Low income earners and their contribution

A quick look at the data

According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in Uganda was estimated to be 21.4% in 2019 and has steadily increased ever since. This means that to-date, more than 8 million people in Uganda live below the poverty line, which is defined as earning less than $1.90 per day. The unemployment rate in Uganda was estimated to be 9.2% in 2020. However, the underemployment rate, which measures the percentage of people who work fewer hours than they would like or in jobs that are below their skill level, is much higher. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the informal sector accounted for about 51% of non-agricultural employment.

Providing solutions

Low-income earners in Uganda face various challenges, including lack of a formal education or training, limited job opportunities, limited access to healthcare and gender inequalities among others. Despite these challenges, they have demonstrated resilience, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurship, and they have contributed to the local economy by providing goods and services to the Ugandan community.

Another major issue is the lack access to traditional markets or retail spaces, which can make it difficult for them to sell their products. However, with the rise of e-commerce platforms, many sellers have been able to reach a wider audience and expand their businesses.

The above data suggests a need to employ a multi-pronged approach to have a positive sustainable impact in reducing poverty, and Digital Adverts Ltd has added to the government's efforts by focusing on job creation and education.

Digital Adverts Ltd, through its various programmes and initiatives, has emerged to support low-income earners by providing business training countrywide, availing entrepreneurial opportunities and access to markets through our Digital mall on the Digital Adverts mobile application.

As a result of this effort, a bigger percentage of people can showcase and advertise their goods and services online, and reach wider markets than they were able to before. Awareness has increased, of the opportunities available on the internet through our countrywide sensitisation campaigns. Livelihoods have imporved as our members earn a decent income purely from the solutions we provide. By empowering these people, we have created economic opportunities and promoted inclusion and diversity in Uganda.