Sustainability and the role of policy regulations in agro-processing small and medium enterprises in Uganda

This study explores the policy regulations for the sustainable development of agro-processing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda, drawing on the experiences of enterprise owners in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). Despite Uganda's policy efforts to promote socio-economic and environmental sustainability, their influence within the agro-processing SME context remains insufficiently examined. Many policies have overlooked the unique challenges faced by SMEs, often focusing on larger enterprises. Additionally, SME owners, who play a crucial role in advancing sustainability, have not provided sufficient input in the development of these policies. The study adopted a qualitative inductive approach and in-depth interviews were employed to collect data using an interview guide from a population of 30 owners of agro-processing SMEs. Saturation was attained at the 20th interview. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed thematically, using QSR NVivo 14 software. The findings highlight regulatory challenges that hinder agro-processing SMEs from fully adopting sustainable practices, revealing a disconnect between policy intentions and implementation. The findings suggest that while agro-processing SMEs are making strides in adopting sustainable practices, the lack of targeted policy interventions and supportive frameworks hinders the integration of sustainable practices. As such the study develops a sustainability - policy nexus model and recommends its adoption by agro-processing SMEs in GKMA. Overall, this study deepens our understanding of SMEs' sustainability practices in developing country contexts and informs policy by offering a roadmap for targeted regulatory interventions.