Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (FEMS)
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Item Open Access Procurement Process and The Performance of Government Funded Projects: A Case Study of Rulindo District Local Government, Rwanda(Kabale University, 2011) Perpetue, KamuyumbuThe study focused on the procurement process and the performance of government-funded projects, using a case study of the Rulindo District local government in Rwanda. Its primary goal was to investigate the procurement process used by local governments to obtain goods, works, and services. Its specific objectives were to analyse factors that affect the public procurement process of government projects in Rulindo district local government, explain gaps in the procurement process and their effect on the success of government-funded projects in Rulindo district local government, discuss the support provided by the Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA) to Rulindo district local government, explore the time it takes Rulindo district local government to complete government-funded projects, and identify possible causes of delays in the public procurement process of government-funded projects in Rulindo district local government. Using survey design, it was possible to get a variety of views and opinions from procurement officers, who were sampled and selected both purposefully and by simple random sampling techniques. The views, opinions, attitudes, and experiences of respondents were obtained using a questionnaire as the main instrument. The study revealed that there were delays in public procurement due to the procurement law itself, budget constraints, a lack of qualified personnel in public procurement, a lack of procurement plans, the financial capacity of contractors, bureaucracy, and a lack of monitoring of awarded tenders. Local governments were recommended to develop annual procurement plans based on the availability of funds, look for qualified personnel and define mechanisms for retaining them, and develop a monitoring framework that would allow them to better monitor procurementItem Open Access Decentralized Planning, Budgeting and Service Delivery in Local Governments. A Case Study of Health and Education Services in Musanze District, Rwanda.(Kabale University, 2011) Samson, ManiragabaAccess to quality Health and Education services is critical to socioeconomic welfare and advancement of rural areas. The motivation for this study was to investigate key factors related to health and education services delivery particularly in relation to local government planning and budgeting for effective management local government revenues and expenditure on these services. The study was based on the following objectives: to examine the impact of decentralized planning, budgeting on health and education services delivery, to analyze the relationship between participatory planning, budgeting and delivery of health and education services; to assess the challenges encountered in decentralized planning, budgeting for effective health and education service delivery; to analyze strategies of improving decentralized planning, budgeting for effective delivery of health and education services. The research methodology employed a descriptive research design. The study was based on positivism orientation since it was not purely quantitative based, with a need of qualitative data. The target population of the study consists of 628 respondents. A sample was taken from each category using the Solvein’s formula to arrive at the minimum sample size of 244. The sampling methods used included purposive and simple random sampling. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected using interview guide and questionnaire respectively. Thus, the overall results determined by percentage for the level of effective decentralized planning and budgeting in terms of effective financial planning and budgeting, fiscal accountability and transparency has effect on delivery of health and education services delivery in Musanze district was (77.9%). The major results further indicates that, there was a significant relationship between the decentralized planning and budgeting and delivery of health and education services which was very satisfactory (76.8%). The recommendations were that the central government of Rwanda fund adequately and timely monitor the utilization of funds by local governments. Districts should improve on effective planning, budgeting in order to improve on social economic welfare of the people.Item Open Access Contribution of Savings and Internal Lending Communities to the Youth Livelihood in Rwanda: The Case of Gikongoro Diocese Project 2006-2010(Kabale University, 2011) Jacques, SezikeyeThis study set out to assess the socio-economic impact of SILC on youth livelihood development through the increase in access to finances to boost business and income-generating activities within rural settings in Rwanda, as well as looking at possible challenges and limitations for a proper recommendation that may result in the expansion of several youth groups. The study's objectives were to assess the social economic impact of SILC on youth livelihood development in Gikongoro diocese, to determine whether SILC has increased youth access to financial services, and to determine the influence of SILC on youth starting small businesses.The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection, which included the use of questionnaires, the use of interview methods, observation, and also documentary methods while in the field. The findings were obtained, interpreted, discussed, and analyzed, and then later summarized in tables. The researcher went ahead to give a summary of the findings, conclusion, and recommendations of the report as they were given by the respondents. The findings clearly showed that