Mak IR Repository (Makerere University)
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Hydrodynamic modelling of flash floods and its socio-economic impacts in river Nyamwamba Catchment
No full textA thesis submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Geo-Information Science and Technology of Makerere UniversityRiver Nyamwamba in Kasese district, pouring its waters in lake George, has over the years experienced recurrent floods which have threatened the livelihood of communities in the catchment. Destruction of infrastructure such as bridges, houses, and hospitals has been common and to a large extent killing and displacing people. This study assesses flash floods along Nyamwamba River catchment by carrying out hydrological and hydraulic modeling and estimated the socio-economic impacts of these floods on the community using flood depth- damage functions. HEC-HMS is used to conduct hydrological modeling. Flow simulations are forecasted for various return periods producing flow hydrographs for each flood event. HEC- RAS is used to perform hydraulic modeling from runoff data and subsequent flood plain maps developed for each flood event. Model calibration and validation is performed to compare the simulated water surface elevations with the observed values against the model yielding/ appealing results. Several hectares of land were found inundated with various return periods despite the measures that have been implemented. The inundation depths ranged from 0.0012-21.4 m with subsistence farmland having the highest percentage (40%) of land inundated by the flood. The amount of damage as determined using flood damage depth functions yielded subsistence farmland to have the highest amount of damage worthy Euros 1,454,350.54 and 1,589,290.28 at 5yr and 25-year return period. Schools had the highest amount of economic loss worthy Euros 449,799.14, while hospitals had the least amount of damage worthy Euros 149,933.05. In a bid to reduce the devastating impacts of floods, the study recommends, among many already in-place measures, creation of awareness in the communities on flood risk reduction measures, ensure effective and efficient enforcement of riverbank management regulations, adequate protection, and restoration of wetlands in addition to ensuring proper physical planning of settlements. The study generally concludes that the frequency in occurrence and severity of floods in Nyamwamba River catchment has increased posing panics and potential threats to human livelihood in the Kasese region. For instance, a 25-year return period peak discharge of 375 m3/s at the bridge section was found to cause an inundation area of 53.2 hectares. The findings of this study are relevant for the development of Emergency Action Plans encompassing river flooding and flood routing analyzes for the affected downstream areas
Learning needs and coping strategies of visually impaired learners at Makerere University
No full textDissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Arts Degree in Rural Development of Makerere UniversityGlobally, despite efforts to promote quality education, visually impaired learners, especially in higher institutions of learning, still face challenges, such as stigma and discrimination, lack of trained lecturers, lack of access to assistive devices, poor physical environment and lack of access to a friendly curriculum, which hinder their academic success. Although much has been written about the challenges of visually impaired learners in higher institutions of learning, a knowledge gap exists regarding the learning needs and the coping strategies of visually impaired learners. Therefore, this study explored the learning needs and coping strategies of visually impaired learners at Makerere University. Specifically, the study sought to understand their learning needs, experiences and coping strategies. This study adopted a case study design based on a qualitative approach to understand the life of visually impaired learners at Makerere University. Participants for this study who include visually impaired learners and key informant participants, were purposely selected. The data was collected using in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and documentary review, and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed the nature of the learning needs, which were: trained lecturers, access to assistive devices, a friendly curriculum and access to a friendly physical environment. Specifically, the study identifies stigma and discrimination, limited access to the physical environment, limited access to assistive devices, and lack of trained lecturers as the major obstacles to academic excellence. Furthermore, the study also reveals the different copying mechanisms that the visually impaired learners use to cope with the challenges they face, such as seeking peer support and being friendly. This research advocates for quality and inclusive education that caters to the needs of visually impaired learners, emphasizing the importance of trained lecturers, an inclusive curriculum and assistive materials and technology. This study also aims to educate stakeholders about the academic experience of visually impaired learners to enable them to come up with better solutions and practices that will help visually impaired learners excel in school
Factors influencing demand for health insurance in households with children aged 0-5 years in Uganda
