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Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research

Assessing The Role Of Government Empowerment Programs Towards Poverty Alleviation In Uganda: A Case Study Of UWEP In Kalangala Town Council

Authors: Nakiganda Jamilah1 , Namuyonga Rebbecca2

Journal: Metropolitan Journal of Academic Multidisciplinary Research (MJAMR)

Volume/Issue: Volume 4 - Issue 10

Published: 01 Jan 1970


Abstract

This study assessed the role of the Uganda Women Empowerment Programme (UWEP) in poverty alleviation among women in Kalangala Town Council. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, utilizing a correlation research design to investigate the relationship between program interventions and poverty outcomes. Data was collected from a sample of 160 respondents, including beneficiaries, local government officials, civil society representatives, and ministry officials, through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics presented in frequency tables, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The results revealed an overwhelmingly positive perception of UWEP's contribution to poverty alleviation, with 100% of respondents affirming its impact. The program was found to be effective in delivering its core inputs, as all respondents confirmed the provision of start-up capital, business training, and essential tools and machines. However, the study also identified critical impediments to the program's success and sustainability. These included pervasive corruption, with all respondents reporting that officials solicited bribes; stifling bureaucracy (87.5% agreement); significant political interference (87.5% agreement); and a near-unanimous consensus (98.75%) that the program was severely underfunded. A notable weakness was also found in post-establishment support, particularly in market linkages, where a significant minority expressed dissatisfaction. It was concluded that while UWEP successfully established a foundational framework for women's economic empowerment and was widely viewed as a vital poverty alleviation tool, its long-term impact was critically undermined by systemic governance failures and a lack of sustainable postfunding support. The program's initial success in capital and asset transfer was not sufficiently coupled with the mechanisms needed to ensure enterprise longevity and resilience. The study recommended an urgent multi-faceted reform strategy. Key recommendations included the implementation of a robust anti-corruption framework and a streamlined, transparent operational procedure to reduce bureaucracy and political interference. It also advocated for a significant increase in program funding, complemented by diversified partnerships with the private sector and development partners. Furthermore, the study emphasized the need to enhance post-establishment support, particularly through intensified business skills training and proactive market linkage facilitation, and to foster a more integrated, multi-stakeholder collaborative approach to ensure the program's sustainability and maximize its poverty alleviation impact.
Keywords

UWEP, Poverty Alleviation, Women Empowerment, Kalangala District, Corruption, Program Implementation

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