savings and internal lending communities have a great impact on youth livelihood development in Gikongoro diocese in that they help in diversifying livelihood income strategies and financial assets. Also, they increase individual wealth and allow members to invest money in income-generating assets, though they face some problems in trying to enhance financial access to the youth, like corruption among the members of the groups, a lack of knowledge to handle finance issues among the youth since most of them are school dropouts, poor management accountability of funds given to many youth, and a failure to make proper decisions among many youth; but in a nutshell, they have contributed greatly towards improving the living standards of the youth in Gikongoro diocese.Item Open Access Naads and Poverty Reduction in Kabale District(Kabale University, 2012) Matthew, JimtexkuuleUsing a case study of the Uganda National Agricultural Advisory Services in Kabale district, this study sought to investigate the perceptions of farmers on beneficiary participation, analyse the effect of farmer participation on NAADS program performance, investigate the factors affecting beneficiary participation and to suggest best practices for beneficiary participation. A randomly selected sample of 368 farmers from five NAADs program participating sub-counties were interviewed using an interview guide designed to address the study objectives. Additional information on the study objectives was obtained from five sub-county NAADS extension staff of the selected sub-counties, the Kabale district NAADS Coordinator and the Kabale district production officer. Results showed that most of the households had married household heads in the age bracket 25-54 years and less than half of household’s members had not attained formal education. Sorghum, beans, sweet potatoes and solanum potatoes are the main crop enterprises, while goats, poultry and piggery are the main livestock species kept. Regarding farmer perceptions of NAADS program, most of the respondents were satisfied with the way information was being shared among beneficiaries, with the way consultations were being made and the way the NAADS program promoted collaboration. However, less than half of the respondents were satisfied with the empowerment that the program gave. Generally, participation in the NAADS program resulted in increased crop and livestock productivity as well as improved household incomes and welfare. The key factors affecting participation were identified as purpose of the project, institution hosting the project, sex of beneficiary, membership to organized groups and, communication and information sharing. The study recommended that a regulatory frame work for beneficiary participation should be in place, that regular feedback should be provided by project managers, removal of corrupt project leaders, involve beneficiaries from beginning to end and beneficiary participation in all decisions. The study also recommended further research to investigate critical roles of all relevant beneficiaries that were not covered by the present study.Item Open Access Community Participation and the sustainability of Development projects: A case Study of Essential Nutrition and Health package Project in Kabuga, Gasabo District, Rwanda.(Kabale University, 2012) Bernard, BayaseseThe study sought to examine the extent to which community participation contributed to the improvement of design and implementation of development projects and their sustainability. The specific objectives of the study were to examine modalities for community participation in development projects, to analyze the benefits of community participation and how participation leads to sustainability of development projects, to establish the conditions required for achieving sustainability of development projects through community or participation and to examine the challenges faced by the community in sustaining development projects. The study adopted four research questions namely: what are the modalities for community participation in development projects, what are the benefits of community participation and how participation leads to sustainability, what are the conditions required for achieving sustainability of development projects through community or participation and what are the challenges being faced by the community in sustaining community development projects. The study adopted a case study research design because it was more appropriate for this research. The study collected data from a sample of 367 who were selected randomly out of a population of 7982. Data was collected through the use of literature review, interviews and questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS software and presented in tables. Ethical guidelines were followed in the study including obtained informed concept from the respondents and getting ethical clearance from Kabale University. Findings also revealed that the respondents participated in projects in a number of ways including identification of stakeholders, participation in the identification of their needs and directing the goals of the ENHP project, information dissemination among others. It was also revealed that local participation of the community in projects benefited both the projects and the community through better designs; cost effectiveness, less corruption, equitable distribution of resources among others. It was revealed that after the project closure, the local communities maintained the projects through development of levies at a flat rate, voluntary contributions, and contribution of materials among others. The study concluded that community participation in projects greatly contributes to the sustainability of projects. It also concluded that the community participates through consultations, taking part in project design, organizing and implementing activities. The study recommended that communities should be empowered through training and equipping them with management skills in order to sustain projects effectively. It also recommended that open accountability of resources should be encouraged so that communities can build and support projects effectively by contributing money.Item Open Access Cash Flow Statements as tool for Assessing Liquidity in Commercial Company: A case study of Ndoli Super Market Kigali-Rwanda.