Mak IR Repository (Makerere University)
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The effect of public expenditure on private sector growth in Uganda 1992 to 2022
No full textA research dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training of Makerere University for the award of a Master’s Degree of Arts in Economic Policy and Planning of Makerere UniversityThis study examines the relationship between public expenditure and private sector growth in Uganda from 1992 to 2022. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the research investigates both the short-run and long-run impacts of government spending across sectors such as health, education, and military on private investment. The results indicate that in the short run, military and education expenditures have a positive effect on private investment, while health expenditure exhibits a negative short-term impact. In the long run, health expenditure significantly promotes private investment, whereas military spending crowds out private sector growth. Education expenditure shows no significant long-run effect. The study finds that macroeconomic factors such as inflation and exchange rate also play crucial roles in shaping private investment decisions. These findings suggest that while public expenditure can stimulate private sector development, its effectiveness depends on the sectoral composition and timing of such spending. The study recommends prioritizing health and education investments and maintaining macroeconomic stability to support sustainable private sector growth in Uganda
A critical analysis of the implementation of Uganda’s legal framework against substance abuse: a case study of Kampala Central Division
No full textA dissertation submitted to the School of Law in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of a degree of Master of Laws (LL. M) of Makerere UniversityThe rising prevalence of substance abuse in Uganda, particularly in Kampala Central Division (KCD) ignited questions into the effectiveness of the interventions, including the legal framework, that were in place to control it. Since previous research had not paid enough attention to answering this question in the context of the legal framework in place, the purpose of this study was to attempt to provide this answer. The study was guided by four objectives, namely:(a)exploring the adequacy of the legal framework enacted to control substance abuse in KCD; (b) analysing the extent to which this legal framework was implemented to achieve its purpose in KCD; (c) establishing the constraints to this implementation; and (d) suggesting remedies to these constraints. The objectives were achieved using as a case study research design involving a socio-legal qualitative approach to data collection and analysis. The sample consisted of 80 purposively selected participants who included members of parliament, ministry of health officials, police officers, prosecutors, judicial officials, lawyers, health officers, civil society organisation officials, pharmacists and substance abusers under rehabilitation. Primary data was collected using face-to-face interviews guided by an interview guide and focus group discussions, and analysed using Yin’s (2015) framework of thematic analysis. Secondary data was collected and analysed using doctrinal analysis of relevant legal instruments and reports. The key findings of the study are as follows: Uganda’s legal framework adequately provides for controlling substance abuse by averting the supply of psychotropic and psychoactive substances, but has lacunae that make it insufficient to prevent this abuse from the demand side. For instance, substance abuse is not explicitly defined while some substances such as gasoline are not considered illicit despite their being highly abused in KCD. In addition the use of the harm reduction strategies is not explicitly provided for in legal framework. These lacunae encourage ghetto youth, musicians and other popular individuals to abuse khat, marijuana, gasoline and other substances publicly. The implementation of this legal framework involved the police destroying marijuana farms, arresting and facilitating prosecution of the cultivators and those found in possession of illicit drugs, and arresting the abusers found in the company of these suspects and referring them to rehabilitation centres. The extent of this implementation was however, assessed as negligible compared to the prevalence of substance abuse in KCD and Uganda at large. The constraints to this implementation included the lacunae in the legal framework, inadequate funding, corruption, insufficient enforcement capacity and low police-public cooperation caused by police brutality and unreliability in confidentially keeping public sources of information on perpetrators of substance abuse. These constraints contributed to the negligible implementation of the legal framework. To remedy the constraints, this study suggests amendments to Article 23(1) (f) of Uganda’s Constitution to provide for preventive measures against substance abuse instead of providing for only rehabilitative measures. The government of Uganda should also provide adequate budgetary funding to facilitate control of substance abuse by the police, DPP, judiciary, and rehabilitation centres. The police should weed corruption out of its department that handles substance abuse detection and investigation; and provide professional skills training in substance abuse detection. Licensed pharmacy and drug shop operators should stop selling psychotropic and psychoactive drugs to buyers who do not present medical prescription from authorised professional physicians
Saving Water in Paddy Rice Fields under the System of Rice Intensification in Uganda.