No full textA research report 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 Economic Policy and Planning of Makerere UniversityThe study aimed to analyze the factors influencing demand for health insurance among Ugandan households with children 0-5years , using data from the 2019/2020 Uganda National Household Survey (n=3,588). Applying a binary logistic regression model, the univariate analysis found that most households were rural (82%), about half were female-led (50.7%), with fathers engaged in either subsistence work or unemployed (54.3%) and mothers being self-employed (35.2%) or in subsistence work/unemployed (61.7%). Health shocks were common, and households mostly sought care from private healthcare within 5 km, while family members were the primary caregivers. Only 18.6% of households expressed interest in joining a health insurance Scheme. The key determinants for joining a health insurance scheme include, region, income level, father’s type of employment, health seeking behavior and living in an urban area. The factors which are significantly associated with joining healthcare insurance include; region (p = 0.000), father’s type of employment (p = 0.040), healthcare-seeking (p = 0.032), source of healthcare accessed (p = 0.073), primary caregiver during illness (p = 0.029), and mode of transport to healthcare facilities (p = 0.019).other factors associated with joining health insurance were household income (p = 0.000), frequency and duration of illness episodes in the past 30 days (p = 0.000; p = 0.023). The logistic regression results showed that households in the Eastern region were 11.7% more likely to demand insurance compared to the Central region (p = 0.010). However, the demand for health insurance for those in the Northern and Western was lower by 8.3% (p = 0.050) and 9.4% (p = 0.056) compared to central region respectively. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions in the Northern and Western regions, where demand is lowest, to help raise health insurance uptake. Affordable insurance products tailored for subsistence and low-income working households is also important to reduce the financial barriers and improve health insurance uptake. Enhancing the quality of care, and accessibility to public healthcare, especially for low-income households, are key factors in encouraging enrolment in health insurance schemes. To increase the likelihood of taking up health insurance, targeted awareness campaigns in rural and low-income areas should focus on educating households about the benefits of insurance in reducing healthcare costs during emergencies. Improved transportation system to healthcare facilities is associated with better health-care seeking behavior and could increase the perceived value of health insurance
Geospatial modelling of flash flood hazards for mitigation considerations in urban planning and design (a case study of Mbale City)
No full textA dissertation submitted to the directorate of research and graduate training in partial fulfillment for the award of the master of science degree in urban planning and designPhysical Development Plans (PDPs), particularly at localized scales in Uganda, are designed minus considerations for flash flood hazard mitigation, leading to the allocation of many land uses in inappropriate zones. This is largely attributed to the limited up-to-date flood data, posing a significant challenge to the planning authorities. This study aimed at exploring how geospatial technology can be leveraged to bridge this flood data gap to determine considerations for flash flood hazard mitigation during the design and implementation of urban physical development plans, in Mbale City.
The study utilized a mixed research design approach, employing Key Informant Interviews (KII) to inform the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in assessing the flash flood hazard influencing factors in Mbale City. The Flash Flood Hazard Index (FFHI) was employed to determine flash flood hazard susceptibilities within the city. GIS map overlays were used to assess the interplay between flash flood hazard susceptibility. Lastly, the Hazard Informed Land Use Matrix, corroborative evidence, case studies and relevant literature were used to determine non-structural mitigation approaches for flash flood hazards in the City of Mbale.
The 5 major flash flood influencing factors for Mbale City and their respective levels of influence were Land use/Land cover (47.3%), drainage density (18.4%), rainfall (16%), slope (9.9%) and soil (8.4%). Zones highly susceptible to flash flooding constituted 28.19% of Mbale City, while 59.35% were moderately susceptible and 12.37% were low susceptible zones. The flash flood hazard susceptibility map was validated using ground data and yielded an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.92, indicating a high level of map reliability. The assessment of the flash flood hazard susceptibility and land use interplay revealed that the presence of major wetlands, residential densities and ward coverage areas significantly influence flash flood occurrences. Key flash flood hazard mitigation considerations highlighted were nature-based solutions, ecosystem-based livelihoods, promotion of green infrastructure, flood insurance, development control and strict adherence to policies and guidelines.
