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Development and evaluation of a sustainable solar cooker for operations in Uganda
No full textPurpose of the Study: The research focused on developing and evaluating a solar cooker as a
sustainable energy solution to address the cooking needs in Africa, using Uganda as a case
study.
Statement of the Problem: While solar energy technologies have the potential to enhance
energy sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, current solar cookers face
limitations in addressing local cooking habits, energy demands, and geographical conditions in
Uganda.
Methodology: The research established energy requirements for cooking based on common
food types, average household size, and average solar irradiation in Uganda. A solar box cooker
was designed and modeled using SOLIDWORKS software. Material selection and cost
analysis were conducted for economic feasibility, and the optical and thermal performance was
analyzed using COMSOL Multi-Physics software. A prototype was constructed using locally
available materials to assess manufacturability and cost implications.
Results: A box-type solar cooker was developed with inner reflector walls at an optimal angle
and internal insulation for better heat retention and efficiency. The cooker, with an aperture
area of 0.1897 m², meets the thermal requirements for cooking common foods in major regions
of Uganda. All materials used are locally available, making the cooker appropriate, sustainable,
and affordable.
Conclusion: The proposed solar cooker offers a viable alternative to traditional cooking
methods in Uganda. It effectively cooks common foods, is cost-effective, and provides
environmental benefits, reducing reliance on charcoal
The 2005 convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions
No full text1-13 p. ;The 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions aims to safeguard cultural diversity, which appears to be increasingly threatened by modernity in a globalized world. While the convention advocates for cultural expression as a means to promote cohesion in production that could lead to sustainable development, there is contestation due to differing perceptions of cultural expression. Nevertheless, art education is believed to be at the center stage to harmonize such contestation in promoting cultural diversity, creativity, and understanding. This entry explores the intersection of art education and contestation within the framework of the 2005 Convention using lessons from Uganda. It situates art education as a means to realizing the convention’s objectives by fostering creativity, preserving heritage, and promoting cultural dialogue. The entry suggests integrating cultural diversity and being inclusive to allow freedom of expression. The entry posits that dialogue and collaboration should be promoted to accommodate both indigenous and new thinking
The mediating role of individual adaptability in the relationship between psychological capital and psychological well-being: evidence from Uganda’s small enterprises
No full textPurpose
This paper aims to investigate whether individual adaptability mediates the relationship between psychological capital and psychological well-being (PWB) of Ugandan small enterprise employees. Furthermore, the paper examines whether psychological capital and individual adaptability also affect PWB.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional survey design using a quantitative approach was used in this study. Data were collected from 726 employees of small enterprises in Uganda using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists and uploaded into AMOS version 23. The hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modelling technique.
Findings
Results confirm that individual adaptability partially mediates the relationship between psychological capital and PWB. Findings further indicate that psychological capital is positively related to individual adaptability and that individual adaptability is positively related to PWB.
Research limitations/implications
First, the sample of this study consisted of employees working with small enterprises in Uganda with different demographic characteristics; thus, the generalizability of these findings to other sectors or contexts needs to be established. Secondly, the study was quantitative in nature. This study has managerial implications in a way that managers should have people management skills that support their employees to develop psychological capital and individual adaptability.
