THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON CRIME IN UGANDA
CASE STUDY OF ARUA DISTRICT WESTNILE REGION NORTHERN
UGANDA
MADIRAEZRA LD/41074/91/DU
(KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY)
SUPERVISOR: MS. TWIKIRIZE PARTON
SUBMITTED IN FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE
DIPLOMA OF LAWS
JULY 2010 DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this submission contains my work, that to the best of my knowledge and belief: it absolutely contains no material either published or written by another neither person nor material which to a great extent has been accepted for the award of a diploma or degree at
Kampala International University or any other award at any learning institution.
Name: Madira Ezra
Signed: ~~~~ ~•~L-
Dated: 2 qif;; / ()&.b.nto
Supervisor: Ms. Twikirize Parton
Signed:
Dated DEDICATION
I dedicate this work to my parents Margaret Bilezia, Onyivu Yuda and Nehernia Adeyia for the support throughout my studies.
II ACKNOWLEDGMENT
With the source of courage and help from God, let the Glory and honor go back to the Almighty for all the stress and frustration I have gone through this study. In accomplishment of this work. I would like to thank a group of people and extend my appreciation to them;
ls due to the H.O.D diploma (K.1.U) and at the same time my supervisor Ms. Twikirize Parton for her support and guidance during research and study, heads of institution such as Her Worship Nabafu Agnes GI at Nakawa H.C, Mr. lzio tata of Mvara Secondary school, Mr. Ayeyo Kennedy of CEFORD Arua and Father Ayiko of Ediofe Youth Centre, Arua district for all their cooperation.
I just can not forget my course mates at K.1.U, Ivan and Adam of M.U.K for the support in facilitating the study. Not forgetting my gratitude towards Adeyia Nehemiah and family, Aunt Molly Asibazuyo. Godfrey and wife Deborah and Yada for the timeless prayers, support and encouragement received from them.
Friends like Eyotaru Christine, Kyomugisha Jacky of Mulago Hospital, coach Banit for the financial and support they awarded me in due course of my study. Thanks a lot to my closefriend Asianzu Grace for the consistent encouragement and prayer for my study.
Above all, thanks go to my parents Ms. Bilezia Peggy and Mr. Charles Onyivu Yuda and relatives like L. Lois, O.Nema sisters (esp. Deborah who acted like a guardian at the campus for me) and brothers like Abel for the support and enthusiasm for helping me complete my study with a vision.
II ACRONYMS
CDW Community Development Workers
DANIDA Danish International Development Agency
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GTZ German Technical Corporation
KIU Kampala International University
MFEP Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
NAADS National Agricultural Advisory Services
NARO National Agricultural Research Organization
NDP National Development Plan
NEPAD New Partnership for Africa's Development
NGO Non Governmental Organization
NUSAF Northern Uganda Social Action Fund
NRM National Resistance Movement
PEAP Poverty Eradication Action Plan
PFA Prosperity for All
PMES Poverty Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy
SAP Structural Adjustment Program
Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION ...... i ACKNOWLEDGMENT ...... ii ACRONYMS ...... iii ·r ABLE OF CONTENTS ...... iv CHAPTER ONE ...... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... I 1.1 DEFINITION OF CRIME AND POVERTY ...... 3 1.2 STi?JfEMENT PROBLEM ...... 3 1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY ...... 5 1.4 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA ...... 6 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY ...... 7 1.6 METHODOLOGY ...... 7 1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ...... 8 TWO ...... 9 2.0 RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 9 CHAPTER THREE ...... 18 3.0 THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON CRIMES IN UGANDA ...... 18 CHAPTER FOUR ...... 20 4.0 THE BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS ...... 20 CHAPTER FIVE ...... 22 5.1 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 22 5.2 CONCLUSION ...... 24 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 25 APPENDICES ...... 27 QUESTlONAIRES ...... 30
IV CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION Crime is a serious problem that manipulates developing countries amongst which Uganda is inclusive with a high rate of crimes from place to place, either rural or urban. There has long I been a belief that within developing countries, poverty favors crime. Although hard proof of this
relationship is lacking, 1 am assertive that poverty favors crime in this geographical position of Uganda especially in rural areas. I I Evidence of related relationships in developed countries is easier to come by speculating for
instance the effects of unemployment on crime. 1 Results suggest that decrease in propetiy crime rates can be explained in part to the decreases in unemployment rates. I Other evidences suggest that giving families the opportunity to move to other areas with lower
levels of poverty reduces criminal behavior by teenagers.2 And other results find that inequality I~ has no effect on property crime but a strong result on violent crime.3 I i In contrast, evidence concerning the pove1ty and crime connection and related relationships in I developing countries like Uganda while still growing, is still relatively sparse due to lack of I I
t ~
lf 1 Raphael S. & r Winter-Ember. "Identifying the effect of unemployment on crime "Journal of Law & Economics ' ..+4. :?59-83. 2 Ludwig. J. G. Duncan, and P. Hirschfield. "Urban Poverty & Juvenile Crime; Evidence from a Randomized Housing Mobility Experience" Quarterly Journal of Economics I 16, 6555-79. 'Kelly. M .. "Inequality and & Crime" The review of Economics & Statistics 82,530-39. available crime data because illustrations show that differences in crime rates can be I/inked to
growth and poverty. 4
For instance in India, Dreze and Reetika (2000)5 find that murder rates are unrelated with
poverty yet inquisitively in Uganda; it (murder) can connect with poverty.
