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Green practices implementation for environmental sustainability by five‑star hotels in Kampala, Uganda
No full textHotels operate continuously and are known to be one of the contributors of global pollution. Strategies like adoption of green practices would be a remedy to mitigate pollution and their effects for environmental sustainability. This study focused on green practice’s implementation by the five-star hotels in Kampala district, Uganda. Specifically, it explored the benefits achieved and effects encountered by the management of the hotels as a result of implementing green practices. A questionnaire survey and interviews were employed to collect the required data from the employees of the five-star hotels. Energy conservation, waste management, and environmental purchasing with their respective coefficient of variances of 12.6, 14.5 and 17.2 were some of the green practices implemented by the hotels. Green practice’s adoption by the five-star hotels culminated into increased profits, competitive advantage, saved on the costs of the materials used and retained some customers. The study recommends that there should be continuous awareness and strengthening of training of the employees about green practices’ implementation, together with government involvement in all matters concerning enforcement of green practices. In addition, the article suggests managerial implications and opportunities for future research
The Relationship between Academic Programme Type and Student Satisfaction with the Quality of Higher Education in Uganda
No full textP. (1-11) ;This study examined the relationship between the type of academic programmes offered in Ugandan higher education institutions
and student satisfaction with the quality of higher education. Highquality academic programmes are those that focus on the outcomes of the higher educational processes, including student retention and graduate destinations and employability, as well as expectations of earnings proportional to the qualification. Employing quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study analysed data gathered from 400 undergraduate students, six quality assurance directors, and 12 academic heads of departments in six Ugandan universities. It found that students in different academic disciplines and different universities
believed that the academic programmes they selected were strongly related to their satisfaction with the quality of higher education
Phytochemical-based evidence of the health benefits of bidens pilosa extracts and cytotoxicity
No full textPurpose
Bidens pilosa L. is traditionally used as a flavouring agent in foods, in the treatment of diseases, in agriculture as
a biopesticide and herbicide, and in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. The vast range of uses
of B. pilosa for a variety of purposes is questionable, hence motivating the objectives of this study, which are to assess the
cytotoxicity, health benefits, and/or risks of B. pilosa using chemical-based evidence.
Methods
A real-time cell analysis (xCELLigence system), ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a
quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer, high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector, and
chemical-based spectrophotometric methods were adopted in the study.
Results
High concentrations of the ethanol extracts exhibited cytotoxic activity on HepG2 (cancerous), and Vero (non-can-
cerous) cell lines, whereas the water extracts promoted cell proliferation at selected concentrations. The chemical profiling
enabled the separation as well as characterisation of 137 phytochemicals. These were mainly phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty
acids, coumarins, and furanocoumarins. There was no toxic compound identified.
Conclusion
The ethanol extracts are generally more potent and exhibit stronger antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity, prob-
ably due to the presence of more flavonoids and phenolic acids, validating the uses of B. pilosa and its relevance as a source
of functional phytochemicals
Itikadi za kiuana katika methali za kinyankole na Kiswahili
No full textxiii, 333 p. ;This research examines gender ideologies in Ankole and Swahili proverbs. The study intended to demonstrate how gender ideologies present gender relations through consent and persuasion between men and women. Ideological beliefs among people, have power of persuasion which makes them to consent to their positions and gender roles on the basis of their sex. Beliefs and attitudes in their day today relations clog in their minds and take things for granted. These beliefs about gender relations which are influenced by consent and persuasion, are rooted in society that is male dominated. This has been arrived at by studying gender relations and how they manifest in gender ideologies. Also, the researcher has critically analyzed proverbs to bring out ideological contradictions and their effects on gender equality through Ankole and Swahili proverbs. To the best of the researcher’s knowlege, there was no in-depth scholary analysis that had been done before that showed gender ideologies present gender relations through consent and persuasion between men and women. This research sought to fill this gap. Proverbs presenting gender ideologies written in four selected Ankole and Swahili anthropology books purposively to satisfy the aim of the study were selected and analyzed. These books are; Enfumu z’omurunyankore Rukiga by Saite (1989), Kamusi ya Methali za Kiswahili by King’ei na Ndaru (1989), Kamusi ya Methali by Wamitila (2001) na Dafina Hazina ya Kiswahili (Seif Al Habsy, 2012). Library data has been collected from books of anthropoloies. Collected data included proverbs presenting gender ideologies in Ankole and Swahili communities. This study has been both a