Stakeholder involvement, risk management and sustainability of UWEP projects in Kumi district

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of stakeholder involvement and risk management on the sustainability of Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) projects in Kumi District. Specifically, the study examined the effect of stakeholder involvement of project sustainability; assessed the effect of stakeholder involvement on risk management; determined the effect of risk management on project sustainability; evaluated the mediating role of risk management in the relationship between stakeholder involvement and project sustainability. The study was anchored on the agency theory and stakeholder theory. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and employed a quantitative approach. The population comprised 192 UWEP projects, from which a sample of 127 projects was drawn, and 88 usable questionnaires were returned representing a response rate of 69.2%. Prior to data collection, the research instrument was tested for reliability and validity to ensure accuracy and was found to be both valid and reliable. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and mediation analyses. Findings revealed that stakeholder involvement and risk management significantly influence project sustainability. The findings also revealed that stakeholder involvement significantly affect risk management. The findings further indicated that risk management partially mediates the relationship between stakeholder involvement and project sustainability. The study concludes that active stakeholder participation and effective risk management are critical drivers of sustainable project outcomes. These results provide empirical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance the sustainability of development projects through stakeholder-centered and risk-informed approaches.