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Relevance of debt financing among owners of MSMEs in Uganda: a case study of Nakawa Division, Kampala
No full textA research report submitted to the College of Business and Management Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Masters of Business Administration of Makerere UniversityThis study aimed to analyze the accessibility of debt financing among MSME owners in Nakawa Division, Kampala District, guided by objectives that included assessing debt financing options, evaluating influencing factors, identifying challenges in obtaining financing, and recommending strategies for improvement. Using a descriptive research design and a quantitative approach, the study calculated a sample size of 175 MSME owners, categorized into various business types. Simple random sampling ensured the validity of findings. Data collection via questionnaires yielded a response rate of 75%, revealing a near-equal gender representation among respondents, with a majority being younger entrepreneurs. The results indicated that many MSME owners were married, which might influence their business operations. Furthermore, a significant portion had formalized their businesses, enhancing access to financial services. The study found that educated owners generally managed finances better. Most businesses had been in operation for 1-5 years and employed fewer than five people. The study found that respondents expressed skepticism towards crowdfunding and faced barriers in accessing bank loans due to high collateral demands. While some valued microfinance institutions, most were unsure of their relevance. Additionally, trade credit was underutilized, and government loans were perceived as difficult to access, primarily due to complex application processes. To address these challenges, the study recommended simplifying loan application procedures and encouraging financial institutions to accept movable assets as collateral, thereby enhancing credit access for MSMEs. Moreover, it emphasized the need for future research to assess the long-term impacts of these strategies on the accessibility of financing for MSMEs, aiming to understand how improved access to funding could influence their growth and overall contribution to the economy
Model-based prediction of Dolutegravir dose requirement for HIV exposed neonates in Uganda
No full textResearch Dissertation submitted to the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Masters of Science in Pharmacology, Makerere UniversityIntroduction: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the primary source of HIV infections in children, especially in low-income countries accounting for 14% of all new infections in Uganda. It is recommended that HIV-exposed newborns be given prophylactic antiretroviral therapy for their first 6 weeks of life to mitigate mother-to-child HIV transmission. However, due to limited safety and pharmacokinetics data, only a few antiretroviral drugs are approved for use in neonates leaving them with very few options. Dolutegravir-based regimens have been adopted as preferred first-line regimens in many countries including Uganda. However, pediatric dolutegravir dosing recommendations are optimized for only those above 4 weeks of age weighing at least 3kg. This leaves out neonates below this age/weight.
Aim: To predict weight band-based dosing of dolutegravir for neonates at risk of HIV infection in Uganda.
Methods: This was a prospective pharmacokinetics study that involved infants and children aged 0 to <3 years taking dolutegravir-based regimens at Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Uganda. Twenty study participants were included in this study. Blood samples were taken at pre-dose and 3,6,8 and 24 hours post-drug administration at different dosing occasions. Dolutegravir plasma concentrations were measured using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry bioanalytical quantification method. The data was formatted into a NONMEM data file using R. A population pharmacokinetics model for dolutegravir was built using the nonlinear mixed-effects modeling approach and used to predict the Ctrough and AUC. The final population pharmacokinetics model was used to simulate the Ctrough concentrations of a virtual neonatal population at different dosing schedules. The dose that achieved a geometric mean Ctrough with in the target ranges was selected as the optimal.
Results: The data from the study participants was adequately described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption. The model estimated an absorption rate constant of 0.117 (95% CI 0.073-0.161) hr-1, clearance of 1.2 (95% CI 0.879-1.521) L/h, volume of distribution of 6.25 (95% CI 2.232-10.268) L. The predicted Ctrough and AUC were within the target ranges for dolutegravir efficacy. The 2.5 mg dose twice daily tested in the virtual neonates gave a geometric mean Ctrough within the target limits.
Conclusions: The 2.5 mg dose of dolutegravir given twice daily is required by Ugandan HIV-Exposed neonates for prevention of HIV infection.Baylor Ugand
Assessing the impact of remuneration on employees’ performance in higher institutions of learning: a case study of Makerere University, Uganda.
