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Effectiveness of bylaws in supporting sustainable crop intensification: A case of potato farming in Southwestern Uganda
No full textThis is a research article assessing the effectiveness of formal and informal bylaws in supporting sustainable crop intensification in potato farming regions of Southwestern UgandaThe study assessed the effectiveness of formal and informal bylaws in supporting sustainable crop intensification in potato farming regions of Southwestern Uganda. An exploratory case-study descriptive design was adopted, involving both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study relied on data from the review of the existing formal and informal bylaws on sustainable crop intensification, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. A total of 41 bylaws were assessed, involving key informants (22) and FDGs (6) respondents who participated in the study. The effectiveness of formal bylaws was high, because of the significant scores (7-8) on individual principles of effective institutions, with the highest principles being principle 2 (18%) and 7 (18%), and lowest being principle 8 (3%). The informal bylaws covered significantly only 2 principles of effective institutions from the total score 3 (100%). That is, principle 7 (37%) and 2 (33%), respectively. The coverage for 6 out of 8 principles was significantly very low. The study found greater levels of effectiveness significant for 7 out of 8 principles of effective institutions on formal bylaws more than informal bylaws (significant for principle 7 and 2 only), and most effective of the principles being principles 2 and 7 on both categories of bylaws. The study demonstrated the importance of both formal and informal bylaws in supporting SCI as both synergised each other in supporting intensification processes. The study recommends adapting existing bylaws to the eight designated principles of institutional effectiveness
The Law of Penology and Criminology: "I can't breathe", a legal philosophical appraisal of the need to harmonize the law in Uganda
No full text“If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so as a test of legal validity, any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality. It gives the segregator a false sense of superiority and the segregated a false sense of inferiority “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.” ~ Isaiah 10:1
Recent developments in the law have occurred against a background of mounting public anxiety about violent street crime. Leading politicians have proclaimed crime a priority rivaling even inflation and defense. As the sense of urgency intensifies, the desperate search for answers quickens. Virtually every day, a politician, editorial writer, or criminal justice professional offers a new prescription for ending crime. I believe the discussion currently raging over justice issues can best be understood by focusing upon a central question: Must we compromise the most basic values of our democratic society in our desperation to fight crime? I have elsewhere considered the implications of this question for issues of criminal responsibility and for policy choices in the administration of justice. In this book, I will examine the ways in which different answers to this fundamental question can affect the development of legal doctrine, particularly with respect to the constitutional rights of those accused of crime.
Proficiency in law involves a number of different skills and competencies. It requires knowledge of the rules wherein the elements of criminal offences are to be found. It requires knowledge of the rules of evidence and procedure. It requires an ability to identify the rule(s) applicable to a fact situation and to apply them logically and coherently. Attaining these latter competencies is necessary to discharge effectively the day-to-day tasks of a criminal lawyer solicitor, advocate or judge. However, true mastery requires something further. It requires also a critical and evaluative attitude. The law in action is not just a matter of doctrine, it has its purpose that is the delivery of justice and criminal justice which are a contingent outcome in which rule, process and context all play their part. It is not simply a logical description of what happens when rule meets (prohibited) event. Understanding the law requires, therefore, an appreciation of the day-to-day workings and constitution of the criminal justice system. Moreover, it requires an understanding of the resources of the criminal law to produce substantive justice. If the mechanical application of a given rule to a fact situation acquits a dangerous or wicked person, or convicts someone neither dangerous nor blameworthy according to ordinary standards, the law may be considered not only ‘an ass’ but as confounding its own rationale. Understanding this rationale is also, therefore, a necessary preliminary to understanding the law itself since it will inform a realistic appreciation of what can be argued and what cannot.