Originality/value
This study may be among the first to demonstrate that individual adaptability partially mediates the relationship between psychological capital and PWB in the context of small enterprise employees of Uganda, an African developing country. Consequently, this study contributes to both theory and literature via the broaden-and-build theory and the complex adaptive systems theory, hence adding to the scant existing literature on psychological capital, individual adaptability and PWB
Experimental and numerical investigations of fire resistance of hybrid steel, concrete and timber slab
No full textThis paper presents the results of a comprehensive study investigating the fire resistance of a novel steel–timber–concrete (STC) hybrid slab system. The research combines both an experimental approach to evaluate the structural performance of the STC slab under realistic fire conditions and a numerical approach to evaluate the thermal temperature gradients based on natural fire temperatures obtained from the experiment, Eurocode parametric curve (ECPC) temperatures, ISO 834 (International Organization for Standardization, 1999) temperatures and ASTM E119 (American Society for Testing and Materials, 2020). Experimental and numerical model parameters and specifications were informed by a baseline study on building designers and contractors utilising STC slab systems in Uganda, ensuring relevance to practical applications. A 4 × 3 m slab model was constructed, featuring a 75-mm concrete topping cast on an expanded metal lathe fixed to 100 × 100 mm Eucalyptus grandis beams spaced 600 mm centre to centre. These timber beams were simply supported on I-beams, which in turn were supported by SHS 75 × 75 x 5 mm columns. A natural fire scenario, as per Eurocode specifications, was implemented in a contained structure with burnt clay brick walls. The experimental investigation demonstrated that the STC slab could withstand a natural fire for over one hour while maintaining its load-carrying capacity. A numerical simulation was conducted using ABAQUS-CAE, a Finite Element Model program, to analyse the slab's response under both the experimentally obtained natural fire temperatures and the Eurocode parametric curve. The numerical results showed strong consistency with the experimental observations. Based on these findings, the STC slab successfully meets the East African code recommendations for an R60 fire rating, highlighting its potential for safe and sustainable construction
The effect of structured coaching on lecturers’ feedback skill development in national teachers’ colleges in Uganda
No full textThis study investigated the effect of coaching on the feedback skills of lecturers in
National Teachers’ Colleges in Uganda, drawing on the theories of Cognitive
Apprenticeship and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory, which emphasize learning
through guided experience and social interaction. The study was guided by a postpositivist world view and it employed a mixed-methods embedded approach, the
research utilized a pretest-posttest control group design to assess whether there was
a significant difference in the feedback skill of lecturers who received coaching
compared to those who did not receive coaching. A sample of 128 lecturers was
purposively selected, stratified, and randomly assigned to experimental and control
groups. The experimental group received structured coaching sessions, while the
control group did not. Quantitative data was collected using a self-administered
questionnaire and an observation checklist while structured interview guides
provided the qualitative data. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics and inferential statistics through a t-test, while qualitative data were
examined through content analysis. The post-test results revealed that the
experimental group performed better, with a mean difference of 0.38078 points and
a p-value of 0.000 < 0.05 which is statistically significant. Participants from the
experimental group in the interviews reported a positive contribution of coaching to
their learning and skill proficiency. The hypothesis that there is no significant
difference in the feedback skill of lecturers who received coaching compared to
those who did not receive coaching was therefore rejected. It was concluded that
coaching is significant for improving lecturers’ feedback skills. It was therefore
recommended that institutions should consider integrating coaching as a CPD for
lecturers’ capacity building in performance. Institutions should also design tailormade coaching strategies to address individual gaps of lecturers and create
communities of practice to establish a supportive network for more learnin
Impact of agricultural practices on the water quality of Rwakaiha wetland, Kyegegwa District, Uganda
No full text10 p.Wetlands are critical natural resources and perform a range of environmental functions. They are at times prone to degradation either directly or indirectly through anthropogenic activities which are undertaken in their surroundings. The study sought to explore the effects of agricultural practices on the water quality of Rwakaiha wetland, Kyegegwa district. Specifically, the study established agricultural practices undertaken in and around the wetland, and determined the physicochemical parameters of the water samples obtained from the wetland. Cross-sectional and experimental research designs were employed to achieve the stated objectives. A questionnaire survey was used to obtain the information concerning the agricultural practices undertaken in and around the wetland, while in-situ and laboratory experiments determined the physicochemical characteristics of the water samples. Results revealed that, crop growing including yams, potatoes and maize, aquaculture and animal rearing were some of the agricultural practices undertaken by the community members in the study area. Apart from Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) that exhibited elevated levels in the water samples, the pH, temperature, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Electrical Conductivity (EC), turbidity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were all within the permissible limits as compared to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. All the heavy metals tested were way beyond the permissible levels, presumed to stem from the agricultural practices. It is recommended that awareness be created to members of the community to intensify on the use of organic fertilizers. The government should highly levy taxes on the inorganic fertilizers in order to discourage the over application of the same, since they end up with detrimental environmental effects
Ugandan athletes’ and coaches’ experiences and perceptions on the effectiveness and legitimacy of the doping control process
No full text9 p.Background Doping undermines competitive integrity and endangers athlete health, with performance-enhancing substances linked to severe adverse effects. While the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) provides standardized testing protocols, developing countries such as Uganda face significant enforcement challenges. This study aimed to explore Ugandan athletes’ and coaches’ experiences and perceptions of the doping control process, emphasizing its effectiveness and legitimacy.
Methods A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted, including a survey of 346 Ugandan athletes using a modified WADA questionnaire to evaluate perceptions on test accuracy, detection likelihood, and enforcement seriousness. Additionally, 196 coaches participated in 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) across four regions of Uganda to provide deeper insights.