Therefore it should be noted that factors often associated with poverty could affect a
community's crime rate more than simple income levels and these factors include; housing
values and conditions, education levels and chronic unemployment.
In general, evidence concerning the effects of poverty on crime is looked upon with skepticism.
Several important issues arose when trying to determine if a relationship exists; first a reverse
causation cou Id lead to the incorrect conclusion that a positive correlation between poverty and
crime is verification that poverty levels determine criminal activity. In that truth, it may be that
causality runs the other direction. That is; increasing rates of criminal activity within a
community may lead to increase in poverty.
Socially omitted variables may exist that jointly determine poverty levels and crime rates. For
instance non metropolitan crime is to an extent a product of rural development processes that
also lead to economic growth. 6
Lastly if there exists misreporting in crime data, then results can be biased. In studies where
crime is the dependant variable, bias occurs when the measurement error is systematically related
one or more of the regresses.
1 • Dreze J. & k. Reetika. "Crime, Gender & Local Society in India: Insights from Homicide Data" Population & Development Review 26, 335-52. '"Links between Rural Development & Crime" Papers in Regional Science 78, 365-86. '' D. Mark Anderson. The effect of Poverty on Crime in South Africa AGMM & IV Approach.
2 Across all model specifications such as monthly household expenditure per household member, a
positive relationship between poverty and crime exists,7 that is; an increase in household wealth ceteris paribus, leads to an increase in the probability that the household will be robbed. I Therefore the magnitude of the impact poverty on crime is not large but the positive relationship i is statistically significant across all models.
1.1 DEFINITION OF CRIME AND POVERTY According to Garies Kaun Miller8 states that, A crime is a wrong against a society proclaimed by the Law, if committed under certain circumstances, is punishable by society. I While in my own view, poverty is a state of having little or no money and a few possessions, or f people with less than a dollar a day. I
1.2 S~EMENT PROBLEM State intervention in justice, law and order is justified by the effects of landlessness on poverty. Crime prevention matters for poverty reduction, not only because their ability to invest is I reduced. 9 Because 52% and 65% of reported crimes are committed in rural areas given the rural- I I urban population ratio (80%)/(20%) respectively, crime rates are actually higher in urban areas; lI
r,f explained by proximity of police, rural-urban migration, density of population and higher prevalence of wealth symbols in urban areas. ' Therefore with structural adjustment programs(SAP) implemented with manifestations to households, reduced export taxes, removal of price controls, introduction of cost sharing in I public institutions like schools and health delivery units and retrenchment from government I Ia i
7 Ibid 6. 8 Criminal Justice in Action (Steps of criminal Justice System) pg. 14-15. I I 9 Pove11y Eradication Action Plan 2004/5-2007/8. I
3 I ~ $ •~ ministries and parastatals. 10 NGOs like GTZ (German technical Cooperation), DA NIDA( Danish
International Development Agency), NUSAF (Northern Uganda Social Action Fund), NARO
(National Agricultural Research Organization), NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's
Development). PMES (Poverty Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy) and the NOP (National
Development Plan.). Prosperity For All (Bonnabagagawale), introduced by the NRM
government under the leadership of His Excellency the president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta
Museveni. aimed at reducing income poverty and inequality, improve human development, increase GDP growth towards efforts in poverty alleviation. I But the problem, however is that such programs have affected household levels given main economic activity is agriculture in Arua district with little participation in commerce and other I economic activities. I
Hence in liberalization, helping the subsistence sector in Arua district to produce more to meet tax obligations, educational needs and health needs. What has retrenchment done on land use in
Arua? And because retrenches are more likely to become subsistence farmers, produce will
likely be inadequate thus poverty levels may hik~crease. The belief that poverty as the major ;_-
factor causes crime in the rural areas such as Arua is surfaced, therefore the implementation of the above programs has done little towards curbing such crimes apart from poverty as viewed to be the single tree factor.
I{, Household effo11s in poverty Alleviation in No11hern Uganda with respect to Agriculture under structural Adjustment Programme. Asaf, Francis and James.
