Communication Infrastructure and Economic Empowerment of People of Rukara Sector in Kayonza District, Rwanda

ABSTRACT This study determined the relationship between communication infrastructure and economic empowerment of people Rukara Sector in Kayonza District in Rwanda. To achieve this main purpose of the study, three research objectives were set and these included: to determine the level of communication infrastructure; to determine the level of economic empowerment of people; and to establish whether there is significant relationship between communication infrastructure and economic empowerment of people. The design that was used in this study was descriptive correlation and the study sample size was 184 and this was derived from the population of 340 through Slovene's formula. Systematic random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents. Self-administered questionnaires were used in this study. The reliability and validity of the questionnaires were established using Content validity Index and pretesting. All ethical considerations were also highly valued in this study. Data analysis was done by the use of mean, frequencies, percentage and both correlation and regression analyses were done so as to establish relationship between the study variables. The research findings indicated that the level of communication infrastructure in Rukara Sector is generally high (mean =2.62); the level of economic empowerment of people was also found to be high (mean=2.63); there is significant relationship between communication infrastructure and economic empowerment of people in Rukara Sectors (r. value of 0.986; R2 value of 0.973; F. ratio of 6.554E3; Beta of 0.986 and a very small level of significance of 0.000). It was concluded that the there is a significant relationship between communication infrastructure and economic empowerment of people. It was also recommended that the government and other development partners work together and increase funding and resource allocation for development of communication infrastructure as a way of improving economic empowerment of people.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION A ...................................................................... i

DECLARATION B ..................................................................... ii

DEDICATION ......................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................ iv

LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................... v

TABLE OF CONTENT ............................................................... vi

LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................... ix .

ABSTRACT ............................................................................... X

CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE .•......••.•••••.•... 1

Background of the Study ............................................................... 1

Statement of the Problem .............................................................. 3

Purpose of the Study ..................................................................... 4

Research Objectives ...................................................................... 4

General Objectives ........................................................................ 4

Specific Objectives ........................................................................ 4

Research Questions ....................................................................... 5

Research Hypothesis ..................................................................... 5

Scope of the Study ........................................................................ 5

Significance of the Study .......................................................... : .... 7

Operational definitions of key terms ............................................... 8

CHAPTER TWO: liTERATURE REVIEW ...••••....••......••......•......• 9

Concepts, Opinion, Ideas from Authors/Experts .............................. 9

Theoretical Perspectives .............................................................. 27

Related studies ........................................................................... 28

vi

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ....................................... 31

Research Design ......................................................................... 31

Research Population .................................................................... 31

Sample Size ................................................................................ 32

Sampling Procedure .................................................................... 33

Research Instruments .................................................................. 34

Validity and Reliability of Instruments ........................................... 34

Data Gathering Procedures .......................................................... 35

Data Analysis .............................................................................. 36

Ethical Considerations .................................................................. 37

Limitations of the Study ............................................................... 38

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND

INTERPRETATION OF DATA ................................................. 40

Introduction ................................................................................ 40

Profile of Respondents ................................................................. 40

Level of Effectiveness in Communication Infrastructure in Rukara

Sector ......................................................................................... 44

Level Economic Empowerment of people in Rukara Sector .......... .- .. 47

Relationship between Communication Infrastructure and Economic

Empowerment of people in Rukara Sector in Kayonza district.. ....... 50

Regression Coefficient Matrix on Communication Infrastructure and

Economic Empowerment of people in Rukara Sector ..................... 53

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONClUSIONS

AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................... 55

Summary of Key Research Findings .............................................. 55

Conclusions ................................................................................. 57

Recommendations ....................................................................... 58

Areas for Further Studies ............................................................. 59

vii

REFERENCES ......................................................................... 60

APPENDICES ......................................................................... 65

APPENDIX I: TRANSMITTAl lETTER .................................... 65

APPENDIX II: INFORMED CONSENT .................................. ;. 66

APPENDIX III A. FACE SHEET DEMOGRAPHIC

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENTS ......................... 68

APPENDIX III. B: QUESTIONNAIRE TO DETERMINE

EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE. 70

APPENDIX III. C: QUESTIONNAIRE TO DETERMINE lEVEl OF

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPlE ............................. 72

APPENDIX IV: PROPOSED BUDGET ..................................... 74

RESEARCHER'S CURRICUlUM VITAE ................................... 75