Parliament Raises Concern Over Barriers to Poverty Alleviation Programmes in Kamuli

Members of Parliament have expressed deep concern over persistent administrative barriers and information gaps hindering the successful rollout of government poverty alleviation initiatives in Kamuli District.

During an official assessment tour, the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development urged local leaders to enhance beneficiary sensitisation and streamline access to vital socio-economic funds. The scrutinized initiatives include the Parish Development Model, the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and special grants dedicated to persons with disabilities and the elderly.

While official district reports often reflect positive uptake, lawmakers pointed out that low loan repayment rates and heavy bureaucracy suggest a disconnect between reported figures and actual economic impacts on the ground.

Local leadership, headed by Kamuli District Council chairperson Kaloli Dhizaala, specifically targeted the Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises (GROW) initiative. Mr. Dhizaala accused participating commercial banks of imposing stringent conditions and promoting their own private financial products rather than facilitating women’s access to the government-backed funds.

Community development officers in the district also highlighted operational constraints such as delayed funding, weak group mobilisation, unstable local market prices, and poor record-keeping as major contributors to the struggles faced by beneficiaries.

Stakeholders emphasized that urgent institutional overhauls, increased financial literacy, and robust monitoring frameworks are critical to ensuring that national empowerment funds translate into sustainable economic gains.

For more details on this parliamentary assessment, read the Daily Monitor.