No full textA research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Masters Degree of Public Administration and Management of Makerere UniversityThe aim of this study was to establish and assess the impact of remuneration on employees’ performance in higher institutions on learning in Uganda, particularly at Makerere University. Literature review was done on impact of remuneration on employees’ performance in higher institutions of learning at global, regional and national level. However, the case study focused on Makerere University, Kampala. The guiding theory was Adams' Equity Theory which states that positive outcomes and high levels of motivation can be expected only when employees perceive their treatment to be fair. Both literature and empirical review revealed a significant impact of remuneration on academic and administrative staff performance at Makerere University. In other words, high level of employees’ performance is accounted on good remuneration and low-level performance on poor pay. The study revealed that the major cause of the poor remuneration of staff is due to government’s underfunding to the University and the continued budget cuts. The study recommends that on addition to enhancing monthly salary, Makerere University Management should supplement it with other benefits such as incentives, extra load pay, recognition award for higher performers and career advancements. This would improve performance among all staff at the University. It would also curb the frequent strikes due to poor remuneration and labour turn over especially the brain drain
Women’s participation in combating wildlife crime in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Western Uganda
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Gender Studies of Makerere UniversityWomen play crucial roles in the protection of wildlife and the management of wildlife crime. This study was undertaken to assess women’s participation in combating wildlife crime, using a case of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) in Western Uganda. Specifically, the study sought to: examine how women participate in combating wildlife crime through intelligence, investigations, and law enforcement; assess the benefits of women’s participation in combating wildlife crime; and examine the barriers to women’s participation in combating wildlife crime. The study was anchored on two theories: ecofeminism which for example posits that women hold the potential for different ways of seeing and relating which offer unique insights into interactions between humans and the natural world, and feminist political ecology, which argues that there is a connection between women and nature based on a history of oppression and patriarchal institutions, and that individuals experience of the environment is gendered in terms of responsibilities they hold. The Collaborative Resource Management framework (CRM) was also used. The study employed a case study design, in which only qualitative methods such as key informant interviews (KIIs), in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used in collecting data from in and around QENP. Up to 13 KIIs, five gender-segmented FGDs, and three in-depth interviews were conducted. The findings reveal that poaching, cutting timber, illegal fishing, illegal entry, and trafficking were the predominant wildlife crimes mostly perpetrated by men. Women, either as local community members or rangers participate in combating wildlife crime through gathering critical intelligence information using their interpersonal skills and through their access to park resources and networks, as well as monitoring of illegal activities. Women also play an active role in apprehending wildlife crime offenders through arrests and picking samples for forensic analysis which are critical for wildlife crime investigation. Women also serve as vital eyewitnesses, providing critical information to the Uganda Wildlife Authority and other wildlife law enforcement agencies such as the Police all of which contribute to the identification and arrest of individuals engaged in illegal activities in QENP. Generally, women are much less represented in the governance of wildlife crime, particularly in management across the three pillars in QENP and in local councils. Women’s involvement in combating wildlife crime has brought many benefits, including opening up opportunities for them such as employment, increased vigilance and surveillance against wildlife crime, community responsibility and trust in combating wildlife crime, and provision of essential information for conservation or wildlife crime intelligence, among others. The barriers women face are personal, spousal control, the triple role burden, gender stereotypes, and others are logistical. This study demonstrates that the involvement of women in combating wildlife crimes brings with it numerous and unique advantages and opportunities across the three pillars of intelligence, investigations, and law enforcement and that women are vital in the fight against wildlife crime. Recognizing the unique contributions of women by frontline communities and stakeholders, addressing challenges they face, and implementing gender-sensitive and inclusive strategies are essential in combating wildlife crime in QENP and other conservation areas in Uganda
Assessing credit lending terms of microfinance institutions among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): a case study of Namutumba District.
No full textA research report submitted to the College of Business and Management Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration of Makerere UniversitySmall and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in fostering economic growth and alleviating poverty, both in developed and less developed countries. This study focuses on assessing the credit lending terms of microfinance institutions within the context of SMEs in Namutumba District. The study was guided by specific objectives: firstly, to explore how SMEs perceive the credit lending terms offered by microfinance institutions; secondly, to identify the factors that influence the credit lending terms of these institutions; and thirdly, to evaluate the appropriateness and significance of these terms for SMEs. Utilizing a descriptive study design, the research involved 153 licensed SMEs. The study employed convenience sampling and relied on primary data sources through a questionnaire survey. The findings indicated that SMEs perceived the credit lending terms as inadequate, particularly concerning grace periods and collateral requirements, which hindered their growth potential. Respondents noted that stringent loan standards, while effective for microfinance institutions' risk management, created significant barriers to accessing necessary capital. Despite these challenges, the study emphasized the vital role of microfinance institutions in promoting financial inclusion, enabling SMEs to invest in new projects and contribute to local economic development. The study recommended that microfinance institutions prioritize transparency in their credit lending terms by simplifying language, providing clear explanations, and eliminating hidden fees. Ultimately, while microfinance institutions served as crucial financial support for SMEs in Namutumba District, the study underscored the need for improved lending terms to foster a more inclusive financial environment. This, in turn, would empower SMEs and drive economic growth while ensuring the stability of the financial system. Future research could focus on assessing the actual impact of improved credit lending terms on the growth and sustainability of SMEs in Namutumba District
