Newly created districts and the elite capture of resources are driving rising poverty levels and undermining the Parish Development Model (PDM), Dr. Chris Mukiza, Executive Director of the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), has warned.
Speaking during the release of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) census report at Statistics House on Thursday morning, Dr. Mukiza noted that poverty is more prevalent in newer districts compared to older ones, largely because local elites are diverting resources intended for vulnerable households.
He cautioned that similar patterns of resource misallocation have hampered the effective implementation of the PDM.
Dr. Mukiza explained that the MPI goes beyond income to measure multiple deprivations, including access to healthcare, education, and other basic needs.
The report, drawn from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, is the fifth volume in a series of thematic releases.
He urged policymakers to use the findings to improve targeting, strengthen interventions, and address structural gaps to more effectively combat poverty across Uganda.
By Our Reporter
26th Mar 2026
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