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Antibacterial properties of phytochemicals isolated from leaves of alstonia boonei and aerial parts of ipomoea cairica
No full textObjective: The leaves of Alstonia boonei and aerial parts of Ipomoea cairica are used for treatment of microbial infections among other ailments in African traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial phytochemicals in A. boonei leaves and Ipomoea cairica aerial parts to validate their traditional use in Ugandan herbal medicine. Methods: The plant materials were separately extracted using a dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) solvent system and subjected to repeated chromatographic separation to isolate pure compounds. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were determined through 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 2D NMR(COSY, HSQC and HMBC). The antibacterial activity of the extracts and pure compounds were assessed using the agar well diffusion method. Results: Chromatographic fractionation of the extracts yielded trans-fagaramide and a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid, lupeol, from A. boonei, and friedelin from I. cairica. Trans-fagaramide was identified for the first time in the Alstonia genus while friedelin was identified for the first time in I. cairica. The isolated compounds demonstrated antibacterial activity, with trans-fagaramide showing a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 125 μg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 250 μg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. Friedelin exhibited a MIC of 125 μg/mL against Escherichia coli and 250 μg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. Conclusion: The antibacterial activities observed in this study support the traditional use of A. boonei and I. cairica by indigenous communities in Uganda for treating microbial infections
Support supervisory practices and quality of learning in Kira municipality nursery schools -Wakiso district, Uganda
No full textxi, 98 p.The focus of this study was to examine the effect of Support Supervisory practices and quality of learning in Kira Municipality Nursery schools -Wakiso. The study was guided by the following specific objectives to; assess the quality of learning in Kira municipality nursery schools, establish the actual support supervisory activities currently being used in Kira municipality nursery schools and determine the extent to which actual support supervisory activities influence the quality of learning in Kira municipality nursery schools. The study reviewed related literature based on the specific objectives of the study and critically analysed the results advanced by previous scholars to identify the study gaps. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. This was administered among a population of 30 Kindergartens in Kira Municipality in Wakiso district using both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. A sample size of a sample of 351 was selected to participate in the study using Krejcie &Morgan (1970). Questionnaires and interview guide were used as the most appropriate research tools in the study. Quantitative Data was analyzed using regression analysis whereas qualitative data was analyzed using Cresswell’s six step analysis. The study findings indicated that there is a significant strong positive correlation between support supervision and quality of learning (cc = 0.658, p-value = 0.000). The results also show a significant strong positive correlation between peer coaching and quality of learning (cc = 0.667, p-value 0.000). Therefore, the researcher concludes that Majority of the pre-primary schools in Kira Municipality do not meet all the requirements of quality learning to be of high standard, few pre-primary schools are carrying out Support supervision in Kira Municipality, some teachers do not know how and what support supervision is, and Head teachers do not regularly carry out support supervision. The researcher therefore recommended that administrators should carryout support supervision, mentorship, clinical supervision and the ministry of education and sports should incorporate ECD section in all primary schools in Wakiso District
Impact of food-to-food fortification by house cricket powder on the sensory, functional, and nutritional properties of climate-smart cassava flour
No full textCassava ranks as the 2nd most important staple food in Uganda. Several climate-smart cassava varieties have been developed but remain nutrient deficient. This study evaluated the impact of adding house cricket powder on cassava’s sensory, functional, and nutritional quality behaviour. Using design expert software (version 13) and sensory analysis techniques, the study screened and selected four cassava–cricket composites based on two cassava varieties (Narocass 1 and Magana) containing between 8.36% and 10.52% house cricket powder. These composites exhibited significantly lower scores (P < 0.05) for colour, aroma, aftertaste, and overall acceptability, although they remained within sensory acceptable limits, i.e., 5–7 on a 9-point hedonic scale. Cricket powder incorporation significantly increased the protein content from 1.05-1.11% to 6.46–6.81% (P < 0.001), fat content from 0.71-0.74% to 2.30–2.77% (P < 0.001), and protein digestibility from 83-84% to 88–94% (P < 0.001). The functional properties were statistically significantly (P < 0.05) influenced, however, there were not any significant changes in the sensory properties (taste, texture, flavour, mouth-feel, etc.) such as taste and mouthfeel that the significant changes in functional properties would influence. The pasting properties were not generally affected. Hence, nutritionally richer cassava–cricket powder composites can substitute the food functions of plain cassava flour. The sensory quality of house cricket powder should be improved through refining techniques known to positively influence the sensory properties of cereal and tuber flours to which it is normally added as an ingredient
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its use in teaching students with visual impairment in secondary schools in Kabale municipality, Uganda
