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Introducing value based maintenance management to satisfy buildings’ stakeholders in Uganda : a case study of prisons in Lango sub region
No full textxii, 130 p.A maintenance service is successful if the end users of a building are satisfied with the maintained building. However, the state of the prisons’ buildings in Uganda doesn’t satisfy the prisons’ staff. Therefore, this study explored the use of value-based maintenance management in order to develop a maintenance framework for assessing prisons’ stakeholder’s satisfaction. Questionnaire surveys and key informants interviews were used to collect data which were quantitatively and qualitatively analysed respectively to deduce inferences. Quantitative analysis was done by relative importance index and multi regression analysis whereas qualitative analysis was done by content analysis. Study findings revealed that, among the prisons buildings; maintenance of inmates wards yielded the highest stakeholders’ satisfaction. For every element of inmates wards addressed at planning, design and construction stages of maintenance, stakeholders’ satisfaction increased by 0.448, 0.360 and 0.568 respectively. Whereas considering conditioned based maintenance at design and construction stages of maintenance yielded the highest stakeholders’ satisfaction, with increases in satisfaction of 0.583 and 0.468 respectively for every element of conditioned based maintenance considered. As regards risk factors, stakeholders’ participation was the most important risk factor; for every improvement in participation by stakeholders at planning, design and construction stages of maintenance, stakeholders’ satisfaction increased by 0.619, 0.623 and 0.666 respectively. Therefore, the key components of a maintenance framework for assessing prisons’ stakeholders’ satisfaction are; prioritising maintaining inmates’ wards, developing designs and construction methods after assessing the condition of the wards for fitness for purpose and full participation of all the prisons’ stakeholders at all stages of maintenance
Self-Efficacy and Teaching Quality of Academic Staff in Public Universities in Uganda
No full textP.(1-15) ;This study investigated the association between self-efficacy and teaching quality of academic staff in selected public universities in Uganda. Specifically, the study exam-ined how academic staff's personal sense of efficacy, behav-iour management, instructional strategies, and motivational strategies efficacy influenced teaching quality in public uni-versities. Employing the positivist research philosophy, the study used a quantitative approach through correlational re-search design. Randomly selected academic staff members provided data using a self-administered questionnaire. Par-tial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) results indicated that of the four teacher efficacy aspects, only personal sense of efficacy positively and significantly influ-enced teaching quality. However, the efficacy of behaviour management, instructional strategies, and motivational strat-egies had a positive but insignificant influence on teaching quality. It was concluded that the personal sense of efficacy of academic staff is essential in enhancing teaching quality. Nonetheless, the efficacy of behaviour management, instruc-tional strategies, and motivational strategies of academic staff has made minimal contributions to teaching quality in universities. Therefore, university leaders should emphasise promoting the personal sense of efficacy of academic staff to enhance teaching quality more than instructional strategies and motivational strategies efficacy
“You get the money after waiting for long and you get less than you anticipated”: Experiences of persons with disabilities in accessing the district special grant in Uganda
No full textP. (1-21) ;In 2010, Uganda scrapped an ambitious tax incentive provision in the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 that had allowed employers to claim up
to 15% tax reduction in annual income if they hired at least 10 persons with disabilities at any job level. As though it were a trade-off, the 15% tax incentive was replaced with the special grant, a grant intended for persons with disabilities organized in small groups to generate income. The special grant started off as a pilot in 48 districts before it was rolled out nationally.
