Financial Inclusion and Saving Culture of Individuals in Uganda: A Case of Central Division, Kabale Municipality

Abstract The study was about Financial Inclusion and savings in Uganda. A case of central division, Kabale Municipality. Financial Inclusion seeks to overcome the friction that hinders markets from expanding access to, and use of formal financial products and services to a broad number of people. The Objectives of the study were; to examine how access to financial services affects deposits made to formal financial institutions, to find out the effect of usage of financial services on deposits made to formal financial institutions and; to investigate the relationship between quality of financial services available and deposits made to formal financial institutions. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. A sample size of 390 respondents from a population of 15,092 people was used. Findings of the study established a direct positive relationship between Financial Inclusion and savings. The regression results showed that savings as measured by percentage of the respondent’s monthly income earnings that is saved, was influenced by Access to formal financial products and services (p=0.031), usage of formal financial products and services (p=0.015) and Quality of formal financial products and services (p=0.021). The independent variables in the regression model with positive coefficient showed a direct relationship with the dependent variable. Therefore, the study concluded that savings increases proportionately with more access to formal financial products, usage and increase in quality of formal financial products. The study also recommended that financial institutions should create financial products which are tailored to fit various individual needs. Again, these financial institutions should create many outlets through Agent Banking and this would prevent the people from saving in their homes and rather save with the financial institutions since savings do not benefit only the individuals but the economy as a whole.