Geospatial technology proved effective in informing flash flood hazard mitigation approaches during the design and implementation of PDPs. The study highlighted Land use as the most significant flash flood conditioning factor, emphasizing the need for a timely and informed land use allocation approach. It also recommends adopting flash flood hazard modelling and a comprehensive mitigation approach for addressing flash flood hazards in PDP design and implementation.1. Water Essence - The Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD)/Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED).
2. African Water Research Mobility Network (AWaRMN
Examining the effectiveness of the law on public participation in legislative processes
No full textA dissertation submitted to the School of Law in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Laws of Makerere UniversityThis study examines the effectiveness of the law of public participation in the legislative processes of Uganda by exploring the available international laws and treaties to which Uganda is a Party that relate to public participation, and further analyses the performance of Uganda comparatively with selected jurisdictions of India, South Africa, and Kenya to draw from their good practices and to learn from their respective experiences and challenges in proposing recommendations. The study responded to four research questions namely; i) What is the evolution and historical background of the concept of public participation in legislative processes? ii) What is the origin of the concept of public participation in legislative process in Uganda? iii) What is the current constitutional and legal framework on the concept of public participation in Uganda? and iv) What possible ways can be proposed to address the inadequacies and challenges that undermine public participation in the legislative processes in Uganda? Findings resulting from the study indicated that the ambiguities and lack of clarity in international laws have undermined the commitment to public participation as well as created a laxity in creating a specific law for its address, equally affecting how matters of public interest are conducted during law making, which has contributed a diminished confidence and trust of the people in parliament, with the public withdrawing from contributing to their governance to remain silent. Unpopular policies have come into play as result of the lack of checks and balances, their lack of articulacy undermines their applicability. For a long time public participation in Uganda has remained chronologically rooted in the colonial orientations and various past regime approaches
Dynamics of land conflicts in Uganda : a case study of SSI sub-county in Buikwe District
No full textDissertation submitted to the Department of Religion and Peace Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies of Makerere University.Buikwe District's rapid urbanization, population boom, and rampant corruption fueled by "untouchable" officials have created a perfect storm for escalating land conflicts. A research examining the dynamics of land conflicts in Uganda: a case study of SSI Sub County in Buikwe District was carried out. This study was a Multi-method research involving KIIs, open ended questionnaire surveys, and Focus Group Discussions which revealed a complex interplay of factors driving this crisis. The study was guided by three specific objectives of establishing the factors leading to an increase in land conflicts in the Ssi Sub County in the Buikwe district; stating interventions that have been put in place by the government of Uganda in line with stopping land conflicts and identifying the challenges that have hindered Policing of land conflicts in Ssi Sub County in Buikwe District. Findings suggest that the increase in the land conflicts is brought about by rapid development of the area (90.0%), Population growth (86.7%), Family disputes (60.0%), Illiteracy rates in the community (78.3%), Corruption of authorities (86.7%) and the poor land tenure system (79.6%). Additionally, the respondents said that the government has done something that is to say sensitization of the people (91.7%), strengthening local councils in parishes and villages (83.37%), increasing facilitation of the Police (76.7%), and refresher training for Police Officers (70%), among other interventions. According to the respondents, these have been hindered by the still existing challenges such as insecurity of the tenure (95.0%), threatening of Police Officers (68.3%), corruption (96.7%), the political sensitivity of land conflicts (73.3%), forgery of the land titles (63.3%), lack of professional training (70.0%), insufficient investigation (75.0%), weak judiciary (86.7%), urging interventions like sustainable development strategies, anti-corruption measures, and community-driven solutions to ensure land security and social justice. The study therefore recommends that the law governing the institutions of land governance, particularly the ULC and DLBs should to be revamped to provide enhanced independence, freedom of operation, and improved accountability
Covid-19 Infections and the associated risk factors among Healthcare Workers In Kampala-Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.