(Kabale University, 2013) Jeanbaptiste, Baribwira NshutiThe main purpose of this study was to find out the extent to which statement of cash flows could be used as tool of assessing the liquidity of commercial companies especially Ndoli Supermarket in Kigali-Rwanda. The specific objectives were to investigate the effectiveness of cash flows statement used by NDOLI Supermarket in Kigali-Rwanda; to find out the level of liquidity of NDOLI Supermarket in Kigali-Rwanda; and to evaluate the relationship between cash flows statement and liquidity of NDOLI Supermarket in Kigali-Rwanda. The methodology used is the descriptive and correlational research. The study population was 48 employees of NDOLI Supermarket Kigali-Rwanda. The questionnaires were addressed to the 37 respondents, and the study used documentary technique. Methods of analysis were descriptive statistics methods, correlation coefficient, and financial ratios analysis. The findings of this study were presented in accordance to research objectives. The effectiveness of cash flow statements was presented to tables from 4.6 to 4.8 which confirmed income statement was on average rate of 88.41%.Balance sheet/ financial position were on average rate of 90.55%, and Cash flow analysis was average rate of 88.23% of respondents’ confirmation at NDOLI Supermarket Kigali-Rwanda. The liquidity of NDOLI Supermarket Kigali-Rwanda from 2013-2015 were shown to the tables 4.9 to 4.22 which confirmed that increase of return on assets was on rate of 54.1%; return on equity was on rate of 91.8%; return on investment was on rate on 86.5%; gross profit margin was on rate of 86.5%; and current ratio was on 94.6%. Generally, liquidity evolution has averaged on rate of 68.91%.Current Ratio; it was 1.13 in 2013; it was became 0.84 in 2014; and it was 0.98 in 2015. Quick Ratio (Acid Test) where it was 1.13 in 2013; while in 2014, QR was 0.84 and it was became 0.98 in 2015. The relationship between cash flow statement and liquidity of NDOLI Supermarket Kigali-Rwanda was shown the table 4.23 which confirmed that effective cash flow statement contributes 87.56% of liquidity evolution. As conclusion, according to the findings from NDOLI Supermarket Kigali-Rwanda. The study recommends that Ndoli Supermarket should improve the quality of services and the trainings of employees in relation to annual financial statement reports to achieve more profits.Item Open Access Internal Control Systems and service delivery in Kabale Municipal Council, Kabale District, Uganda.(Kabale University, 2013) Boaz, AbomugishaMunicipal services in Kabale Municipality are notoriously sub- standard. The study investigated the link between this phenomenon and service quality determinants, including resourcing and accountability and staff capacity gaps and how these gaps may be related to internal control systems in place. Specifically the study investigated whether and how internal control systems employed support service delivery, the relationship between compliance, fraud prevalence, resource adequacy and service delivery; it assessed how control environment impacts effectiveness of internal controls in relation to service delivery. Purposive and Random sampling techniques were used to select a sample from the study Population. Data were analyzed and presented qualitatively and quantitatively. The analysis and findings showed that the factors that negatively affected service delivery included lack of integrity followed by weak internal control systems, inadequate funding and delayed funds release from the Central Government. Prevalence of frauds and compliance lapses were noticed from 2006 up to 2014, particularly as regards to adherence to internal control norms and submission of reports. Inadequate training for staff has led to staff capacity gaps. It was concluded that while internal controls are in place, the problem is that they are not adequately followed, hence affecting service delivery. It is therefore recommended that all stakeholders should follow internal controls put in place for effective and efficient delivery of services, the division of work and segregation of duties should be upheld, Each department should be represented on the procurement committee for transparency purposes; the control environment should be improved by management to allow any stakeholder to access documents, and culprits that breach norms and regulations are found, they should be punished accordingly, Finally the management of the Council should prioritize services which are critical to the public, like Road construction, Waste disposal, Education, Security and Health.Item Open Access Electronic Commerce and the Success of Projects. A case study of the Entrepreneurship promotion project of the University of Rwanda.