Kampala University

This study looks at the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in Higher Education curricula with a case study of Busitema University in Uganda and it objectively focused on investigating the current practices and existing curricula IK incorporation challenges. The study employed qualitative case study approach, conducting semi-structured interviews while interacting with teaching faculty, students, and university administrators and results were interpreted and analyzed thematically. The findings indicated that IK integration is limited but starting to grow. This growth is hindered by slow changes at the institution, a lack of faculty knowledge, and no clear policies. The study suggests that effectively incorporating IK requires inclusive curriculum frameworks, training for academic staff, and working together with indigenous communities. Recommendations focus on creating policies, developing faculty programs, and forming partnerships to improve culturally relevant education. This study adds to the ongoing discussion about decolonizing curricula and endorsing indigenous ways of knowing in Uganda and similar educational settings.

Although COVID-19 prevention measures played an important role in containing the pandemic, they had unintended consequences especially among vulnerable populations. This formative research sought to explore the impact of COVID-19 on women and youth in the Nakivale Refugee Settlement (NRS), Uganda. In this mixed-methods study, we administered surveys to 258 women and youth aged 15–35 years from NRS to capture data including food insecurity, asset index, financial support and social support. We conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) with 40 purposively selected participants composed of women, youth and leaders. Quantitative data were descriptively analysed using STATA 13. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants reported severe food insecurity ( n = 242, 90%), probable depression ( n = 129, 50%), low social-economic status ( n = 136, 54%), loss of employment/income ( n = 204, 79%), saving ( n = 203, 78%), assets ( n = 202, 78%) and financial support ( n = 210, 81%). Results from FGDs indicate that COVID-19 resulted in significant losses in human, social, natural, physical and financial capital among refugee women and youth. Future emergency response strategies should be designed based on the differentiated needs of vulnerable women and youth focusing on ensuring continuous access to essential services such as inclusive and gender-sensitive access to health, education and livelihood services.

Background A gradual increase has been observed in recent years, as indicated by hospital records and the increasing number of cases attended to daily at KRRH. This study assessed the health-related factors contributing to the increasing cases of peptic ulcer disease among patients aged 18-70 years attending Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital, Kayunga District. Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used in this study of 72 respondents. A simple random sampling technique was used to select samples. A semi-structured questionnaire with both open and closed-ended questions was designed to collect data. The data collected was analyzed manually using tally sheets and data systematically computed into frequency and percentage and presented in tables, bar graphs, and pie-charts. Results Most (55.6%) of the participants were in the age range of 50-70years, (55.6%) of the respondents were females, and (51.4%) of the respondents were civil servants. (69.4%) of the respondents reported that they eat spicy or fatty foods on daily basis, (90%) of the respondents had ever used NSAIDs, (83.3%) of the respondents have been diagnosed with H. pylori before and (86%) of the respondents had ever been diagnosed of dyspepsia, (72.2%) of the respondents had depression. Conclusion The study established that the health-related factors contributing to PUD were NSAIDs use, history of being diagnosed with H. pylori, depression, and dyspepsia. Recommendation There is a need for designing and implementing an education program targeting to educate men on good lifestyle practices to prevent peptic ulcers.

Background. There is no significant work in decentralization in the context of human resource management, and the reason is that top management has never realized the needs and demands of their employees. This study examined the effects of human resource management practices on decentralization performance in Kalungu District, Uganda.  Methodology. The study used a correlational research study design, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to the population of employees in Kalungu district decentralization. The study used both purposive and simple random sampling techniques, where 121 respondents were selected out of 201 employees.  Results. (57.9%) of the respondents were male, (65.3%) of the respondents were married. There is a positive significant relationship between recruitment practices and Decentralization performance (0.444(**) and its significance level 0.000), there is a positive significant relationship between motivation and the Decentralization performance in Kalungu District (0.171(**) and its significance level 0.009) and there is a positive relationship between employee training and Decentralization performance in Kalungu District (0.366 and its significance level 0.000.).  Conclusion. In the absence of proper recruitment practices, incompetent staff will be recruited and negatively affect the decentralization performance; training and development of employees are essential aspects for the realization of better employee performance in decentralization. Although wages are still important for staff motivation, nonmonetary incentives such as recognition need to be given consideration.  Recommendation. The district management, with the district service commission, needs to put in place a rigorous selection criterion that will help to select and recruit qualified employees who will help to improve district performance. The district management and political leadership also need to recognize the achievements and contributions of employees to motivate them to perform, and a training needs assessment (TNA) should be carried out for better implementation of training.

