How Does Mobile Phone Ownership Support Rural Female Entrepreneurs in Uganda?

This study explores how mobile phone ownership and usage influence entrepreneurial outcomes and perceived emancipation among rural female entrepreneurs in Uganda. Drawing on survey data from 298 participants in an entrepreneurship training programme, the research employs a critical quantitative approach to examine the relationship between mobile technology and women’s economic engagement. Findings show that mobile phone ownership is positively associated with perceived emancipation (measured in terms of autonomy, confidence, and decision-making power) though it does not directly affect business turnover. Conversely, intensive use of mobile phones for business purposes significantly increases the likelihood of improved financial performance. The analysis also highlights how demographic factors such as marital status and educational attainment shape access to mobile technology. These results suggest that while mobile phones can enhance rural women’s participation in entrepreneurship, their transformative potential depends on effective usage, digital literacy, and enabling structural conditions. The study contributes to ongoing debates on digital inclusion and gendered entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa, and it offers policy insights to promote inclusive economic development.