(Kabale University, 2013) Principe, CamakeAfter solving a big number of problems related to IT infrastructure and IT human resource in Rwanda in general and in the University of Rwanda in particular, there was still a gap that was not yet covered in the use of IT in everyday life. With qualitative and quantitative research approaches, this research evaluated the effects of Electronic Commerce on Success of projects on the basis of project outputs, outcomes and impacts taking PECBC Project as a case study. Specifically, the research investigated the level and potential of applicability of E-Commerce in PECBC business processes and towards realization of expected business outcomes, the level of embezzlement in the PECBC project and showed how this embezzlement can be impacted by e-commerce tools, assessed the challenges being faced by the entrepreneurs under PECBC sponsorship and gave recommendations on how they can be addressed in the context of available electronic commerce applications. The findings showed that the availability of IT infrastructure and human Resource, the age group of project partners which is considered as the internet users’ generation and their high level of education put the potential applicability of E-commerce at high level. Various levels of embezzlement have been found where project employees deviated the target people because of favoritism, project beneficiaries also deviated the business from the planning where some of them submitted very good project proposal, won the competition and after getting the sponsorship they replaced it by another one which might not have won the competition, simply because it is easier to implement or because of conflict of interests. It was also found that Electronic commerce can impact the embezzlement where by web-based M&E system ensures timely reporting of potential failures or deviation and allows prompt action (s) to mitigate such challenges and risks. Conflict of interest, lack of awareness, clandestineness and poor M&E were revealed as main challenges and hindrance to implementation and realization of objectives of this project. As recommendations, the researcher recommends that projects in Universities take the advantages of all of different fields of expertise available in their area of operation and involve them in each phase of project life cycle.PECBC leadership was recommended to embrace a positive vision and strategy towards the use of ICT and specifically electronic commerce and or any other online ways of monitoring and evaluation of beneficiaries and employees. University of Rwanda and SPARK were recommended to confront PECBC employees and beneficiaries whom businesses were sponsored and be given opportunity to give their side of the story about this funds disappearance for further measure.Item Open Access Microfinance and Socio-Economic Development in Byumba Sector. A case Study of Reseau Interdiocesain De Micro Finance (Rim S.A)(Kabale University, 2013) Fraterne, NzeyimanaThe research on Micro- finance and socio –economic development in Byumba sector, a case study of RIM S.A was carried out to know if there was a relationship between services given by RIM SA and poverty alleviation among its members . The general objective of the study was to assess the role of RIM S.A microfinance in the promotion of socio- economic development in Byumba sector. The specific objectives of this study was designed as follows: To investigate how credit service of RIM SA have increased income of its clients, to explore how training in financial skills rendered by RIM S.A have reduced vulnerability of people in Byumba sector, to examine the challenges faced by clients of RIM S.A micro finance in accessing services. In this study, the researcher used different methods for collecting data as follows: Questionnaire, interview, personal participative observation and documentation techniques in the process of gathering information. The researcher in this study used a sample size of 351beneficiaries of RIM S.A and 4 staff members from 4573 beneficiaries of RIM S.A Byumba. The researcher found that RIM S.A Micro finance participated in poverty alleviation among its borrowers through improving their well being like school fees payment for children, health insurance payment, food security payment and enterprise expansion among others. The study findings indicate that microfinance alone cannot meet all the needs and resolve a wide range of difficulties of the poor. It was suggested that the government may increase its involvement in the provision of regulations to govern the microfinance programs, credit management, the interest rate and safe guard the property of the membership. However further research should be carried out on The Impact of Microfinance on the Small Scale Industry in Rwanda; The Possibilities of Providing Asset Loans Rather than Cash loans for some Beneficiaries; Financial Accessibility and Poverty Eradication, Education and Performance of Small Scale Business Enterprises.Item Open Access Monitoring and Evaluation System for Performance Contracts in Nyanza District, Rwanda(Kabale University, 2013) Marie Christine, UmurerwaEvery year, since 2006, Imihigo performance contracts are evaluated to inform the Government on the relevance of the government’s interventions in changing people’s lives, whether the public spending makes a difference or value for the money, what policy or programme works well, if policy makers are able to judge on the merit or worth of an intervention, among others. Since then, the assessment of Imihigo was done by a team comprised by members from the President’s Office, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Local Government, and Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. In the context of decentralisation policies in Rwanda and public management challenges, Imihigo contracts were introduced by the Government of Rwanda in 2006 as a form of public performance contract implemented at District level. Imihigo contracts were intended as a tool to speed up national development. This study suggests that the success of Imihigo requires active citizen participation beyond consultation, and official accountability that engages local people in planning as well as implementation of development projects. Nyanza District was selected because of the need to explain imihigo performance. The study highlights monitoring and evaluation in the perfomance of imihigo. Besides this, the research provides