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Assessing the Potential of Rushebeya-Kanyabaha Wetland in Rukiga District as a Key Biodiversity Area
No full textWetlands dominated by Cyperus papyrus are unique tropical African ecosystems rich in biodiversity. Unfortunately, these wetlands have faced significant decline due to human activities and the absence of protective measures. This study assessed the potential of designating the Rushebeya-Kanyabaha wetland in Rukiga District, Western Uganda, as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) by using birds as proxies for wider biodiversity. The objectives were to: (i) establish the species abundance and distribution of endemic birds, (ii) determine the relationship between wetland vegetation and the distribution of papyrus-endemic birds, focusing on the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, (iii) assess the influence of human activities on the distribution of these birds, particularly the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, and (iv) apply the KBA criteria to the wetland. Data was collected from August to November 2023 using a cross-sectional survey. A systematic random sampling approach was used, involving 138 point-count surveys at 250m distance intervals along the wetland's periphery. Each point count lasted 10 minutes, with data collected through direct sightings and auditory identification of six papyrus-endemic birds: Papyrus Yellow Warbler (Calamonastidesgracilirostris), White-winged Swamp Warbler (Bradypteruscarpalis), Greater Swamp Warbler (Acrocephalus rufescens), Carruthers's Cisticola (Cisticola carruthersi), Papyrus Canary (Crithagrakoliensis), and Papyrus Gonolek (Laniariusmufumbiri). Data were analysed using R software version 4.4.0 to correlate bird populations with wetland vegetation and human activities within a 250m radius. Findings showed that all six species were present in the wetland, with the White-winged Swamp Warbler being the most abundant (34.4%), followed by the Greater Swamp Warbler (22.6%), Carruthers's Cisticola (15.8%), Papyrus Gonolek (14.0%), and the Papyrus Yellow Warbler (11.6%). The Papyrus Canary was the least common, recorded in only 1.6% of 953 observations. The Papyrus Yellow Warbler, a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, preferred mature, healthy papyrus vegetation, underscoring the ecological significance of the area as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) since it constitutes over 1% of its global population. However, farming activities, responsible for 56.8% of observed human impacts, significantly degrade habitat quality, and reduce bird abundance. The study concludes that the Rushebeya-Kanyabaha wetland is a vital habitat for endemic and threatened bird species, with their distribution strongly influenced by mature papyrus and farming practices. It recommends expanding data collection on endemic species, protecting mature papyrus habitats for the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, promoting sustainable farming, and advocating for the wetland’s designation as a Key Biodiversity Area
Management Practices and Financial Performance of Church of Uganda-Founded Private Secondary Schools in Greater Ankole Dioceses
No full textFor so many years, Church of Uganda has missed hitting her set targets of revenue generation to fund her budgetary expenditure of her established private secondary schools characterized by too much reliance on parent’s contribution in form of tuition fees and external donations. Evaluating the variables influencing management practices and financial performance was the study's main goal. Therefore, the Thesis investigated management practices and financial performance of Church of Uganda-founded private secondary schools in the Greater Ankole Dioceses. To make education a profitable enterprise and contributor to social development, it requires that schools infuse values into management capabilities if they are to keep in operation financially. This research used Greater Ankole Dioceses as the case study to conduct a mixed inquiry grounded in Resource-Based View, Incremental Budgeting, and Systems Management theories. The study employed a post positivist philosophical orientation and a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data from 365 respondents that was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed through second generation methods of structural equation modelling and thematic analysis respectively.