library and a field one. The theories of Ideology, African based Feminism and Deconstructionism have been used. The Ideological theory guided this study as a major theory to analyze different gender ideologies in Ankole and Swahili proverbs and to assess how ideologies influence gender relations by consent and through persuasion. This theoretical perspective has been used to understand clearly the gender ideologies, gender relations, and gendered roles and how those gender ideologies impact on gender equality in Ankole and Swahili proverbs. African based Feminism theory (Steady 1981) has been used. The theory basically focuses on gender equality without discrimination of human beings on the basis of their biological creation. Also, the theory delves into the existing gender differences which are a creation of social practices socially, politically and culturally. This theoretical approach has been used to study clearly gender ideologies, gender relations in relation to roles carried out, rights of women and how those ideologies impact on gender equality through Ankole and Swahili proverbs. The Deconstructionism theory (Abrams na Harpham 2014) has guided this study to analyse the contradictions in proverbs and their impact on gender equality presented in Ankole and Swahili proverbs depicting gender ideologies. This theory has helped in a thorough analysis of proverbs in presenting various meanings which present gender contradictions. Interview guide and recording gadgets were used to collect data from individual respondents and focus groups in the districts of Kiruhura and Sheema in western Uganda and the coastal towns of Mombasa, Lamu, and Zanzibar. Purposive sampling has been used to identify and interview the respondents who are scholars and experts, women and men of average age. Data has been analysed qualitatively and then presented in accordance with the objectives of the study guided by the adopted theories. Eventually, the study has demonstrated how gender ideologies present gender relations through consent and persuasion that exist between men and women. Also, the study has been able to bring out gender ideology contradictions and their impact on gender equality in Ankole and Swahili proverbs
Organisational compassion and employee engagement in the health sector in Uganda : a case of lancet health center
No full textxii, 51 p .The study sought to investigate the relationship between organizational compassion and employee engagement in the health sector. The study addressed three study objectives: (i) to establish the relationship between noticing pain and employee engagement (ii) to examine the relationship between of feeling pain and employee engagement. (iii) to investigate the relationship between responding to pain and employee engagement. The study was guided by Social Exchange Theory. The study adopted a quantitative method based on a sample of 150 health workers at Lancet Health center. This was determined using simple random sampling. The results of the study were based on the Pearson correlation analysis. The results revealed that there was a significant relationship between noticing pain and employee engagement, Furthermore, the study findings also indicated a significant relationship between employee engagement and feeling pain and noticing pain by the health worker. The study recommends that health facilities should strengthen their human resource development efforts that target to increase the sensitivity of the workers towards noticing pain, feeling pain and quickly responding to the pain of their colleagues
Investigation of the suitability of concrete infilled bamboo for structural performance in compression for low-cost building
No full textxvi, 92 p. : ill. (some col.) ;Various Engineering Scholars and Building construction materials and researchers have been doing experiments on investigating properties of Plain Bamboo, Concrete infilled Bamboo composite, and use of Bamboo to replace reinforcements in Concrete. Little has been disseminated on the Concrete infilled Bamboo with various concrete mix ratios. There are scarce and scanty documented and published information relating to the structural properties of Concrete infilled Bamboo as composite material. It is urgent to venture and understand through experimental investigations the Structural Properties of Concrete infilled bamboo to understand its structural properties to proof reliable usage when designing low-cost buildings, especially when considering axial compressive loading.
Bamboo grows fast, and its readily available natural resource, with proven high strength and low weight to height ratio. For decades, Bamboo has been used as a rural building construction, and with recent innovations for domestic furniture. With recent research and innovations to look for alterative building materials to substitute concrete and steel, Bamboo Mechanical and structural properties have proven ideal for construction especially for low-cost houses units. Its major short fall however remains buckling, which is limits their usage in buildings subjected to compressive loads.
This thesis outlines an experimental approach to investigate the properties, specifically the compressive strength when bamboo is infilled with concrete to form a composite material. Experimental investigation and results of the compressive strength of concrete infilled composite, with different concrete grades subjected to loads was experimentally investigated to appreciate the compressive strength of Concrete infilled Bamboo at different Bamboo samples lengths. This research mainly was based to assess the compressive strength of plane Bamboo, and concrete infilled Bamboo using varying concrete grades. The positive results from the experiment can outline an avenue and evidence for its suitability in expanding the usage of Bamboo as a construction material for low-cost shelter constructions.
