Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in rural Uganda faced significant sustainability challenges. While digital
adoption is promoted as a solution, empirical evidence on which specific digital practices most strongly predict
sustainability outcomes in contexts like Kasese District is scarce. This study employed a descriptive and correlational
cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 151 SME owners/managers in Kasese District (93% response
rate) using a structured questionnaire with 5-point Likert scales. Analysis using SPSS version 26 involved descriptive
statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression to test the hypothesis. Online Customer Engagement (CE)
demonstrated a very strong, significant positive correlation with Business Sustainability (BS) (r = .784, p < .01). The
regression model was statistically significant, F(1, 149) = 177.156, p < .001, explaining 61.4% of the variance in BS
(R² = .614). The unstandardized coefficient (B = 0.812) indicates that for every one-unit increase in CE, BS increases
by 0.812 units. The standardized coefficient (Beta, β = .784) confirms a strong positive effect. Online Customer
Engagement is the most potent predictor of business sustainability among the digital practices examined. The study
concludes that for SMEs in developing regions, strategic investment in interactive, responsive, and feedback-driven
digital engagement is critical for achieving long-term viability, customer retention, and competitive resilience.
Recommendations for SME owners and policymakers are centered on building digital engagement capacity.

The study investigated the effect of stakeholder engagement in implementation on electronic waste management
(EWM) among households, business owners, and local officials in Rubaga Division, Uganda. A mixed-methods case
study design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires and interviews to collect quantitative and qualitative
data from a sample of 97 respondents selected through purposive and simple random sampling from an accessible
population of 200. The data were analyzed to determine the correlation between stakeholder engagement in
implementation measured through community mobilization, realization of action plans, and dissemination of
information and EWM effectiveness. The results revealed a very strong, statistically significant positive correlation
between the two variables, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.890 and a significance value (p = 0.000). This
indicated that as active stakeholder involvement in the implementation of EWM activities increased, management
outcomes improved substantially. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected, confirming that the observed relationship
was not due to chance. The study concluded that stakeholder engagement in implementation is a critical and powerful
determinant of effective EWM, accounting for a significant proportion of variability in waste management
performance. It was recommended that Rubaga Division implement targeted policies focused on active community
mobilization, clear role allocation in waste handling, and continuous information dissemination to enhance
participation, improve service delivery, and ultimately achieve a cleaner urban environment.

Business sustainability remains a persistent challenge for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in rural Uganda.
This study investigated the distinct impact of three digital payment constructs mobile money adoption, transaction
security & trust, and payment system integration on corresponding dimensions of SME sustainability: financial,
operational, and market & customer sustainability. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, collecting
primary data from a stratified random sample of 178 SME owners/managers in Kasese District between March and
May 2025. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression in
SPSS. Results revealed significant positive relationships for all hypothesized paths: mobile money adoption
predicted financial sustainability (β = .702, p < .001, R² = .493), transaction security & trust predicted operational
sustainability (β = .743, p < .001, R² = .552), and payment system integration predicted market & customer
sustainability (β = .721, p < .001, R² = .520). The study concluded that digital payment adoption is a
multidimensional driver of SME resilience and recommended integrated, construct-specific interventions to enhance
digital financial inclusion and business viability.

The study investigated the relationship between stakeholder engagement in planning and electronic waste management
(EWM) among households, business owners, and local officials in Rubaga Division, Uganda. A mixed-methods case
study design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires and interviews to collect quantitative and qualitative
data from a sample of 97 respondents selected through purposive and simple random sampling from an accessible
population of 200. The data were analyzed to determine the correlation between stakeholder engagement in planning
measured through participation in decision-making meetings, goal-setting, and community consultations and EWM
effectiveness. The results revealed a strong, statistically significant positive correlation between the two variables,
with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.843 and a significance value (p = 0.000). This indicated that as stakeholder
engagement in planning improved, EWM outcomes also increased substantially. The null hypothesis was therefore
rejected, confirming that the observed relationship was not due to chance. The study concluded that stakeholder
engagement in planning is a critical and meaningful determinant of effective EWM, accounting for a significant
proportion of variability in waste management performance. It was recommended that Rubaga Division implement
targeted policies focused on inclusive participatory planning, clear communication of EWM goals, and structured
feedback mechanisms to enhance coordination, accountability, and sustainability in e-waste management.