To Examine the Interventions by Development Partners in Supporting the Growth and Development of Commercial Enterprises in Lira District, Northern Uganda

The development of entrepreneurship has motivated majority of Ugandans to start commercial enterprises (CEs) as a source of employment and economic growth. The objective of the study was to examine the various intervention employed by development partners in supporting the growth and development of commercial enterprises in Lira District, Northern Uganda. Using purposive and simple random sampling procedure, a sample of 274 participants was selected for the survey. A self administered questionnaire was structured. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical package. The study recommended that development partners operating in the district should consider supporting commercial enterprise (CE) in advocating for policy reforms, providing financial support, creation business information center where entrepreneurs could access business information at affordable rates and supporting technological development to support creativity and innovations. Keywords: Policy reforms, Financial support, Business Information and Technological support

Challenges Faced by Development Partners in Supporting the Growth and Development of Commercial Enterprises in Lira District, Northern Uganda

Entrepreneurship is defined as the process where an individual discovers, evaluates and exploit opportunities independently. Most countries have embraced entrepreneurship development as ways of creating employment and economic growth and development. The objective of the study was to examine the challenges faced by commercial enterprises in Lira District Northern Uganda. Using both simple random sampling procedures, a sample of 274 participants were selected for the survey. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical package. The study recommended that development partners operating in the district should consider supporting commercial enterprises (CEs) in accessing financial support, training upcoming managers in management skills and creating a favouarable environment which supports creativity and innovations. Keywords: Access to Finance, Human resource capabilities, Operational environment

Interactions rurales-urbaines pour des moyens de subsistance durables : un cas des banlieusards dans la région de Bugisu, Ouganda oriental

This study is premised on the understanding that rising trends of urbanisation have led to increasing levels of interactionsbetween rural and urban settings and vice versa across the developing world. It is also envisioned that, rural-urban interactions play a significant role in supporting livelihoods especially of commuters. The overall objective of the study was to analyse the role of rural-urban interactions in supporting livelihoods of the commuters in Bugisu region. The study contributes to the understanding of livelihoods across spatial and sectoral boundaries looking at the synergistic coexistencefound between rural and urban and urban and rural settings. The study examined patterns of interaction and commuting activities in Bugisu region, looking at the influence of policy factors on commuting activities and commuter livelihoods strategies. The key concern was to establish a “fit” between rural-urban interaction and their potential for sustainable livelihoods. This study was conducted in Bugisu region, eastern Uganda covering the five districts of the then greater Mbale namely; Mbale, Manafa, Budduda and Sironko. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis.In examining patterns of interaction and commuting activities in Bugisu, the studynotes that rural Bugisu relates more closely with its urban centres. Mbale town, one of the oldest towns in the region serves as the hub of Bugisu region with, 69% of commuting activities in the area centred in it.Cette étude est fondée sur le fait que la croissance urbaine a accru les niveaux d'interaction entre le rural et l'urbain dans les pays en voie de développement. Ces interactions jouent un rôle significatif dans l'amélioration des moyens d'existence, en particulier pour les banlieusards. L'objectif général de cette étude est d'analyser cet état de fait. L'étude contribue à la compréhension des moyens d'exitence à travaers les frontières spatiales et sectorielles. L'étude examine les formes d'activités, cherchant à définir l'influence des facteurs politiques et des stratégies des ménages. L'étude a été menée dans la région de Bugisu à l'est de l'Ouganda et couvre cinq districts du "grand" Mbale : Mbale, Manafa, Budduda et Sironko. L'étude a mobilisé des méthodes de collecte d'information et d'analyse à la fois qualitative et quantitative. Parmi les principales conclusions, on constate que le Bugisu rural a des liens plus importants avec les centres urbains. La ville de Mbale, une des plus vieilles villes de la région, sert de hub au Bugisu concentrant 69% des activités de navette, qui dans la région, sont fortement influencées par la pression sur la terre, les conditions du marché, les relations de voisinage, la capacité des ménages et les différents moyens accessibles aux banlieusards, ainsi que l'augmentation de la pauvreté dans les zones rurales. Une politique délibérée devrait être mise en place pour soutenir les conditions d'existence des populations et réduire le coût du business

