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Uganda in the 1970s and early 1980s was one of Africa's more tragic economic stories. Emerging from civil war, it had to embark on reform in the early to mid-1980s from a position of severe political weakness. In the study, the effects of economic policy at the aggregate level are discussed in detail, but 'snapshot' empirical analyses of responses at the household level, both urban and rural, are also presented. Uganda was for many years considered to be Africa's 'worst case'; its recent recovery thus provides hope for similar countries in the region.

This explores the complex nature of poverty in Africa. It identifies its political and social causes and assesses the impact of recent economic growth on the welfare of poor people. To permanently reduce poverty, it calls for realistic, home-grown policy initiative, governmental commitment, a realignment of the donor community's role, and the development of institutional structures, such as poverty monitoring systems, that can hold the governments accountable.

Uganda in the 1970s and early 1980s was one of Africa's more tragic economic stories. Emerging from civil war, it had to embark on reform in the early to mid-1980s from a position of severe political weakness. In the study, the effects of economic policy at the aggregate level are discussed in detail, but 'snapshot' empirical analyses of responses at the household level, both urban and rural, are also presented. Uganda was for many years considered to be Africa's 'worst case'; its recent recovery thus provides hope for similar countries in the region.

The Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) Initiative was introduced in 1999, by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, with the aim of making development aid more effective in reducing poverty in low-income countries. This publication summarises the findings from 10 country case studies, mostly completed in the second half of 2003, covering the following: Albania, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Vietnam.

In 1999, the IMF and the World Bank adopted a new frame work for supporting economic reform in low-income member countries to achieve the objectives of poverty reduction and economic growth. The frame work consists of two key elements: country-authored Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, drawing on broad-based consultations with key stake holder groups; and a vehicle for the provision of IMF concessional lending, the Poverty Reduction andGrowth Facility. This evaluation takes stock of progress to date and attempts to identify short comings that may require course corrections in the design and implementation of the initiative.