The effect of Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme on the welfare of beneficiaries: A case of Nansana Municipal Council

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme on the welfare of beneficiaries in Nansana municipal council, Wakiso district. Three out of the four divisions within the municipal were considered for this research. Specifically, the study was conducted in the divisions of Nansana, Nabweru and Busukuma considering a sample of 78UWEP women entrepreneurs out of the 352.Specific objectives for this paper were: to establish the effect of UWEP on business growth, to assess the effect of UWEP on social welfare of its beneficiaries and to ascertain major challenges faced by the women entrepreneurs in Nansana municipality. The study involved use of both qualitative and quantitative methods and data was collected using face-to-face questionnaires. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that there was a significant positive relationship between the UWEP devolving fund and business growth in terms of average monthly sale revenue, average monthly profits and number of employees. Findings showed further that UWEP interventions had improved the socio welfare of the women entrepreneurs in terms of children’s education and acquiring basic household assets. It was also found out that most of the women benefiting from the programme had completed secondary education and thus funds were not going to the most vulnerable women. Despite the benefits of the UWEP programme, major challenges like inadequate funding, large group numbers and some group members not wanting to repay the loan, too much paperwork required and lack of business management skills were put forward by the women entrepreneurs interviewed. However, this paper recommends that the programme funding is increased, creation of incubation centers for mentorship and skills training conducted to enable realization of the pre-set programme objectives.