An Assessment of Human Development in Uganda: The Capabilities Approach, Millennium Development Goals, and Human Development Index

The Millennium Development Goals, grounded in Martha Nussbaum and Amaryta Sen’s Capabilities Approach and manifested through the Human Development Index, represent the contemporary means aimed at improving the overall quality of life for the people of the world. Currently Uganda is making substantial progress to achieve poverty reduction, increase overall health and ensure universal primary education. This paper’s argument is twofold. First, it argues that the best way to understand and further human development is through the Capabilities Approach. Second, this paper contends that many of Uganda’s policies aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals are rooted within a capabilities framework, showing a firm commitment to creating a more equitable and just society. The article concludes with future implications of Uganda’s success in achieving the Millennium Development Goals while using a global lens and capabilities approach framework to assess progress made