Influence of Demographic Factors on Retirement Planning and Socio-Economic Status of Civil Servants in Uganda: Reflections from Pensioners from Busoga Sub-Region

This study provides a Ugandan perspective on the influence of demographic factors on retirement planning and the socio-economic status of civil servants. The study collected data from 236 pensioners using a questionnaire survey. The demographic factors included gender, marital status, age, income, and educational level. Using multiple regression, the study concludes that there is a low predictive influence of demographic factors on retirement planning and socio-economic status. Only educational level and monthly income have significant influences on retirement planning and the socioeconomic status of the retirees. This study offers a solid ground for increasing civil servants’ salaries in Uganda. Also, the government may consider identifying resources for the professional development needs of civil servants

8. The role of planning frameworks in supporting livelihoods activities in Uganda

Uganda is a country with an estimated population of 41,293,574 people (UN Statistics Division 2015). Of these, about, 34,400,000 people (84 %) live in rural areas and derive their livelihoods directly and indirectly from agriculture (UBOS 2014). This also implies that farm activities constitute the major source of income for most households. However, non-farm activities have gained pace not only in the urban areas but also in the rural settings. In her study on gender and diverse livelihoods ..

Ceda Land Miniaturisation and Class Formation in Africa: A Re-Assessment (Bugisu Region, Eastern Uganda)

This paper analyses the role of land miniaturisation and commuting in class formation in Africa with reference to East and Central Uganda. It presents the argument that land miniaturisation in East and Central Uganda coalesced with ineffective mechanisms of resource allocation have led to rapidly decreasing availability of natural resources for rural households resulting into new changes in the agrarian economy and thus commuting. The changes in the economy have had far reaching effects on traditional livelihoods of the rural population in Africa and Uganda in particular leading to emergence of new production relations. The discussion presented in this paper fits well into John Murton’s (1997) analysis of the agrarian changes in Machakos, Kenya in which farmers have become more dependent on non-agricultural sources of livelihoods. It embraces Karl Marx theory on production relations between the proletariats and bourgeoisie ingrained in access to and ownership of capital. It fits into Max Weber’s analysis of class formation in his book “The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism”. I take the case of commuting phenomenon in the East and Central Uganda to piece together my arguments. Conclusions are drawn from both primary and secondary sources

Ceda Land Miniaturisation and Class Formation in Africa: A Re-Assessment (Bugisu Region, Eastern Uganda)

This paper analyses the role of land miniaturisation and commuting in class formation in Africa with reference to East and Central Uganda. It presents the argument that land miniaturisation in East and Central Uganda coalesced with ineffective mechanisms of resource allocation have led to rapidly decreasing availability of natural resources for rural households resulting into new changes in the agrarian economy and thus commuting. The changes in the economy have had far reaching effects on traditional livelihoods of the rural population in Africa and Uganda in particular leading to emergence of new production relations. The discussion presented in this paper fits well into John Murton’s (1997) analysis of the agrarian changes in Machakos, Kenya in which farmers have become more dependent on non-agricultural sources of livelihoods. It embraces Karl Marx theory on production relations between the proletariats and bourgeoisie ingrained in access to and ownership of capital. It fits into Max Weber’s analysis of class formation in his book “The Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism”. I take the case of commuting phenomenon in the East and Central Uganda to piece together my arguments. Conclusions are drawn from both primary and secondary sources

Financial Inclusion and the Promotion of Shared Responsibility Within the Household and The Family: A Case of Small Business Owners in Masaka District, Uganda

