“Nigiina”s as Coping Mechanisms of Peri-urban Lowincome Mothers in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Low-income mothers face a number of challenges that evolve around
poverty, isolation, powerlessness, and vulnerability. The main objective
of this study was to examine the contributions of nigiina associations,
which are informal gift giving associations, to the welfare of women and
their households in an urban neighbourhood. Data was collected through
use of unstructured interviews, in-depth interviews, survey
questionnaires and observation guides. Findings reveal that nigiina
associations, which operate in a rotational basis and give equal
opportunities to every member of receiving a gift, such as in the form of
household items, cash, advice, training, wide friendship networks and
loan opportunities, are used as coping mechanisms by low-income
mothers living in the surrounds of Kampala city.

Keywords: Nigiina associations, women groups, social capital, social networks, survival strategies