University Incubation and Agribusiness Sustainability The Mediating Role of Agribusiness Innovation
Ndejje University Journal Of Interdisciplinary Studies,
Volume 2, Conference Papers
eISSN: 3079-7683
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64080/ndujis.2026.Cof.Pro.Oct008
1.Nalele Kizito, Ndejje University, Kampala, nalelakizito@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0002-9527-5490
2.Naome Kakundwa, Ndejje University, Kampala, kakundwanaomi@gmail.com, ORCID: 0000-0002-1077-1760
3.Dinah Kyarugahe Tumwebaze, Ndejje University, Kampala, dirugahe@gmail.com, ORCID: 0009-0001-9896-0872
Abstract
This study examined the effect of university incubation on agribusiness sustainability through agribusiness innovation in Uganda. The study was motivated by persistent challenges facing agribusiness sustainability, including low returns on investment, constrained sales revenue growth, declining soil fertility, inadequate value addition, limited employment opportunities, and weak commercialization despite the sector’s significant contribution to Uganda’s economy. The study was anchored on the Triple Helix Theory and the Resource-Based View Theory, which explain how university-industry-government collaboration and strategic resource capabilities promote innovation and sustainable enterprise development. A cross-sectional quantitative research design was adopted using a sample of 311 respondents drawn from agribusiness enterprises, university incubation initiatives, and agribusiness support networks in Uganda. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), and bootstrapping mediation analysis. The SEM results revealed that university incubation significantly and positively influenced agribusiness sustainability (β = 0.641, p < 0.001) and agribusiness innovation (β = 0.486, p < 0.001), while agribusiness innovation significantly influenced agribusiness sustainability (β = 0.417, p < 0.001). The mediation analysis further established that agribusiness innovation partially mediated the relationship between university incubation and agribusiness sustainability through a significant indirect effect (β = 0.267, 95% CI = 0.174–0.382, p < 0.001), alongside a significant direct effect (β = 0.486, 95% CI = 0.372–0.601, p < 0.001) and total effect (β = 0.753, 95% CI = 0.641–0.841, p < 0.001). The study concludes that university incubation is a critical driver of agribusiness sustainability both directly and indirectly through strengthening agribusiness innovation. The findings imply that investments in mentorship, entrepreneurial training, networking support, research commercialization, and access to finance can significantly enhance sustainable agribusiness development. The study recommends strengthening university-industry partnerships, expanding incubation financing, promoting agribusiness innovation ecosystems, and supporting university incubation hubs to accelerate agribusiness sustainability in Uganda. 0751426963


























