Poverty in Uganda: Causes and Strategies for Reduction with Great Emphasis on Ethics and Ecological Justice

Abstract

Uganda is one of the 56 countries on the African continent and among the developing countries in the world. It is one of the poor countries in the world with poverty rates standing at 19.7 percent in 2013. The paper aimed at establishing the causes of poverty in a rich and well-endowed country, and the strategies for poverty reduction with great emphasis on ethics and ecological justice. Although Uganda is among the Sub-Saharan African countries that registered the highest rates of poverty reduction, the country remains among the poorest in the world. According to a 2016 poverty assessment, poverty in Uganda reduced significantly between 2006 and 2013. The number of Ugandans living below the poverty line declined from 31.1 percent in 2006 to 19.7 percent in 2013. However, the actual poverty situation on the ground is pathetic because of ethical, ecological, historical, political, economic and social injustices. In conclusion, Uganda remains one of the poor countries in the world despite significant poverty reduction which underscores the need for more governmental commitment, ethics and ecological justice as well as global contribution.