No full textA thesis submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Integrated Watershed Management of Makerere University.The extent of water wastage to furnish inefficient irrigation systems especially in flood irrigated rice systems in Uganda, is not known. Too much water not only compromises nutrient use efficiency, but has also been associated with the spread of water snail (Pomacea canaliculate), a pest that eats up young rice seedlings and transmits bilharzia (schistosomiasis). System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has been found to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water and nutrient wastage; it also increases rice yields, though its benefits in flooded rice systems in Uganda have not been fully been explored. The overall objective of this study was to optimize water use efficiency (WUE) under SRI in flood irrigated systems in Uganda. The specific objectives were to: (i) establish the minimum flooding depth for optimal WUE and grain yields (ii) determine the effect of spacing and seedling rate on rice growth parameters, grain yield and WUE and (iii) determine the effect of seedling age at transplanting on rice growth parameters, grain yield and WUE. Field experiments were established for two seasons (December 2021– March 2022 and May - Sep 2022) in Doho Rice Irrigation Scheme (DRIS) in eastern Uganda. The main treatments included four flooding depths (0mm / Field Capacity, 10 mm, 20mm and 40mm) and within each flooding depth, were split plots that included (i) the number of seedlings per hill (1 or 3) and (ii) spacing (0.20 m x 0. 20 m or 0.25 m x 0.25 m). Crop parameters measured included plant height, number of tillers, number of panicles, shoot and root biomass and grain yields. There were no significant differences in biomass and grain yields among the four flooding depths. WUE was 16.5 ± 0.2kg/mm/ha under field capacity, which was significantly higher than the 3.1kg/mm/ha under the 40 mm ponding depth. This is a clear indication that paddy rice can be produced under soil kept at field capacity. Planting one seedling per hill at a spacing of 0.25m x 0.25m led to a higher number of tillers, panicles and consequently biomass and grain yields than three seedlings per hill, implying that farmers practice of up to six seedlings per hill not only wastes seed but suppresses yields. Seedling age at planting had a significant effect on both grain yield and WUE. Higher grain yield (4.6 ± 0.2 t/ha) and WUE (8.9 ± 1.2 kg/mm/ha) were from seedlings transplanted at 14 Days After Emergence (DAE) compared to grain yield (1.9 ± 0.2 t/ha) and WUE (0.8 ± 0.1 kg/ha/mm) obtained from seedlings transplanted at 30 DAEs. It can be concluded that ponding of up to maximum of 10 mm of water every three days and transplanting of 14 DAEs seedlings of 1 seedling per hole at a spacing 0.25m x 0.25m leads to optimum WUE and increased rice grain yields. This can save up to 33% of the water farmers use to grow rice
Detection of clinically relevant respiratory viruses and their temporal dynamics in sputum of tuberculosis patients on anti-TB drugs at Naguru Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
No full textBackground
Tuberculosis is one of the leading infectious causes of death in the world, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year, resulting into an estimated 1.3 million deaths(1). The relationship between M. tuberculosis and viral co-infections enhances mortality especially in areas where Tuberculosis disease is a burden(2). Viral co-infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis may play a role in the onset, presentation, and progression of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) in patients by interfering with the host's immune response(3). We determined the clinically important respiratory pathogenic viruses commonly coinfecting TB patients in Uganda and their temporal changes in samples from TB patients on Anti-TB drugs.
Method:
In a longitudinal comparative study with sputum samples collected from patients enrolled in an earlier study, 25 patients were followed up for 4 months. Viral pathogens were then detected using Illumina Respiratory Pathogen ID/AMR Enrichment Panel Kit.
Results:
Of the 25 samples selected, 20% were living with HIV, 44% male.14 respiratory viruses were detected all together at all time points, The most frequently detected viruses included, Epstein Bar Virus (EBV) (16%) of samples at baseline, 37.5% at month 2 and 48% at month 4. Multiple viruses were detected in (8%) of the samples and these persisted over time. Some of the viruses detected were incident or had resolved by follow-up month 4 after detection.
