Financial Management Practices In Small And Medium Enterprises in Selected Districts In Western Uganda.

This study was done to determine the extent of financial management practices in Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) in selected districts in Western Uganda. The objectives of the study were; to determine the extent of financial management employed by SMEs as to these dimensions:working capital management (cash management, accounts receivable management, inventory management practices), investment, financing, financial reporting and analysis and accounting information systems;The study used ex-post facto or retrospective and prospective designs together with descriptive design and descriptive comparative as well as correlation design. 335 questionnaires were distributed to respondents and were the ones used for analysis. The study found out that majority of SMEs owners (52%) in western Uganda are female, more than 69% of the SMEs owners are in their early adult hood and majority of the SMEs owners are high school leavers (30.1%), over 50% of the SMEs are sole proprietorship businesses and majority of the SMEs (42.4% have been in business between1-4 years. The findings further revealed that the extent of financial management is low among SMEs (Average Mean = 2.19). The Theory of  Pecking Order (Myers 1984) which states that Management has a preference to choose internal financing before external financing, was proven in this study in the aspects of SMEs using internally generated funds as compared to borrowed funds. The recommendations from the study included; the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Bank of Uganda should provide a favourable platform for SMEs to access financing that can enable them to run their businesses at a reasonable cost of financing. ICPAU, ACCA Uganda, URA should sensitize the SMEs owners on the relevance of bookkeeping, financial reporting and analysis as well maintaining proper books of analysis. Key Words: Financial Management, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs

Control Activities and Financial Accountability in South Nyanza County Governments in Kenya

This study was about control activities and financial accountability in South Nyanza County Governments, Kenya. County governments in Kenya has been beset by a number of challenges; lack of both budget estimates and implementation document; there is no documentation against which accountability can be gauged. The objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between control activities and value for money, transparency and financial reporting. The study adopted descriptive cross sectional and correlational designs with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. From a total population of 2066 a sample size of 335 respondents was obtained using Slovene’s formula. Data were collected using self administered questionnaires and in depth interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using Means and standard deviations, Pearson linear correlation coefficient and regression analysis. Qualitative data analysis was done using narrative and thematic analysis. The results indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between control activities and value for money(r=0.446, p=0.00), transparency(r=0.479, p=0.00.) and financial reporting(r=0.547, p=0.00).The contribution of value for money, transparency and financial reporting was 34.7% (R2=0.347). The model was significant (F=147.934, p=0.00). The study concluded that there is relationship between control activities and value for money, transparency and financial reporting. The study recommends that the management of the counties should consider control activities, value for money, transparency and financial reporting very important in order to achieve the objectives of financial accountability. Keywords: Control Activities, Value for Money, Transparency and Financial Reporting DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-6-04 Publication date:March 31st 202

Business Efficiency in Small and Medium Enterprises In Selected Districts In Western Uganda.

The study was undertaken to determine the level of business efficiency in Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs) in selected districts in Western Uganda. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the level of business efficiency of SMEs in terms of, profitability, growth; The study emplyed ex-post facto or retrospective and prospective designs together with descriptive design and descriptive comparative as well as correlation design. 335 questionnaires were distributed to respondents and were were collected and used for analysis. The study found out that majority of SMEs owners (52%) in western Uganda are female, more than 69% of the SMEs owners are in their early adult hood and majority of the SMEs owners are high school leavers (30.1%), over 50% of the SMEs are sole proprietorship businesses and majority of the SMEs (42.4%) have been in business between 1-4 years. The study found out that the level of profitability among SMEs was high (Average Mean = 2.67), the results also showed that the level of growth in SMEs is low (Average Mean=2.30). the overall findings showed that the level of business efficiency is low among SMEs (Average Mean = 2.48). The study employed the theory of  Pecking Order (Myers 1984) which states that Management has a preference to choose internal financing before external financing, was proven in this study in the aspects of SMEs using internally generated funds as compared to borrowed funds. The recommendations from the study included; The SMEs owners should try to maximise and put to use their assets so as to obtain higher returns on assets. The government, more specifically the Ministry of East African Affairs, URA should sensitize the owners of SMEs on the opportunities that are available in the EAC and how the SMEs can be able to export their products to the neighbouring countries so as to boost their turnover. The owners of SMEs should have sales team in place so as to market the products and services of the business in order to increase sales. The SMEs owners should also make sure that business plans are prepared so as to act as a roadmap on how to take the business to the next level. Key Words Business Efficiency, SMEs, Profitability, Growt