some policy recommendations, including enhanced downward accountability, which could strengthen active citizen participation. The aim is to overcome some of the gaps highlighted in this study between citizens, local officials and elected authorities, taking the case of Nyanza district. Results showed that there were many positive changes brought by the Imihigo. Despite the above strengths in the planning process, there were still some challenges that needed proper consideration from the policy for Imihigo to become more an effective tool of planning. In view of the above, Imihigo had set in motion development processes that were significantly contributing to accelerating the achievement of national development priorities. Imihigo were working as a tool for mobilising human and financial resources needed to facilitate this transition.Item Open Access Monitoring and Evaluation as Key Factor in Performance of Health Institutions, A Case Study of Kigali Health Institute, Kigali Rwanda.(Kabale University, 2013) Jean, PierrekwizeraWithin this study the researcher reports the findings on the investigation conducted on the contribution of monitoring and evaluation towards the performance in Health Institutions a case study of Kigali Health Institute, Kigali Rwanda. The sample of the study was composed by male and female of lecturers and students from Kigali Health Institute. The problem of this study was that monitoring and evaluation tools still face many challenges and have not offer enough and suitable information about performance in health institutions. Aim of the study was to investigate the contribution of monitoring and evaluation to the performance of health institutions in Rwanda. The data were collected by using a questionnaire. The study found that 79% of respondents says that monitoring and evaluation system is quality assurance 13% is assessment and research done on the performance and 8%says that monitoring and evaluation system used by KHI is evaluation of course design.85% of respondents says that the system generate information from student’s lecture evaluation form. 15%of respondents says that information is from the field where students who graduates from KHI works.94% of respondents from lecturers and staff and 89% of respondents from students say that monitoring and evaluation system has contributed to the performance of KHI. The following factors positively aspects on the monitoring and evaluation system has enhanced its performance: student’s failure and repeaters are very minimal, curriculum review and student –teacher assessment. After analyzing and presentation of the data the researcher discovers that results found are similar. According to what other authors said Monitoring and evaluation are complementary. The researcher recommended a need to enlarge the work not only Lecturers and students but also all Rwandan categories. The study recommended KHI as well as MINEDUC that they should have serious measures to introduce national policy in monitoring and evaluation system and different stakeholders should work hand in hand with KHI and other highlighted contributors so that the performance is taken as a priority among other program at KHI.Item Open Access The Role of Internal Audit Function in the Performance of Rwanda Mutual Health Insurance Fund. Case of Gicumbi District(Kabale University, 2013) Bizimungu, JeanThis study was carried out on the role of the internal audit function in the performance of the Anda Mutual Health Insurance Fund in the case of Gicumbi District. The study sought to examine and assess the impact of the internal audit function on the performance of the Anda.Health Insurance Fund in Rwanda It was also to highlight the role played by internal auditing in achieving the goals of the Mutual Health Insurance Fund of the Gicumbi District and to verify the internal controls used by MHIF in implementing the Mutual Health Insurance Fund in the Gicumbi District. The Mutual Health Insurance Fund of Gicurnbi District has caught the attention of the internal audit system is an effective tool for performance amelioration and is considered a victory to escape mismanagement. In the Rwandan context, this same initiative and hope have been emphasized in the country's mismanagement reduction strategy papers. The study took the case of Gicumbi District, which was one of 30 districts in Kwanda. To achieve the study's objectives, 50 MHIF staff members from two branches in the Gicumbi District were interviewed.Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data, books from libraries, and other documents. used to collect secondary data. It has been found that the Internal Audit Unit can assist the MHIF in maintaining its profitability without compromising its sustainability. As a result, the study recommended that, in order to achieve quality performance from MHIFs in Rwanda, the government, MHIF administrators, and other stakeholder groups ensure effective internal control. The conclusion was that the internal audit function is a necessary requirement, and suggestions were made that the Rwandan government enhance this service to cover the performance of mutual health insurance funds.Item Open Access Corporate governance and organizational Performance: A case of Institut Polytechnique De Byumba, Rwanda.