No full textA dissertation report submitted to the school of public health in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Public Health degree of Makerere universityBackground: During the pandemic, health care workers were at a high risk of contracting the Covid-19 infections. This study sought to establish the COVID-19 infections and predisposing risk factors among HCWs in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: The 372 healthcare workers from the seven (07) public health facilities in Kampala Capital City were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. The data was collected using researcher administered questionnaires. It was analyzed using Stata version 16; means were compared using a student’s t-test. The proportions of COVID-19 infections were analyzed using the Pearson’s chi-square (X²) and the risk factors to covid-19 infections were analyzed using the Modified Poisson regression model using the backward stepwise method. Results: Out of the 372 study participants, 127 (34.1%) reported to have contracted covid-19 infection during the study period. 37 (29.1%) of the cases got infected more than once. Among the nurses there were 60 cases (38.7%), Doctors 26 cases (38.2%) and among the support staff there were 13 cases (21.7%). The most common symptoms were Headache 116 (91.3%), fever 108 (85%), cough 79 (62.2%), general body weakness 74 (58.3%), chills 57 (44.9%, loss of appetite 53 (41.7%), sore throat 45 (35.4%) and loss of sense of smell 39 (30.7%); 8 cases (6.3%) were asymptomatic. Being older than 33 years (PR =1.48, P= 0.007, 95% CI; 1.11 to 1.97), having a health condition (PR =2.18, P= <0.001, 95% CI; 1.67 to 2.84), un availability of sanitizer (PR =1.78, P= <0.001, 95% CI; 1.36 to 2.35), observing social distance with workmates (PR =0.57, P= 0.008, 95% CI; 0.38 to 0.86), working on more than 25 patients a day (PR =1.34, P= <0.043, 95% CI; 1.01 to 1.79), Having a roommate/family member diagnosed with Covid-19 (PR=2.0, P=<0.001, 95% CI; 1.53 to 2.61) and feeling stressed (PR =1.77, P= <0.011, 95% CI; 1.14 to 2.74), were found to be significantly associated with Covid-19 infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of the covid-19 among HCWs in Kampala was 34.1% (127 cases) and 29.1% (37 HCWs) got infected more than once. Being elderly, having an underlying health condition, unavailability of sanitizer, high workload, having a roommate/family member diagnosed with Covid-19 and feeling stressed were significant risk factors. While observing social distance with workmates reduced the risk of contracting the Covid-19 infection among HCWs
Assessing communication practices on pre-eclampsia/eclampsia at antenatal clinics at Kawempe National Referral Hospital
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of strategic and corporate communicationPre-eclampsia/eclampsia remains the second leading cause of maternal deaths in Uganda but the
leading cause of death at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, responsible for over 42% of
maternal deaths. However, there remains a gap in knowledge and awareness about pregnancy. This
study investigates communication of pre-eclampsia at antenatal clinics, which are the focus for
information dissemination to expectant mothers at Kawempe National Referral Hospital. Building
on the Health Belief Model and the Knowledge divide theory, the qualitative research study
employed seven in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions to find out the information
women receive at antenatal clinics and pre-eclampsia specific information, the emphasis on
prevention of the condition and the challenges faced in communication about preeclampsia, also
unearthing how better communication on pre-eclampsia can be done.
The study findings reveal a broad lack of or limited understanding of pre-eclampsia among
pregnant women attending antenatal clinics due to inadequate communication about the condition,
regardless of its severity and prevalence. This inadequate awareness is exacerbated by the
overcrowded antenatal clinics, which deter interactivity among health educators and pregnant
others, inadequate resources like public address systems, and language barriers, as communication
is done only in Luganda and English. Also, myths and misconceptions of preeclampsia relating to
witchcraft or punishment for infidelity further hinder the effectiveness of communication efforts.
