Financial Resilience, Credit Accessibility and Financial Performance of Small Enterprises in Kampala Central Division, Uganda.
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Date
2025-11-20
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Makerere University Business School
Abstract
The study sought to examine the relationship between financial resilience, credit accessibility and the financial performance of small enterprises in Kampala central division, Uganda. The study was guided by the following objectives; to examine the relationship between financial resilience and financial performance of small enterprises in Kampala central division, to examine the relationship between credit accessibility and financial performance of small enterprises in Kampala central division and to establish the combined effect of financial resilience and credit accessibility on the financial performance of small enterprises in Kampala central division. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and a quantitative approach. The target population was 27,562 SEs in Kampala Central Division and using the Krejcie and Morgan table (1970), a sample size of 379 SEs selected from the population. Data was collected using a questionnaire and the researcher issued 379 questionnaires and received 277 SEs who successfully completed questionnaires giving a response rate of 73%. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the study revealed the following findings; financial resilience positively affects performance by enabling enterprises to withstand financial shocks, maintain liquidity, and sustain operations, while credit accessibility has a stronger effect, allowing businesses to invest in growth, expand operations, and improve profitability. Regression analysis showed that together, financial resilience and credit accessibility explain over 56% of the variation in financial performance, highlighting their complementary roles in enhancing SE competitiveness and sustainability. The study concludes that both internal resilience mechanisms and access to affordable credit are critical for SE growth, with credit accessibility emerging as the dominant driver of performance. It recommends that SE owners strengthen financial planning, savings, and risk management strategies, while policymakers and financial institutions create more inclusive credit policies with flexible terms and lower collateral requirements. Future research should explore additional factors such as digital financial inclusion, entrepreneurial skills, and governance practices, as well as comparative studies across regions and sectors to provide deeper insights into the determinants of small enterprise performance in urban contexts.
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This is a master's thesis.
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Ssonko, V. (2025). Financial Resilience, Credit Accessibility and Financial Performance of Small Enterprises in Kampala Central Division, Uganda. (Unpublished master's dissertation). Makerere University Business School, Kampala, Uganda.