(Kabale University, 2013) Bonaventure, TwagirumugabeThe performance of firms and the way they are governed worldwide have attracted great deal of attention in the past decades owing to corporate failures. This study was examined the relationship between corporate governance and organizational performance. Unlike most studies on corporate governance which predominantly use only financial variables affecting governance, the study took a different approach by using non-financial variables. This combined set of variables was used for theoretical and empirical models. Based on the extended literature, the researcher developed a conceptual framework and a set of hypotheses to examine the relationship between corporate governance and organizational performance. Board characteristics considered in this research include board size, board of director role, gender diversity, and educational qualification of board members and decision making and implementation. It adopted quantitative methodological framework through which the primary data collected from a sample of 124 respondents involving 108 employees and 16 board members at IPB and were analyzed using both regression and correlation analysis techniques to find the relationship between corporate governance and organizational performance on one hand and the degree of relationship between corporate governance and organizational performance. The findings shows that large board size, board skill, management skill, longer serving, decision making and implementation are positively associated with the performance of organizations. Organizations are encouraged to adopt good corporate governance practices to improve their performance and also to protect the interest of the shareholders.Item Open Access Information Technology and development of Small and medium Enterprises in Kabale Municipality, Kabale District.(Kabale University, 2014) Gastone, TwesigyeThe study investigated the contribution of information technology towards the development of small and medium business in Kabale Municipality, Kabale district. The study was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. The literature that was reviewed for the study was gathered from different textbooks, manuals, reports, journals and from internet. Both simple random sampling and purposive sampling were used to select a total of 267 general and key respondents respectively for the study. To gather primary data for the study during the field, the researcher used the documentary review, questionnaire, interview observation guides and focused group discussion guide. Data was finally analysed using Microsoft Excel later presented in tables, pie-charts, and graphs. It was found out that the majority of respondents used various information technology facilities towards the development of their business in the study area. Among them were mobile phones which played a very big role in the development of the businesses such as sending and receiving money at will; and scanners through the transfer hard copy information into soft copy into the computer system that had enabled transfer and sharing of vital business information from retailers to wholesalers and general suppliers, especially when ordering for business products, transfers of receipts, invoices among others. It was also revealed that information technology had contributed towards the development of business in the study area. It was concluded that there were challenges that hindered the implementation of modern information technologies in the development of business in the study area. Basing on the study findings, it was recommended that emphasis should be put on modern technology, practical technological and entrepreneurial studies aimed at producing entrepreneurs, among others.Item Open Access Financial management practices and Profitability of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kabale Municipality.(Kabale University, 2014) Herbert, Kwarimanya RugyendoThis study examined the relationship between financial management practices, characteristics and impacts on the profitability of SMEs. Objectives of the thesis are (1) To investigate the various financial Management practices used by SMEs, (2) To determine how financial management practices and financial characteristics affect SMEs profitability and (3) To determine the relationship between financial management practices and profitability of SMEs The study adopted descriptive research design, specifically cross-sectional survey design using both the quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The study comprised of the staff of 63 selected SMEs including those basically involved in financial management practices. The study population comprised of 76 SMEs and 63 SMEs were selected using Morgan table of determining sample size. Respondents were staff who are directly employed in the finance and accounting departments. One respondent was purposively selected from each SMEs totaling to 63 respondents. Descriptive findings of SME profitability were analyzed These findings generally revealed that 99 of 150 SMEs surveyed (66%) were profitable and the remainder (34%) were not profitable, that is, they could not produce an annual average profit return that was higher than the free-risk rate of interest. The findings indicate that Cash and inventory budgets are frequently prepared. Levels of receivables and inventory are reviewed frequently. However, SME owners had a low level of management knowledge, and owner/manager’s experience has been seen to be more important than application of theories of financial management. This required training of skills of financial management for the owners and managers. The size of annual profits of SMEs was not high. Annual profits of SMEs in Kabale were generally low because of small firm size in terms of total assets and labor. This study recommends the following issues to be considered by government policy-makers. Remove discrimination between SMEs and large companies and between state and non-state SMEs in granting loans, Develop the financial market including both capital and money markets and Provide training programs in financial management skills for the owners and managers of SMEs.Item Open Access Sales Promotion and Changing Market shares of Telecom Companies. It was Carried out in Kigali City Rwanda.