Background The study aims to examine the relationship between policy communication and Health Service Delivery in West Pokot County, Kenya. Methodology This study employed a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional survey design. A mixed-methods approach was utilised. Data collected was edited, coded, and later analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 computer programme. Results The majority of respondents were female, accounting for 56.0%. Policy communication was found to have a moderate positive correlation with health service delivery (r = 0.315, p = 0.004). This indicates that clear, timely, and effective Policy communication had a moderate, yet statistically significant, influence on health service delivery (β = 0.145, p = 0.029). Policy communication in West Pokot County is generally limited and ineffective, as indicated by the overall mean score of 2.43 (SD = 1.10). A majority of respondents disagreed that government policies are clearly communicated to local communities (Mean = 2.39, SD = 1.12). Community members reportedly lack adequate understanding of the objectives of newly introduced policies (Mean = 2.42, SD = 1.10). Local leaders do not effectively explain policy changes to the public (Mean = 2.44, SD = 1.14). Policy communication materials are rarely available in local languages (Mean = 2.38, SD = 1.08), further constraining accessibility, especially among residents with low literacy levels. The use of media channels such as radio, posters, and social media was also perceived as ineffective (Mean = 2.51, SD = 1.12). Conclusions Policy communication showed a moderate positive correlation with health service delivery. Clear, timely, and effective dissemination of policy information facilitates awareness, compliance, and community engagement. Recommendations The County Government should develop multi-channel communication strategies targeting both health workers and the community, utilizing radio, community meetings, social media, and printed materials.

Background: Dental caries is one of the oral health problems that causes the destruction of the hard parts of a tooth by the interaction of bacteria and fermentable carbohydrates. The aim of the study is to determine the factors contributing to the increased prevalence of dental caries among residents of Nabweru Southward in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study included both male and female residents of Nabweru South Ward. A simple random technique was used to select respondents from the population. Results: 2(64%) of the respondents were males, 18(36%) were females. 30(60%) were single, 80% do brush their teeth, (60%) brushed their teeth twice in a day, 87.5% use a toothbrush and tooth paste to brush their tooth, (60.52%) change their tooth brush after 6 months, (84%) do not smoke cigarette, (75%) were current smokers, (56%) do not take alcohol, (60%) eat meals containing sugary foods, (86%) had never gone for a dental checkup while (14%), (71.4%) who go for dental checkup go there once in a year, (40%) were un employed, 56% earn less than 100,000 Ugandan shillings. Conclusion: Failure to do dental checkups, alcohol intake, and consumption of sugary meals were the factors that contributed to dental caries. Recommendation The government, through the Ministry of Health, should educate the general public about dental caries and proper oral hygiene practices in order to reduce their occurrence and prevalence.

