The effects of men's exclusion on Uganda women entrepreneurship programme funds recovery rates : a case study of Mityana Municipal Council - Mityana District

Abstract

The Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) aims to enhance women’s economic empowerment by providing financial and technical support for enterprise development. However, fund recovery rates remain a persistent challenge in many local governments. This study investigates the effects of male exclusion on UWEP funds recovery rates in Mityana Municipal Council, Mityana District. Employing a case study design, the research utilized qualitative approaches to examine how the limited involvement of men particularly spouses, household decision-makers, and community influencers affects project implementation and loan repayment among women beneficiary groups. The findings indicate that male exclusion contributes to inadequate household support, financial decision-making conflicts, weakened group dynamics, and gaps in project monitoring, collectively leading to low recovery rates. The study concludes that incorporating men into programme sensitization, financial literacy initiatives, and household-level planning can enhance compliance and improve repayment performance. It recommends adopting gender-inclusive strategies that promote women’s empowerment while leveraging constructive male engagement to strengthen the sustainability of UWEP interventions.