Since 2019, the responsible ministry has been implementing two models of the special grant: the district special grant and the national special grant. This study focused on the district special grant, and primarily explored the experiences of persons with disabilities in accessing and utilizing the district special grant, and the difference the grant is making. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using interviews and focus group
discussions to collect data from 10 beneficiary groups drawn from 6 districts. Focus group discussions were conducted with special grant
beneficiary groups while district officials responsible for the special grant and disability union representatives were individually interviewed. Data
were analyzed using template coding and thematic analysis. Study findings revealed limited access to the district grant, dismal grant amounts,
significant deviations from implementation guidelines, operational dilemmas and overlooking disability related expenses like the costs for
moving with a personal assistant. Nonetheless, participants commended the special grant for enabling them to build social networks, gain selfconfidence and start small income generating activities. The small grant amount disbursed to big group size groups that lack business start-up skills did not support impactful business initiatives. The study revealed strong evidence from individual grants as opposed to a group grant for starting income generating activities. The ministry of gender should consider remodeling the special grant into a social protection scheme that awards small grants to individual income generating activities
Impact of conservation farming practices on Aspergillus population density, peanut aflatoxin level, and exposure risk in Zambia
No full textAflatoxin contamination in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) by aflatoxin producing Aspergillus spp. is a serious problem worldwide affecting human health and restricting trade. Recently, conservation agriculture practices such as minimum tillage, crop rotation, soil surface cover, intercropping, and planting in basins alongside trees that enhance soil fertility, have been introduced in Zambia as tools to conserve soil moisture, increase peanut yield, and reduce the risk of aflatoxin contamination. However, a limited understanding exists of the impact of conservation agriculture on Aspergillus population densities in the soil and aflatoxin concentrations in crops grown under conservation agriculture. This study assessed the impact of conservation agriculture on (i)
Aspergillus communities profile in soil cropped to peanuts, (ii) peanut aflatoxin contamination levels, and (iii) influences of the practices on liver cancer risks as a result of consuming peanuts grown in basins, peanuts grown in basins in farms having Gliricidia sepium trees (agroforestry), and peanuts grown on ridges (conventional tillage). Densities of Aspergillus spp. in soils ranged from 10 to 7,400 CFU/g (mean = 295 CFU/g). The densities differed among farming techniques (p = 0.0011) with conventional tillage (357 CFU/g) supporting higher densities than agroforestry (296 CFU/g) and peanuts grown in basins (230 CFU/g). Aspergillus communities were dominated by fungi with S morphology (55%; which is composed of several morphologically similar species), followed by A. parasiticus (34%), and the L morphotype of A. flavus (11%). Over 60% of the
peanut samples were contaminated but there were no differences among farming techniques. Mean aflatoxin contents in peanuts were 110, 99, and 87, μg/kg for agroforestry, conventional tillage, and peanuts grown in basins, respectively. Probable daily aflatoxin intake ranged from 12.7 to 767.1 ng/kg body weight/d, depending on the age of consumers. The estimated liver cancer risk due to consumption of raw peanuts (0.334 to 20.128 cases/100,000 persons/ year) was highest among children below 5 years and least for young adults.
The results showed that growing peanuts in basins has the potential to reduce Aspergillus populations in soil. Possibly, planting in basins and agroforestry had
minimal effect on water runoff and did not support sufficient moisture retention
in the soil to reduce Aspergillus spp. densities and aflatoxin accumulation in the
peanuts. Thus, more research is needed to improve the effectiveness of peanut cultivation in basins in shaping the Aspergillus species profiles for ultimately
reducing aflatoxin in peanuts to safe levels. Given the high exposure of Zambia’s
population, especially children, and that contaminated food is the major source
of exposure, it is essential that appropriate technical, policy and institutional
measures are promoted for aflatoxin mitigation in Zambia
Experiences of students with visual impairment during information communication technology based instruction: a case of one secondary school in Gulu city
No full textxii, 129 p. ;Technology is largely viewed as the best enabler of special and inclusive education due to its profound ways in which it not only breaks access boundaries, but significantly how it fosters independence for students with disabilities, as well as interdependence among students with and without disability. This study examined the experiences of students with visual impairment in regards to the use of ICT, particularly online platforms for instructions, soft-copy learning materials, and portable audio devices in one of the secondary schools in Gulu City in Northern Uganda. This school was chosen because it is an inclusive school with a department for special needs and an ICT laboratory for students with visual impairment. The study was guided by social model of disability as a theoretical framework to try to understand the experiences of students with visual impairment during ICT based instruction. This study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case study design was used. The target population for this study was one secondary school teachers and students with visual impairment who were purposefully selected to participate. Out of 5 teachers in the department of special need 4 teachers teaching ICT were chosen and 6 students out of 24students with visual impairments participated. Semi-structured interview guides were utilized in collecting the data. The