No full textxi, 99 p. ;Technology has emerged rapidly as force which has been more widely accepted in almost every facet of life around the world, making it vital for teaching. There has been a gap between ICT as a subject and adapted ICT device as a method to improve teaching of all subjects and integrating it for SWVI. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence use of ICT in teaching SwVI in Kabale Municipality in South Western Uganda. The study investigated availability of ICT tools, teachers’ competences in the teaching and the perception they have about use of teaching ICT to SWVI. The study adopted a qualitative approach and focused specifically on a case study design. Interviews were used as data collection methods. The target population for the study was composed of: teachers (N=30) and students (N=43). The study sample then comprised of teachers (N=5) and students (N=7). Data was analyzed qualitatively, basing on key themes and sub themes. Responses were categorized – where by those that were similar, and others that were unique were analysed accordingly. One of the key findings revealed that ICT tools used in Y Secondary School were of different types; some were of low-tech ICT and some were high-tech ICT. Other findings revealed that some teachers had basic informal and not specific ICT training in adapted technologies for teaching suitable for SwVI. Some other key findings showed that teachers were convinced that students were able to work with and use ICT independently, and thereby enjoying the benefit learning through the use of ICT. There were also findings that revealed some challenges faced, such as inadequacy in skills, facilities, and unstable electricity power source for running the devices. The study concluded that Y Secondary school had inadequate ICT devices for teaching SwVI; teachers were not skilled and knowledgeable enough in using ICT devices to teach SwVI. The study further concluded that ICT integration into teaching remained a challenge in secondary schools where SwVI studied. Basing on the findings and conclusions, the study provided recommendations, among other things, that Ministry of Education and Sports and other NGO’s should equip secondary schools with adequate ICT tools. Another recommendation was that teachers ought to be trained and retrained at both pre-service and in-service levels on how to adapt and integrate ICT into teaching SwVI
Evaluation of trends in traditional pottery: a case study of Banyankole in central division Ntungamo district south western Uganda
No full textviii, 77 p. : ill. (col.) ;The purpose of the research was to critically review the extent and period in which traditional Ugandan pottery flourished, when it began to decline as a result of modern and postmodern influences. Review was made of its effects to traditional potters in Uganda. Pottery production was one of the earliest technologies adopted by farming communities whereby they used pots as storage facilities for their agricultural produce. This industry has continued to date and thus studies in pottery have been carried out to understand cultural groups, how they adapt and manipulate the environment to meet their needs. The study revolved around selected area of Banyankole in Central Division Ntungamo District South Western Uganda. The case study research design was adopted; data was collected through interviews, questionnaires, on site observation, museum artifacts and library research. Purposive Snow ball sampling was applied to have a profound understanding of renowned contemporary potters thus mentioning other potential potters. Critical theory guided the study. Attribute and thin section analysis as well as qualitative method of data analysis were used. Findings from the study indicate that pottery reached in Ntungamo district in the contemporary period and it was embraced to a small extent because it was passed from family to family at a less tremendous rate.
Pottery also declined in Ntungamo due to the integration of materials by modernists and postmodernists and technology advancement. In addition, local people have been affected in terms of earning, cultural and social practice and production has lowered the number of traditional pottery items in Ntungamo. This study, therefore addressed a critical review of the extent and period in which traditional Ugandan pottery flourished, when it began to decline as a result of modernity and post modernity influences, and to understand how they have impacted the historical, cultural, social and economic aspect of traditional potters in Ntungamo district
Organisational justice, resilience and psychological well-being of teachers in government-aided secondary schools in Nakawa division, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda
No full textxii, 109 p.This study examined the influence of organisational justice, resilience and psychological well-being among teachers in government-aided secondary schools in Nakawa Division, Kampala Capital City Authority in Uganda. The objectives of the study were: to assess the influence of organisational justice on the psychological well-being, examine the influence of organisational resilience on the psychological well-being and determine the role of employee resilience as a moderator on the relationship between organisational justice and psychological wellbeing of teachers in government-aided secondary schools in Nakawa Division. Organisational justice was studied in terms of distributive justice, interpersonal justice, and procedural justice. Resilience was studied in terms of living authentically, maintaining perspective and managing stress, while psychological well-being was studied in terms of feeling of competency, interpersonal fit, perceived recognition, and desire for involvement. Guided by the correlational research design, this study was quantitative and involved a sample of 184 teachers who provided questionnaire data. Smart Pls was used to do partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and descriptive statistics analysis of the data. Descriptive statistics revealed that teachers' psychological well-being and resilience of teachers were high but organisational justice was low. Structural Equation Modelling revealed that the influence of organisational justice on the psychological well-being of teachers was positive but insignificant. However, employee resilience had a positive and significant influence on psychological well-being. Further, the study revealed that the moderating effect of teacher resilience on the influence of organisational justice on the psychological well-being of teachers was negative and insignificant. It was concluded that interpersonal justice is more important than distributive and procedural justice, resilience is vital for teacher psychological well-being and combining organisational justice and resilience is not a requirement for promoting teacher psychological well-being. Therefore, the study recommends that head teachers should improve on their implementation of procedural and distributive justice in schools, school head teachers should promote resilience among teachers, and head teachers should not emphasize promotion of resilience alone but neglecting organisational justice
Optimizing cervical cancer classification using transfer learning with deep gaussian processes and support vector machines