At its most basic, to know what the law is may require an understanding of how to produce cogent and principled arguments for change. This book seeks to examine the rules of the law in an evaluative context. It concerns itself with what makes a crime, both at a general theoretical level and at the level of individual offences. It addresses what the law is and, from the point of view of the ideas, principles and policies informing it, also what it ought to be. We will explore some general matters which will help to inform such an evaluative attitude, the principles and ideas informing decisions to criminalize will be considered. What is it, say, which renders
incitement to racial hatred a criminal offence, incitement to sexual hatred a matter at most of personal morality and sexual and racial discrimination a subject of redress only under the civil law? This book examines punishment and the theories used to justify it. Although this is the subject-matter of its own discrete discipline, namely penology, some understanding is necessary for the student of law. It provides a basis for subjecting the rules of criminal law to effective critical scrutiny. If we have a clear idea of why we punish, we are in a position to determine, for example, what fault elements should separate murder from manslaughter, or indeed whether they should be merged in a single offence. Without such an idea our opinions will, inevitably, issue from our prejudices rather than our understanding. Individual offences themselves are covered and although elements of these offences vary, they have certain things in common. In particular, they require proof of some prescribed deed on the part of the offender unaccompanied by any excusing or justifying condition, together with a designated mental attitude, commonly known as guilty mind. Since this model of liability (conduct–consequence–mental attitude–absence of defense) is fairly constant throughout the criminal law these separate elements and the ideas informing them will be explored in before we meet the offences themselves, so as to avoid unnecessary duplication. Finally, we will examine how criminal liability may be incurred without personally executing a substantive offence, whether by participating in an offence perpetrated by another or by inciting, attempting or conspiring to commit a substantive offence. Before tackling these issues we will, examine some general issues pertinent to understanding the law and its operation, concentrating, in particular, upon the philosophy, workings and constitution of the justice system
Sawdust as a filtering media in sludge drying beds
Full text linkThis is a research article on Conventional wastewater treatment is a common method of domestic wastewater treatment in Sub Saharan Africa. Lubigi wastewater treatment plant (LSTP) in Kampala – Uganda is a unique wastewater treatment system combining treatment of on-site faecal sludge and domestic wastewater.Conventional wastewater treatment is a common method of domestic wastewater treatment in Sub Saharan Africa. Lubigi wastewater treatment plant (LSTP) in Kampala – Uganda is a unique wastewater treatment system combining treatment of on-site faecal sludge and domestic wastewater. High solids content of on-site faecal sludge mean large volumes of the same, thus limited sludge drying space. This means need to optimize sludge drying bed use (improving the sludge drying efficiency) by reducing their drying times. This study investigated use of wood sawdust as a filtering layer in the faecal sludge drying process. Comparison of performance between sand, fine and coarse sawdust as a filtering media was conducted at LSTP. Sludge shrinkage depth (cm) and moisture content (%) were key parameters used to analyze and determine the most ideal media for sludge dewatering. The study was conducted during both wet and dry seasons to determine the impact of seasonal changes. Dry season results showed a drastic decrease in the sludge depth (shrinkage) for all the three media types after a period of 8 days followed by a gradual decrease in sludge depth up to 28 days. This implies that effective dewatering happens for the first 8 days, which goes on for the rest of the remaining days. Overall, the best performing media was fine sawdust, coarse sawdust and lastly sand. Independent two sample t-tests assuming equal variances show that there is a significant difference between the mean sludge depth of sand and fine sawdust t(df) = 56, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the mean sludge shrinkage depth of fine sawdust and coarse sawdust. Similar results were obtained during the wet season. Comparisons of similar media types during the dry and wet seasons shows that the mean sludge shrinkage for the dry season were significantly lower than that of the wet season (P<0.05). This implies that seasonal changes significantly affect the sludge dewatering. In terms of moisture content (MC), the results for dry season showed that fresh fine and fresh coarse wood sawdust achieved MC of 28% and 31% respectively after 28 days. Sand produced faecal sludge with a higher MC of 49% after 28 days. Similar results of the performance of the three types of media was observed during the wet season. In conclusion, fine sawdust performs better than coarse sawdust and sand media in faecal sludge dewatering. Sludge dewatering is affected by seasonal changes
e-Quantum leap on a data highway: Planning for electric minibus taxis in sub-Saharan Africa’s paratransit system
Full text linkThis is a book chapter on the Minibus taxis are ubiquitous in the developing cities of the Global South.Minibus taxis are ubiquitous in the developing cities of the Global South. This versatile, if somewhat chaotic, public transport system is now faced with the need to move to renewable energy. But the looming roll-out of electric vehicles poses a threat to the already fragile electrical grids of African cities. This chapter evaluates the energy requirements of decarbonisation and evaluates two types of data, passenger-based and vehicle-based, from research in South Africa that has modelled these taxis. Using these two data capture methods, we assess the energy requirements and charging opportunities for electric minibus paratransit in three African cities and compare the results of the two methods to assess their suitability for planning minibus taxi electrification
Freedom through law
No full text“If the legal system or a particular law is wrong or not good enough, and should be changed: if that is against the law, then the law is an ass – an idiot….” said of a law that one thinks is unnecessary or ridiculous. The phrase comes from Charles Dickens Novel, Oliver Twist. This opinion was expressed by Mr. Bumble, when he learned from Mr. Brownlow that, under Victorian law, he was responsible for actions carried out by his wife. His words and action vividly convey the extent of his indignation when he apprised of this legal fact, if that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor: and the worst I wish the law is that his eye may be opened by experience. (Resonate with changing society)
This is the very purpose of this book. The law should be seen to resonate with changing society not a dogma for if we fail to do so then to use Shakespeareʼs exact line by the famous plotter of treachery “ the first thing we do, letʼs kill all the lawyers” this was stated by Dick the Butcher, in Henry VI part II, Act IV, Scene II, LINE 73 Dick the Butcher was a follower of the rebel Jack Cade, who thought that if he disturbed law order, he could become king.