The findings reveal that effective financial management practices, leadership styles, and staffing competencies significantly influence the financial performance of these Church of Uganda private founded secondary schools. Key practices such as strategic financial planning, resource mobilization, and participative leadership were identified as critical drivers of improved financial performance. However, the study also highlights barriers such as limited financial literacy among administrators, inadequate internal controls, and the absence of innovative funding mechanisms. Church structures, serving as a moderating variable, were found to play a pivotal role in enhancing transparency, governance, and long-term financial planning. The study concludes that adaptive management strategies tailored to the unique context of Church of Uganda private founded secondary schools are essential for improving financial performance. Recommendations include capacity-building programs for school administrators, the adoption of participative leadership models, and the development of diversified funding streams through community engagement and partnerships. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, church leadership, and educational stakeholders, offering a roadmap for fostering financial resilience and ensuring the sustainability of church of Uganda private founded secondary schools
Talent Development and Employees' Performance in Public Universities
No full textThis study examined the effect of talent development practices on employee performance in selected public universities in Uganda’s Western Region. The study was guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, and a convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed, integrating a cross-sectional survey of academic and administrative staff with key informant interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 320 respondents, which included both academic and administrative staff of the two selected public universities (Mbarara University of Science and Technology and Kabale University). Quantitative data was analyzed using structural modelling techniques, and qualitative insights were explored thematically. Findings indicated that talent development had a positive and significant effect on academic staff performance but had little effect on administrative staff performance. The study contributes to theory by extending Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs through demonstrating how specific HRpractices, such as development, map onto esteem, safety and belonging needs in resource-constrained public universities. Practically, the study recommends talent development initiatives aligned with performance expectations, while underscoring the importance of leadership and responsive human resource systems in strengthening performance in public universities
TensorFlow-Native Implementation for Crack Detection in Concrete Structures
No full textThis paper presents a TensorFlow-native implementation for automated crack detection in concrete structures, addressing the critical need for efficient and objective infrastructure monitoring. Leveraging a Convolutional Neural Network architecture with 24.8 million parameters, the model was trained on a large-scale dataset of 40,000 images, each with a 227x227 RGB resolution. The methodology, incorporating specific framework optimizations and a rigorous training configuration, achieved a remarkable overall classification accuracy of 99.375% on the validation dataset. The model demonstrated balanced performance with precision values of 0.993 and 0.994, recall values of 0.994 and 0.993, and F1-scores of 0.994 and 0.994 for both "No Crack" and "Crack" classes. This high accuracy, coupled with balanced metrics, underscores the model's effectiveness and reliability for practical applications. The proposed solution significantly enhances real-time structural health monitoring systems, mitigating the limitations of traditional manual inspections and facilitating proactive maintenance strategies for concrete infrastructur
A Review of ICT Integration in Agricultural Extension Services. A Global Perspective
No full textThe integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in agricultural extension services is transforming knowledge dissemination, addressing challenges of accessibility, efficiency, and inclusiveness. Traditional extension systems, constrained by resource limitations and outdated methods, struggle to meet modern agricultural demands. ICT tools such as mobile phones, internet-based platforms, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain provide real-time, localised, and cost-effective solutions. This review examines the impact of ICT in enhancing agricultural extension services, highlighting initiatives like India’s mKisan, Africa’s e-Agriculture programs, and the global Digital Green initiative. These platforms have improved access to timely information on weather, pest management, and market trends, boosting productivity and resilience. However, several barriers hinder ICT adoption, including the digital divide, limited smartphone and internet access, unreliable electricity, and socioeconomic inequalities, particularly affecting women and marginalised groups. Low digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and weak policy support further constrain scalability. Addressing these challenges requires investments in rural connectivity, affordable technology, and capacity-building initiatives. Public private partnerships, ICT funding, and participatory, farmer-centred approaches are crucial for long-term success. Future prospects include AI-driven predictive analytics, blockchain for transparent supply chains, and augmented/virtual reality for training
Research and Innovations Strategic Plan 2020/21 - 2024/25
No full textResearch and Innovations Strategic Plan 2020/21 - 2024/25. facilitate RISP partnerships and collaborations with other universities and research organizations in Uganda and abroad to increase the visibility of RISP activities at KAB.
