Poverty in Uganda.
Loading...
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Abstract
In a recent book entitled Uganda’s economic reforms: insider accounts (Kuteesa
et al. 2010), Uganda’s economic performance is portrayed as a role model in reducing poverty, to be emulated by other
African countries because of its economic
reforms. This paper is a critique of two
chapters in the book, one by Whitworth
and Williamson (pp. 1– 34) focusing on
economic performance and poverty
reduction, and another by Kakande
(pp. 226 – 245) dealing with poverty monitoring. From the perspective of peasants
in rural areas and traders in informal
sector operating in urban areas, particularly
Kampala City and its suburbs, the critique
focuses on the weaknesses of economic
growth rates and poverty reduction levels
in determining the good economic performance depicted in these chapters. It is
intended to stimulate a debate on the
success story of Uganda that is portrayed.
This critique does not claim impartiality, since the ideology of neoliberalism
spearheading the economic reforms is not
neutral either, as elaborated by HarrissWhite (2003). Further, as correctly
observed by Peet (2003, p. 15), ‘economic
policy analysis is a cultural, political and
social endeavour, rather than a study of
the application of proven, scientific truth
... In this sense any critical understanding
of policy formation has to begin with the
basic notion that policy serves economic
and social interests.’ Therefore, from the
proceeding quoted arguments, it is necessary to take an unwavering stand in favour
of the disadvantaged in Uganda. The critique is informed by the emerging paradigm
of the political economy of institutions.
From the history of the policies that the
industrialised countries used when they
were developing, the paradigm advocates
the state’s intervention in the management
of economic activity to promote national
goals (Chang 2004 [2002], 2003, Kiiza
2002, 2006).
Concerning the methodological approach,
the critique analyses the articles under
examination using available literature.
However the arguments in the critique, to
a great extent, are also derived from what
the author has seen physically and heard
while interacting with people as well as
the close following of press reports on the
country, over the period that the economic
reforms have been implemented in Uganda.
What is the meaning of economic
reforms, and what were they to achieve?
The two articles under examination do not
directly define economic reforms.
However, according to Whitworth and Williamson (2010, p. 4), the economic reforms
were to get prices right; establish macroeconomic stability; strengthen revenue and
public expenditure management; and to
Description
Keywords
Poverty, Africa
Citation
Byekwaso, N. (2010). Poverty in Uganda. Review of African political economy, 37(126), 517-525.