Determinants of income levels among the self-employed: a case study of Kazinga Zone, Bweyogerere Ward, Kira Municipality, Wakiso district.

Abstract

This research paper was aimed at understanding the determinants of income levels among the self-employed in Kazinga zone, Bweyogerere ward, Kira municipality in Wakiso district. The study found that income among the self-employed is determined by factors for example gender, education level, working conditions, number of hours worked, and access to loanable funds by the self-employed. The study revealed that majority of those involved in self-employment are women with close to six in every ten self-employed being women. The study also found that Catholic and Muslims dominated the area covering 55 percent and businesses carried out mainly included retail shops, mobile money, and chapatti businesses. In addition a half of the respondents had attained up to secondary level of education. Considering the last one month, the self-employed earned a median income of 300000 shillings, with a minimum and maximum of 100000 and 3500000 shillings respectively. Among reasons for usually starting up self-employed businesses, financial independence and higher incomes featured as the most prominent reason followed by possibility of professional development and flexible working hours. Survey results indicate that self-employment is highest among the youth but steadily declines among those aged 45 years and over. Incomes were high among hard ware owners therefore the type of self-employing business determines one’s income. Key words: Self-employment; Income levels