
ings, shelter or alternative employment (Izako, 1997:249).
Ackerman (2005:74) affirms that lending and borrowing is an intrin-
sic or inherent feature of the global economic system, but whereas
debt incurred by richer nations are sustainable, the debt of the poor
countries like Uganda are not. This is becoming yet another cause
of poverty among the young people. Uganda is reliant on an agri-
cultural economy that basically produces between US$140-160
million annually. The country has a total debt of US$5 billion and
only manages to service its debt annually at US$200 million. This
implies that every Ugandan, including the newborn, has a debt of
US$350. The amount Uganda paid in 2000-2002 against debt
equals that of the health and food budget put together. Debt

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
194 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
strangles the country’s development because there is less invest-
ment from the government in the social sector, for example in health
care and education.
Uganda, like other African countries, depends on raw materials, e.g.
coffee as its major export. Unlike manufactured goods from deve-
loped countries, agricultural produce fetches declining prices on the
World Market. Therefore, Uganda can only buy limited goods and
services in exchange for an increased volume of coffee sales to help
its citizens (Kasozi, 1999:112).
The trading system of the global economy is regarded as unjust in
the sense of the inclination to render the rich still richer and the poor
still poorer. Uganda complains that it has liberalised its own econo-
my while Western countries have not liberalised theirs. Therefore,
poor countries like Uganda are the losers and so are the young
people of Northern Uganda who cannot market their agricultural
products to the Western countries easily. Thus, the benefit goes to
the rich Western world. In such a context the extreme discrepancies
in the distribution of the global wealth among the countries, as well
as the discrepancies and inequality of the distribution of the wealth
in Uganda is drastically increasing on a daily base (Badaru, 1999:
64). However, local banks encourage young working people to save
more, yet they do not trust them to lend them their savings. Instead,
they lend abroad and to those who stand financially tall (Bandru,
1995:36).
7. The way forward in combating poverty
7.1 Government and poverty
Many suggestions have been made about ways to remove poverty
and its causes among the young generation in Northern Uganda,
mainly by the government and it is followed up by non-governmental
organisations, for example the church and various forms of charity-
related contributions or the creation of alternative opportunities.
Peace and reconciliation, unity and justice, education, job opportu-
nities and health care are the most prominent among the factors that
need to be attended to. In order for any advancement or improve-
ment to be made possible, good and soundly principled governance
would in the first place be a prerequisite. In the second place it
would be necessary to support and strengthen the impoverished
young people and civil society as the agents of change. Thirdly, the
need for a reformed economic system would require attention
(Byamukama, 2006:43).

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 195
• The Government of Uganda must assume responsibility for put-
ting an end to conflict. It is of crucial importance that peace initi-
atives be focused on. By regarding steps in this direction as prio-
rities, much can be done to end the rebel war and to minimise the
accompanying poverty, unemployment and neglected infrastruc-
ture. Much can be done to restore, build and enhance economic
growth. Much can be done to improve the general development,
education, health care and well-being of the citizens. Ruzwanul
(2006:363) emphasises eradication of poverty.
• The basic rights of young people in Northern Uganda should be
protected. A human rights approach should be taken. It is re-
quired of a government to ensure that basic human rights, for
example an adequate livelihood and a secured social existence
and co-existence, are not being violated. Human rights would in-
clude encouragement, as well as positive involvement and rein-
forcement of the currently impoverished young people by opening
up opportunities for future prosperity and ongoing development
and personal dignity. Human rights would furthermore include
individual freedom without any threatening interference on the
part of third parties or the state, i.e. freedom of voicing an opi-
nion, freedom of assembly and association, a right to political par-
ticipation, and a right to vote and to be voted for (Hartmut, 2000:
215).
• The way forward demands that very special care be taken of
education as a determining factor and a priority area. Education
is needed at all levels, namely at primary and at least secondary
levels and as far as possible at higher levels. The curriculum
should range from basic literacy and numeracy to skills develop-
ment and information technology. Education should have a strong
vocational bias, preparing youngsters for employment where new
skills are now needed. Special attention needs to be given to
girls’ education because many of them are lagging behind as far
as education is concerned (Gerald, 1999:168).
• The need for job creation and possibilities for earning an income
are also heavily emphasised. Work deserves to be properly
rewarded and should provide a reasonable level of income for all.
A social security policy, with a clear stipulation for minimum em-
ployment wages, can help to control and guide the labour market
forces, especially in the event of those that lure young people into
jobs that are poorly paid for and are without benefits and that
infringe on the basic human rights of the youngsters (Nabusha-
wo, 2007:83).

