EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
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Current Practice of Performance Appraisal System and Tutors’ Performance in Primary Teacher Education Institutions in Uganda: An Exploratory Study
Full text linkThis study examined the performance appraisal system currently in use and how it affects tutors' performance in Ugandan primary teacher colleges. It specifically looked at the processes and methods employed in tutor appraisals, how administrators and tutors view the efficacy and equity of these systems, and how appraisal practices relate to tutors' professional performance. The study employed purposive and stratified random sampling to identify 135 respondents, including administrators and tutors. Structured questionnaires and interviews were used to gather data, and multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. The results showed that assessments like peer appraisal (β = 0.142, p = 0.022), self-appraisal (β = 0.196, p = 0.005), feedback giving (β = 0.279, p < 0.001), and classroom observation (β = 0.238, p < 0.001) had a substantial impact on tutors' performance. Perceptions of administrators (β = 0.161, p = 0.012), appraisal transparency (β = 0.174, p = 0.014), and appraisal fairness (β = 0.218, p = 0.001) were also important predictors. Regression models explained between 54% and 56% of the variation in tutors' performance (R2 = 0.542 to 0.566), suggesting that tutor effectiveness and rating procedures are highly predictive. The study finds that when implemented properly and with an emphasis on growth, performance appraisal systems significantly improve tutors’ performance. It suggests standardising appraisal instruments, enhancing feedback systems, enhancing appraiser capacity, and coordinating appraisal results with professional growth
Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Student Challenges of Bridging Course Programs: A Comparison with Direct Entry Pathways
Full text linkPurpose: This study evaluated the experiences, challenges, and academic performance of Bridging Course (BC) graduates compared to direct entrants at Ernest Cook University (ECU), Uganda. In 2025, data from the Uganda National Examinations Board revealed that only 65.5% of secondary school candidates met the minimum university admission requirement, leaving one-third without direct access to higher education. To address this gap, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) introduced BCs under the Higher Education Certificate (HEC) framework to prepare learners for diploma and degree programs. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, involving 243 BC and 523 direct-entry students enrolled in professional programs, including Medical Imaging, Ultrasound, Radiography, and Biomedical Engineering. Academic performance was compared using Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) data, and student experiences were assessed through an online Likert-based questionnaire. Findings: Results showed that BC graduates achieved a slightly higher mean CGPA (3.39 ± 0.58) than direct entrants (3.23 ± 0.90), though the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.22). Most BC graduates (62%) reported improved attitudes toward science subjects, while overall program satisfaction averaged 3.9/5, particularly for lecture delivery (4.25) and instructor effectiveness (4.16). Key challenges included subject difficulty, limited practical exposure, and technological or financial constraints. Feasible Policy Implication: The study supports scaling up and institutionalising BCs under the NCHE framework to expand access to higher education. Policies should prioritise lecturer capacity-building, practical curriculum enhancement, and investment in learning resources to improve program quality and sustainability
An Analysis of the Adequacy of the Law on Plant and Animal Biotechnology in the East African Community
Full text linkThe research analysed the laws on biotechnology in the East African Community and centres on the regional and Partner States’ laws and policies on biotechnology by identifying the loopholes thereof. The research further identified the dangers of having inadequate laws and drew lessons from other regional groupings on how biotechnology issues have been resolved. In addition, the research drew recommendations towards an adequate harmonised policy on biotechnology for the East African Community. The research largely adopted a doctrinal research methodology and integrated it with a literature review on biotechnology. Through the methodology, the research findings disclosed that there is a lack of a regional, institutional, and enforcement mechanism necessary to protect and encourage the circulation of biotechnology. The findings revealed that there is inadequate public awareness and participation in biotechnology in the East African Community. It was found that rights for farmers and breeders are not adequately defined and distinguished. The findings revealed that compliance with the law is uncertain, and the absence of a monitoring system from the respective national offices does not guarantee compliance with the regulations. The research concluded that there is a need for a harmonised legal framework on biotechnology in the East African Community. The legal framework adopted must be comprehensive and functional within the Community. Such a framework must balance the rights of farmers and breeder
The Challenges of Spouse Consent in Protection of Unregistered Landed Property in Mortgage Transactions in Tanzania
Full text linkThis article examines the legal and practical challenges surrounding the requirement of spouse consent in mortgage transactions involving unregistered matrimonial land in Tanzania. Tanzanian land laws and the Law of Marriage Act attempt to protect spouses' interests in matrimonial properties, but their inconsistencies in the application and limitations posed by unregistered land have led to gaps in protection. Through a doctrinal approach, this article evaluates the historical evolution of land laws and marriage laws in Tanzania, analyses judicial interpretations, and reviews scholarly works. The study concludes that although significant reforms have been undertaken, the legal framework remains biased towards registered land, leaving spouses with interests in unregistered property vulnerable to dispossession. Recommendations are proposed to enhance the legal protection of matrimonial interests in both registered and unregistered lan