Shakespeare meant it as a compliment to attorneys and judges who instill justice in society. It is among Shakespeareʼs most famous lines, as well as one of his most controversial. Shakespeare may be making a joke when character “Dick the Butcher” suggests one of the ways the band of pretenders to the throne can improve the country is to kill all the lawyers. Dick is a rough character, a killer as evil as his name implies like the other henchmen, and this is his rough solution to his perceived societal problem. The line has been interpreted in different ways: criticism of how lawyers maintain the privilege of the wealthy and powerful; implicit praise of how lawyers(law) emphasis added stand in the way of violent mobs; and criticism of bureaucracy and perversions of the rule of law under THE NAME OF DOGM
Phylogenetic Networks and Parameters Inferred from HIV Nucleotide Sequences of High-Risk and General Population Groups in Uganda: Implications for Epidemic Control
Full text linkThis is a research article discusses the Phylogenetic inference is useful in characterising HIV transmission networks and assessing where prevention is likely to have the greatest impact.Phylogenetic inference is useful in characterising HIV transmission networks and assessing where prevention is likely to have the greatest impact. However, estimating parameters that influence the network structure is still scarce, but important in evaluating determinants of HIV spread.
We analyzed 2017 HIV pol sequences (728 Lake Victoria fisherfolk communities (FFCs), 592 female sex workers (FSWs) and 697 general population (GP)) to identify transmission networks on Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic trees and refined them using time-resolved phylogenies. Network generative models were fitted to the observed degree distributions and network parameters, and corrected Akaike Information Criteria and Bayesian Information Criteria values were estimated.
347 (17.2%) HIV sequences were linked on ML trees (maximum genetic distance _4.5%, _95% bootstrap support) and, of these, 303 (86.7%) that consisted of pure A1 (n = 168) and D (n = 135) subtypes were analyzed in BEAST v1.8.4. The majority of networks (at least 40%) were found at a time depth of _5 years. The waring and yule models fitted best networks of FFCs and FSWs respectively while the negative binomial model fitted best networks in the GP. The network structure in the HIV-hyperendemic FFCs is likely to be scale-free and shaped by preferential attachment, in contrast to the GP. The findings support the targeting of interventions for FFCs in a timely manner for effective epidemic control. Interventions ought to be tailored according to the dynamics of the HIV epidemic in the target population and understanding the network structure is critical in ensuring the success of HIV prevention programs
Understanding ICT adoption amongst SMEs in Uganda: Towards a participatory design model to enhance technology diffusion
Full text linkPolicy statements by the United Nations, the African Union and most African countries boldly pronounce on the anticipated benefits of the internetworked world and associated ICT to society in general and to the world of business specifically. In terms of the latter, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are recognized as being critical to the growth of developing economies. There is consensus that this sector has considerable potential for improved business outcomes through the harnessing of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
However, a problem of low adoption of ICT in this sector still prevails in Africa and there is a gap in our understanding of the reasons for this. In light of this problem, this paper reports on a survey of Ugandan SME owners in which their ICT pre-usage beliefs and attitudes are explored. The study identified four pre-use factors that are correlated with ICT use. The pre-usage beliefs which significantly influence decisions to adopt and use ICT include Benefit expectation, ICT learnability, User-confidence, and User-friendliness.
These are found to be key determinants of ICT adoption. ICT support and ease-of-use on the other hand were factors that did not correlate with decisions to use ICT. However, it is found that there is a low predictive capability (17.7%) of pre-usage beliefs and attitudes in respect of prior use or non-use of ICT among SMEs. As such, this study found that other contextual factors constitute a greater (82.3%) predictive percentage. In light of this, the paper concludes by recommending an ICT participatory design process to mitigate ICT pre-use scepticism among SMEs owners.National Research Foundation of South Afric
The Executive Constitutional Mandate: demystifying the fountain of honor; Presidential powers overreach in Uganda
No full textAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in whole or in part in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.The first thing I would like to ask my readers is to imagine a different President in office. If they support the current President and believe those who oppose him are doing so for partisan or otherwise illegitimate reasons, they should visualize a President whom they completely distrust. Conversely, if they dislike the current President, they should conceive of the President in power as someone they support and that those opposing him are acting illegitimately. This exercise is helpful, I believe, for focusing attention on the underlying constitutional issues rather than upon the wisdom, or lack thereof, of a particular President’s policies.