(Kabale University, 2014) Daria, MurungiThe study explored sales promotion and changing market shares of telecom companies. It was carried out in Kigali City Rwanda. The objectives of the study were; To explore and analyze how specific approaches employed by telecom companies in sales promotion add to sales or anchor existing sales, to assess the effect of sales promotion by the different telecoms on customer behavior and to probe into the challenges of sales promotion faced by telecoms in sales promotion as a coping mechanism in oligopolistic and monopolistic competition market structure environment in Rwanda. The study covered a time period of 20 years since 1994 considered the post genocide error where major reforms in the country have been taking place. The study used a cross sectional descriptive study design employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. The target population was the staff of telecom companies operating in Kigali city and consumers of products from the companies. A sample size of 100 respondents was used to obtain information relevant to the study. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select company staff and the consumers respectively. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to gather information from the selected respondents. The study revealed that all sales promotion strategies focused on by this study were all being employed in the study area. The study also revealed that sales promotions had a positive influence the buying behaviors of consumers. Finally the study also found out that sales promotion main challenges were; habituating customers to promotions and capital intensive. The study recommended that in order to attract and influence the purchase decisions of the telecom consumers in the country’s competitive market structure, sales promotion should be a prominent feature in telecom companies’ budget, year in, year out. The study also recommended that telecom companies and other marketing practitioners needed to gain an understanding of the specific market segments that were targeted, and those promotional tools that were more effective in stimulating sales within those segments.Item Open Access Teacher training and Academic performance of Secondary Schools in Rwanda: A case of Secondary Schools in Nyagatare District.(Kabale University, 2014) Frank, KahangwaThe study aimed at establishing the relationship between teacher training and academic performance of secondary schools and was carried out in Nyagatare District located in Eastern Rwanda. To improve the performance of secondary schools, the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education adopted various initiatives to promote teacher professional development, but there has been little or no research done to show whether or not secondary teacher training had led to improved performance of secondary schools in Nyagatare District. This study therefore aimed at investigating whether teacher training led to improved performance of secondary schools in Nyagatare District. The specific objectives of the study were: to identify various teacher training programs used to improve teacher quality in Nyagatare district and to establish the relationship between teacher training and academic performance of secondary schools in Nyagatare District. The findings of the study showed that teacher training improved the quality of teachers by improving teachers’ proficiency through in-service programs, pedagogical skills, improved teaching methods and confidence in handling different situations regarding students’ discipline. A significant relationship was also found between teacher training and academic performance in secondary schools which was reflected in students’ grades and improvement in students’ classroom attendance and participation. The study recommends the government of Rwanda to sustain teacher training in form of in-service training of the unqualified teachers still existing in secondary schools to help them acquire teaching knowledge and skills. Other trainings, like pedagogical workshops and seminars, should also be provided continuously to keep teachers updated because there is nothing permanent except change. The Government should also ensure that qualified teachers are attracted to the teaching profession by providing better remuneration to stop many qualified teachers from deserting the profession.Item Open Access Innovation and Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kabale Municipality, Uganda.(Kabale University, 2014) Ben, AtuheireInnovation plays an important role in the performance and growth of SMEs as it leads a firm to gain competitive advantage over others, gain market share and increase customer satisfaction as well as profitability and sales growth. This study investigated the relationship between innovation and performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kabale Municipality. The objectives of the study were; to examine the relationship between innovation and SME performance, to explore strategies being used by SMEs to be more innovative and to analyze the constraints facing innovation strategies for effective performance in Kabale Municipality. Kabale Municipality SMEs were selected for the study because the Municipality is in the heart of Kabale district where most businesses are concentrated and this made it easier to conduct the study. The study employed a cross sectional survey design which is analytical in nature because it is employed in research to gather data about phenomenon (innovation and performance) at one specific point in time depending on the nature of the study, covered 162 SMEs. The results indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between innovation and SME performance, that access to funds was the leading challenge to SME innovation and that process innovation strategies were being engaged by SMEs in KMC. It concluded that all SME operators in the study area realize the importance of innovation in the growth of their businesses, found innovation being a significant predictor of SME performance. Therefore, the study recommended managements of the different SMEs to welcome innovation in their work processes as this will improve on their firm performances and also their competitive advantage. The study also recommended administrators to table matters affecting SMEs into management meetings to provide an enabling environment especially for the starter SMEs. Finally the study also recommended the need for training of SME operators in K.M.C by Kabale Municipality administration in collaboration with private sector foundation aimed at equipping SME operators with business skills.Item Open Access Rural Women’s Cooperatives and Family Standard of Living in Rwanda: A case of Urugero Cooperative in Gatsibo District.