The structural and spatial significance of the small scale economic sector in Kampala city - Uganda
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Date
1987
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study investigated the structural and spatial significance of the urban small scale economic sector in Kampala. Existing literature revealed an absence of strong empirical evidence to support the structural and spatial significance of the small scale sector in Uganda. This study, therefore, aimed at overcoming this weakness looking at Kampala city. Three hypotheses were formulated and empirically tested. Firstly, it was hypothesised that the small scale economic sector in Kampala was expanding more rapidly than the Large scale economic sector {1973-85). Secondly, it was postulated that the rapid expansion in the small scale economic sector could be explained in terms of rural-urban migration into Kampala, few employment opportunities in the large scale economic sector and rapidly rising cost of living. Thirdly, it was hypothesised that the small scale economic sector had a symbiotic relationship with other urban land uses and had developed significant land use zones. The analysis of growth rates indicated faster growth in the Small Scale economic sector in the period 1973-1985, For the second hypothesis, results revealed a positive relationship between population growth in Kampala, and the expansion of the small scale economic sector, a negative relationship between increase in the small scale sector and employment opportunities in the large scale economic sector, and a positive relationship between the expansion in the small scale economic sector and rapid increases in cost of living in Kampala. Information from operators of small scale enterprises and the location of small scale enterprises confirmed a symbiotic relationship between small scale economic activities and other land uses. It has therefore been revealed that, the above factors were responsible for the explosion of the small scale economic sector. The small scale economic sector is an important component of the urban economy in Uganda, as the case of Kampala city has demonstrated. The structural and spatial features associated with this sector should, not only be recognised but should also be incorporated in the programmes for national development.
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Keywords
Cities and towns, Kampala, Economic conditions, 1945-1990, Small business, Uganda
Citation
Mwesigwa, D (1987) The structural and spatial significance of the small scale economic sector in Kampala city - Uganda, Masters dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Available at (http://41.86.178.3/internetserver3.1.2/detail.aspx?parentpriref= )