Youths Livelihood Programme (Ylp) And Entrepreneurial Empowerment: A Study Of Nyendo Mukugwe Division, Masaka City, Uganda
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Date
2026
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Abstract
The study investigated the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) and Entrepreneurial
Empowerment in Nyendo Mukugwe Division, Masaka City, Uganda, guided by Human
Capital Theory and Empowerment Theory, with objectives to investigate the effect of
livelihood support components on entrepreneurial empowerment, to assess the effect of
economic development outcomes on entrepreneurial empowerment and to examine the
relationship between the effectiveness and efficiency of funds utilisation in the Youth
Livelihood Programme and the level of entrepreneurial. Employing a mixed-methods case
study with a descriptive design, it targeted 750 youth from 50 interest groups, sampling 261
via Yamane's formula and purposively selecting 14 key informants; data was collected
15
through structured questionnaires and interviews, analysed using SPSS for quantitative data
(ensuring validity with CVI > 0.70 and reliability with Cronbach's Alpha > 0.70) and
thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Findings indicated mixed effects, where productive
assets and social support significantly boosted empowerment (regression coefficients 0.15
and 0.06, p < 0.05), but inadequate financial support and infrastructure (means 2.99 and 2.14)
limited it; empowerment positively influenced economic outcomes like income (86%
agreement, mean 4.18) and job creation (100% agreement, mean 4.19) in a bidirectional loop;
funds utilization was efficient for goals (89% agreement, mean 3.91) yet hindered by delays
in disbursement of funds (mean 2.46) and unclear repayment (mean 3.50), enabling 72.87%
to start businesses. The study concluded that YLP promotes empowerment and economic
growth despite systemic barriers, recommending increased funding, streamlined
disbursement, enhanced mentorship, and infrastructure investment to foster sustainable
entrepreneurship in peri-urban Uganda. The study recommended increasing funding,
improving infrastructure, strengthening mentorship and financial literacy, and adopting
digital tools for monitoring and accountability to ensure sustainability and long-term youth
self-reliance.