School of Business (SB) Collections

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 1263
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    Assessment of the performance of retail SMEs in Uganda. A case study of Kampala Central Division
    (Makerere University, 2026) Mbirire, Maureen
    This research aimed at assessing the performance of retail SMEs in Uganda; the study was premised on three objectives; to assess the current state of SME performance, to examine the factors affecting retail SME performance, and to determine strategies for improving performance of retail SMEs. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design and using a mixed method approach involving qualitative and quantitative data collected from 169 respondents out of a sample of 200 employees using a survey questionnaire. The study revealed that that retail SMEs used several measures of performance such as achievement of organizational goals, profitability, returns on equity, and returns on assets, market share, and cashflows and cash conversion cycles. However, it was determined that SMEs are performing poorly on nearly all the measures mentioned above. The study examined the factors affecting SMEs performance around the Kampala Central Division area. Additionally, it was revealed that that SMEs face a number of challenges, such as a lack of access to traditional sources of financing, such as bank loans, or difficulty in meeting the requirements or collateral needed to secure financing, information asymmetry, lack of professionalism, inadequacy of long-term financing, stiff competition, globalization, strict regulation and a rough macroeconomic environment. Finally, the study found that businesses could employ strategies such as partnerships, innovation, market orientation, supply chain management, reduced lead times, employee retraining, and ecommerce adoption. The study therefore recommended that should adopt e-commerce, embrace innovation, and undertake financial training and professional development.
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    Analysis of hedge accounting in financial institutions. A case study of Kampala city
    (Makerere University, 2021) Oguttu, Francis. Mango
    The study analysed the impact of hedge accounting towards credit transactions in financial institutions in Kampala City and identify strategies to improving hedge accounting in credit transactions. Specific objectives were; (i)To assess the application of hedge accounting operates in financial institutions, (ii) To identify measures of improving credit transactions in financial institutions and (iii) To establish principles for the financial reporting of financial assets and financial liabilities in Kampala City. Acase study design was adopted with a sample of 128 Kampala City-based fiancial institutions employees invovling 123 non-management and 5 top management employees. Data was collected by use of questionnaire and interview. Quantitaive and qualitative data was analysed by use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic content analysis. It was found cash flow and fair value hedging were in application, credit improvement measure such as continuous hedge instrument and item relationship management, interest rate swap, adherence to forecasted transaction assessment and principles for financial reporting such as accountability, objectivity, quality information and full information disclosure were applied. It was concluded that application of hedge accounting exposes management of these institutions to think of modifications for the standard basis for recognising gains and losses on hedging instruments and the exposure as intended to hedge, management of financial institutions are faced with challenges for credit improvements amidst economic and social issues that affect business and for financial institutions, principle-based approach to financial assets and liabilities can best cause positive outcomes but it requires more effort to manage any risks at hand. The principles of financial reporting are considered to streamline the operations of financial institution that apply hedge accounting. It was recommended that the management of financial institutions in Kampala City should adhere to all the application requirements for hedge accounting, financial institutions should diversify their leverage strategies and introduce robust and tested econometric and financial models to forecast banking sector products’ pricesregulatory authorities-Bank of Uganda and Finance Intellegency authority (FIA) should work together in conjunction with banking sector players to put in place relevant policy, legal and regulatory framework to limit under performances in terms of hedge accounting for some financial institutions and the staff of financial institutions should be trainined with all the principles of financial reporting to have positive outcomes for financial assets and liabilities.
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    Analysis of financial performance of e-commerce business in Uganda: a case study of Jumia Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2026) Kasande, Edith
    In recent years, the e-commerce industry in Uganda has faced increasing pressure to improve financial performance due to rising operational costs and stiff competition. This has prompted managers to identify practices that can enhance revenue, control costs and ensure sustainability. The purpose of this study was to assess the financial performance of Jumia Uganda Limited for the period 2022 to 2024. The study aimed at achieving three objectives: to establish the financial performance trends of Jumia Uganda Limited from 2022 to 2024; to identify the challenges of financial performance; and to establish strategies for improving financial performance at Jumia Uganda Limited. The study used a descriptive research design along with a quantitative research approach. A sample size of 120 was used, selected from staff across Operations, Customer Service, Finance, Marketing, IT and Management departments using self-administered questionnaires. Primary data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. The study interpreted findings using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The study found that Jumia Uganda experienced positive financial performance trends in revenue growth, market share and asset utilization, though profitability improvement was moderate. The study also identified major challenges including high logistics and last-mile delivery costs, low consumer trust in online payments and high cash-on-delivery returns, inventory management issues, and intense competition. The proposed strategies included investing in technology, automation and data analytics, improving platform effectiveness, proper financial planning, continuous monitoring, and staff capacity building. The recommendations included enhancing digital payment systems, optimizing logistics and inventory management, and strengthening financial monitoring to improve financial performance at Jumia Uganda Limited.