Aligning the Scientific Method and the University to Industry 4.0 and Incoming Industry 5.0: Seven Unique Dimensions
Full text linkAristotle pioneered the scientific method (SM) 2,409 years ago, from 384-322 BCE. René Descartes renewed it 2,034 years later in 1650. But unattended long-term change has rendered the SM and its university delivery portal incapable of providing solutions to contemporary problems. Underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm. The dead horse theory (DHT), and the epistemological principle that knowledge be updated regularly for relevance and currency, the authors used heuristics and the literature review methods to add 7 dimensions, and assure the SM and the university’s mutual goal of providing apt solutions to the wicked problems of industry 4.0 and incoming industry 5.0. This is a conceptual paper. Findings: Conceptual additions and subtractions were the means by which the SM was renewed, kept current and relevant; It took 108 years, on average, to renew the SM yet the current version of the SM has not been updated in 375 years; Unattended change has rendered science, the SM and the university incapable of providing solutions to industry 4.0 problems; Science and the SM are not the only methods of discovery and knowing; For their methodological unilateralism, science and the SM have condemned discovery to lower order thinking skill (LOTS), and to the five limitations of the senses, mind thinking, inability to appropriately define simple concepts such as consciousness, the material realm and the silo of STEM subjects. Recommendation: Scientists, the Policy regime, and university professors and teachers have to become humble and admit that the past 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th-century science and version of the SM have run their due course, but that these have their limitations. The most viable solution is methodological triangulation, leading to the Biblical Scientific Method (BSM) for imparting society with the higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) needed to solve the wicked industry 4.0 and industry 5.0 problems
Challenges in Teaching English Essay Writing to Secondary School Students: A Case Study of G.S. Karambo in Karongi District
Full text linkEssay writing is a crucial skill in language education, a milestone for developing coherent expression, critical thinking, and academic competence. Despite its role, teaching essay writing remains a vital pedagogical challenge, particularly in contexts where English is a second language. The study at hand investigated the challenges faced by both teachers and students in the teaching and learning of essay writing at GS Karambo, Rwanda, and explores plausible strategies to enhance writing proficiency. Specifically, the study aimed to identify the main challenges faced by teachers, assess students’ difficulties in mastering essay writing, and propose effective interventions. A mixed-methods descriptive survey design was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population included 577 students, three English teachers, and two school leaders. Stratified random sampling was used to select 85 students proportionally across grade levels, while purposive sampling was applied to select teachers and school leaders, resulting in a total sample of 90 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaires for students and teachers and semi-structured interviews with teachers and school leaders. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were thematically interpreted. Research findings revealed that teachers face substantial challenges, including time constraints, large class sizes, and insufficient teaching resources (100% of teachers), as well as student-related issues such as low motivation and language interference (66.6%). Students reported major difficulties in vocabulary and grammar (76.5%), essay organisation and coherence (82.3%), language interference (75.3%), and inadequate instructional support (77.6%). Students and school leaders emphasised the need for strategies such as reducing language interference, enhancing instructional materials, increasing motivation and confidence, and organising essay writing clubs or competitions. School leaders also highlighted the importance of teacher professional development and manageable class sizes to improve instruction. The study concluded that improving essay writing skills at GS Karambo requires a multifaceted approach combining institutional support, pedagogical innovation, linguistic reinforcement and student-centred interventions. Recommendations include providing adequate institutional materials, reducing class sizes, enhancing teacher training, addressing language interference, promoting student motivation, and fostering collaborative efforts among stakeholders. Implementation of these strategies can significantly enhance students’ writing proficiency and overall sound academic performance
Understanding Chinese Language Program and Student Enrollment Decisions in Secondary Schools in Uganda: A Case of Kawempe Division
Full text linkThe general objective of the study was to assess students’ awareness and perceptions of the Chinese language program in secondary schools in Kawempe Division. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study population included students enrolled in secondary schools offering Chinese in Kawempe Division. A total of 150 students were selected from the schools offering Chinese language programs. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation from each school and grade level. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire’s content validity was ensured through expert review by language education specialists and by piloting it in a school outside Kawempe Division. Reliability was measured using Cronbach’s Alpha. Quantitative data were coded and entered into SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages summarised students’ attitudes, awareness, motivations, and enrollment trends. The findings of this study reveal that student enrollment in the Chinese language program in Kawempe Division is shaped by a complex interplay of factors: while awareness of the program exists, it is uneven and often linked to a pragmatic understanding of its benefits, such as scholarships and future employment
River Continuum Water Quality Dynamics in the Dry Rangeland Landscape of Lake Elementaita Watershed, Nakuru County, Kenya