4 1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY The study is important because it lays a foundation to gain insight into the poverty-crime related scenario and official areas that would like to know about the socio-economic and political as well as the cultural spectrum that mitigate the level of poverty in these rural areas more especially at district level. With the view that 2/3 of the poor in rural areas live on subsistence agriculture. 75% live rural areas of the district while 1/3 located in rural areas doing petty services but living marginalized areas of urban centers. 11 Thus it will help the judiciary sector to know the specific causes of crime rates whether as a result of poverty or other factors and formulation of new systems of curbing such crimes.
In general. the study will help the government to come up with the best methods of instituting relevant programs in rural areas so as to avoid RUM a factor which will empower the poor to realize the impacts of the poverty trap hence reducing various crime rates
Other specific objectives of the study are;
I. To examine whether poverty causes crime.
1. To assess whether criminals/suspects arrested against poverty related crimes can be
acquitted.
3. To offer proposals for the reform of poverty related crime penalties and if possible to
replace them with other forms punishments.
4. To find out the magnitude of the effects of poverty on crime rates in rural areas like Arua
District.
11 Lecture Guides faculty of Social Sciences Makerere University Dr. Julius Omona Department of SW ASA (2006).
5 1.4 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY AREA Arua district is situated in the North-Western part of Uganda, to the west of river Nile and covers an area of 8500sq.km approximately between latitudes 02 40N and 0350N and longitudes 30 40E and 3 I 40E.
The altitude is less than 900m along the river Nile bank and 900-1500m else where. The district is made up of four counties namely Ayivu, Vurra, Terego and Madi Okollo as viewed from the previous seven counties plus Koboko, Maracha and Yumbe now as districts. The population is approximately over 700,000 and the population density is increasing from 50.2 (1990s) to 87.5
(2005 to date) with the estimated growth rate of 3.8 - 5.0% per annum and there is a speculation that the district population is likely to exceed 1500000 by 2005.
The choice of the research was based on a number of reasons. According to the Poverty Analysis
Report (MFEP 1992); 12 Northern Uganda is realized to have the highest incidence of poverty
(67%{1 and more unequally distributed than in other regions. The reason for the choice of the region as the research area is that as far as crime exists, the presumption that poverty is the cause in this district will surface and this facilitates the study to occur in this region to find out whether it 's the absolute truth .
Therefore am well acquainted with Arua District and will be able to target and collaborate with community based organizations such as local councils, community development workers
(CWDs), women associations and youth production groups.
le Ibid I 0. 1 ' Region Wise Distribution of Poverty and Hardcore Poverty.
6 1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Studies have shown that poverty in Uganda to a great extent facilitates crime rates respectively.
The effects of lawlessness on poverty' 4 are enabling the research to cover such areas which will ascertain the effects of poverty on crime. However, to be able to isolate the effects of poverty from other general causes of crime, there is need for comparative critical analysis of population, expenditure in relatively poverty free districts.
The study is geared to raise awareness to policy makers to help and formulate appropriate strategies for the law on poverty and crime for purposes of review and reforms.
It is also intended to meet the requirements of the dissertation paper necessary for the award of a
Diploma in Law.
The research also anticipates that the study will serve as an information source book for future
Iiterature for use by other researchers.
C \.,.fo c,..., ' - .. v-> c✓ tf ~ 0 1.6 METHODOLOGY ~ ~1 Library - this is the main source of the study. I.e. libraries to be used LDC library, MUK library, '
r ~ ~ V v v '-,--...) -c;\--Jl l ; Resource Centre Arua, Arua public Library and the UC lJltbrary. -:;;;,-- The literature to be consulted includes textbooks, academic articles, publications, newspapers and the internet.
In addition, interviews, observations, and reviews of existing reports may be employed and conducted for purposes of information right from the public (people) depending majorly on individual household status (all models)for example. convicts. Non Governmental Organizations and Criminal Investigation Departments (CIDs)
N.B a sample of two from each section will be taken.
i -1 Ibid 12 .
7 L 7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY The study will cover the period between I 990s and 2008. However, there are turning points periods that seem for the population in the reduction of poverty levels hence crime rates reduction relatively though it floats on the surface more especially the convicts being the poor.
The geographical scope of the study is conducted in Arua district in Uganda. The views of
NGOs, government institutions, and social communities for example public shall be gathered on the effects of poverty on crime.
The research will also consider judicial decisions of different jurisdiction which will help in analyzing the problem in study.
