Working Paper

Situation Analysis of Child Poverty and Deprivation in Uganda

Poverty is different for children than for adults. This becomes very clear when we listen to children
themselves talking about their experiences of poverty. The importance of effectively measuring child poverty is underlined by the fact that its impacts are particularly devastating; for children, poverty can last a lifetime. The impacts of poor nutrition, a missed education or poor child health cannot be easily remedied and will change a child’s life chances forever. Further, where child poverty is widespread it can impact on all of society and the economy. As Uganda looks towards middle income status in Vision 2040, ensuring a strong start for Uganda’s children will lay an essential foundation. The objectives of this report are to: (i) develop a set of comprehensive indicators to measure child poverty and disparities in Uganda using an adapted and modified Bristol deprivation approach; (ii)
investigate the key determinants of child wellbeing in Uganda; (iii) analyse the policy frameworks
associated with the major child indicators to identify gaps and opportunities for policy advocacy; and
(iv) draw policy recommendations for addressing child poverty in Uganda.