The influence of gender norms on unpaid care work within households in Gweri Sub-County, Soroti District
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Arts Degree in Gender Studies of Makerere UniversityThis study probed the influence of gender norms on unpaid care work within households in the Teso Sub-Region, the focus was on Gweri Sub-County in Soroti District. The primary variables in examination were 'Gender norms' as the independent variable and 'Unpaid care work' as the dependent variable, as observed in Gweri Sub-County. The brunt of unpaid care duties which have predominantly fallen on women and girls compared to the men creates a disparity which curtails women's active engagement in remunerated work. This has engendered a perpetual cycle of economic inequalities and deep-seated poverty. This has been driven by the different gender norms within specific contexts which this study sought to unveil. The primary objectives of the study were to explore the experiences and perceptions of individuals regarding unpaid care work in households in relation to gender roles and norms; to examine the implications of unpaid care work on women's involvement in paid employment and other economic ventures; and to identify challenges and opportunities pertinent to addressing the combined issues of unpaid care work and gender norms. In terms of methodology, a cross-sectional study design was employed. Data was collected from adults engaged in unpaid care roles in Gweri Sub-County, using both qualitative & quantitative methods. For the quantitative aspect, 51 (16 male & 35 female) adult respondents were selected using systematic and purposive sampling techniques. For the qualitative dimension, purposive selection was employed to select 26 adults (12 male & 14 female) who participated in three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The data collection tools comprised of a structured questionnaire with both close-ended & open-ended questions, supplemented by an interview guide. The quantitative data was processed using STATA and Ms Excel, while the qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The research findings indicated that women consistently dedicated more time to unpaid care work than men; this is driven by the deeply entrenched cultural norms and societal structures. This considerable involvement curtailed their opportunities to engage in paid work and other incomegenerating activities and has brought about the deprivation of women’s economic emancipation. Notably, more than a third of respondents reported that their significant engagement in unpaid care work restricted their opportunities in income-generating endeavours and also impacted their leisure time. Various factors were identified that influenced this dynamic: marriage, poverty, the prevailing belief that care work is predominantly a woman's domain, and a lower educational attainment among women. The study concluded that such extensive involvement in unpaid care work not only diminishes women’s economic prospects but also affects their holistic well-being and societal standing. Based on these findings, the study calls for intensified efforts to advance gender equality. Advancing a holistic approach that brings on board all the key actors (government entities, CSOs, communities, religious leaders and the private sector) can gradually dismantle the deeply entrenched gender stereotypes. Suggested approaches encompass cultural shifts, alterations in prevailing mindsets, educational initiatives aimed at transforming perceptions, measures to rectify economic disparities, and the encouragement of shared domestic responsibilities. These interventions are designed to lay the groundwork for more equitable socio-economic opportunities for all women and men and can pave way for a more equitable society
Factors associated with health literacy in sexual and reproductive health: a cross-sectional study among south Sudanese refugee women in Rhino camp refugee settlement, West Nile, Uganda
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Public Health Disaster Management of Makerere University.Introduction: Refugee women in Uganda experience poorer sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes than women in the host community. Previous studies have shown that refugee women face several significant barriers to accessing and utilising SRH services. The World Health Organization (WHO) are promoting self-care to improve SRH outcomes in low-income or humanitarian settings, but this places significant responsibility on individuals and requires a certain level of health literacy. Health literacy (HL) describes a person’s ability to engage with health information and services and is linked to other social determinants of health, such as level of education. Objectives: The overall objective of this research was to assess the level of health literacy and its associated factors, and to examine its relationship with the utilisation of SRH services among South Sudanese refugee women aged 15-49 years in Rhino Camp refugee settlement, Uganda. The specific objectives were to validate the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) for use in Juba Arabic-speaking communities; to use the HLQ to examine the level of health literacy among South Sudanese refugee women aged 15-49 years in Rhino Camp; to examine the factors associated with health literacy among the same population; and to examine the association between their level of health literacy and utilisation of SRH services. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilising a quantitative questionnaire to collect data on SRH service use and HL through a newly translated and validated Juba Arabic version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ-JA) alongside SRH-related items. Results: The HLQ-JA demonstrated strong reliability and validity, proving robust for assessing HL among Juba Arabic-speaking South Sudanese women. The study found low HL levels overall, with significant associations between HL and factors such as level of education, household income and self-rated health status. There was a significant positive association between higher levels of HL and greater utilisation of SRH services. Conclusions/Recommendations: Efforts to improve SRH service utilisation should include targeted interventions that support low HL individuals to understand health information and navigate the healthcare system. Training healthcare providers to communicate effectively with patients with lower HL is recommended to increase SRH engagement among refugee women
Compliance with the WHO/WFSA standards for monitoring and associated factors during anaesthesia at Mulago National Referral Hospital
No full textBackground: Access to safe anaesthesia, including proper intraoperative monitoring, is a fundamental human right. Monitoring does not directly prevent adverse incidents or accidents in the perioperative period. Still, it indirectly reduces the risks of incidents and accidents by giving an early warning that a patient's condition is deteriorating, allowing for timely intervention and making it an essential aspect of safe anaesthesia.
