Barriers to informal social protection in Uganda: insights from beneficiaries of Village Savings and Loan Associations

Purpose While the success of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) has been documented, little is known about the factors affecting their performance, particularly in Uganda. This study investigated the barriers to informal social protection interventions witnessed by beneficiaries of VSLAs in Kampala District and Alebtong District, Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a quantitative approach using a questionnaire survey to collect data from a sample of 130 beneficiaries. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. Findings The empirical results identified several barriers to informal social protection interventions with reference to VSLAs, with financial, structural and implementation challenges emerging as the most prominent. Statistical analysis confirmed that these challenges are significant, underscoring their critical impact on the effectiveness of the VSLAs. Practical implications These results are essential for policymakers, development practitioners and community leaders seeking to enhance the effectiveness in fostering economic resilience, social cohesion and community empowerment. Originality/value This study’s insights into the differing dynamics between on-farm and non-farm VSLAs provide a foundation for designing context-specific interventions that address the unique challenges faced by each group. Further, by informing targeted strategies to overcome these barriers, the findings contribute to strengthening informal social protection systems in Uganda and other similar contexts. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2024-0639.