Over the next five years, Research and Publications at Kabale University will focus on implementing the
University’s research agenda. Through the research agenda, Kabale University will aim to contribute to
local, national as well as international development agendas to demonstrate the relevance of the University
to society. The plan has six strategic objectives:
⁃ Strengthen and streamline the governance of research and innovations at KAB;
⁃ Build and retain a highly effective research workforce and culture;
⁃ Identify and mobilize funds for research and innovation activities;
⁃ Increase the quantity and impact of research and innovation;
⁃ Build resilient, sustainable, and productive research collaborations;
⁃ Create an enabling environment for research and innovations.Kabale Universit
Improving productivity and efficiency in banana processing: Advancements and challenges in matooke peeling techniques
No full textThe processing of green bananas into various food products involves several critical post-harvest operations, with matooke fruit peeling being one of the most crucial steps to ensure quality, safety, and overall integrity of the derivative products. This study presents a comprehensive review of matooke peeling techniques, analyzing traditional, thermal, and mechanized methods, while also exploring the theoretical principles and operational concepts underpinning these processes. Parameter evaluation of crop-related physical and mechanical properties of the banana fruits is provided to identify key factors influencing the effective design of an efficient mechanized peeling system. These parameters, including fruit size, geometric mean diameter, peel thickness, moisture content, angle of repose, and shear stress, are shown to significantly impact peeling efficiency and system performance. The review emphasizes the potential of mechanical peeling as a viable solution for the full mechanization of matooke processing, eliminating the drudgery and contamination-prone manual intervention within the process. The success of the mechanized systems is highly contingent on the precise understanding and integration of these crop-specific characteristics. Based on these insights, the paper proposes a crop parameter-based design for an automated peeling system aimed at improving productivity, enhancing hygiene standards, reducing labor costs, and ensuring consistent peeling quality. This mechanized approach is positioned as a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution for small, medium and large-scale matooke processing, with good potential for value addition and significant advancements in the processing industr
Developing High-Performance Low-Carbon Concrete Using Ground Coal Bottom Ash and Coconut Coir Fibre
No full textThis study addresses the need for eco-friendly concrete by incorporating agro-industrial waste, ground coal bottom ash (GCBA) and coconut coir fibre (CF), as partial replacements for Ordinary Portland Cement. A total of150 samples were tested using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and mechanical methods. Optimal results were achieved with 4.31 % CF, 0.4 % superplasticizer, flexural performance. The addition of CF reduced cracking and improved durability and GCBA enhanced long-term performance through improved particle packing and pozzolanic reactions. The GCBACF mixtures also lowered embodied carbon by 194 kg CO₂/m³ and energy by 970 MJ/m³, achieving higher Eco efficiency than traditional concrete. This research supports the development of sustainable, high-performance concrete aligned with circular economy and sustainability goals
Development of a fundamental model for pelleting efficiency of an innovative hybrid fish feed processing system
No full textThe development of a fundamental model for predicting pelleting efficiency at variable feed rates and number of orifices was central to optimizing the performance of an innovative hybrid fish feed processing system. The system was designed for simplicity, quality, and precision in fish feed production. Machine parameters, derived from comprehensive design and parametric analysis, were used to establish input variables for the pelleting efficiency model, including feed rate and number of orifices. With a constant driving force of 713.38 N from a 3 hp electric motor, the system demonstrated pelleting efficiencies of 55 %, 70 %, and 88 % for 15, 20, and 25 orifices, respectively. At a fixed die orifice, increasing the feed rate from 10 to 20 mm/rev at interval of 5 mm/rev resulted in efficiencies of 60 %, 80 %, and 110 %. Evaluation of the combined effect of the factors predicted an optimum efficiency of 86.9 % at optimal settings of 20mm/rev and 15 orifices. The model’s experimental validation, conducted under optimized conditions, showed that the 20-orifice die produced a higher pelleting efficiency (97%) but with reduced pellet floatability, whereas the 15-orifice die yielded an efficiency of 86.21 % and better floatability. The prediction error of 0.69% validated the model’s accuracy at 99 %. In addition, an introduction of cassava starch constituent improved pellet floatability and surface finish. This study therefore, highlights the potential of the developed model to enhance pelleting performance, balancing efficiency and pellet quality, and providing a robust foundation for optimizing fish feed production processes
Stakeholder participation and project performance: Insights from the Soroti Catholic Diocese projects in Teso region of Uganda
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the influence of stakeholder participation on project performance in Soroti Catholic Diocese in Uganda. The study was guided by the stakeholder theory and adopted a cross-sectional survey research design that involved a purely quantitative approach. Using the Morgan table, a sample of 100 respondents was selected using stratified sampling from a population of 132. Quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 25.0. Quantitative results in the form of descriptive statistics, correlations, and regressions were presented using tables. The results indicated that stakeholder participation had a strong positive influence on project performance (r = 0.721 and p = 0.00 ≤ 0.01). The study concluded that stakeholder participation significantly enhances project performance within the Soroti Catholic Diocese. When stakeholders are engaged throughout the project's planning, implementation, and monitoring phases, they contribute local knowledge, feedback, and innovative ideas, which enhances the quality of project outputs. The study recommends that the Diocese should strengthen and promote active stakeholder participation practices in order to achieve improved performance of the projects' outcomes