data obtained were thematically analyzed by the researcher reading through the transcripts and listening to the audio recordings to familiarize with the data, created initial codes, recognized emerging themes, reviewed these themes, defined and labeled the identified themes, and finally compiled the report. The findings revealed that online instruction offers specialized support and adaptability to individual needs, yet learners still face enormous difficulties in navigating and interacting with the user interface of platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet. Digital learning materials reduce reliance on bulky braille books, challenges remain for teachers and students alike, in adapting to soft copy, materials for subjects like mathematics. Audio devices provide alternative means of accessing educational content, and importantly for learners, it helps them to cope with fast-pace teachers, but challenges such as power outages and restrictive school policies, where students are not permitted to carry the devices with them back home still remain. Despite these challenges, online instruction, soft copy notes, and audio devices hold promise in enhancing educational access and outcomes for students with visual impairment. Collaborative efforts from educators, policymakers, and technology developers are needed to develop accessible and inclusive educational resources for all students. The study came up with several recommendations such as enhancing usability and user experiences, ensuring devices accessibility and usability, comprehensive training programs for both teachers and students on how to effectively use online platforms for education, policy advocacy and addressing accessibility barriers to mention a few by calling upon the ministry of education and sports to conduct regular usability assessment and user testing sessions with visually impaired students to identify and address usability issues ensuring digital learning materials are intuitive ,easy to navigate ,and responsive to diverse learning needs of students with visual impairment during ICT based instruction in secondary schools
The portrayal of women in selected Shakespearean plays : lessons for women emancipation activism in Uganda
No full textix, 80 p.This study set out to critically examine the relevance of Shakespearean works to the contemporary Ugandan setting by specifically examining the lessons that the Ugandan world could draw from the portrayal of women in selected plays by William Shakespeare. The major contention of the study was whether Shakespearean selected works adhere or deviate from the patriarchal stance of his time there by determine whether these selected works could inform the gender equality and women emancipation struggle of our time. The study had three specific objectives, namely: examination of Shakespeare’s presentation of Elizabethan women as victims of English patriarchy; analysis of the presentation of women as challengers of the oppressive English patriarchal norms; and identification of the key lessons that activists for women equality and emancipation in contemporary Ugandan society can draw from the bard’s depiction of women. The study used a qualitative research design and the analysis was informed by literary theories; sexual politics and reader response. The selected Shakespearean texts, included; King Lear, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, Macbeth, and Julius Caesar. The findings indicated instances of women oppressed by English patriarchal system. Contrary to the view that the Elizabethan and Jacobean society where Shakespeare lived was remote to the inception of feminism, a close reading of these texts reveal that there are Shakespearean women who dared to challenge certain English patriarchal norms that were very common during the reign of Elizabethan 1. In this way, the study contributes to critical scholarship that aims to bring to the fore such remarkable feminine exploits in a predominantly patriarchal society that always oppressed women and the lessons that could be drawn by contemporary Ugandan society.
The findings also indicate that the selected texts represent Elizabethan women grappling with repressive patriarchal norms. The eventual protest offers vital lessons for activism, equality and emancipation of women in Uganda. As victims of English patriarchy, Elizabethan women grappled with untold male-centric violence and subjugation that impeded their socio-economic and political stature. The study recommends that given the numerous key lessons that can be drawn from Shakespearean drama texts in the quest for women equality and emancipation, Shakespearean drama should be a major component of the curriculum on Gender Studies in universities and other institutions of higher learning
Community Perceptions on the Contributions of Public Universities to Community Transformation
No full textP (1-17) ;Much as the role of higher education has been recognised for promoting development globally, communities surrounding universities in Sub-Saharan Africa are still grappling with poor quality health, low income, poor housing, unreliable electricity and othersocial amenities. This study determined community perceptions of the contributions of Gulu University to community transformation in post-conflict northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data while using researcher-administered questionnaires and geospatial techniques. Questionnaire data was analysed using principal component analysis, and descriptive statistics while geospatial data was analysed using buffers, spatial join tool, and overlay analysis in GIS environment. Findings revealed that the economic, political, spiritual and physical dimensions were important in explaining the transformation of communities surrounding Gulu University. The community surrounding Gulu University is perceived to have progressed well in terms of savings, business, commercial farming, and civil service; consumption of more than 3 meals per day, access to credit and remittances; easy access to health care, and quality education. The majority of the population can make free and independent decisions, are good at self-expression, exercise love for one another, enjoy living with community members, are at peace with one another, exercise