In this research paper, the compressive strength of plane Bamboo and concrete infilled Bamboo with concrete grades C12/15, C16/20 and C20/25 was investigated. Overall, there was marked improvement on the compressive strength of Concrete infilled bamboo culms. For Experimental tests done on plain Bamboo, the failure load was found to be decreasing with increasing Bamboo sample lengths. The axial load capacity of plain Bamboo at 0.2m sample length is 26.4% more than that at 1m length. Concrete infilled Bamboo with C15, C20 and C25 led to an increment of 58.7%, 103% and 139.1% of the compressive strength capacity compared to plain bamboo culms sample test length at 1m respectively; and 54.4%, 77.6% and 100.8% at Sample lengths of 0.2m. Concrete infills greatly improves the load capacity of identical bamboo culms. The failure load capacity was increasing when Bamboo sample lengths were infilled with Concrete, and the Load carrying capacity increases when Bamboo was infilled with concrete of higher grades. Bamboo infilled with concrete grade C25 has a large failure load than that infilled with concrete grade C20 and C15, signifying a higher ductility behaviour. From the study therefore, it can be concluded that concrete infill in bamboo can delay the buckling of the culms, and thus significantly improves the compressive strength capacity and ductility.
There were observed differences between the experimental and the theoretical results of concrete infilled Bamboo. The difference in results could have come as experimental results were derived from actual laboratory experiments on the plain Bamboo and concrete infilled Bamboo under study. Theoretical “results" was just an application of the latest theories, formulae, and references on confined concrete to try to predict how it works, assuming its relative structural behaviour and performance.
Finally, this research can be a resource for reference and formulating further innovations in Structural Engineering design to use Concrete infilled Bamboo composite as a building materials properties understood for effective design, repeatability, adoption for conventional construction and maintenance to meet the current need for innovative and new building materials.
Key words:
Plain Bamboo, Concrete infilled Bamboo, Compressive strength
Cognitive development among children in a low-income setting: Cost-effectiveness analysis of a maternal nutrition education intervention in rural Uganda
No full textInadequate nutrition and insufficient stimulation in early childhood can lead to long-term defcits in cognitive and social development. Evidence for policy and decision-making regarding the cost of delivering nutrition education is lacking in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). In rural Uganda, we conducted a cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the effect of a maternal nutrition education intervention on developmental outcomes among children aged 6–8 months. This intervention led to significantly improved cognitive scores when the children reached the age of 20–24 months. When considering the potential for this intervention’s future implementation, the desired effects should be weighed against the increased costs. This study therefore aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of this education intervention compared with current practice. Health outcome data were based on the RCT. Cost data were initially identified by reviewing publications from the RCT, while more detailed information was obtained by interviewing researchers involved in processing the
intervention. This study considered a healthcare provider perspective for an 18-months’ time horizon. The control group was considered as the current practice for the future large-scale implementation of this intervention. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed, including calculations of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). In addition, uncertainty in the results was characterized using one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses.
The ICER for the education intervention compared with current practice was USD (265.79 and an incremental cognitive composite score of 16.11. The sensitivity analyses indicated the robustness of these results. The ICER was sensitive to changes in cognitive composite score and the cost of personnel. The education intervention can be considered cost-effective compared with the current practice. The outcome of this study, including the cost analysis, health outcome, cost-effectiveness, and sensitivity analysis, can be useful to inform policymakers and stake-
holders about effective resource allocation processes in Uganda and possibly other LMIC
Mosquito-borne diseases and their control strategies: an overview focused on green synthesized plant-based metallic nanoparticles
No full textMosquitoes act as vectors of pathogens that cause most life-threatening diseases, such
as malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow fever, Zika, West Nile, Lymphatic filariasis, etc. To reduce
the transmission of these mosquito-borne diseases in humans, several chemical, biological,
mechanical, and pharmaceutical methods of control are used. However, these different strategies are
facing important and timely challenges that include the rapid spread of highly invasive mosquitoes
worldwide, the development of resistance in several mosquito species, and the recent outbreaks of
novel arthropod-borne viruses (e.g., Dengue, Rift Valley fever, tick-borne encephalitis, West Nile,
yellow fever, etc.). Therefore, the development of novel and effective methods of control is urgently
needed to manage mosquito vectors. Adapting the principles of nanobiotechnology to mosquito
vector control is one of the current approaches. As a single-step, eco-friendly, and biodegradable
method that does not require the use of toxic chemicals, the green synthesis of nanoparticles using
active toxic agents from plant extracts available since ancient times exhibits antagonistic responses