Conclusion: We found that respiratory viruses were detected at all study time points and some persisted over time. Although the diversity of these viruses does not change over timeCase Western Reserve University /Makerere University U.S. NIH- Fogarty International Center. (MITHU, Grant #D43TW010319
Factors associated with incomplete COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Kampala Capital City Health Facilities. An explanatory sequential mixed methods study
No full textA research dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Degree of Masters in Public Health.Introduction: Health workers involved in rapid response to viral infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola, Marburg among others are almost certainly at an increased risk of acquiring infection compared to the public. Like other viral outbreaks, the inclusion of healthcare workers as a high priority population for COVID-19 vaccination is among the special efforts to protect them from the acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection in addition to other public health measures to maximize their protection. Despite efforts such as prioritizing healthcare workers (HCWs), making vaccines available, and reporting willingness to get fully vaccinated, it is unknown what proportion of HCWs have completed the primary vaccination schedule and the factors that may influence completion.
General Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with incomplete COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs in facilities in Kampala City, Uganda.
Methods: A mixed methods cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 multistage sampled HCWs at healthcare facilities within Kampala capital city. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered by trained research assistants to the selected HCWs. Quantitative data was analysed using Stata Corp v17.0. while qualitative data was analyzed using inductive thematic content analysis, aided by Atlas ti.8. Associations between vaccination status and independent variables were explored using Generalized Linear Models with a poisson family and log link (modified poisson regression) with robust standard errors. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to show statistical significance. Prevalence ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were reported as the measure of association.
Results: The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination incompletion was 21.7%. Age 30 – 39 years (aPR = 0.51, 95%CI 0.29 – 0.90), confidence in the vaccine (aPR = 0.31, 95%CI 0.17 – 0.56) and ease in accessing vaccination services (aPR = 0.54, 95%CI 0.34 – 0.84) were associated with a reduced likelihood of an incomplete vaccination status while being at a private not for profit facility (aPR = 1.83, 95%CI 1.20 – 2.78), disbelief that vaccinations reduce risk of death from Infectious Diseases (aPR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.26 – 2.70), disbelief that vaccination reduces the risk of sickness and death from COVID-19 (aPR = 2.05, 95%CI 1.34 – 3.14), failure to recommend the vaccines (aPR = 1.75, 95%CI 1.07 – 2.86), Health Professionals (aPR = 3.52, 95%CI 1.12 – 11.06) and having high access rate to information (aPR = 1.93, 95%CI 1.11 – 3.37) were associated with increased likelihood of incomplete vaccination status. Enablers of vaccine completion included perceived protection (belief that vaccines boost immunity), vaccination being a requirement by law/ institution, and availability of services. Barriers to vaccine completion included misinformation, communication and media environment, negative perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry, knowledge/ awareness, perceived risk/ benefits and vaccine specific issues such as speed of development, source of the vaccine and attitudes of HCWs.
Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination incompletion among HCWs was 21.7%. Confidence in the vaccine and ease in accessing vaccination services were associated with a reduced likelihood of an incomplete vaccination status while being at a private not for profit facility, disbelief that vaccinations reduce the risk of death from Infectious Diseases, disbelief that vaccination reduces the risk of sickness and death from COVID-19, failure to recommend the vaccines, those in the health professionals category and having high access rate to information were associated with increased likelihood of incomplete vaccination status. The Ministry of Health needs to intensify risk communication efforts among HCWs, with messaging focused on filling gaps around vaccine safety and efficacy to build confidence levels of the HCWs particularly those at non-governmental facilities and those vulnerable to misinformation
Regulation, innovation and safeguarding customers: the case of Absa Bank - Know Your Customer
No full textA Research Report Submitted to School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Financial Services of Makerere UniversityThe study assessed Know Your Customer (KYC) regulation for protecting customers at Absa Bank Uganda. KYC guidelines and regulations in financial services require professionals to verify the identity, suitability, and risks involved with maintaining a business relationship with a customer. The study objectives The study assessed Know Your Customer (KYC) regulation for protecting customers at Absa Bank Uganda were: to assess the Know Your Customer regulation at Absa Bank Uganda; to identify the elements that contribute to customer weariness while adhering to Know Your Customer regulations; and to evaluate Absa's framework for client protection through the Know Your client initiative. The study adopted a convergent parallel research design using a quantitative and qualitative approach. The units of inquiry entailed the following: managing director, head of departments, supervisors and staff of