An Assessment of the Effect of Community Saving Groups on Women’s Welfare in Uganda: A Case Study of Kiganda Village

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the effect of community saving groups on women’s welfare in Uganda a case study of kiganda village. The objectives of this study were to investigate the role of credit access, challenges and loan uptake and who they affect women welfare. The researcher adopted a census survey design which was appropriate because of the cross-sectional nature of data that was collected as is implied in the research objectives. The population of the study comprised of 150 participants and a random sample of 99 respondents was adopted and used for the study. The data collection instrument was questionnaire and interviewers were carried out. Data analysis was based on the research questions designed at the beginning of the research. The collected data was inspected and edited to a certain their accuracy, completeness and uniformity. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences. This computer program was used to help in analyzing the data after it had been inspected, edited and classified. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to investigate the findings of the study It was established that most of the respondents were in the age bracket that ranged between 25 to 30 years and 41 to 45 years. The findings revealed the most women group members had attained secondary school certificates and diplomas. Majority of the respondents have been group members of VSL for a period of 2 to 5 years. Members investigated confessed that they were saving with their respective VSL groups. The study established that the average monthly amount saved by group members was Ush. 100,000, the lowest amount being Ush. 150,000 and the highest being Ush. 200,000. It was discovered that the average monthly income earned by women group members in Kiganda village was Ush. 500,000 where the lowest was Ush. 150,000 and the highest figure being Ush. 5,000,000. 80% of the respondents had confidence in saving with their respective VSL groups where 80 percent of them acknowledged that saving with their groups had enabled them improve their welfare Management of these VSL should be improved that is they should be ran by experienced professionals and much advocacy from CSOs, given the thrust of institution on catering for the developmental needs of women should play a steward role of connecting the women clients who have enterprises running on loan money to access the best markets where they can get a reasonable pay back.