and broad-spectrum target-specific activities against different species of vector mosquitoes. In this
article, the current state of knowledge on the different mosquito control strategies in general, and on repellent and mosquitocidal plant-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles in particular, has been
reviewed. By doing so, this review may open new doors for research on mosquito-borne diseases
Managerial competences and enterprise growth among small and medium enterprises: a moderating effect of digitalisation adoption in Kampala capital city authority
No full textxiv, 109 p. ;The study examined the managerial competences and enterprise growth among Small and Medium enterprises; A moderating effect of digitalisation adoption in Kampala Capital City Authority. The objectives of the study were to; assess the relationship between experience and the enterprise growth among SMEs in Kampala District, examine the relationship between knowledge and enterprise growth among SMEs in Kampala District, establish the relationship between skills and enterprise growth among SMEs in Kampala District, examine the relationship between managerial competencies and enterprise growth among SMEs in Kampala District, establish the moderating effect of digitalisation adoption on relationship between managerial competencies and enterprise growth among SMEs in Kampala District. The research design deployed was a cross section survey design where a sample of 382 SMEs was selected using simple random technique. The study approach was both quantitative and qualitative. Qualitative data was analysed using SPSS to generate descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 23.0 where regression analysis was performed to establish the effect between the variables. The findings shows, experience, knowledge and digitalisation adoption has a positive and significant effect on enterprise growth among SMEs, with experience being highest predictor (β = 0.330, p0.216). This means that the main predictor of enterprise growth is experience followed by knowledge then digitalisation adoption and lastly skills. The researcher recommends that there is need to formulate and implement a strong SME training and intervention policy. SMEs need to do routine workshops to share experience and influence their mode of operations, and consequently enhance enterprise growth among SMES. Further still, SMEs need to do self-evaluation and tailor outcomes to their managerial obligations, because experience was found as a key factor for SME performance. Therefore, in order to set a favourable environment for SMEs to flourish, there is need for extensive survey- based analysis of small firms to be able to provide incentives for overall growth. In conclusion, from the analysis of three predictors of managerial competence, it was generally concluded that managerial competence affects growth of SMEs by close to 14.6 percent. Therefore, if SMEs are to attain outstanding performance, there is need for SMEs to put significant effort in managerial competence especially experience and knowledge. The relationship between managerial competencies and enterprise growth among SMEs can be well moderated by digitalisation adoption as the findings have clearly revealed that digitalisation adoption by business has got a numerous advantages and a significant impact on the enterprise growth. The theories that inform the study is UTAUT and human capital theory
Differential practice and associated factors of COVID-19 personal preventive measures among the slum and estate communities of Uganda: A community-based cross-sectional survey
No full textBackground
Compliance with personal preventive measures (PPMs) remains essential
in the prevention and control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
and future infectious disease outbreaks. This study aimed at examining and compar-
ing the practice of COVID-19 PPMs and associated factors in selected slum and estate
communities of Uganda.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 1025 slum and estate
residents in Uganda. The outcome variable was compliance with COVID-19 PPMs,
including face mask use, hand washing / hygiene, and social distancing. Logistic re-
gression models were fitted to assess the associated factors, using SPSS (version 26).
Results
Of the 1025 participants, 511 and 514 were slum and estate residents, respec-
tively. Compliance with PPMs was as follows; face mask use (slum 45.0% vs. estate
49.6%; P = 0.27), hand washing/ hygiene (slum 38.4% vs. estate 44.9%; P = 0.04) and
social distancing (slum 19.4% vs. estate 36.0%; P < 0.001). Compared to estate residents,
slum residents had more knowledge related to COVID-19, perceived COVID-19 would
have a longer timeline and larger impact on their life, had more depression and anxiety
symptoms, and faced more difficulties to access information. Illness perceptions, in-
fection risk, and severity perceptions were associated with higher odds of PPMs com-
pliance in both groups, except for perceiving a high chance of contracting COVID-19,
which was associated with lower odds of social distancing in the slum community.
Depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with higher odds of PPMs com-
pliance in both groups. Frequent exposure to COVID-19 information through health
care workers and family members and friends was associated with higher odds of all
the PPMs in both communities. Moreover, getting COVID-19 information from local
channels was significantly associated with higher odds of mask use and hand hygiene,
but only in the estate community.
Conclusions
Our findings provided implications to improve PPMs compliance in
future infectious disease outbreaks. To improve PPMs compliance rates, redesigning
community education to focus on fostering positive perceptions and addressing the
water and sanitation needs of slum communities are essential. Moreover, designing
programs that provide free or subsidised face masks and soap to the most vulnerable
and engaging religious leaders are also vital strategies