No full textBackground Cervical cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women worldwide. Even though cervical cancer deaths have decreased significantly in Western countries, low and middle-income countries account for nearly 90% of cervical cancer deaths. While Western countries are leveraging the powers of artificial intelligence (AI) in the health sector, most countries in sub-Saharan Africa are still lagging. In Uganda, cytologists manually analyze Pap smear images for the detection of cervical cancer, a process that is highly subjective, slow, and tedious. Machine learning (ML) algorithms have been used in the automated classification of cervical cancer. However, most of the MLs have overfitting limitations which limits their deployment, especially in the health sector where accurate predictions are needed. Methods In this study, we propose two kernel-based algorithms for automated detection of cervical cancer. These algorithms are (1) an optimized support vector machine (SVM), and (2) a deep Gaussian Process (DGP) model. The SVM model proposed uses an optimized radial basis kernel while the DGP model uses a hybrid kernel of periodic and local periodic kernel. Results Experimental results revealed accuracy of 100% and 99.48% for an optimized SVM model and DGP model respectively. Results on precision, recall, and F1 score were also reported. Conclusions The proposed models performed well on cervical cancer detection and classification, and therefore suitable for deployment. We plan to deploy our proposed models in a mobile application-based tool. The limitation of the study was the lack of access to high-performance computational resources
Community development in Uganda: a historical inquiry in the practice of meeting community needs
No full textCommunity development in Uganda is rooted in both historical collective indigenous ideals as well the transformational endeavors of the post-independence governments. In the past two decades, community development has gained heightened attention as the country seeks to transform its society from a peasant low-income state to a middle-income society. This is evidenced by social-economic transformation being the theme of the past and present national development plans in this period. This chapter, therefore, discusses community development in Uganda as a historical practice of meeting community needs. It explores the historical roots and contemporary influences on community development in Uganda. It then outlines the challenges and opportunities of community development in the country. Using the human needs thinking as its theoretical framework, the chapter is constructed using a qualitative approach to guide systematic literature review, the analysis of secondary data and the resultant comparative thematic analysis. Recommendations that challenge the temporariness, politicization and foreignness of community development practice are offered. These include, among others, technical professionals leading the design of sustainable policies, building shared interests that incorporate technical and political considerations, the integration into policies of local development experiences, and building internal development funding through domestic mobilization of resources and inputs. It then draws conclusions suggesting that Uganda’s community development could yield more if linked with bottom-up processes, informed by local community experiences/voices, and integrated with agrarian livelihood practices in which a majority of both rural and urban communities derive wellbeing
Evaluation of the factors influencing performance of building construction projects in Uganda : a case study of Masaka city
No full textxii, 93 p.In Uganda, over twelve percent (12%) of the gross domestic product (GDP) is contributed by building construction sector and is of great significance in current economy. Despite this contribution to the sector, building construction fail due to performance issues and limited research exists on the major factors contributing to this trend resulting in project delays and potential compromises in project quality. Finding ways to make building construction projects in Ugandan cities more effective was the aim of this study. a case study on the city of Masaka.
Using the Krejcie and Morgan table for sample size determination, a sample of 201 respondents were chosen from the population of 420 participants in the study, which used a survey research design. A set of interview guidelines and a questionnaire were used to gather data. Excel and SPSS version 21 were utilized for the data analysis.
Cost considerations, health and safety factors, time factors, productivity factors, quality factors, project stakeholders' factors, environmental factors, and resource variables were all identified. The findings of the regression analysis showed that the time factors (RII 0.751), quality factors (RII 0.717), and cost factors (RII 0.706) had a substantial influence on the performance of building construction projects in Masaka city. To enhance the performance of building construction projects, a framework was developed based on time, quality, and cost variables (factors with major influence).
These findings highlight the need to prioritize these factors with significant impact when evaluating and managing building construction projects in Masaka City
Does individual adaptability mediate the relationship between personal initiative andpsychologicalwell-being: evidence from Uganda’s small enterprises
No full textPurpose– This paper aims to investigate whether individual adaptability mediates the relationship between personal initiative (PI) and psychological well-being of Ugandan small enterprise employees. Furthermore, the paper examines whether PI and individual adaptability also affect psychological well-being. Design/methodology/approach–Across-sectional survey designusing quantitativeapproach was used inthis study. Data were collected from 726 employees of small enterprises in Uganda using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists and uploaded into AMOS version 23. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling technique. Findings– Results confirm that individual adaptability fully mediates the relationship between PI and psychological well-being. Findings further indicate that PI is negatively related to psychological well-being and that individual adaptability is positively related to psychological well-being. Researchlimitations/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 need to create a climate that fosters individual adaptability among employees to help them enhance their Psychological well-being (PWB). Practical implications– Small enterprise employees with high levels of PI may benchmark on this study findings by ensuring that they adjust their thinking, emotions and behavior to navigate the challenges of the current working environment such that they can increase their psychological well-being.
Originality/value– This study may be among the first to demonstrate that individual adaptability mediates the relationship between PI and psychological well-being in the context of small enterprise employees of Uganda, an African developing country