Economic Policy Research Centre has completed regional dissemination of survey results on the impact of Covid-19 on the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Uganda.
The nationwide survey captured the state of MSMEs during and after different spells of Covid-19 instigated shutdowns. During regional disseminations, EPRC interacted with business owners from western Uganda and Northern Uganda in July and August. The disseminations took place in Mbarara and Gulu cities respectively.
Ms. Prisca Muganzi, the Mbarara Deputy City Mayor, reminded participants of how “devastating Covid-19 was to almost everyone.”
“Some of our people died, others closed businesses and Mbarara had to welcome new faces,” she said.
She said studies tracking the plight of business through the trying times of the last two years would help businesses and entrepreneurs pick up pieces and move forward.
In Gulu, the City Commercial Officer, Mr. Komakech Nixon Atemo, said regional disseminations were import and said they would their city in evidence-based decision-making. He expressed commitment to put into action the recommendations of the study within their capacity
Tonny Odokonyero, a research fellow at EPRC, presented the results to both northern and western regions’ business communities.
EPRC is carrying out a three-year panel study shedding light on the impact of covid-19 on MSMEs. The study is expected to provide the much-needed timely evidence to inform government response to avert the impact of the pandemic on small businesses.
The study is supported by the Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Regional events came on heels of the national dissemination workshop that took place in Kampala in June 2022.
See survey report here