Analysis of the contribution of the Youth Livelihood Program towards enhancing Self-Reliance among the Youths in Lira City, Uganda

https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v3i2.1337
Published: Feb 7, 2023

Abstract:

Purpose: This study investigated the contribution of the YLP towards enhancing self-reliance among the youths in the west division of Lira City.

Methodology/approach: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A closed-ended structured questionnaire with a five Likert scale was used to collect data from a sample of 249 respondents based on the program theory postulated by Reynolds (1998); it entails the logic behind how programs are built, with particular emphasis on the program process. Data were analyzed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics aided by SPSS (version 20).

Results: The findings suggested that the YLP program enhanced self-reliance among the youths by 11.1%. The youths in Lira City West Division moderately benefited from livelihood support (3.10, SD = 1.08) and institutional support (Mean = 2.71, SD = 1.241). A robust regression analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between the YLP program and self-reliance (R2 = 0.111). Livelihood support (Coef = 0.159, p-value 0.0025) was found to be positively and significantly correlated with self-reliance. However, the statistical analysis revealed that institutional support had a negative relationship with self-reliance (p-value > 0.05, 95% CI).

Limitations: During the study, it was difficult to find some respondents since they were scattered looking for activities to earn a living therefore extra efforts were ensured such as using research assistants in order to find the respondents. Inadequate funds to facilitate the study like transport to the field, and printing questionnaires were also a problem. The researcher got a loan from friends and the bank to cover the gap.

Contributions: This study contributes to the understanding of local community development initiatives using the empowerment approach.

Keywords:
1. Youth livelihood program
2. self-reliance
3. livelihood support
4. institutional support
Authors:
1 . Elizabeth Dorky Achiro
Lira University, Uganda
2 . David Mwesigwa
Lira University, Uganda
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How to Cite
Achiro, E. D., & Mwesigwa, D. (2023). Analysis of the contribution of the Youth Livelihood Program towards enhancing Self-Reliance among the Youths in Lira City, Uganda. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 3(2), 157–171. https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v3i2.1337
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Vol. 3 No. 2 (2023): February
Articles
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References

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    Asiimwe, G. B. (2022). Interrogating Unemployment Amid Growth: Tracking Youth Unemployment in Neo-Liberal Uganda, 1990–2019. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 00219096221076113.

    Awidi, S. J., & Quan-Baffour, K. (2021). Situating adult learning and education in refugee livelihood adaptation and progression toward self-reliance: the case of refugees in the Kyaka II Settlement in Southwestern Uganda. Adult Education Quarterly, 71(2), 148-165.

    Aye, W. N., Wen, Y., Marin, K., Thapa, S., & Tun, A. W. (2019). Contribution of mangrove forest to the livelihood of local communities in Ayeyarwaddy region, Myanmar. Forests, 10(5), 414.

    Bellaqa, B. (2021). YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR MARKET POLICIES: THE CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO. Journal of Global Business & Technology, 17(2).

    Betts, A., Omata, N., & Sterck, O. (2020). The Kalobeyei settlement: a self-reliance model for refugees? Journal of Refugee Studies, 33(1), 189-223.

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    Da Silva, L. M., & Toda, H. (2021). Policy implementation of local governments in waste management in Dili City, Timor Leste. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 1-13.

    Didarali, Z., & Gambiza, J. (2019). Permaculture: Challenges and benefits in improving rural livelihoods in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sustainability, 11(8), 2219.

    Diraditsile, K. (2021). Youth Empowerment Programmes in Botswana: Overestimated or Under-researched? Global Social Welfare, 8(2), 159-169.

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    Mango, R., Econi, C. D., Isabirye, E., Kampe, D., Nakawooya, R. K., & Niwandinda, A. R. (2021). Designing an index scheme for records on youth livelihood programmes at the ministry of gender, labour and social development in Uganda. Makerere University.

    Muhoozi, P. (2021). The contribution of youth livelihood project towards improving livelihoods of the youth in Ibanda Municipality, Ibanda District. Makerere University.