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    Financial deepening, human capital develoment and economic growth In Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2026) Katooko, Cate Chede
    This study examined the effect of financial deepening on Uganda’s economic growth and evaluated whether human capital development strengthens this relationship. Although financial deepening is widely associated with growth, existing studies rarely explore how human capital moderates this effect in low-income economies, creating a gap this study addresses. Using an explanatory research design and secondary data from 1993 to 2024, the analysis employed regression and VECM techniques in EViews 13 to assess both short run and long run dynamics. The findings show that financial deepening contributes positively to economic growth through channels such as private credit, savings mobilisation and trade openness, while inflation and real interest rates weaken short run performance. Human capital development also demonstrates a meaningful influence on growth, with improvements in education and health supporting economic activity. The study’s central contribution lies in establishing that human capital significantly moderates the finance growth relationship, meaning that financial deepening has a stronger impact when human capital levels are higher. This interaction highlights the importance of coordinated investment in financial systems and human capital formation. Overall, the results suggest that financial reforms alone are insufficient for sustained growth and Uganda’s long-term performance depends on strengthening credit access, improving savings mobilisation and expanding investment in education and health to enhance labour productivity.
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    An assessment of risk allocation and mitigation practices in public road construction projects in Uganda: a case study of selected projects in the Elgon region.
    (Makerere University, 2026) Ogik, Alfred
    Public road construction projects play a critical role in supporting socio-economic development through improved transportation, connectivity, and access to essential services. Despite significant public investment in road infrastructure in Uganda, many projects continue to experience delays, cost overruns, quality deficiencies, and contractual disputes, partly due to weaknesses in risk allocation and mitigation practices. This study assessed risk allocation and mitigation practices in public road construction projects in Uganda, with specific focus on selected projects in the Elgon Region. The study was guided by five objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of risk allocation practices, examine challenges affecting effective risk allocation, assess the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies, identify challenges hindering implementation of risk mitigation measures, and propose recommendations for improving risk allocation and mitigation practices. The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach using a cross-sectional research design. Quantitative data were collected from 80 respondents out of a targeted sample of 97 project stakeholders, representing a response rate of 82.5%, while qualitative data were obtained from 10 key informants out of a targeted 15, representing a response rate of 66.7%. Data were collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that risk allocation practices were generally effective, with an aggregate mean score of 4.05. Respondents agreed that effective risk allocation improves project performance (Mean = 4.29), contributes to timely project completion (Mean = 4.26), and reduces disputes among stakeholders (Mean = 4.14). However, environmental risks were found to be less effectively allocated compared to other categories of risks. The study further established that political influence (Mean = 4.32), delayed decision-making (Mean = 4.24), institutional weaknesses (Mean = 4.20), and unclear contractual provisions (Mean = 4.18) were major challenges affecting effective risk allocation. The findings also indicated that risk mitigation strategies were generally effective, with an aggregate mean score of 4.18. Geotechnical investigations (Mean = 4.35), contingency planning (Mean = 4.20), project supervision mechanisms (Mean = 4.18), and environmental management plans (Mean = 4.10) were identified as important mitigation measures contributing to improved project outcomes. However, implementation of mitigation strategies was constrained by delayed government funding (Mean = 4.41), environmental uncertainties (Mean = 4.33), institutional capacity limitations (Mean = 4.18), weak monitoring systems (Mean = 4.15), and poor stakeholder coordination (Mean = 4.12). The study concludes that effective risk allocation and mitigation practices significantly contribute to improved performance of public road construction projects. However, governance challenges, institutional weaknesses, funding delays, and environmental uncertainties continue to undermine effective risk management. The study recommends strengthening contractual risk allocation frameworks, enhancing institutional capacity, improving project financing mechanisms, strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems, increasing stakeholder participation, and adopting modern risk management technologies to improve infrastructure project performance.