Absa Bank Uganda. Quantitative data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20.0 and qualitative data from interviews was sorted, coded and entered in Nvivo version 20 to generate themes. The study established that the regulation of KYC requires Ugandan national clients to present the national IDs validated through the national NIRA portal Non-Ugandan clients present the passport, refugee ID card, employment status, declaration of PEP status, and Tax Identification Number. KYC entails customer call backs and follow ups on customer transactions complaint, business registered name, certificate of incorporation and stock exchange registration to ensure due diligence at Absa bank Uganda. However, the following were the challenges: inaccurate information uploaded by customers, KYC systems failure to reach customer, inconsistent in completing customer requests and KYC system error at Absa Bank. Customer weariness involves use of comprehensive verification procedures, functionality of e-KYC system for customer interface, NIN verification and NIRA validation system for the national IDs for due diligence at Absa Bank. The study recommends that Absa should set guidelines to verify the client’s identity, customer identification program, ongoing monitoring during on boarding, customer transaction types, digitizing of banking system, review of financial and non-financial crime trends, evaluation of employment history, frequent checks on customer complaints and regular upgrading of KYC framework for due diligenc
Patients’ perceptions about quality of laboratory service and level of satisfaction at Kampala Capital City Authority Health Centres
No full textPatients have exclusive needs and preferences for health care services. A positive influence on their satisfaction results in strong intentions to seek health care when needed as well as recommending health care to other clients. Conversely, failure to meet patient’s desires often leads to frustration thus opting for service elsewhere. This study aimed at determining the relationship between patients’ perceptions about quality of laboratory service and level of satisfaction at selected Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Health Centres, Uganda. The cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st November, 2017 to 10th January 2018 at 3 Health Centres (HC). Participants were purposively sampled. A pre-tested, structured and interviewer- administered questionnaire and focus group discussions were employed for data collection. In addition, Key informant interviews with a few health care providers were conducted for data validation. Using computer software (SPSS 23.0), descriptive statistics were obtained. The 13 aspects used to assess satisfaction were summarized into one variable. Multiple linear regression was employed to identify the determinants of patient satisfaction. Tangibles- amenities (laboratory building environment), reliability, responsiveness and empathy dimensions had significant effect on satisfaction. Factor analysis was performed on the 20 aspects used to assess the quality of laboratory services so as to identify factors which explained most of the variance observed in the sample. The patients perceived the quality of laboratory services as assuring. Patients were less impressed with waiting time within the responsiveness dimension in particular. The patients’ level of satisfaction with laboratory services offered by selected KCCA HCs was suboptimal. Patients were dissatisfied with unavailable tests and payment for some tests at two out of three HCs. None of the socio- demographic variables (sex, age, education level, marital status, religion, occupation and residence,) influenced patient satisfaction. The reliability of laboratory services positively influenced patient satisfaction the most where provision with all the required tests had the best factor loading of 0.744. (P = 0.000). The HCs’ administration should put in more effort towards providing laboratory services which are more patient centered; This includes improvement of staff responsiveness and communication skills, decreasing patient waiting time, provision of all tests as requested by the clinician as well as providing satisfactory laboratory diagnoses and relevant information upfront about the fees if any as this would alleviate patient dissatisfaction
Establishment of diagnostic reference levels for selected interventional radiology procedures at Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago
No full textInterventional radiology (IR) has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of vascular and cardiac diseases, offering minimally invasive procedures with reduced hospitalization times. However, the increasing complexity of neuro-radiology procedures has raised concerns regarding radiation exposure for patients. This study aimed to establish dose reference levels (DRLs) for seven common IR procedures at the Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital, over a three-year period.
Data on radiation doses received by adult patients undergoing vascular, diagnostic, and interventional procedures were systematically collected. The primary objective was to deter-mine DRLs using the 75th percentile approach, encompassing procedures such as Angiogra-phy, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), Permanent Pacemaker Implantation (PPI), Biventricular Pacing, and Balloon Pulmonary Valvotomy.
Analysis included parameters such as Dose-Area Product (DAP), Entrance Surface Dose (ESD), and Fluoroscopy Time (FT). Results revealed variations in radiation exposure among different procedures, with PCI involving three stents exhibiting the highest exposure, while PPI showed the lowest. Comparative analysis with international literature data demon-strated alignment with established DRLs, suggesting effective radiation protection practices at the institute.