8 CHAPTER TWO
2.0 RELATED LITERATURE REVIEW The death penalty is currently the mandatory punishment for several offences: including murder,
treason, armed robbery, smuggling and kidnap. 15
While men reportedly commit the great majority of all crimes 111 every category, there has
recentl y been sharp increase in the numbers of women arrested or accused. Between 52% and
65% of reported crimes are committed in rural areas; however, given the rural(80%) /
urban(20%) population ratio, crime rates are actually higher in urban areas. To my understanding
caused due to rum especially of the poor from rural areas and higher prevalence of wealth
symbols in urban centre. 16
Economic crime among young people is often a reflection of poverty and domestic problems. A
study of Save The Children, 17 U.K argues that "physical and emotional deprivation is factor
behind juvenile crime (especially theft) ... and needs to be addressed I terms of general poverty
alleviation ... (and) raises the agenda of investigating general parenting patterns and supporting
parents in positive parenting roles." Most young offenders come from income earning families.
(70% of the convicted children said they stole to meet their needs (mainly food), while 79% of
these admitting to carry out a crime said that they know it was wrong, with 49% adding there
was no way they could avoid the offence" 18
15 The offences are set out in the Penal db'?d~ ap 120, for example Robbery Section 286 (2), Murder , smuggling etc. IC, Ibid 12. 17 The silent Majority: Child Poverty in Uganda Compiled by Sophie Witter. ~ L 4. IX Ibid 14.pg. 122. -!)
9 Uganda has the third highest population growth rate in the world, with the average Ugandan
woman giving birth to almost 7 children in her life time. 19
Women do not benefit always of production, even though they may have done most of the
works. For example, women in Arua district, in the early 1999s were much less enthusiastic than
men about tobacco growing because of the men's control of income.20
Some women in agricultural benefit assert that they can't put effoti in cultivation because harvest
can as well be used to marry a third wife.
Therefore. among the actions that will reduce gender inequality in poverty levels are; community
actions to organize women's group and empower them, support female Participation in public
services especially extension services (most of NAADS group are women) and education and
improve rights of all.
Great debate has taken place in the past few years about the decrease in crime statistics. Some
say that crime is down because of (three strike) laws and greatly enhanced prison terms. Others say that crime is down because of simple change in demographics. Whatever the argument, hard evidence suggests our society is solving its "crime problem" by locking up people in alarming numbers.
If it has been said that a civilized society is best measured by how it treats the poor, nationwide over 20% of our children live in poor.
If poverty were a disease it would be the most insidious, devastating and life threatening disease that Americans suffer. The poor suffer not just economically, but they also suffer lack of education, lack of health care, and significantly more violence than others better situated in community. They suffer higher disease rates, death rates and imprisonment than their affluent
I') Ibid 16 pg. 33. ell .. The Impact of the Tobacco Industry on Rural Development and Farming Systems in Arna, Uganda Harmsworth J. I 991.
10 brethren. They imprisoned at much higher rates and they are executed for capital crimes more
often than any other group. 21 Infact, they are almost the exclusive
recipients of the death penalty.22
History has proven that there is infact a direct link between poverty and crime.23 America,
although full of good-hearted citizens, has yet to recognize the importance of balancing the
economic make-up of its inner-city and urban areas with that of the money spent on improving
those who commit crimes.
History
A study by the U.S government accountability office release in2007 showed that those are in areas where poverty is abundant had fewer option in life. People who were in poverty-stricken area were more likely to have adverse health issues due to unaffordable health care, risky behaviour and lack of proper education. Those who experience poverty are more likely to suffer
from health conditions due to being closer to freeways and industrial buildings that are not usually welcome in higher-income areas. There is also a notable history rise in poverty damage that parallels the unemployment rate throughout America history.24
Consideration
21 Carl C. Holmes. Website www.effectofpovertv in America 22 Ibid 13. 23 US Government Accountabilities Office, Poverty and Crime article. Contributor by an Ehome Writer Ad Goodie. 21 Ibid 12.
I I The severity of poverty often goes hand in hand with the amount of crime committed. Money as often reinvested from the open market to the black market to bring about high yet risky return in urban areas. Risks such as these are even higher when this activity is controlled by violent mob type organizations and gangs, whose existences are structured around capitalizing on the poverty of others. Realistic and reachable role models are far and few between; if any exist at all, which causes the children of those who live in those areas to look up to more unsavory figures who are living the high life through low living.
Theories/ speculation
Some theories suggest that those who are in poverty get that way merely of their own accord. If is true that drug-and gang-infested neighborhoods of today often do invest in their own downfall through discouraging new growth and an infusion of economic and social relief through unsavory acts of crime. However, many of the reasons why Americans downtrodden got that way has to do more with its historical dealings with the impoverished immediately after the civil war than any other factor. Speculations among some communities suggest that after the civil war,
turned loose without education and fair opportunity to provide for themselves or their families. This along with the already lowered perception of these freed slaves caused a longtime right in social and economic standards in equality, education and opportunity.