Near-peer mentorship for undergraduate training in Ugandan medical schools: views of undergraduate students

Introduction: Masters Students are major stakeholders in undergraduate medical education but their contribution has not been documented in Uganda. The aim of the study was to explore and document views and experiences of undergraduate students regarding the role of masters students as educators in four Ugandan medical schools. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using qualitative data collection methods. Eight Focus Group Discussions were conducted among eighty one selected preclinical and clinical students in the consortium of four Ugandan medical schools: Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Makerere College of Health Sciences, Gulu University and Kampala International University, Western Campus. Data analysis was done using thematic analysis. Participants' privacy and confidentiality were respected and participant identifiers were not included in data analysis. Results: Undergraduate students from all the medical schools viewed the involvement of master's students as very important. Frequent contact between masters and undergraduate students was reported as an important factor in undergraduate students' motivation and learning. Despite the useful contribution, master' students face numerous challenges like heavy workload and conflicting priorities. Conclusion: According to undergraduate students in Ugandan medical schools, involvement of master's students in the teaching and learning of undergraduate students is both useful and challenging to masters and undergraduate students. Masters students provide peer mentorship to the undergraduate students. The senior educators are still needed to do their work and also to support the master's students in their teaching role.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Loan portfolio planning and financial performance of Savings and Credits Cooperatives in Uganda: Evidences from SACCOs in Rubirizi District, Western Uganda

This study was about loan portfolio management and financial performance of SACCOs in Rubirizi. A sample of 110 respondents was obtained using the Census Method, the study used cross sectional research and correlational approaches. Self Administered Questionnaires and an interview guide were used to obtain the data. Frequency distributions, percentages, means, correlation, and regression were used to examine quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Inferential analysis results showed;- loan portfolio planning(r = 0.82**, p = 0.000 0.05) had a strong positive significant relationship with financial performance. As a result, it was determined that loan portfolio planning is critical for financial performance. Based on the findings, the study suggested and recommended to the Ministry of Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives and stakeholders in SACCO management to support loan portfolio planning before extending loans to them Key words: Financial Performance, Loan portfolio planning and SACCOs DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/15-2-08 Publication date: February 28th 202

Valued experiences of graduate students in their role as educators in undergraduate training in Ugandan medical schools

Abstract Background In most medical schools, graduate students, sometimes referred to as graduate teaching assistants, often participate in the training of undergraduate students. In developing countries like Uganda, are typically involved in undergraduate training. However, prior to this study there were no standard guidelines for this involvement. At the same time, the views and experiences of the graduate students in their role as educators had not been documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the views and experiences of graduate students about their involvement in undergraduate training in three Ugandan medical schools. The findings of this study will contribute to the development of policies for training in Ugandan medical schools. Methods This was a qualitative study in which thirty in-depth-interviews were conducted among second and third year graduate students in three Ugandan medical schools in the MESAU consortium (Medical Education Services to all Ugandans) including Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Makerere College of Health Sciences and Kampala International University, Western Campus. Results All graduate students from all the three medical schools viewed their involvement in undergraduate training as important. The study also revealed that graduate students increase available human resources and often compensate for the teaching missed when senior educators were absent. The graduate students expressed important views that need to be considered in the design of educational programs where they are to be involved. The respondents also reported a number of challenges in this undertaking that included lack of motivation, lack of orientation and having heavy workloads. The presence and commitment of senior educators to guide and support the graduate students in teaching activities was viewed as one significant intervention that would increase the effectiveness of their educational contributions. Conclusions Graduate students enjoy their involvement in the training of undergraduate students despite the various challenges they face. In some departments, the involvement of postgraduate trainees is critical to the viability of undergraduate medical training

Additional file 1:

IDI questions for graduate students. (DOCX 16 kb