Full text linkThe aim of the study was to compare the spatial variability of water quality in rivers within the Lake Elementaita watershed in the Great Rift Valley (GRV) and determine the: a) variation across the three rivers, b) magnitude of change along the river continuums and c) influence of river continuum length (distance), altitudinal gradient and catchment area. Water sampling and testing of sixteen parameters was undertaken in 55 sites in River Mbaruk (19 sites), River Chamuka (16 sites), Mbaruk-Chamuka confluence section (2 sites), River Kariandusi (10 sites) and Lake Elementaita (8 sites). This was undertaken through in-situ testing with a portable multi-parameter analyser (Hanna Model HI-98194) and laboratory analysis using a wide range of techniques, including titrimetric analysis, flame photometry and spectrophotometry. Thereafter, the values of pH, TDS, turbidity, alkalinity, chloride, sulphate, calcium, and magnesium were used for computing the water quality index (WQI) along the three rivers. The findings showed significant water quality variation across the three catchments in relation to water pH, TDS, EC, alkalinity, Cl. and SO4, with a 60-100 fold increase in pH, TDS, EC, Cl. and SO4 from the headwaters to the downstream. The results of the Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated significant positive relationships for:- a) riverine continuum length with TDS, Cl, F- and Na, b) catchment area with pH, TDS, EC, alkalinity, Cl, F, PO4, SO4, Mg, Na and K, and c) inverse relationship for continuum altitudinal gradient with pH, EC, Cl, F- and PO4
Project Planning, a Key Performance Indicator from the Evaluation of the Green Amayaga Project in Southern Rwanda
Full text linkThe study examined the impact of planning on the performance of the Green Amayaga Project (GAP) in Rwanda’s Nyanza, Gisagara, and Ruhango Districts, focusing on resource planning, scheduling, stakeholder engagement, and risk management. Effective planning is essential for project success, but challenges such as scope creep, capacity constraints, insufficient technical expertise, lack of community input, poor consideration of environmental and social impacts, and unresolved land conflicts hindered GAP’s execution. The 228 respondents out of 230 targeted, including GAP managers, district authorities, workers, partners, and beneficiaries, actively responded to the survey using simple random and stratified sampling. Quantitative methods were applied, using descriptive and inferential statistics, multiple regression, and ANOVA test via SPSS v25. The analysis showed a strong positive correlation (R=0.843) between planning variables and GAP performance, with the model explaining 71.1% of performance variation, with 28.9% of influence from other unstudied factors. Key findings revealed a Strong positive correlation and significant effect of Resource planning on GAP performance, a moderate correlation but no significant effect of Schedule planning on GAP performance, a Strong correlation and significant effect of Stakeholder planning on GAP performance, and a strong correlation and significant effect of Risk planning on GAP Performance, though inadequately implemented. Respondents agreed that resource, schedule, and stakeholder planning were generally well-conducted with minor errors, while risk planning was poorly executed. The researcher concluded that while planning in GAP to positively influence its performance, gaps in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and technical capacity hindered optimal outcomes, underscoring the need for more inclusive, well-resourced, and risk-aware planning approaches. The study recommended enhancing stakeholder consultation to align plans with community needs, strengthening resource planning (human, material, and budgetary), considering scope planning, improving timeline management, fostering communication planning among stakeholders, and refining risk planning with adequate contingency budgets to prevent cost overruns and delays
History of Kiswahili in Uganda’s Armed Forces
Full text linkThis paper examines the historical trajectory, institutionalisation, and contemporary role of Kiswahili within Uganda’s armed forces, highlighting its significance as both a functional and symbolic language. Kiswahili, a Bantu lingua franca with extensive Arabic, Persian, and European lexical influences, originated along the East African coast and gradually spread inland through trade, missionary activity, and colonial administration. During the colonial period, it was adopted by the King’s African Rifles as the primary language of military command, facilitating effective communication among recruits from diverse ethnolinguistic backgrounds. Following Uganda’s independence in 1962, Kiswahili continued to serve as a neutral medium of military communication, contributing to national cohesion and bridging ethnic divisions. Under Idi Amin’s regime, Kiswahili gained both prominence and politicisation, reflecting the complex interplay between language, power, and identity. In the contemporary Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Kiswahili is constitutionally recognised as the country’s second official language and is systematically integrated into training, command structures, and regional military operations. Its strategic utility extends beyond national borders, supporting interoperability within the East African Community, participation in regional peacekeeping missions, and defence diplomacy, transforming it from a colonial operational tool into a regional security asset. Despite institutional support, societal perceptions linking Kiswahili to past authoritarian regimes continue to limit its wider adoption in civilian life. Using a qualitative approach and specifically interviews, this study emphasises the intersection of language policy, military professionalism, and regional cooperation, demonstrating that Kiswahili functions both as a practical medium of operational efficiency and as a symbol of national and regional identity. Recommendations include enhancing national language policies, expanding military and civilian training programs, implementing public sensitisation initiatives, and harmonising regional military communication standards. The analysis contributes to understanding how linguistic strategies shape postcolonial state formation, national integration, and East African regional collaboration