kindness, waste is properly managed, and there is good access to water. However, there is slow progress in having alternative sources of income, only a few community members perceived: their level of education to have improved, participate in leadership and are taking part in politics. There is also a scarcity of respect for one another, endurance and faithfulness. The study concludes that (i) households need to think of alternative ways of generating income, given its relevance in enabling households to meet their daily income, (ii) education policies and other stakeholders need to provide more support for community members to pursue higher levels of education, (iii) more civic education to create awareness on the importance of participating in leadership and politics, and (iv) a need by religious sects to continue with more teachings on respect for one another, endurance and faithfulness in the community surrounding Gulu University
Evaluating the impact of construction project management and stakeholder involvement on education infrastructure development in Uganda : case study of Mbale district local government
No full textxiii, 110 p. : col.Despite public spending, education infrastructure in Uganda has remained poor and inadequate. Poor educational infrastructure impedes the achievement of the SDGs and prosperity for all, which slows socio-economic growth in any given society. This study evaluated the impact of construction project management in education infrastructure development where key actors in contract administration of education infrastructure in Mbale District Local Government were targeted. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted and both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used. A questionnaire, interview guide and document reviews were used to collect both primary and secondary data from a sample of 108 respondents determined by Krejcie and Morgan’s table. While SPSS was used for quantitative data analysis, qualitative data were analyzed in the form of themes. The study established that construction project management has a positive influence on education infrastructure development (Adjusted R2 = 0.918, P<0.05). Specifically, it was revealed that contract management practices (Adjusted R2 = 0.892, P<0.05) and stakeholder involvement (Adjusted R2 = 0.917, P<0.05) have a significant effect on education infrastructure development. As a result, the study concluded that construction project management plays a vital role in enhancing education infrastructure development and a methodology derived to help local governments to achieve sustainable education infrastructure development. Therefore, the study recommended that Local Governments should carry out construction needs assessment before any project is undertaken. There should be a sound management team in place and there should be adherence to good contract management principles and practices, sound monitoring and supervision systems and a thorough assessment of contractors’ capability should be done before contract award
Sickness presenteeism correlates to teaching-learning activities: implication focus on public secondary schools in Busia District, Uganda
No full textTo evaluate the implications of sickness presenteeism on the teaching-learning services in public secondary
schools in Busia district, Eastern Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and gathered responses
both qualitatively and quantitatively using structured interviews and questionnaires from secondary school
teachers and Headteachers in government secondary schools in Busia District. The study used a stratified
sampling technique with a sample size of 215 respondents. The study reveals that teachers’ on-time work plans,
focus on their duties, and understanding of students’ needs and learning styles are crucial for effective teaching
and learning. Teachers must prioritize and meet deadlines to maintain classroom cleanliness and discipline. The
study recommended that the Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, should
provide continuous professional development opportunities for teachers, enabling them to update their skills and
knowledge. Additionally, the government should put in place mechanisms to encourage the use of technology in
classrooms to foster interactive and engaging learning environments. Implication of the study, the government
through the Ministry of Education and Sports should advocate for the introduction of insurance for teachers to
further support and incentivize their commitment to their profession. This insurance could provide financial
protection for teachers in the event of illness, injury, or any unforeseen circumstances that may prevent them
from working. By offering this benefit, schools can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their
teachers and their dedication to ensuring their job security
The urban motorcycle taxi sector in Sub-Saharan Africa: needs, practices and equity issues
No full textMotorcycle taxis in Sub-Saharan Africa are an essential compo-
nent of the urban transport mix, providing vital services - such as
access to markets, education and health facilities - to citty dwell-
ers across the continent. Transport regulators and policymakers
have nonetheless remained reluctant to engage with this
expanding sector, which seems to be the prefereed mode of
transport. Primary data were collected in five Sub-Saharan
African countries during the last quarter of 2020 using qualitative
interviews with key stakeholders relevant to the urban motor-
cycle taxi sector and quantitative motorcycle taxi operator sur-
veys. There is a substantial prospect to come up with best
practices within this sector by identifying and learning from the
experiences of various stakeholders including motorcycle taxi
and motor tricycle taxi operators, unions, institutions, traffic
police, and users of these services. In additon, the data shows
that there are ample opportunities for increased collaboration
between the stakeholders, to ensure the sector’s continuos con-
tribution to socio-economic development. Planning for a more
sustainable and integrated transport system in Sub-Saharan
African cities requires acknowledging the significant position
taken up in this by the motorcycle and tricycle taxi