12 Misconception I Society on a whole has a general misconception of the link between poverty and crime. Although I
crime is often committed by those who are impoverished, all those who are poor do not commit
crimes. Other misconceptions include that people of color are automatically more likely to I'
commit crime because of color of their skin rather than surroundings and upbringing. Many of these misconceptions may lead to adverse effects of racism and bigotry in real-life meetings I between those with and without. Understanding and solving the root of the link between poverty l and crime will inevitably cause citizens to take pride in their neighborhoods and become I productive participants in the labour force.
II Time frame
Obliterating poverty has been the goal of many politicians throughout history, but nothing of this I
magnitude will be solved overnight. Improved means of wealth distribution, better economic
policies and a society-wide commitment to solving the problem, eradicating poverty and II therefore some of the crime that goes with it may take decade or longer, but it is certainly a I I worth and noble cause. I I Scholars disagree about how much poverty affects crime rates, if it does a tall while many poor
people turn to crime, and many people with criminal records have trouble escape poverty, the
two aren·t helplessly linked. Rather, it's the setbacks and disadvantages that often come with
poverty. more than poverty itself that affect crime rates, experts say. 25
:s Stay Vogel Sunday Aug. 24 (2008).
13 ✓.:;/ vr f\J-.o
Dell ~ as found a weak connection between poverty and crime in her studies, she said, if
poverty automatically led to crime, then crime rates would rise when poverty rates rise, and the
worlds poorest nations would be the worlds most crime-ridden , she said neither is the case.
·' It gets caught up in a big myth that poor people are more likely to do crime, and it's a fallacy"
she said.
While people 111 poverty might commit cnmes of desperation, white collar criminals often
comrnit crirnes of opportunity.
Deller found that factors often associated with poverty could affect a community's crime rate
rnore than simple income levels include; housing values and conditions, education levels and
chronic unemployment.
Captain Dan Davis of the Janesville police department said that studies show children of single
parent homes are more likely to both live in poverty and commit crimes.
Several people living in poverty who are interviewed have criminal records. Others choose to
live clean lives, though they are often affected by crimes committed by loved ones or crimes committed against them. People in poverty are more likely than others to be the victims of crime
because they don 't have the resource to protect themselves. Deller said.
Sullivan also saw alcohol and drug abuse in the neighborhood, he said, while addiction exists all over the city, Sullivan believes it's especially a problem for people in poverty. Many addicts might have started out middle class but ended up I poverty when they gave up everything for drugs. Others turn to alcohol or drugs because they are depressed about their situations.
14 Criminals come from every walk of life, it would be easy to blame poverty as the reason why
there are so many criminals but with the way things are these days there is a story of every
person getting in trouble, whether it be drugs, murder, sex offenders, etc.26
Lakennedy.27 your comment, ·'optimism: what or more to the point who, do suppose is
responsible for raising this generation of 'unmotivated lazy kids who have had everything
handed to them? They didn't raise themselves." makes me cringe. Quite honestly, there are too
many unmotivated, lazy kids ... and sadly, many live in poverty. They see their parents(mostly
single) working really hard to make ends meet, but they still go without what some, better off
families would consider ·'necessities". I think there are too many kids who ARE raising
themselves. The parents work two jobs or is so exhausted from working mandatory overtime and
working an keeping up with cooking, laundry and grocery shopping, etc to have the 'extra'
energy required to instill core values into their children and keep up with what's going on in their
children's lives. who their kids are hanging out with, excetra. Am not making excuse for
criminals; am advocating on behalf of (mostly) women who are trying to make it in a 'a man's
world' and have to do with a smile.
No. I don't think poverty equates crime; however, I think criminal and taking the easy way out
looks tempting to a tired, over-worked and under-paid working woman and makes more people cynical about ever achieving the American dream. It's just far out of their reach, no matter how
hard they try.
2 '' A suggestion by Justmy 4 I 4 May 12 (2009). Lakennedy Sept 5. 2008. Why think.
15 The national objectives, and directive principles of the state xii (balanced and equitable
development)28 advocates that; the state shall adopt an integrated and coordinated planning
approach, take necessary measures to bring about balanced development of the different areas of
Uganda and between the rural and urban centers, and take special measures in favour of the
development of the least development areas.
According to the new vision29 the president is promoting the NDG prosperity for all programs in
the district. He said the movement transformed schools from mud-and-wattle huts to permanent
buildings, each sub county has a health centre and had provided services and infrastructures and
urged residents to take advantage of this to fight poverty. He called for farmer groups and urgent residents to join SACCOS to benefit from the NAADS, NUSAF, and PROP programs.
Because many unemployed youth resort to crime to escape poverty as in view of Kakama's case exhibited by The New Yision;30 experts say the failure by the government to train youth effectively for the workplace has led to wide-spread disillusionment and social tensions. While professor Aaron Mukwaya a political science don from Makerere University says the high unemployment rate, coupled with failure to train the youth, has paved way for drug abuse, gambling. robbery, burglary, kidnap, prostitution, fraud and human sacrifice as a short-cut to wealth.