Views as to whether or not an exercise of presidential power is legitimate tend to be based less upon legal abstractions than upon perceptions of the particular President in power. Someone supporting a particular President, for example, is likely to believe that parliament should not have the power to interfere with the President’s unilateral decision to send troops into armed conflict or that parliament should not have the authority to demand the President to extend or remove his term limits. Conversely, someone who believes a President’s agenda is improperly motivated or ill-advised is more likely to support constitutional principles that provide significant checks and balances upon the President’s exercise of power.
In this way, views on presidential power tend to be more variable than views on other constitutional issues because they intuitively relate to who is in power in a way that views on other controversial constitutional issues such as freedom of speech and assembly, or freedom of religion do not.
For this reason, this book on presidential power is well timed. Because the question of who will hold the Presidency after the next election should always be much in doubt, this is the perfect opportunity to examine the nature of presidential power as an abstract matter, rather than as a criticism or as an apologia of a specific President’s actions. This is what I intend to do in this book.
Specifically, I contend that the power of the Presidency has been expanding since the founding, and that we need to consider the implications of this expansion within the constitutional structure of separation of powers.
No matter which party controls power. This book makes the descriptive case by briefly canvassing a series of factors that have had, and continue to have, the effect of expanding presidential power. It further suggests this expansion in presidential power has created a constitutional imbalance between the executive and legislative branches, calling into doubt the continued efficacy of the structure of separation of powers set forth by the Framers.
The book offers some suggestions as to how this power imbalance can be alleviated, but it does not present a silver bullet solution. Because many, if not all, the factors that have led to increased presidential power are the products of greed and selfish needs.
Thus, this book ends with only the modest conclusion that regardless of who wins the Presidency, it is critical that those on both sides of the aisle work to assure that the growth in presidential power is at least checked, if not reversed
Walking on sunshine: Pairing electric vehicles with solar energy for sustainable informal public transport in Uganda
Full text linkThis is a research article on Minibus taxi public transport which is a seemingly chaotic phenomenon in the developing cities of the Global South with unique mobility and operational characteristics.Minibus taxi public transport is a seemingly chaotic phenomenon in the developing cities of the Global South with unique mobility and operational characteristics. Eventually this wide-spread effect of minibus taxis will have to transition to electric vehicles. This paper examines the impact of this inevitable evolution on a city-wide scale in Kampala, Uganda. We present a generic simulation environment to assess the grid impact and charging opportunities, given the unique paratransit mobility patterns. We used floating car data to assess the energy requirements of electric minibus taxis, which will have a knock-on effect on the region's already fragile electrical grid. We used spatio-temporal and solar photovoltaic analyses to assess the informal and formal stops that would be needed for the taxis to recharge from solar PV in the region's abundant sunshine. The results showed that the median energy demand across all simulated days of the effect of taxis was 220kWh=d. This ranged to a maximum of 491kWh=d, with a median charging potential (stationary time) across taxis of 8 h=d to 12 h=d. The median potential for charging from solar PV ranged from 0:24kWh=m2 to 0:52kWh=m2 per day, across the taxis. Our simulator and results will allow traffic planners and grid operators to assess and plan for looming electric vehicle roll-outs to the most-used mode of transport in Africa
Characterizing the movement patterns of minibus taxis in Kampala’s paratransit system
Full text linkThis is a research article about urban travelers in Africa depend on minibus taxis for their daily social and business commutingUrban travelers in Africa depend on minibus taxis for their daily social and business commuting. This paratransit system is loosely regulated, self-organizing, and evolves organically in response to demand. Our study used floating car data to analyze and describe the movement characteristics of nine minibus taxis in Kampala, Uganda. We made three intriguing findings. Firstly, in searching for, picking up and transporting passengers, minibus taxi trajectories followed a heavy-tailed power-law distribution similar to a “L´evy walk”. Secondly, their routes’ topology and shape gradually changed. Thirdly, the extraordinary winding (expressed in terms of tortuosity) of the paths suggested the extreme determination of the drivers’ search for passengers. Our findings could help city planners to build on the self-organizing characteristics of the minibus taxi system, and improve the mobility of travelers, by optimizing routes and the distribution of public amenities