This report uses a relatively new method called ‘small area estimation’ to analyze the relationship
between poverty and the environment in Uganda for regions, districts, counties and sub-counties
of Uganda. The method was applied by combining spatially disaggregated poverty and biophysical
data for 1991 and for 1999/2000.
The results indicate that poverty is less is in areas that have been degraded, subsistence farm wetlands
(reclaimed) and highest in areas with mainly grasslands or woodlands. Poverty has declined
overall in most counties and sub counties in Uganda with an exception of some areas in Northern
Uganda. On the other hand, environmental degradation is more visible in areas of eastern, central
and western Uganda. Agro-climatic variables and roads are related to rural poverty in different
ways and magnitudes depending on the stratum. The accuracy of these results is reasonable for
regional upto the county level. Comparing these results with those of poverty without biomass,
we find fairly high correlations. Such a combination of information is valuable to policy makers
who continue to struggle with the twin objectives of alleviating poverty in the short run and preserving
the natural resource base in the long run.