Establishing DRLs serves as a valuable benchmark for evaluating medical practices and ensuring patient safety. Furthermore, it facilitates the optimization of IR procedures, con-tributing to the enhancement of healthcare services provided at Uganda Heart Institute. This study emphasises the importance of continuous monitoring and adherence to DRLs to mitigate radiation risks and improve patient outcomes in interventional radiology
Experiences and support services provided to international graduate students at Makerere University
No full textA Research 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 UniversityThe enrollment of international graduate students is declining at Makerere University. Yet,
Makerere aspires to be a research-led institution with an internationalization agenda. There is
need to increase the numbers of international graduate students as this would help Makerere
University to realize her vision. This study therefore explored international graduate students‟
experiences and how they are supported at Makerere University. It was guided by two
objectives: (1) To explore experiences of international graduate students at Makerere university.
(2) To explore how international graduate students are supported at Makerere University. This
study was based on the interpretive world view, subscribing to the transcendental
phenomenology of Edmund Husserls which states that those who have experienced a
phenomenon can give meaning to it. Eight international graduate students at Makerere
University were interviewed and they were selected from different academic disciplines which
were categorised according to Becher and Biglan‟s classification of academic disciplines. Data
analysis followed thematic analysis whereby three themes including non-academic experiences,
academic experience and support emerged as experiences and support that was provided to
international graduate students at Makerere University. The findings show that international
graduate students encountered both positive and negative non-academic and academic
experiences at Makerere University. Positive academic experiences entailed attainment of
confidence in academic situations, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and
networking, access to diverse academic resources among others. Negative academic experiences
on the other hand entailed financial difficulties, inadequate laboratory facilities, and delayed
feedback from supervisors on research projects. Non-academic positive experiences entailed
cultural exchange, opportunities for personal and professional growth. Negative non-academic
experiences encompassed institutional barriers and challenges in finding suitable
accommodation. Regarding support, international graduate students received non-academic and
academic support at Makerere University. It was therefore concluded that international graduate
students had non-academic and academic experiences which were both positive and negative at
Makerere University. It was also concluded that international graduate students received non-
academic and academic support at Makerere University. This study recommends that Makerere
University Management should provide more resources to the International 0ffice, and the
Office of the Dean of Students should organise events for graduate students to facilitate their
integration into the university. The Academic Registrar‟s Office should provide comprehensive
information on the joining instructions. Finally, the Directorate of Research and Graduate
Training should assist self -sponsored international graduate students in securing external
funding opportunities for their research projects
Community participation in mitigating water pollution along Ggaba Landing Site, Kampala City
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 Arts in Sociology of Makerere University.Ggaba Landing site is located on the Northern shores of Lake Victoria, in Kampala city. It is among the major landing sites in Uganda and has many people engaged in various livelihood activities. In pursuit of these livelihoods, people exert pressure on the water resource in terms of use due to rapid population growth and urbanization leading to uncontrolled dumping of waste, excessive use of water, thus leading to water pollution at the landing site. This study aimed at community participation towards the mitigation of water pollution at the landing site. The study drew a sample of 254 respondents using a stratified random sampling procedure. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, using survey while qualitative data were collected using KIIs, FGDs, documentation, and observation. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS whereas qualitative data was analyzed using thematic approach. The findings revealed that respondents at Ggaba landing site are knowledgeable about water pollution however they are influenced by their mindset, the unreliable funding, conflicts among the different stake holders and many others. In order to mitigate water pollution, the different stakeholders need to work in synergy, as community participation can contribute greatly to the effectiveness and efficiency of water pollution intervention. Participation ought to be inclusive for the local community members. The government should sustain the sensitization efforts on recycling as it has been stated to provide one of the most rational economic and ecological alternatives for solid waste disposal. It is important that water pollution mitigation content, programs, and courses be ingrained in the school curricula in Uganda. The study recommends that the government of Uganda through NEMA and the Police should work together and strictly implement these available laws and policies to protect ecosystems, alongside intensive sensitization of people about the ecological and social values of water bodies.Unlocking Resilient Benefits from African Water Resources (RESBEN) project at Makerere University funded by UKRI GCRF through the ARUA Water Centre of Excellence at Rhodes University, South Africa with its six nodes in Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa as well as UK partners