Contribution of micro-entrepreneurship to the livelihood improvement of female-headed households in Ibanda Municipality. A cross-sectional study.

Authors

  • Charity Phiona Bishop Stuart University image/svg+xml Author
  • Annah Atuhaire Bishop Stuart University Author
  • Florence Tutaryebwa. Bishop Stuart University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64792/x61h8091

Keywords:

Livelihood improvement, Socio-economic empowerment, Female entrepreneurs, Household assets, Social networks, Financial literacy

Abstract

Background

The study aimed to assess the contribution of micro-entrepreneurship to the livelihood improvement of female-headed households in Ibanda Municipality.

Methodology

The study employed a cross-sectional design targeting female-headed household entrepreneurs in Ibanda Municipality. Using Slovin’s formula, 133 respondents were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, observations, and interviews, while secondary information came from published studies and reports. Instrument validity was established through expert review and Content Validity Index assessment. A pilot involving ten respondents enhanced reliability. Quantitative data were coded and analyzed using SPSS 25.

Results

A total of 133 questionnaires were distributed and all were returned, yielding a 100% response rate. Regarding education, 74 (55.6%) respondents had primary education, 53 (39.8%) had O-level, 4 (3.0%) had a degree, and 2 (1.5%) had A-level education. Micro-entrepreneurship highly contributed to socio-economic empowerment, with a grand mean of 4.04 (SD=0.66). Strengthening social networks recorded the highest rating (Mean=4.38, SD=0.57), followed by increased household purchasing power and acquisition of household assets (Mean=4.27, SD=0.46 each). Awareness of local economic and development opportunities had a mean of 4.25 (SD=0.43), regular savings 4.23 (SD=0.49), family future security 4.21 (SD=0.66), self-confidence and independence 4.16 (SD=0.77), and improved status and respect 4.10 (SD=0.43). Affording quality education for children and financial decision-making recorded the lowest means of 3.28 (SD=1.11) and 3.28 (SD=1.31), respectively.

Conclusion

Micro-entrepreneurship empowered female-headed households through improved purchasing power, savings, asset acquisition, confidence, independence, and social networks.

Recommendation

Financial institutions should provide affordable loans through group lending, financial literacy, flexible repayment, and reduced stringent credit requirements.

Author Biographies

  • Charity Phiona, Bishop Stuart University

    is a student pursuing masters of social work of Bishop Stuart University

  • Annah Atuhaire, Bishop Stuart University

    research supervisor at Bishop Stuart University.

  • Florence Tutaryebwa., Bishop Stuart University

    research supervisor at Bishop Stuart University.

References

1. Babajide, A. A., Obembe, D., Solomon, H., & Woldesenbet, K. (2022). Microfinance and entrepreneurship: The enabling role of social capital amongst female entrepreneurs. International Journal of Social Economics, 49(8), 1152-1171.

https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-11-2020-0745

2. DfID. (1999). Sustainable livelihoods guidance sheets. Department for International Development.

3. Friedson-Ridenour, S., & Pierotti, R. S. (2019). Competing priorities: Women's microenterprises and household relationships. World Development, 121, 53-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.04.008

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2019.04.008

4. International Monetary Fund. (2024). Social and economic programs and gender inclusion. IMF Staff Country Reports, 2024(291), A003. https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400289293.002.A003

https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400289293.002.A003

5. Kaiser, T., & Menkhoff, L. (2022). Active learning improves financial education: Experimental evidence from Uganda. Journal of Development Economics, 157, 102870.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2022.102870

6. Karyeija, G., & Muriaas, R. (2023). Moving Uganda's national development planning to the grassroots: What's in it for youth? CMI Brief.

7. Mahato, J., Jha, M. K., & Verma, S. (2022). The role of social capital in developing sustainable micro-entrepreneurship among rural women in India: A theoretical framework. International Journal of Innovation, 10(3), 504-526.

https://doi.org/10.5585/iji.v10i3.21771

8. Mutesi, J., Levinsohn, D., & Byukusenge, E. (2025). Women micro-entrepreneurs, resources and the role of self-help groups: A social embeddedness perspective. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1), 2543041.

https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2543041

9. Namatovu, R., Dawa, S., Katongole, C., & Mulira, F. (2012). Understanding women micro and small business entrepreneurs in Uganda. Investment Climate and Business Environment Research Fund.

Downloads

Published

2026-10-01

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026): October 2026 Issue

Section

Business, Economics, and Management

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Charity Phiona, Annah Atuhaire, Florence Tutaryebwa. (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This is the most open of the Creative Commons licenses. It allows others to copy, share, remix, adapt, and build upon the material — even for commercial purposes — provided that proper credit is given to the original author(s).

You are free to:

  • Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.

  • Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Under the following terms:

  1. Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in a way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.

  2. No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

Notices:

  • You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.

  • No warranties are given. The license may not give you all the permissions necessary for your intended use. Other rights, such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights, may limit how you use the material.

How to Cite

Contribution of micro-entrepreneurship to the livelihood improvement of female-headed households in Ibanda Municipality. A cross-sectional study. (2026). East African Journal of Research and Innovation, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.64792/x61h8091

Most read articles by the same author(s)