Therefore, Bbumba says the government will engage more sustainable basis for employment creation and poverty reduction through, industrial development, agricultural modernization, implementation of the rural development strategy, and microfinance outreach. She adds that
:x he Constitution of Uganda, 1995 page 24-31. 2 " The New Vision Tue 22 June 20 IO pg. 2. The President of Uganda Fights Poverty in Parisa. "'The New Vision Monday July 12 20 IO Analysis by Vique, Ocean Kahiju & Fredrick Warnakuyu.
16 government is also finalizing a proposal for legislation on business, technical education and training as a way to address issues related to youth employment.
17 CHAPTER THREE
3.0 THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY ON CRIMES IN UGANDA In general. the evidence concerning the effects of poverty on crime 1s looked upon with 01✓ skepticism. Se"):'.J:eal 1mportant issues arise when trying to determine if a relationship exists. Look ✓/ at the reverse causation, omitted variables and misreporting on crime data.
According to D.Mark Anderson(effects of poverty on crime in South Africa), 31 looks at cross sectional household level data from south Africa employing limited dependent variable modems to determine effects of poverty on crime specifically addressing the connection between poverty and robbery. and effect of local inequality on crime.
Respectively. Demombynes and Ozler,32 find that burglary rates are 25-43% higher in police precincts that are wealthier than their neighbours while they also analyze the effect of local inequality.
Research generally shows that Across-all model specifications, a positive relationship between poverty and crime exists. Therefore, the magnitude of the impact of poverty crime is not large, but positive relationship is statistically significant. The factor which is well contented with that also applies to Arua district is looking at the reverse causation point. Fafchamps and Minten
(2006). 33 treat it by using a natural experiment looking at the influence of transitory poverty has on crime by taking advantage of disputed presidential elections in Madagascar. During this period. fuel supplies to the central highlands were reduced which resulted into increased poverty levels. A primary finding therefore, is that the increase in transitory poverty had a positive and
31 Ibid 7. 32 "Crime and Local inequality in South Africa" Journal of Development Economics 76, 265-92. 13 --crime. Transitory Poverty, & Isolation; Evidence from Madagascar" Economic Development & Cultural Change 54. 579-603.
18 I I I I significant effect on crop theft. For the case of Arua, I could agree that transitory poverty could have effect on theft, burglary, assaul_tfJ!efilement child sacrific~:....IJPe, murder and abduction. It ·~ ' --1½ \/v~- should be noted that D. Mark: examined robbe ·y separately because in large parts in South Africa it 's motivated by material gains.
19 CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 THE BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS More than 40% of the respondents were from Ayivu and 39.7% from Terego County, while 20% others were from the other counties of Madi Okollo and Vurra. There were more female (97.0%) than male. it's also important to know the marital status, main occupation and family size as well as education level since they might have influence on house bold income, poverty levels and crimes in this region. More than 40% were married, 9.0% single and 4.0% widowed. Of the population, 87.0% men were married and 9.4% single and about 61 % females were widowed.
Men dominated in relation in household heads since culturally Arua, like most of Africa are the heads of the house hold.
Arua being a predominately agricultural area, 92% are peasants, leaving 5% civil servants and
2% students. The majority (3.8%) obtained primary education, 28.2% secondary; post primary,
5% tertiary institution and 8% never went to school. Note that more than 14% of the females never went to school compared to 7.8% of the male.
In relation to land holding, 40.2% have land between one and two acres and about 17% have one acre or less implying that 57.3%with holdings 0.01-2.00 acres. Only 3.7% own more than 4 acres of land. On the other hand it was observed that family size varied between households of one person to those of more than 15 persons. It's therefore observed that 83.4% of the house hold had
5 persons or more. 34 Given the major agricultural practice into cash crop of tobacco and other petty crops for family consumption has done little to curb poverty levels. Hence the crimes in this region increase with the blame we put on poverty, therefore I may conclude that most of the
11 Ibid 10.
20 household did have enough to produce to maintain their families which either ended up in rural
urban migration or crimes of different kinds within the district. 35
II
Ii I I
II I J
i t l I
15 Women. armed conflict and food security in Uganda (ISIS- WICCE) by Henrich Boll Foundation.
21 CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 RECOMMEND A TIO NS In order to address the issues associated with the effects of poverty on crime, there is need of
corning up with appropriate proposals to absolutely alleviate poverty which is believed to be the
main factor for crime rates in rural areas. The following considered recommendations have been
arranged into short term and long term and ought to be entered into the district and national
strategic plans for poverty affected areas in Arua and at large.
