In summer 2009, a large-scale household survey was carried out to assess the impact of BRAC
Uganda's Microfinance Multiplied strategy. Information on more than 13,000 households living
in areas served by different combinations of BRAC programmes – as well as in control areas –
was collected in order to create the baseline data set. The current report summarizes the
findings from that research on the current situation in three programme areas and one control
area in terms of human assets (education and health), physical assets, consumption, financial
assets (including saving and borrowing patterns), social assets, employment and
entrepreneurship. Since shocks and crisis events have a strong impact on these indicators, the
report also reveals the frequency and extent to which they affect the quality of life of
households. Given their status as particularly vulnerable groups, both gender and youth are a
special focus of the reports. Investigating gender and age differences in terms of human assets
and employment reveals interesting dynamics that demonstrate a narrowing gender gap in
education. Yet the results show a consistent disadvantage that female-headed households face
in their socio-economic development.