Informal Savings and Poverty Reduction in Uganda

The incidence of poverty and vulnerability are significant in Uganda where both formal and informal credit schemes play a big role in lifting the poor from poverty. Such Credit schemes are as a result of community based initiatives in an effort to fight poverty. They are economic entities which are involved in mobilizing financial and non-financial resources, but are neither legally licensed, registered. They are thus outside the direct control of the government monetary authority. Despite the presence of these Credit schemes, poverty has not reduced to desired levels. Thus it is not very clear whether such initiatives reduce poverty and or improve welfare among the vulnerable poor households and this required adequate investigation. This book therefore, explores information on the existing Savings and Credit Association and their role in poverty reduction in Uganda. The writer was mindful of the fact that there is limited documented evidence concerning informal Credit-Poverty nexus in Uganda. The key empirical findings show that Savings and Credit Schemes play a role in reducing poverty when equipped with basic record keeping, savings mobilization and business plans improvement.