Uganda readiness assessment: delivering anticipatory social protection

This study uses the ASPIRE tool to evaluate the readiness and effectiveness of social protection systems in Uganda, identifying gaps and opportunities to improve anticipatory measures and climate resilience. 

The analysis shows that Uganda's National Social Protection Policies aim to provide comprehensive and targeted support for vulnerable populations. However, they have limitations in terms of funding, reach, and risk management. Despite robust frameworks, only a small fraction of the population is covered, and there's a lack of focus on climate resilience and anticipatory measures. Inter-sectoral coordination, particularly in disaster risk preparedness, is insufficient. Challenges also exist in the standardisation of targeting criteria, and the allocation from the national budget remains minimal.

For effective social protection, improvements are crucial in several areas. Firstly, there needs to be a dedicated focus on building climate resilience and incorporating disaster risk financing, given that existing contingency funds have not been explicitly allocated for anticipatory social protection. Secondly, there should be enhanced inter-ministerial coordination to address implementation gaps. There is also a need to develop clear guidelines for the management of contingency funds, utilise technology for better implementation and monitoring, and improve targeting mechanisms to expand coverage.