An assessment of factors that influence the performance of women entrepreneurs in small-scale business enterprises in Uganda: case study Masindi Municipality

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the factors that influence the performance of women entrepreneurs on small scale business enterprises in Uganda using Masindi municipality as a case study. The objectives were; To ascertain the factors that motivate women entrepreneurs to start up businesses, To determine the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the household expenditure and determine challenges that limit their performance. The methods that were used to collect data were; self administered questionnaire to effectively cover a bigger number of respondents in relatively a short time and an interview guide. The findings revealed that most women entrepreneurs up to 51.6% (16) strongly agreed that Motivation is an important factor in Business. The majority were motivated to start up businesses due the need for independence with 67.7%. All the responded agreed that their business contributed to the household expenditure where by 51% had built houses, 22.6% contributed to school fees, 12.9% to food. The most critical challenges limiting women entrepreneurship performance were high taxes with 90.3% which could retard their rate of growth coupled with lack of loan 61.6%. Those whose husbands felt bad to run business were 32.3%. All these challenges hinder the prosperity of their businesses. The researcher therefore recommends that that the government could review taxation policies for women entrepreneurs; women could be encouraged to form small circles in order to get money since they cannot easily access bank loans. In conclusion therefore, there’s need for measures that are to be adopted in order to reduce this both by government and the lending institutions. It is therefore imperative to determine whether the country as a whole is aligned with global initiatives to promote women entrepreneurship