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

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

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

Human Resource Audit and Employee Turnover: A Case Study of Uganda Colleges of Commerce

The study examined the role of human resource audit on employee turnover at tertiary institutions in Uganda. Both purposive and simple random sampling procedure was used and a sample of 97participants was selected for the study and data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package. The study found out that Human resource audit is not the only function responsible for the level of turnover in Uganda Colleges of Commerce. The study found out that Employees who perceive to carry skills that are highly demanded are lured away by higher pays. The study recommended that the human resource department of Ministry of Education and sport should review their human resource policy to address the loopholes in staff compensation, recruitment and salary and Supervisors at the institutions should ensure sound supervisory practices, which promote decision-making, recognition of employees’ efforts and unique skills and accomplishments. Keywords: Human Resource Audit, Turn Ove

Credit Financing and Performance of SMEs in Lira Municipality, Uganda

This study sought to examine the role of Credit financing on performance of SMEs in Lira Municipality. A sample of 120 respondents was considered with response rate of 100%. The findings indicated that extending credit to SMEs enables them to access essential resources, increase business diversification and increase productivity levels. The study recommends that Credit institutions should continue providing credit at affordable rates while endeavoring to train their clients on how to keep financial information, which is essential in assessing the borrower’s credit worthiness. SMEs should practice documenting their transactions, including information on personal characteristics, which are essential in assessing the credit worthiness of potential borrowers. Keywords: Credit Financing, Interest rates, Creditor information, Collateral security, Firm Performanc

Co-operative and Saving Societies (SACCOS) and Poverty Reduction in Lango and Kigezi sub-regions of Uganda: A comparative Empirical Study

The paper examines the contributions of co-operative and saving societies in poverty reduction in Lango and Kigezi sub-region. The study adopted a comparative and cross-sectional survey design where bivariate and multivariate data analyses were used to analyze the data. Specifically, correlation and regression analysis were done to determine the relationship between financial contribution by savings and credit co-operative (SACCOS), saving culture and poverty reduction. The findings established that low-income households had inadequate access to cheap and affordable credit. In the two regions, the available credits offered by SACCOS were not cheap per say and the SACCOS offered credit at 10% per month, which translated into 120% per annum. The study reveals that microcredits create long-term indebtedness among the rural poor, and yet households are not competent in managing their finances. The saving culture in Kigezi sub-region is associated with political motivations and support from politicians. In contrast, in Lango sub-region, saving culture is associated with response to government programs that were aimed at reconstructing northern Uganda after the two decades of insurgency. The provision of more financial services would contribute to poverty reduction and training of households on the utilization of financial credit

Financial Inclusion and Access to Higher Education: An Empirical Study of Selected Districts in Eastern Uganda

Access to higher education has continuously been a challenge in Uganda. The research brought out the relationship between financial inclusion and access to higher education. Descriptive survey research design was adopted and the findings established that digital financing eases making deposits in banks, transacting via mobile money and switching from one bank to the other. Students find it easy to deposit tuition in the bank just as they find it easy to access money via mobile money. While financial inclusion makes financial services available in the economy, students, especially those from low-income families find difficulty accessing a wider range of these products, which hinders their access to higher education. The study also establishes that a good number of students fail to meet admission requirements. Since students from low-income families attend high schools of low quality, they have insufficient understanding of some subjects, and thus unable to join higher education. Online registration and payment, students’ decision not to join, peer influence, and rigidity of university programs; are deeply flawed to limit accessing higher education. However, financial services remain accessible to rich individuals who demonstrate ability to pay. The study recommends that the government of Uganda through the concerned ministry should review the implementation of their policies on Students loan scheme and district quota systems. The government should always publish the lists of students admitted to higher education institutions in popular media and newspapers to create awareness to those being admitted to particular institutions. Keywords: Financial Inclusion. Digital Financing, Financial Services, Access to Higher Education, Higher Education Financing DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-17-10 Publication date:June 30th 202

Financial Inclusion: Is it a Precursor to Agricultural Commercialization amongst Smallholder Farmers in Uganda? A comparative Analysis between Lango and Buganda Sub-regions

This study examines the contributions of financial inclusion in supporting agricultural commercialization amongst smallholder farmers in Uganda in Lango and Buganda sub-regions. The researcher adopted a comparative study and cross-sectional survey design where descriptive, bivariate and multivariate data analysis was used. Chi square procedure was run to test the hypothesis that financial inclusion does not affect agricultural commercialization amongst smallholder farmers in Lango and Buganda sub-regions. Regression analysis was specifically used to predict the level of change in agricultural commercialization due to changes in financial inclusion. The study identified financial inclusion as one variable that can predict the success of agricultural commercialization, though it varies from one region to another. In Lango, efforts by government to increase financial access is a positive factor to agricultural commercialization while in Buganda, it is a negative factor. In Lango, land is communal and not individually owned. Therefore, smallholder farmers need to access finances to purchase land for commercial farming. In Buganda, however, land is freehold, which makes smallholder farmers to own chunks of land from their parents. The study has established some common factors that limit agricultural commercialization in both Lango and Buganda, that is, expensive equipment and fluctuating prices while poor infrastructure is no longer a big worry. This paper recommends that, financial service providers should revise their lending terms downwards to reach smallholder farmers, some of whom lack collateral security to pledge for credit. While the government takes credit for improving infrastructure, government, through her policy organs like ministry of agriculture, should provide buffer prices against price fluctuations

Corporate Governance and Firm’s Financial Performance amongst Private Business Enterprises in Uganda, a Perspective from Lira City

The study examined the effect of corporate governance on firm’s financial performance amongst private business enterprises in Uganda. The study used descriptive and survey design. A mixed method approach which involved both qualitative and quantitative techniques were also used. The study found out that corporate governance significantly influences the financial performance of hotels and manufacturing firms in Lira City and majority of the firms investigated performed on average financially. It was also established that firms whose boards demonstrate high integrity were likely to register positive changes in their financial performance than firms whose boards do not. The study also noted that board independence would propel the firm to grow to greater heights. The study recommends that hotel and manufacturing firm owners should exercise some discipline and leave boards to operate independently. This would allow the board to remain focused on the long-term goals of the firm. The hotel and manufacturing firm owners should be cautious in selecting board members lest they attract many that would increase the firm’s liabilities

Financial Inclusion and the Growth of Small Medium Enterprises in Uganda: Empirical Evidence from Selected Districts in Lango sub-region

The growth and failure of small and medium enterprises has been a topic of discussions world over among policymakers and researchers. This study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the contributions of small medium enterprises (SMEs), to determine the challenges affecting small medium enterprises, to examine how financial inclusiveness supports the growth of small medium enterprises, and to establish the relationship between financial inclusion and growth of small medium enterprises. The study used a cross-sectional research design. Descriptive design was used and supplemented by inferential statistics. Correlation and regression analysis were adopted. The study revealed that financial inclusion is significant in supporting SME growth. The study further also revealed that the cost of acquiring and servicing financial services is high; there is also difficulty in using some of the financial services, and the way financial providers treat financial users, some lacked some degree of respect and dignity. The study recommends that financial providers should continue sensitizing the public on the available financial services beyond credit services, which are common and known. Digital financial service providers should encourage their clientele to use digitalized financial services which are cheap, secure, and risk averse. The cost of capital should also be reduced to encourage borrowing while SMEs should innovatively produce goods that can be competitive at both domestic and international markets