Short term recommendations
There is need for setting up relevant information systems to educate women and men about their
responsibilities in a society. Other related interventions include education on laws and dangers of
early marriages, social responsibilities, drinking and substance abuse.
HIV/ aids are one of the threats to poverty levels that initiate crime. Hence interventions on
terms of prevention. care and support programs should be widely intensified by both
governmental and NGOs.
However, with governmental and NGOs support usually offered to IDPs camps, new challenges
enroot especially in food production ad cultural breakdown. Thus, humanitarian agencies and
government should intensify mechanisms for ensuring that families affected by poverty have
adequate amount of food to meet dietary requirements.
Poverty is a challenge to food production and no matter the amount of relief that can be availed to the population. it will never suffice to replace the populations own produce. Therefore, there is
22 need to reduce dependence syndrome of the !DPs and other family members so as to improve on food security and also allow balanced diet through production, for instance in the song of Fred sebatta (''Enkunbi Eyamba''), meaning that the hoe helps and this can fight poverty that is presumed the cause of crimes. All government structures(both local and central levels) should collaborate and make sure enough land is gazetted and cleared to allow farming, seeds, ferti Iizers. pest controls and farm extensions services should be availed both to poor and the rich in rural and urban areas.
NB. Care should be taken to ensure that gender dimensions are included in planning, distribution of resources, inputs and production. Protect the women in more vulnerable situations such as the widows. elderly women looking after orphans and girl children who are likely to end up in prostitution for survival from poverty.
There is need for the government of Uganda and international community to recognize the violation of human rights of the culprits/suspects of poverty-crime connected that it's a crime under international law. All human rights of individuals arrested in prisons must be respected.
Enactment of the domestic relations law should be expedited to support gamily relationships to enhance production at household level.
23 Long term recommendations
Micro-credit finance to curb the level of poverty. Though it's the responsibility of the
government to provide the above, it's not certain that that the time when those will be feasible
(when poverty will end) is known. Perhaps it should be emphasized that in resettlement, the
special needs and potential of women for managing the problem of poverty must be recognized
and taken care of it's critical that the government facilitates establishment of irrigation and other
farming facilities that farmers utilize in production without being limited by other constraints.
5.2 CONCLUSION This research has outlined the major effects of poverty on crime and the legal basis for crimes in
Uganda with respect to rights of individuals stipulated by articles of the constitution of Uganda.
Considering the recommendations, the research contemplates and offers proposals for reform in
punishment for the culprits and in my view, more needs to be done through enacting appropriate
legislation which excludes punishments like death penalty. Above all, there's need for all stake
holders, government, public and individuals to pay attention to poverty related crimes such that
the objectives of the nat~ iming at transforming Uganda from a peasant to modern
society and a prosperous country within thirty (30) years with the hope that next year's (2011)
budget there stated by Syda. Bbumba "strategic priorities to accelerate growth, employment and
. I . .c . .c . ,, ~ II . Pd"" \o vv~ soc,a -economic trans1ormat1ons 1or prosperity WI come to Its en .
24 BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. Criminal Justice in Action(steps of criminal justice system) page 14-l 5Garies Kaun
Miller
2. D. Mark Anderson. 'The Effect of Poverty on Crime in South Africa A GMM and IV
Approach'
3. Demombynes, G., B Ozier 2005 "Crime and Local Inequality in South Africa". Journals
of Development Economics 76, 265-92.
4. Dreze .I and K. Reetika 2000 "Crime, Gender and Local Society in India: Insights from
Homicide Data" Population and Development Review 26, 335-52.
5. Fafchamps. M, and B Minten. 2006. "Crime Transitory Poverty and Isolation Evidence
from Madagascar'' Economic Development and Cultural Change.54, 579-603. /"/ 6. Fajnzylber. P.D Lederman and N Loaya 20Q0V "O{ime and Victimization: An Economic Perspective'' Latin America and Caribbean Economic Association. Economia 1, 178-2 I 9.
7. Household effects in poverty alleviation in Northern Uganda with respect to agriculture
under structural adjustment program. The case study of Arua by Asaph Adebua,
Jonathan. J. A. Odwe, Francis N. 0, and James Basil Okee Obong-June 2002.
8. Kayiso. P. K I 995, SAP and Poverty in Uganda, A Paper Presented at the Economic
Pol icy Research Centre; Workshop on Poverty Statistics in Uganda, 20-21 March, 1995
Makerere University.
9. Kelly. M. 2000 "Inequality and Crime" The Review of Economics and Statistics 82, 530-
39.
25 I 0. Ludwig.J. G.Duncan and P.Hirschfield.2001. "Urban Poverty and Suvenile Crime;
Evidence from a Randomized Housing Mobility Experiment" Quarterly journal of
economics I I 6, 665-79
I I. Raphael S and R Whiter-Ember 2000 "Identifying the Effect of Unemployment on
Crime" Journal of Law and Economics. 44, 259-83.