(Kabale University, 2014) Tharcisse, ManiragenaThe study aimed at establishing the socio-economic impact of rural women cooperatives on the family standards of living in Rwanda taking URUGERO Cooperative in Gatsibo District as case study. The study was guided by three specific objectives namely: to study how women cooperatives’ support to farming has improved food production, family nutrition and food security, to explore the role of family and political education supported by cooperatives in women empowerment, community harmony and more accountability by public and community leaders and to investigate the relationship between increase of family assets and rural women’s cooperatives’ support to agriculture, trading and family education in Gatsibo district. The study was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. It used questionnaire and interview guide to collect primary data from the field. Both simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in the study. It was found that most of the respondents involved in cooperative activities in the study area were in land tillage growing crops. It was further established that URUGERO women’s cooperative and all associated rural women’s cooperatives operating in the study area had recorded success in relation to their objectives. Finally, the study also found out that some measures had to be put in place towards encouraging creation of rural women’s cooperatives in order to enhance woman’s participation in the economic development of the country. These measures include better education of a rural women, empowerment and advocating, etc. Various recommendations were drawn, namely the need for government contribution to facilitate financially low investors, to establish a detailed set of policies and guidelines that should be followed for a better success in business, and especially to help women’s cooperatives get credit facilities and market for their products.Item Open Access Civil Servants and Political Leaders’ Performance in Service Delivery in Kisoro District Local Government, Uganda.(Kabale University, 2015) Zigira Sam, NiyonzimaThis study analysed the relationship between civil servants’ and political leaders’ performance and service delivery in Kisoro District Local Government. The objectives of the study were to establish how monitoring and supervision of projects and programmes by civil servants and political leaders affects health service delivery in Kisoro district, to assess the effect of financial accountability by civil servants and political leaders affects effective health service delivery in Kisoro district, to analyse how implementation of education projects affects education service delivery in Kisoro district and to investigate the challenges faced by civil servants and political leaders in health and education service delivery in Kisoro district. In conducting the study, the researcher employed descriptive research design which was backed up by qualitative and quantitative research approaches. It targeted civil servants and political leaders of Kisoro District and used a sample of 80 respondents who were selected using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data for this study was collected using questionnaires and interview guide which were augmented by documentary review that was used to collected secondary data for the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages. It was presented in tables which were drawn using Microsoft excel. From the findings, it was established that monitoring and supervision ensures timely reports are produced and disseminated to all stakeholders in health which ensures constant supply/delivery of medical facilities and drugs. It was established that corruption, limited revenue and financing, human resource incapacity, Conflict between civil servants and political leaders, lack of coordination between local authorities and extension service delivery workers hinder effective performance of civil servants and political leaders in ensuring effective service delivery. Based on the findings, the study concluded that monitoring and evaluation ensures there is availability and functionality of infrastructure and/or equipment in the health sector for better health services delivery. The study also concludes that financial accountability as performed by civil servants and political leaders ensures effective and efficient use of finance in the purchase of medical equipment, construction of hospital wards and health centres which consequently leads to effective delivery of health services. The study thus recommended that civil servants in health and education as well as political leaders should put in place an ethical code of conduct for staff so as to promote the health units as one that is ethical in the delivery of their services to customers. Routine monitoring, supervision and evaluation of performance should be encouraged so that errors and misappropriations are reduced or eliminated in order to enhance effective health service delivery.