Results Athlete participants had a mean age of 24 years (± 6); 82% were male, and only 19% had ever been tested for doping. 56% believed doping tests were more likely during competitions compared to 39% for out-of-competition testing, with 55% confident they could evade detection. Approximately half considered anti-doping procedures fair and transparent. Only 17% felt that “NADO-Uganda” treated athletes equally, with 58% uncertain, indicating limited knowledge rather than a definitive view of unfairness. Coach participants, with a mean age of 32 years (± 14), reinforced the quantitative findings, emphasizing infrequent doping tests and persistent concerns about procedural transparency and fairness, which undermined trust and perceived legitimacy.
Conclusion There are significant gaps in doping control in Uganda, where infrequent testing and ambivalence regarding enforcement transparency diminish anti-doping measures. Strengthening Uganda’s anti-doping framework requires increased testing frequency, culturally tailored education to bridge knowledge gaps, and enhanced procedural transparency and consistency. These measures are essential to establish a credible anti-doping system that supports clean sport values despite resource constraints
Does public debt help to drive Uganda’s economic growth? Insights from application of NARDL analysis
No full text2408-2430 p.This study investigates the relationship between public debt and economic growth in Uganda for the period 1990 to 2023 using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. The analysis finds that public debt, measured as both total debt and debt-to-GDP ratio, has a significant and detrimental nonlinear effect on Uganda’s economic growth in both the short and long run.
The study concludes that Uganda should prioritize domestic revenue mobilization over further debt acquisition to foster sustainable economic growth
Perception and cultural influence towards the use of insects and livestock raised on insect-enriched feed in urban Uganda
No full text14 p.The increasing population and urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa are escalating the demand for acceptable alternative protein sources such as insects to conventional ones such as soy and animal protein. This study investigates the perception and cultural influence towards native and non-native insects’ use for food and feed, and the consumption of animal products raised on insect-enriched feed in urban Uganda. The study that surveyed 384 participants spanning 24 ethnic groups from both formal and informal sectors, revealed a substantial 87% engagement in entomophagy, predominantly among the youth (81%). Native edible insects i.e. grasshoppers (58%) and white ants (41%) were preferred to non-native ones such as house crickets (1%). Cultural influence was the predominant motivator, significantly (χ2 (1) = 238.6, p≤ 0.001) driving 83% of respondents’ entomophagous behaviour. A noteworthy 57% affirmed willingness to consume livestock raised on insect-enriched feed, majority (90%) support insect rearing and using insect-enriched feeds, with maggots (larvae) being the most preferred (χ2 (3) = 285.8, p<0.001) for feed. Familiarity and prior exposure through entomophagy significantly (p<0.05) influenced respondents’ attitudes towards using insects for food, feed, and consumption of livestock raised on insect feed. Ethnicity did not influence insects’ use as food but significantly influenced their attitude towards rearing insects for feed (p<0.001), supported by the Ganda, followed by Acholi and Ankole, and not other ethnic groups. Education was a significant (p<0.05) predictor of the respondents’ thinking that insects can be harmful and that packaging and hygiene associated with insect trade are poor. Emerging trends, such as purchasing insects from formal stores and consideration of safety and hygiene, especially among the educated, reflect a shift toward high regard for hygienic food and feed. Culture and familiarity should be used to promote insects’ utilisation, with appropriate guidelines/policies to ensure safe and hygienic insect farming, processing and marketing/distribution
Green synthesis of hematite nano flakes and their application as a counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells
No full text8 p. ;This study pioneers using hematite nanoflakes as a viable alternative to traditional platinum counter-electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), demonstrating its effectiveness for the first time. Besides such a novelty, the used hematite nanoflakes were bio-engineered using ginger extract as an effective chelating reducing agent. From the X-ray diffraction studies, it was observed that the sample annealed at 700 °C formed a highly crystalline α-Fe2O3, with a crystallite nano-scaled size of the order of 46.3 nm. The scanning electron microscopy investigations indicated a preferred layered nanoflakes morphology while the optical properties revealed a direct band gap of 2.30 eV. Using N-719 dye as a sensitizer on TiO2 photoanode and I−/I3− as electrolyte, the DSSC was fabricated. Such a cell exhibited significant DSSC responses, namely; a short circuit current density (JSC) of 7.0 mAcm−2, an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 389 mV, and a fill factor (FF) of 75.3% in addition to an efficiency (η) of 2.05%. Based on such a significant photo-conversion response using bio-engineered active counter electrodes, this study provides a cost-effective approach for synthesizing hematite NFs that have potential applications not only in DSSC but also in sensors, water splitting, and electrochemical devices