The study thus recommends the elevation of the pre-eclampsia profile within the antenatal care
curriculum by dedicating adequate time and resources to comprehensive pre-eclampsia education,
the introduction of more interactive educational methods, such as workshops, group discussions,
and personalised counselling to engage pregnant women more effectively and cater to different
learning styles, expansion of educational efforts beyond the clinic setting to include community
outreach programs, use of influential figures and testimonials in pre-eclampsia education and
addressing staffing gaps at the hospital
Examining the role of Problem-based Learning in Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills among Graduate Students at Gulu University
No full textA dissertation submitted to the directorate of research and graduate training in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in
Educational Management of Makerere UniversityThis study aimed to examine the role of problem-based learning (PBL) components specifically case scenarios, academic collaborations, and guided facilitation in enhancing critical thinking skills among graduate students at Gulu University. Grounded in critical theory and informed by Habermas’s critical inquiry, the research employed a qualitative design. Data were collected
through semi-structured interviews, focus group interview, and document checks involving graduate students, recent graduates, and lecturers. The research sought to answer the following questions: (i) How do case scenarios nurture critical thinking skills among graduate students? (ii) How do academic collaborations foster critical thinking skills among graduate students? (iii)
How does guided facilitation promote critical thinking skills among graduate students? Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes and insights. The findings revealed that integrating case scenarios into the curriculum significantly enhanced students' critical thinking by bridging theoretical knowledge with practical problem-solving.
Case scenarios allowed students to engage with real-world issues, apply classroom concepts to tangible situations, and strengthen their analytical and problem-solving abilities. Academic collaborations, including group projects, peer reviews, and cooperative research, were found to enrich critical thinking by exposing students to diverse perspectives, facilitating reflective
dialogue, and promoting cooperative problem-solving. Guided facilitation provided crucial support through structured questioning, feedback, and mentoring, which helped students refine their reasoning processes and maintain focus on learning objectives. The study concluded that while the PBL components were effective in enhancing critical thinking skills, their full potential
was constrained by insufficient diversity in case scenarios, unequal access to technology, and ongoing logistical challenges. The study recommended that policymakers and implementers focus on integrating culturally diverse and contextually relevant case scenarios, ensuring equitable access to technological resources, and addressing logistical barriers. Additionally, it advocated for educational reforms aligned with critical theory, aiming to address systemic inequalities and promote social justice. Future research was recommended to include longitudinal studies to assess the impact of these PBL components across various disciplines and contexts. Such studies would provide valuable insights into optimizing PBL and related pedagogical approaches, helping to establish best practices for developing critical thinking skills and creating more inclusive and effective educational frameworksGulu University
Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and
Research for Development (NORHED) to the Transformative Education and Lifelong Learning
for Sustainable Growth (TELLS) Projec
The comedification of radio programming in Uganda : a case study of Radio Simba
No full textA dissertation submitted to the School of Languages, Literature and Communication in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of a Master’s Degree in Strategic and Corporate Communication of Makerere University.This study investigated the rise of comedy in Ugandan radio programming, with a specific focus on Radio Simba. Analyzing Radio Simba’s comedic evolution from 2019 to 2023, the study contextualized these shifts within Uganda’s evolving media landscape. The objectives of the study included: to examine the factors for increased comedy programming; to explore the effects of comedy on radio programming; and to assess the impact of comedy on the audience. Utilizing a case study design and a qualitative approach, the study relied on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to collect findings. Drawing on the Political Economy of Communication (PEC) Theory, this study assessed how economic and political factors shape comedic content, revealing how media ownership, market dynamics, and policy influence programming. By using PEC, the study examined how these forces reinforce dominant ideologies, support elite interests, and impact narrative framing McChesney, (2008); Mosco (2009). Using thematic analysis to analyse the data, the study identified key motivators, including branding effectiveness, sales growth, and abundant comedic talent as the key factors for increased comedy programming. Comedy’s impact on Radio Simba’s content includes enhanced audience engagement, communication, and advertising appeal. The findings underscored comedy’s role in enriching media experiences, fostering social cohesion, and strengthening audience loyalty. Recommendations include a call to UCC to develop guidelines on radio comedy, radio stations investing in quality comedy programming, while the listeners should provide feedback on comedic programming, and demand comedy that serves their interest and the public interest