Micro-finance Institutions And The Welfare Of The People A Case Study Of Pride Microfinance Limited Kampala, Uganda

Micro -Finance is the provision of financial services to the individuals engaged in small business and those with small needs largely in informal sector who initially referred to as the poor.

Micro-finance institutions are major tools in improving the standards of living of the people. They encourage rural economic development through the provision of small scale loans which introduce the poor to small enterprise sector. This allows the low income earners to be more self reliant; create employment opportunities for entrepreneurs and women especially in economic productive activities. The success of micro finance institutions to change the standards of living of low income earners in other developed countries like Germany motivated the World Bank to give donations to the developing Countries due to the prevailing situation of poverty and lack of essential needs in these countries.
Since mid 1990s, Micro-Finance Institutions in Uganda have gained wide recognition for the role they play in providing financial services to the low income households and the their impact on poverty eradication. This recognition is evidenced by the rapid advances by the Government, Donors and practioners in the development and implementation of programs that support Micro-Finance Institutions initiative in Uganda as well as dramatic expansion of the micro finance industry.