Objective: To determine the availability of monitors, compliance with the WHO/WFSA standards for monitoring and the associated factors during anaesthesia at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Method: This was a sequential exploratory mixed-method study. Fifteen operating rooms were assessed for the availability of monitors, and intraoperative monitoring of 424 patients was observed from start to end of anaesthesia in a cross-sectional study. Following this, a qualitative study involving 24 anaesthesia and two key informants was conducted to determine factors associated with monitoring. Ethical approval was obtained for the study.
Results: None of the rooms had all the monitors. Thermometers, ECG, and NIBP were mainly available (93.3% each). Most rooms had faulty oxygen analysers (80%) and Capnography (80%). Compliance with monitoring was only 41.5%, with not using carbon dioxide detection (67.2%) and no audio signal (23.3%) being the most significant contributor to the poor monitoring. ASA classification, Cadre of anaesthesia providers, and type of surgery were statistically significant for monitoring (P-value < 0.05). The factors affecting monitoring were faulty and lack of monitors and supplies, overworked, tired and reluctant anaesthesia providers, lack of funding to purchase accessories for and maintain anaesthesia equipment and poor anaesthesia charts.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Compliance with standard monitoring at Mulago is poor, with faulty monitors, poor anaesthesia charts, lack of monitoring and tired, reluctant anaesthesia providers being the primary culprits. We recommend that the government improve funding for the purchase and maintenance of equipment, that the hospital improve the anaesthesia chart, and that anaesthesia providers maintain equipment and diligently adhere to standard practice
Evaluation of the effectiveness of certificates of occupancy in securing tenure of tenants on Mailo Land in Mubende District : A case study of Madudu Sub-county
No full textA dissertation submitted to the College of Engineering Design, Art & Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Science in Land Management of Makerere University.The study evaluated the effectiveness of Certificates of Occupancy in securing the tenure of tenants on Mailo land in Mubende district, specifically, Madudu Subcounty. The specific objectives of the study included; to assess the state of Mailo land tenure security before issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, assess the state of Mailo land tenure security after issuance of Certificates of Occupancy, and to explore ways to improve Mailo land tenure security with issuance of Certificates of Occupancy in Mubende district. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design, and employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches to bring in-depth analysis and discussion of the problem under study. Simple random, and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select participants. A self- administered questionnaire was completed by 30 affected tenants, and eight (8) interviews were conducted with Key Informants (KI). Quantitative data was analyzed using frequency tables and charts generated from SPSS Ver.27 and Microsoft Excel while qualitative data was analyzed through thematic approaches by categorizing data into themes which enhanced effective interpretation of results. The key findings from the study revealed widespread awareness of COs among respondents, with a majority claiming a high level of understanding of their purpose and implications. The prevailing perception of tenure security before issuance of COs on Mailo land was overwhelmingly negative, highlighting significant challenges such as unclear ownership, disputes, and economic disparities. Additionally, the findings revealed that a significant majority of respondents felt much more secure in their tenure as tenants on Mailo land after the introduction of COs. Following CO issuance, tenants were able to engage in activities previously restricted, albeit indirectly, such as constructing permanent structures, purchasing additional land and cultivating perennial crops. It was concluded that the introduction of COs has had a positive impact on Mailo land tenure security in Mubende district. COs have contributed to reduced disputes and increased payment of Busuulu by tenants. The study further concludes that COs have empowered tenants by enabling them to present legal documentation in case of disturbances on the land and negotiate terms with landlords. Additionally, COs have facilitated independence in land use, allowing for long-term investments such as agricultural activities and permanent constructions. The study recommends reviewing laws on Busuulu payments to reflect current rates and clarify payment procedures for absentee landlords. The study also recommends addressing non-payment issues and reviewing encumbrance laws for the CO to include spatial components of the bibanja to improve clarity and effectiveness
The effect of changing construction drawings on the project : a case study of the construction of additional building for FAO office in UNMISS Compound, UN House, JUBA, South Sudan.
No full textA project report submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Science in Construction Management of Makerere University.This project explores the how change of construction drawings in the construction phase
influences the project duration and cost, using the construction of Food and Agriculture
Organization additional office in Juba South Sudan.
The project, contracted to Emaha General Construction and Trading Company, experienced
significant delays and cost overruns due to changes in construction drawings. The total cost of
the project was 26% higher than the original estimate, primarily due to additional work not
included in the original drawings. The project duration extended from the planned 176 days to
429 days, with changes in construction drawings contributing to 90.11% of this delay. Despite
these challenges, some tasks were completed on time or ahead of schedule. This report provides
a detailed analysis of the project schedule, cost, and the impact of changes in construction
drawings on the project's timeline and budget