    Müller, T. R. (2022). Eritrea: Self-reliance, militarisation, and diaspora Routledge Handbook of the Horn of Africa (pp. 32-42): Routledge.

    Munro, P., Van Der Horst, G., & Healy, S. (2017). Energy justice for all? Rethinking sustainable development goal 7 through struggles over traditional energy practices in Sierra Leone. Energy Policy, 105, 635-641.

    MUTISYA, D. N. (2020). RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDEND YOUTH PROJECTS IN MACHAKOS COUNTY (KENYA).

    Mwesigwa, D. (2018). Football betting among the youths in Lira municipality: Will livelihoods improve?

    Mwesigwa, D., Bogere, M., & Ogwal, J. B. (2022). Local citizen participation in Uganda: Examining the political, administrative and financial aspects in Hoima district. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(1), 49-63.

    Mwesigwa, D., & Mubangizi, B. C. (2019). Contributions of the youth livelihood programme (YLP) to youth empowerment in Hoima district, Uganda. International Journal of Business and Management Studies, 11(1), 54-73.

    Mwesigwa, D., & Wahid, K. A. (2021). Relevance of youth representation through political proportions in Uganda. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 29-41. doi:10.35912/jgas.v1i1.330

    Nakiyingi, M. A. (2019). An analysis of youth oriented built environment design in Uganda: The case of youth centres in Kampala. Makerere University.

    Nanyonga, D. C. (2021). Contribution of the Youth Livelihood Project in the Fight Against Youth Unemployment in Makindye Division. Makerere University.

    Ojek, R. (2018). Unemployment and Poverty among the Youth in Urban Centres A case of Lira District in Northern Uganda.

    Okwelle, P. C., Deebom, M. T., Harcourt, P., & Okwelle, P. (2017). Technical vocational education and training as a tool for sustainable empowerment of youths in Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Social & Science Education Research, 5(1), 29-38.

