Uganda must refocus its poverty eradication efforts beyond income-based measures to address the broader realities affecting households, Irene Birungi Mugisha, a representative on the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Board of Directors, has said.
Speaking at the release of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) census report at Statistics House in Kampala on Thursday, Mugisha emphasized the need for policymakers to rethink strategies and consider multiple dimensions of poverty.
She noted that while the government has invested heavily in infrastructure, agriculture, and social programmes since the 1990s, eliminating poverty requires a shift toward evidence-based planning grounded in reliable statistics.
Mugisha highlighted that data generated by UBOS remains a critical national asset, guiding decision-making and evaluating programmes under frameworks such as the National Development Plan IV.
She added that initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM) will be more effective if supported by accurate, up-to-date data, ensuring interventions are better targeted to uplift vulnerable communities.
By Alex Magala
26th Mar 2026
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