Digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship practices among persons with disabilities in Mbale district: a case of small business owner sunder the Mbale district union of persons with disabilities (MDUPD)

Abstract

This study explores the influence of digital infrastructure on entrepreneurship practices among Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) operating small businesses in Mbale District, Uganda. The primary focus was to investigate how internet connectivity, mobile phone access, e-commerce engagement, and entrepreneurial enablers such as digital literacy confidence and access to capital contribute to the growth and success of small businesses led by PWDs. The study’s objectives were to assess how internet connectivity and mobile phone access impact business operations, explore the role of e-commerce platforms, and examine the moderating role of entrepreneurial enablers on the relationship between digital infrastructure and entrepreneurship practices. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative data from structured surveys with qualitative insights from interviews with PWD leaders. Statistical tools, including Chi-square tests, and hierarchical multiple regression, were employed using SPSS Version 29 to analyze the strength, direction, and moderation of relationships between key study variables. Key findings revealed that digital infrastructure significantly influences entrepreneurship practices (β = 0.545, p < 0.001), indicating that improved internet connectivity and mobile access enhance innovation, marketing reach, and business growth. E-commerce engagement, though still low, correlated positively with customer acquisition and record-keeping efficiency (r = 0.46, p < 0.01). The moderation analysis showed that entrepreneurial enablers substantially shape this relationship: access to business support services (β = 0.35, p = 0.010), digital literacy confidence (β = 0.28, p = 0.030), access to capital and financial inclusion (β = 0.25, p = 0.050), policy and regulatory environment (β = 0.22, p = 0.041), and external business support services (β = 0.27, p = 0.035) significantly strengthened the positive impact of digital infrastructure on entrepreneurship practices, while negative socio-cultural attitudes (β =–0.19, p = 0.040) weakened it. Collectively, the models explained 54.3 percent (R² = 0.543) of the variance in entrepreneurship outcomes. The study concludes that digital infrastructure alone is insufficient to drive inclusive entrepreneurship. The integration of enabling factors particularly financial inclusion, digital literacy, supportive policy, and inclusive social attitudes is essential for achieving equitable digital transformation. The study recommends targeted interventions to improve internet access, strengthen digital-skills training, and expand access to affordable financial and technological resources to enhance economic inclusion and sustainable growth for PWD entrepreneurs in Uganda