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  2. Agumagu, A., Ifeanyi-Obi, C., & Agu, C. (2018). Perception of agriculture students towards farming as a means of sustainable livelihood in Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension, 22(1), 109-116.
  3. Anwarudin, O., & Maryani, A. (2017). The effect of institutional strengthening on farmers participation and self-reliance in Bogor Indonesia. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 7(4), 409-422.
  4. Aryemo, I. P., Akite, I., Kule, E. K., Kugonza, D. R., Okot, M. W., & Mugonola, B. (2019). Drivers of commercialization: A case of indigenous chicken production in northern Uganda. African journal of science, technology, innovation and development, 11(6), 739-748.
  5. Asiimwe, G. B. (2022). Interrogating Unemployment Amid Growth: Tracking Youth Unemployment in Neo-Liberal Uganda, 1990–2019. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 00219096221076113.
  6. Awidi, S. J., & Quan-Baffour, K. (2021). Situating adult learning and education in refugee livelihood adaptation and progression toward self-reliance: the case of refugees in the Kyaka II Settlement in Southwestern Uganda. Adult Education Quarterly, 71(2), 148-165.
  7. Aye, W. N., Wen, Y., Marin, K., Thapa, S., & Tun, A. W. (2019). Contribution of mangrove forest to the livelihood of local communities in Ayeyarwaddy region, Myanmar. Forests, 10(5), 414.
  8. Bellaqa, B. (2021). YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR MARKET POLICIES: THE CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO. Journal of Global Business & Technology, 17(2).
  9. Betts, A., Omata, N., & Sterck, O. (2020). The Kalobeyei settlement: a self-reliance model for refugees? Journal of Refugee Studies, 33(1), 189-223.
  10. Bharti, N. (2016). Microenterprise as a livelihood source and factors affecting their success: A Study from India. Hindu, 37, 92.95.
  11. Da Silva, L. M., & Toda, H. (2021). Policy implementation of local governments in waste management in Dili City, Timor Leste. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(1), 1-13.
  12. Didarali, Z., & Gambiza, J. (2019). Permaculture: Challenges and benefits in improving rural livelihoods in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Sustainability, 11(8), 2219.
  13. Diraditsile, K. (2021). Youth Empowerment Programmes in Botswana: Overestimated or Under-researched? Global Social Welfare, 8(2), 159-169.
  14. Easton-Calabria, E., Krause, U., Field, J., Tiwari, A., Mookherjee, Y., Wake, C., . . . Leeson, K. (2017). Refugee Self-Reliance: Moving Beyond the Marketplace.
  15. Ejang, M. (2020). Tackling youth unemployment with youth livelihood programme (YLP) in Northern Uganda.
  16. Ekesionye, E., & Okolo, A. (2012). Women empowerment and participation in economic activities: Indispensable tools for self-reliance and development of Nigerian society. Educational Research and Reviews, 7(1), 10-18.
  17. Fox, L., & Kaul, U. (2018). The evidence is in: How should youth employment programs in low-income countries be designed? World Bank policy research working paper(8500).
  18. Gough, K. (2016). Youth and jobs.
  19. Haque, T. A. (2020). Afghanistan Growth Agenda for Transformative Change and Self-Reliance through the National Peace and Development Framework (Vol. 2): Growth Agenda Implementation Plan.
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  24. Kadiyala, S., Rawat, R., Roopnaraine, T., Babirye, F., & Ochai, R. (2009). Applying a programme theory framework to improve livelihood interventions integrated with HIV care and treatment programmes. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 1(4), 470-491.
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  27. Kwayu, E. J., Paavola, J., & Sallu, S. M. (2017). The livelihood impacts of the equitable payments for watershed services (EPWS) program in Morogoro, Tanzania. Environment and Development Economics, 22(3), 328-349.
  28. Lardier Jr, D. T., Herr, K. G., Barrios, V. R., Garcia-Reid, P., & Reid, R. J. (2019). Merit in meritocracy: Uncovering the myth of exceptionality and self-reliance through the voices of urban youth of color. Education and Urban Society, 51(4), 474-500.
  29. Lira, M. G., Robson, J. P., & Klooster, D. J. (2022). Commons, global markets and small-scale family enterprises: the case of mezcal production in Oaxaca, Mexico. Agriculture and Human Values, 1-16.
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  36. Mwesigwa, D., Bogere, M., & Ogwal, J. B. (2022). Local citizen participation in Uganda: Examining the political, administrative and financial aspects in Hoima district. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 2(1), 49-63.
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  42. Okwelle, P. C., Deebom, M. T., Harcourt, P., & Okwelle, P. (2017). Technical vocational education and training as a tool for sustainable empowerment of youths in Niger Delta, Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Social & Science Education Research, 5(1), 29-38.
  43. Olin, Y. K., Kase, P., & Toda, H. (2021). The role of traditional institutions in implementing the empowerment policy of Oetulu village, Musi district, Timor Tengah Utara regency. Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies, 1(2), 145-161.
  44. Pandey, P., & Pandey, M. M. (2021). Research methodology tools and techniques: Bridge Center.
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  46. Pelletier, B., Hickey, G. M., Bothi, K. L., & Mude, A. (2016). Linking rural livelihood resilience and food security: an international challenge. Food Security, 8(3), 469-476.
  47. Rapando, R., & Achieng, L. (2021). A & Munyua, J.(2021). Contribution of Youth Bunge Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies on Economic Empowerment of Youth in Kisii County, Kenya. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 5(8), 173-188.
  48. Regmi, K. D., Andema, S., & Asselin, M. (2020). Literacy for self-reliance: A critical exploration of Nyerere’s legacy in Tanzanian education policies. International Review of Education, 66(1), 53-74.
  49. Schön, A.-M. (2020). Assessing the Level of Self-Reliance and Livelihood of Encamped Refugees.
  50. Seddiky, M., Giggins, H., & Gajendran, T. (2022). Non-DRR NGOs strategies for livelihood development in the coastal communities of Bangladesh: a case study. Natural Hazards, 111(2), 2155-2175.
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