Background Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is responsible for managing and supporting education services in Kampala, in line with the Second Schedule of the Education Act 2008. The study explored the effectiveness of the second schedule of the Education Act 2008 in the management of government grant-aided schools in Kampala Capital City Authority. The study aimed to examine the Role and responsibility of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Directorate of Education in the Implementation of the Second Schedule of the Education Act 2008.  Methodology The study employed a cross-sectional survey, and a sample size of 120 respondents was used from a target population of respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS.  Results 120 respondents participated in this study, 64 (53%) of the respondents were male, and 57(47%) were female. The majority of respondents hold a Bachelor's degree (50%), followed by those with a Diploma (25%) and a Master's degree (21%). The study indicated that respondents generally agreed that the KCCA Directorate of Education provides adequate support for implementing education policies, with a mean score of 3.65 and a standard deviation of 1.15. Also, the roles of KCCA in education policy implementation (coefficient = 1.178, p = 0.024), and policy support (coefficient = 0.876, p = 0.041).  Conclusion The study concludes that KCCA plays a significant role in the effective implementation of the Education Act 2008. Both KCCA’s involvement and policy support for education have a positive and statistically significant impact on policy execution.  Recommendation The study recommends that KCCA enhance its coordination and execution of education policies through improved communication with stakeholders, increased resource allocation, and robust monitoring and evaluation systems.

Background. Effective risk management is widely recognized as an essential determinant of project success, yet many organizations continue to experience project delays, cost overruns, and reduced quality due to inadequate risk identification, prevention, and control. This study examined the influence of risk management practices on the performance of projects implemented by AAH-1 in South Sudan. Methodology The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The study used primary data. The study employed semi-structured questionnaires to gather relevant information from a total of 136 project managers, supervisors, risk managers, construction firms, and finance officers. The data collected was then analyzed using SPSS, and the findings of the study were presented in graphs, pie charts, and tables. Results. The respondents were predominantly adults above 30 years (74%), with 67.5% holding a bachelor’s degree. Risk prevention was found to be highly impactful, with 87% reporting that preventive measures substantially enhanced performance. Risk control practices had a similarly strong effect, with 76% affirming their major contribution. Risk retention strategies, including self-insurance and the use of alternative plans, were also positively associated with timely project completion. Regression results showed a strong correlation (R = 0.819) and revealed that risk prevention, risk control, and risk assessment significantly predicted project performance (p < 0.05). The model explained 84.9% of the variation in project performance. Conclusion The study established that risk prevention significantly affected project performance. Risk prevention is embraced among organizations executing projects in AAH-1, South. Recommendations The management of the projects needs to ensure that the risk management practices are integrated into project implementation. Most of the practices were in place but were not effectively employed to ensure peak performance.

Resilience is necessary for the prisoners who are subjected to legal sanctions in accordance with criminal cases committed. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the resilience of the prisoners living in a prison regarding social support and husnuzan. A quantitative correlational method was used to explore the relationship between social support, husnuzan, and resilience. The participants were Muslim male prisoners, aged 18 to 60 years, incarcerated for the first time at Correctional Institution “X” in Yogyakarta. A total of 206 participants were obtained using a purposive sampling method and data were collected through three psychological scales, namely resilience, social support, and husnuzan. The result showed that there was a positive relationship between social support & husnuzan and the resilience of the prisoners. This implies that the prisoners have high resilience when there is a positive thought about the future, as well as receive love and support from family and friends.

Purpose This study investigates the nexus of top management commitment and institutional pressures towards enhancing sustainable energy consumption in African Higher Institutions of Learning. Design/methodology/approach Using a structured questionnaire survey, cross-sectional data collected from 64 higher institutions of learning registered with the Uganda National Council for Higher Education were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings The findings revealed that top management commitment and institutional pressures individually associate with sustainable energy consumption. Top management commitment does not cause variations in sustainable energy consumption. However, when top management commitment coalesces with institutional pressures, they significantly predict sustainable energy consumption. Research limitations/implications The current study focuses on Higher Institutions of Learning in Uganda. Hence caution should be taken before generalization of findings. This study therefore sets ground for future studies to investigate sustainable energy consumption in other institutions. Originality/value This study tests the efficacy of top management commitment and institutional pressures on sustainable energy consumption using evidence from African Higher Institutions of Learning. It provides new directions for study in such a nascent area of critical national dimension as sustainability and climate change issues top the global agenda.