The researcher sought to establish the relationship between financial inclusion and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family, a case of Small Business Owners in Masaka District, Uganda. The research adopted a mixed methods approach. A mixed methods approach advances the systematic integration of quantitative and qualitative data within a single investigation. Study respondents included women 66.7% of whom belonged to a financial savings and/or lending group and 69.5% had personally saved or set aside some money for any reason. The findings established that 71.4% of the respondents indicated that there is sharing of roles between the man and woman in the household. Chi-square results show that there are significant relationships (p-value <0.005), between financial inclusion and indicators of promoting of shared responsibility within the household and the family, these include; Joint decision making on important issues in the home (p=0.001), the type of decisions they jointly make between the wife and husband, specifically on the sale of crops (p=0.002), crops to grow or how to use land (p=0.042), and non-farm business(p=0.030); financial inclusion also has a significant relationship with the perception of respondents on whether women should participate in making and influencing community decision making (p=0.010). The R-squared value of 0.11 shows that 11% of the variations in financial inclusion can be explained by the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family. These results further affirm that financial inclusion can promote sharing responsibility within the household and the family and therefore create pathways to gender equality. It is also very clear that financial inclusion also has a significant relationship on the perception of individuals on whether women should participate in making and influencing community decision making. All these can be improved with an increase in financial inclusion

Financial Inclusion and the Promotion of Shared Responsibility Within the Household and The Family: A Case of Small Business Owners in Masaka District, Uganda

The researcher sought to establish the relationship between financial inclusion and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family, a case of Small Business Owners in Masaka District, Uganda. The research adopted a mixed methods approach. A mixed methods approach advances the systematic integration of quantitative and qualitative data within a single investigation. Study respondents included women 66.7% of whom belonged to a financial savings and/or lending group and 69.5% had personally saved or set aside some money for any reason. The findings established that 71.4% of the respondents indicated that there is sharing of roles between the man and woman in the household. Chi-square results show that there are significant relationships (p-value <0.005), between financial inclusion and indicators of promoting of shared responsibility within the household and the family, these include; Joint decision making on important issues in the home (p=0.001), the type of decisions they jointly make between the wife and husband, specifically on the sale of crops (p=0.002), crops to grow or how to use land (p=0.042), and non-farm business(p=0.030); financial inclusion also has a significant relationship with the perception of respondents on whether women should participate in making and influencing community decision making (p=0.010). The R-squared value of 0.11 shows that 11% of the variations in financial inclusion can be explained by the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family. These results further affirm that financial inclusion can promote sharing responsibility within the household and the family and therefore create pathways to gender equality. It is also very clear that financial inclusion also has a significant relationship on the perception of individuals on whether women should participate in making and influencing community decision making. All these can be improved with an increase in financial inclusion

New Laws Related to Oil Extraction Rights and Social Safeguards are Affecting Socio-Economic Well Being of Communities in the Albertine Graben

The study was carried out in order to assess how the new laws related to extraction rights and social safeguards are affecting socioeconomic well-being of communities in the Albertine Graben. The study concentrated both on primary and secondary data. The primary survey was critical component of the study as it would yield crucial data on the oil governance and socio-economic well-being of communities in the Albertine Graben (Respondents), and officials from the ministry of lands zonal office, Officials from international oil companies, Local government officials, Political/religious leaders, Local council members, Bunyoro kingdom officials and Community members. The study was conducted in four districts on Hoima, Buliisa Kikube, and Kakumiro in the Albertine Graben region; where a sample of 158 respondents was selected from these districts. Districts were selected using judgmental sampling and 158 respondents were selected using simple random and purposive sampling. Parameters on the basis of which research questions were formed to investigate the new laws related to extraction rights and social safeguards are affecting socioeconomic well-being of communities in the Albertine Graben. From the field findings, it was found out that there was need for the employment of the local people and from across all districts in the Abertane graben, environmental protection was embraced through a forestation, frame works for effective revenue collection from oil companies are said to have been put in place, communities in the Albertinee graben have been secured from dangers of oil spilling and this has been done through compensation of all communities that are found where the pipeline was being constructed. Existing and new measure of controlling corruption from government officials have tightened up, monitoring of exploration is being observed wholeheartedly, sensitization of community awareness on danger of oil wastes has been carried out in all Abertine graben communities and lastly there has been establishment of cumulative effect assessment systems. In regard to Land Laws, Ugandan government and all the stakeholders involved needs to reform its land policy to ensure that every Ugandan can access the land or can ‘legally’ own the land they live in by providing them with required documents to prove their ownership. In addition, there is need for workers in Uganda to organize and demand their social- economic rights and accountability from the government