Livelihood Support Initiative and Socio- Economic Growth Sustainability in Rural Communities in Oyam District, Northern Uganda

ABSTRACT 

The focus of this study was to investigate and ascertain why there is lack of socio economic growth sustainability in the rural communities of Oyam District despite massive levels of support initiatives released in terms of funds, technical assistances, relief and time. The key objectives were therefore to determine the magnitude of the initiatives and their socio economic growth realized, challenges encountered in the process of implementation, survival techniques of the rural community and way forward for sustainable socio-economic growth of rural livelihood. The study identified Oyam as a case study in Northern Uganda; the region in which development initiatives have prevailed uniquely over the last twenty years. To achieve the objectives of the study and answer research questions the purposive, stratified and systematic sampling techniques were used to obtain the target population of Oyam District. The study revealed that there was indeed enormous livelihood support initiatives in Oyam that contributed to socio-economic growth. However, in the face of challenges which the study identified, this growth could not be adequately sustained. The investigation also assessed the role of the rural communities to sustain their livelihoods socio-economically. It was concluded that livelihood support initiatives have not resulted to socio economic growth sustainability to the extent that it was hoped for. This study recommended that there should be a protracted and sustained commitment by the government and development partners to integrate and mainstream sustainability in the development projects. The exploitation of the rural poor should be addressed through a cooperative organization. Further more bad governance, illicit cultures and negative attitudes in development should be combated through sensitization and enforcement. There must also be improvement in the social and public infrastructure development in the rural areas.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS v

TABLE OF CONTENTS vii

LIST OF TABLES xi

LIST OF FIGURES xii

ABSTRACT xiii

ONE BACKGROUND OFTHE STUDY 1

Historical Trend 1

Statement of the Problem 4

Purpose of the study 5

General Objectives 5

Specific Objectives 6

Research Questions 6

Scope of the study 7

Time scope 7

Geographical Scope 7

Contextual Scope 7

Significance of the Study 7

TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 8

State of Poverty in Uganda 8

National Policy Interventions against Poverty 9

National Development Programmes (NDP) 10

Development Partners- Agents of Livelihood Support Initiatives ii

Role of Councilors 14

Roles of Civil Servants 14

Key Factors and Indicators in Socio Economic Growth Sustainability in

Developing Countries 14

Indicators of socio-economic growth 14

Indicators of poverty level 18

The Three Pillars Of Sustainable Development 24

Sustainable Livelihood Approach 27

The Sustainable Livelihood Framework 27

Vulnerability Context: 29

Livelihoods Assets: 29

Social Capital 29

Natural Capital 30

Physical Capital 30

Financial Capital 30

Transforming Structures and Processes 30

Livelihood strategies 30

Livelihood Outcomes 30

Core Concepts of SLA 31

Participatory Approaches in Socio Economic Growth Sustainability 32

Participatory Rural Appraisal 32

Participatory Planning and Management 33

Demand Driven Approaches And Sustainable Development. 34

Decentralization and Sustainable Development 35

Special Development Programmes in Uganda: 36

The Peace Reconstruction and Development Plan (PRDP) 36

Local Government Service Delivery Programmes (LGMSDP) 37

The Conceptual Framework 37

Theoretical Prospectives 38

THREE METHODOLOGY 41

Research design 41

Research population 41

Research instruments 44

Questionnaire 44

Documentary Analysis 44

Validity and reliability of the instruments 45

Before the administration of questionnaires 45

After the admin,~tration ofquestionnaires 46

Data analysis 46

Ethical consideration 47

Limitations of the study 47

FOUR PRESENTATIONS, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS OF

FINDINGS 48

Overview 48

Socio- demographic Characteristics of respondents 48

Determine the different livelihood support initiatives in the rural

communities 50

Hindrances to socio economic growth sustainability 52

HIV/AIDS Predicament 54

Unreliability of Agricultural Production 55

Relationship between livelihood support initiatives and the Hindrances to

socio economic growth sustainability 58

Challenges Encountered by Development Partners 59

Challenges Faced by the Rural Community to Sustain Socio economic

Growth of their Livelihood 65

Strategies Adopted by the Rural Community of Oyam to Sustain Socio

economic Growth of Livelihood 75

FIVE SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 77

Recommendations 80

REFERENCES 83

APPENDICES 85

APPENDIX IA TRANSMITTAL LETTER 85

APPENDIX I B:TRANSM1TTAL LETTER FOR THE RESPONDENTS 86

APPENDIX II:INFORMED CONSENT 87

APPENDIX IV:QUESTIONNAIRE GUIDE 88

APPENDIX V: DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS 90

APPENDIX VI: SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION 96

APPENDIX VII: PERMISSION FROM DISTRICT AUTHORITIES 97

CURRICULUM VITAE 97