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
196 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
• Support to small businesses by way of loans and credit schemes
and straight forward banking facilities for young people in North-
ern Uganda, is another way of creating employment (Bruno,
1986:52).
• Provision of affordable and accessible health care, that would in-
clude hospitals, clinics and safe medication, is one of the solu-
tions to poverty along with education and employment. To begin
with the impoverished young people of Northern Uganda would
need decent, low-cost housing, good sanitation and clean drink-
ing water. The campaign against diseases such as HIV and AIDS
and support for the victims must be spearheaded by the govern-
ment (Kalema, 2000:73). The saying goes: “Prevention is better
than cure”.
• Civil society, organisations, NGOs and the church must be en-
gaged to support the government policies of eradication of
poverty among the youth in the Northern region. This involves
educating the youths so that they can make informed decisions
and be prepared to take responsibility. It should also be advo-
cated for genuine participatory democracy, or politics of inclusion,
where everyone, including the ignored impoverished young peo-
ple of Northern Uganda, would become stakeholders and have a
say (Francis, 2003:88).
• One of government’s primary responsibilities would be to combat
corruption. A social security system must be based on legislation
and, where possible, strengthened and extended in order to
protect against poverty and deprivation as experienced by those
youths who cannot find jobs, youths who cannot work because of
poor health and handicaps, youths who are orphans or subjected
to civil disorders, wars and displacement (Razwanul, 2006:396).
• The government should play its part in reforming the economy
whether global or national. If the economic liberalisation has
failed to alleviate poverty, then a social model should be sup-
ported or capital communalism adopted. Economic structural ad-
justment policies that do not undermine the youth but support
them, should be designed. The international governance should
be called upon to cancel the debts of the poorest countries
(Hartmut, 2000:217).
7.2 Non-governmental organisations, society and poverty
NGOs as well as the society have a number of positive tasks to
accomplish among which the following can, inter alia, be listed:

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 197
• They should continue to advocate for peace and reconciliation in
order to bring to an end the unnecessary wars in Northern
Uganda.
• They must embark on pressurising the government and the Inter-
national Criminal Court (ICC) to drop charges against four top
LRA rebels (cf. Onegi, 2008:110) for the sake of peace.
• They must play the greater role in charity activities and care es-
pecially to all the disadvantaged (cf. Okidi, 2000:66).
• The society and NGOs should criticise excessive wealth obtained
by means of wrongful deeds and conduct and put advocacy on
an equal footing with development programmes (cf. Joseph,
1994:107).
7.3 Youth and poverty
The impoverished young people hold one of the keys to overcoming
poverty in their own hands.
• They should be better prepared to help themselves. They need to
be as self-reliant as possible and they need to build their self-
esteem. They need to display a positive attitude in order to use
whatever assistance and support they receive from others and
from institutions or government.
• The government and the community must recognise them as
human beings with certain rights and with an own dignity, their
strength and the ability, vitality and resilience that the young peo-
ple already have must be respected. These factors are tools in
their own hands, but also in the hands of government and the
society, tools to be profitably utilised. Therefore, the first priority
should be to support this capacity (Jackson, 1996:494).
8. Conclusion
The government and society, as a result of certain practices and
malpractices, have for long marginalised, manipulated and exploited
the young people of Northern Uganda for their own selfish gain. This
research would like to emphasise that the government has to end
the crises in Northern Uganda as soon as possible. This must be
done harmoniously by involving every nationality in equal sharing of
resources through full participation. The young people of Northern
Uganda must be supported and encouraged by the government and
all stakeholders to actively participate in all issues relating to them,
their community and the country at large. Therefore, nobody should,