12. Rephan 1999 "Links Between Rural Development and Crime" Papers in Regional
Science 78. 365-86
13. Poverty eradication action plan 2004/5- 2007/8. Ministry of Finance, Planning and
Economic Development. Page 121
14. Social Policy Analysis; lecture guides Faculty of Social sciences, Makerere University.
Dr. Ju Ii us Omona- Department of SW ASA (2006)
15. The Criminologist: crime and the Criminal Charles E Reasons. Capitalism, Class and
Crime in America (David M. Gordon)
26 APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
1. Regional Poverty Indices
Region HHD Shares% Po
Central 36.9 0.3169
Western 30.0 0.3496
Eastern 23.3 0.5673
Northern 9.8 0.6730
1-TJganda 100.0 0.4200
2. Poverty Indices for Hardcore Poor
Region HHD shares% Po
Central 36.9 0.6147
Western 30.0 0.0940
?",., Eastern _.) ..) 0.2258
Northern 9.8 0.2402
Uganda 100.0 0.1393
Source-Report on Poverty Analysis in Uganda, volume I, Ministry of Finance and Economic
planning. December 1992
27 APPENDIX II
Poverty Rates in Arua Counties (1992-2000)
I County Rates I i ! Ayivu 57%
Terego 49%
Vurra 54%
Madi Okollo 67%
APPENDIX I II
4. Proportion of people below Poverty Line, %
1992 1993/4 1994/5 1996 1997/8 1999/2000 2002/3
National 55.7 51.2 50.2 49.1 44.4 33.8 37.7
Rural 59.7 55.6 54.3 53.7 48.7 37.4 41.1
Urban 27.8 21 21.5 19.8 16.7 9.6 12.2
Central 46 28 19.7 22.8
Western 53 43 26.2 31.4
Eastern 59 54 35.0 46.0
I Northern 72 60 63.7 63.0 I I
28 APPENDIX IV
Average Assets Owned by Household, Dollar Value I Central Eastern Northern Western
1992 3619(57) 1578(62) 734(30) 1974(61)
1999 4647(50) 1519(50) 7198(31) 2624(69) I i I I I I APPENDIXV I I I Average Cost of Expense during the Research f l I i Transport To and from field study I 00.000 I Printing First, second and last print 80.000 r I Editing Last and Final editing 70.000 l / Facilitation Access to information 50.000
Supervision Fee and transport I 00.000 I
Grand Total 400.000 Ii i D !r I I
I 29 i QUESTIONAIRES
(Household efforts in poverty alleviation in Northern Uganda with respect to Agriculture SAP case study of Arua District.)
Name of respondent
County
Sub County
Parish
LC 2
LC I
Date of interview
Interviewer's name
SECTION A
I. Occupation
a) peasant
b) commercial farmer
c) businessman
d) civil servant
e) student
2. Sex
a) male
b) female
30 _).'"' Age in completed years
4. Marital status
a) single
b) married
c) cohabiting
d) widowed
5. Highest formal Education
a) None
b) Primary 1-7
c) Junior 1-3
d) Secondary I -4
e) Secondary 5-6
f) Tertiary institution
g) University
h) Others(specify)
6. Do you have children?
a) yes
b) No
7. How many children do you have?
a) Boys
b) Girls
8. How many dependants stay with you?
31 9. Whats your main source of financing agric inputs?
a) Own funds
b) Informal credit (specify source)
c) Bank credit
d) Others (specify)
I 0. What is the size of your landholding in acres?
I I. State the type of input used in your agricultural production? a) Household labour I b) Hired labour l c) Fertilizer I d) Tractor e) Hand tools It 12. What was the main use to which you put income from agricultural output?
If a) Farm development (acquisition of more land) I b) Acquisition of input (specify) l I c) Payment of dowry I d) Education of children
e) Others (specify) II SECTION B
13. ls your food production enough for home consumption throughout the year? II a) yes b) no I I
32 14. If no. what was and is the cause of food shortage and other resources that you
believe are the results of crimes due to poverty?
a) Low food crop output
b) Most foodstuff sold out
c) Concentration on cash crop especially tobacco
d) Others (specify)
15. What plans did and have you put in place to reduce poverty levels at your home?
a) Increase acreage for food production
b) Control sale of foodstuff
c) Initiate other agricultural practices like poultry
d) Others (specify)
16. Which of the following Household items do you have or own?
Items
a) Car/ motorcycle
b) Bicycle
c) Radio cassette
d) Shoes
e) Suitcase
f) Mattress/ Blanket
g) Manufactured Utensils
h) Clay Utensils
i) Iron roofed house
j) Others (specify)
33 Sources
- Bought
- Inherited
- Gift
34