Contribution of community radios to growth of women entrepreneurs in Uganda: a case of Kagadi Kibaale community radio, Kagadi district

Abstract

The study assessed the contribution of community radios to growth of women entrepreneurship in Uganda, the case of Kagadi Kibaale Community Radio (KKCR) in Kagadi District. The objectives of the study were to: assess relevance of development programs in promoting growth of women entrepreneurs, identify the challenges facing KKCR in broadcasting women entrepreneurship development programmes and suggest better communication approaches to improve the broadcasting of women entrepreneurship development programmes in Kagadi district. The study was anchored in Participatory Communication Theory. The study followed a qualitative approach. A case study design. Thirty-six (36) respondents were involved in the study comprising women entrepreneurs, community development officers and KKCR staff. Data were collected using interviews and focus group discussion. Data were analyzed qualitatively using thematic analysis. Findings of the study revealed that KKCR broadcast several programmes that influenced growth of women entrepreneurship in the area. These included: leadership programme, financial literacy, health programme, family development programme and business services development programme. Collectively, these programmes have enabled women entrepreneurs to be assertive and consequently, capable of lobbying for business development support from the government and development partners. Furthermore, the programmes have enabled women to make wise financial decisions, enjoy healthy lifestyles; and to structure their business according to established business management models. Despite this noble contribution, the study established several challenges that are facing KKCR in broadcasting women entrepreneurship development programmes. These include illiteracy of women entrepreneurs, limited broadcast time, less informed staff, domineering by some personalities and lack of adequate funding. However, the respondents were equally optimistic that adoption of certain communication approaches such as distributing audio clips to women entrepreneurs, refresher training of staff and formation of women entrepreneur listener’s clubs would lessen the impact of the existing challenges. The study concluded that KKCR broadcast programmes are stimuli for growth of women entrepreneurship. The study recommended need for periodic revision of the programmes to make them comprehensive while also recommending the need for working out mechanisms to address the problem of domineering personalities. Keywords: KKCR, Community Radio, Business Programmes, women entrepreneurs