Principles for poverty alleviation among the youth in Northern Uganda
198 In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199
by either omission or commission, be handicapped in their efforts to
contribute towards socio-economic and political transformation and
development of the country. The responsibility of the church to be
missio Dei should be re-emphasised and the youth of the Northern
region should be involved in policy formulation and implementation
as partners of development without delay.
List of references
ABANDU, J.B. 2007. Conflict and reconciliation: Northern Uganda. Kampala:
Uganda Book Shop Press.
ACKERMAN, A. 2005. Uganda in the world economy: the national and
international challenges. The Hague: Fondad Publication.
BADARU, J. 1999. The poor side of Uganda: Northern and Eastern Uganda.
Kampala: Fountain Publication.
BANDA, F. 2005. Factors affecting the initial literacy development: urban and
rural learners. Entebbe: Kisubi Printing Press.
BANDRU, L. 1995. Poverty and ecology: Uganda as a reference. London: SCM.
BARRETT, C. 2008. Escaping from behavioural poverty in Uganda. Kampala:
Johnston.
BRUNO, T. 1986. The common government responsibility: towards areas of the
rapid social change. Kampala: Fountain Publication.
BYAMUKAMA, T. 2006. Church’s partnership with the state. Kampala: Fountain
Publication.
CECILLIA, B. 1998. Rescuing gender from poverty trap. World development
research, 24(3):489-504, Mar.
COPELAND, K. 1997. The law of prosperity: understanding true poverty and
prosperity. Texas: Kenneth Copeland Publications.
FRANCES, P. 2002. Balancing rural poverty reduction and citizen participation.
Journal of development studies, 3(2):13, Feb.
FRANCIS, R. 2003. Poverty and the mission charity: trend in Uganda. London:
Krishna Road Printing Press.
FREEDMAN, L. 2007. Rural livelihoods and poverty reduction strategies: four
African countries. Journal of development studies, 40(4):1-30, Apr.
GERALD, W. 1999. The academy of the poor. London. Sheffield Academy.
GUSTAVO, G. 1983. The power of the poor in history. London: SCM.
HARTMUT, S. 2000. Poverty reduction in the contemporary world: waging the
global war on poverty. Rose Wood: Copy Right Centre.
HICKEY, B. 2005. Exploring political space for poverty reduction in Uganda.
World development, 33(6):995-1009, Jun.
IZAKO, J. 1997. The history of African poor: Uganda as case study. London:
Cambridge University Press.
JACKSON, C. 1996. Rescuing gender from poverty trap in Uganda. World
development research, 24(3):489-504, Mar.
JOSEPH, M. 1994. Power and poverty: the challenges of poverty in Uganda.
Kampala: Joint Christian Bulletin Press.
KAKETO, G. 2007. Can we defeat poverty? Unless Uganda tames corruption:
new effort will fail. Entebbe: Kisubi Printing Press.
KALEMA, B. 2000. Prosperity, poverty and pollution. Entebbe: Cluster
Publication.

A. Wilson & R.S. Letšosa
In die Skriflig 44(1) 2010:181-199 199
KALOLI, P. 2007. Poverty eradication action plan. Kampala: Fountain
Publication.
KASIRIVU, P. 2007. Understanding poverty and conflict in Northern Uganda.
Kampala: Everest Publishing.
KASOZI, B. 1999. Poverty and social policies: walking with poor. Kampala:
Orbit Book Publishers.
KIBANJA, G.M. 2005. Understanding and reducing persistent poverty in
Uganda. Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
KIRUNDA, M. 2005. Who are the poor? Mapping patterns of well being in
Uganda. Entebbe: Entebbe Book Shop Publication.
MUNENE, J. 2005. Poverty and statistics: Uganda participatory poverty
assessment. Kampala: Joensuu Publishers.
NABUSHAWO, J. 2007. Poverty and unemployment: a challenge to the
government and the society. Kampala: Clement Road Publication.
OKIDI, P. 2000. Local pastors and society: link to fight poverty. Kampala:
Christians Today.
OKOT, M.L. 1995. Poverty and conflict in Northern Uganda: causes and effects.
Kampala: River Blue Publication.
OLANYA, J.B. 2008. Northern Uganda conflict: causes and results. Kampala:
Action Net Work Press.
ONEGI, C. 2008. Peace and reconciliation: peace verses justice in Northern
Uganda. Entebbe: Kisubi Publication.
RAZWANUL, M.I. 2006. Growth and poverty reduction in Uganda: fighting
poverty. Kampala: Fountain Publishers.
TOKO, J. 2000. Poverty & wealth. Kampala: Fountain Publication.
WRIGHT, B. & TROPP, M. 2006. World Youth Report: the global situation of the
young people. http://www.undp-jordan org/publicationsjhdr.html Date of
access: 17 Nov. 2008.
Key concepts:
alleviation
poverty
youth
Kernbegripppe:
armoede
jeug
verligting