UCU Digital Institutional Repository(UCUDIR)
Welcome to the Uganda Christian University Digital Institutional Repositoy (UCUDIR). This is the University's official Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of UCU. This growing collection of research includes peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, working papers, theses, and more.
- The Repository ingests documents, audio, video, datasets and their corresponding Dublin Core metadata
- The aim is to open up this content to local and global audiences, with have optimized well for Google Scholar so your items here shows up on Google Scholar searches
- we also issue permanent urls and trustworthy identifiers, including optional integrations with handle.net and DataCite DOI
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Communities in UCUDIR
Select a community to browse its collections.
- Items in this community present a concise summary of information that can help readers understand, and likely make decisions about, government policies.
- This is a collection of Masters and Doctoral theses and dissertations submitted in electronic format to the Uganda Christian University.
Recent Submissions
Assessment of the Socio-cultural Viability of Integrated Waste-to-energy Systems for Uganda
(International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, 2020-12) Miria Frances Agunyo; Kukunda Elizabeth Bacwayo; Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe
Application of waste-to-energy systems could be the solution for urban areas in countries like Uganda where municipal solid waste is composed
of atleast 70% organic matter and sewage and faecal sludge management is limited to about 20 treatment plants. Projected increase in urbanisation to 50% in 2050 will only constrain the existing sanitation facilities, resulting in public health issues and competition for land use. This study investigates application of integrated waste-to-energy systems consisting of a combination of anaerobic digestion, incineration and composting to treat organic waste streams from urban areas. Despite the benefits of such systems related to resource recovery in form of biogas and organic fertiliser, little is known about their socio-cultural viability. A survey carried out at Uganda Christian University showed respondent`s beliefs and cultural backgrounds influenced their attitude towards utilising resources recovered. Also, sensitisation and quality assurance of resources recovered boosted system acceptability.
The Changing Role of Higher Education Institutions on Research and Innovation in Africa: A Systematic Review
(International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 2022) Shallon Atuhaire; Frankline Higenyi; Elizabeth Bacwayo; Annet Mugisha; Christine Mwebesa; Rachel Nambuya
Research and innovation are crucial in the process of achieving sustainable development goals. Given the significant role Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play in research. Africa is still grappling with both the changing higher education global landscape and fostering of a research culture that addresses its own societal needs. This study explored the changing role of HEIs on research and innovation and the bottlenecks to its’ realisation in Africa. E-literature was searched from online databases mainly Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase and African Journals Online. The search strategy considered relevant content on the subject by use of keywords, purpose of the study and year of publication (2010 to 2021). Overall, the search yielded 889,264 results. From Google Scholar, 805,000 were found, ScienceDirect; 9196, PubMed; 1168, Embase; 63100, and African Journals Online; 10800. The Cochrane review protocol and the PRISMA flowchart were used to assess the relevance of these articles. Eventually, 107 full articles were critically analysed for legibility resulting in 16 studies, which were included. Research and innovation as well as the role of HEIs to the two are keywords of the time. This role has been changing to meet up with globalization demands and increase in population. While their indigenous role was co-creation of knowledge and transfer, they have of recent past surged to create innovation ecosystems, transfer technologies, promotion innovation and research and its’ management. They have gained an ascendancy in sustainability debates as engines of innovation most especially in science, technology, and human progress. This changing role has been compounded by shortcomings such as inadequate competences in the use of emerging ICTs, inadequate funding, curriculum content that does not clearly spell out practical life skills, innovation opportunities, and corporate social responsibility that is still very low. The changing role of HEIs in research in Africa is evidently clear and has been from creation of new knowledge and its transfer to one that is need-driven, entrepreneurial, transformational, and able to reconfigure the status of innovation systems for regional socio-economic transformation. The limitations to its realization could be mitigated through institutional collaboration, funding and customization of research.
Enhancing Adoption of Agroforestry in the Eastern Agro-ecological Zone of Uganda
(International Journal of Ecological Science and Environmental Engineering, 2016) Twaha Ali Basamba; Clement Mayanja; Barnabas Kiiza; Bob Nakileza; Frank Matsiko; Paul Nyende; Elizabeth Bacwayo Kukunda; Ann Tumushabe; Kassim Ssekabira
Widespread deforestation and increasingly intensive use of land to sustain a growing population has increased soil erosion, lowered soil fertility and reduced agricultural productivity in Uganda. This has raised concern over sustainability of farming systems in the Eastern Agro-ecological zone of Uganda. There is growing evidence that agroforestry can be a potential solution to these problems. However, enhancement of adoption of agroforestry as a viable alternative for farmers in diverse ecological and socio-economic conditions has remained low. The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing the enhancement of adoption of agroforestry by smallholder farmers. Primary data on household, farm and technology characteristics was collected from 153 farming households. Results show that boundary planting, scattered tree planting, row planting and homestead gardening were the most commonly adopted agroforestry technologies in the study area. The Tobit model showed that sex, age,
household size, education level, group membership, access to credit and extension visits had significantly positive effects on enhancing adoption of agroforestry. Mobilizing farmers to join groups, improving the quality and coverage of extension services, consideration of gender issues and intensifying agroforestry training among farmers with low levels of education were suggested as avenues to further enhance adoption of
agroforestry in the Eastern agro-ecological zone of Uganda.
The Level and Factors Associated With the Uptake of Long-acting Reversible Contraceptive Methods Among Women of Reproductive Age at Kuajok State Hospital (KSH) in Warrap State, Republic of South Sudan
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-14) Ayuel Deng Ayuel Nul
The level and factors associated with the uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods among women of reproductive age at Kuajok State Hospital (KSH) in Warrap State, South Sudan Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods (LARC), such as Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and Implants, are among the most effective family planning methods used to delay pregnancy by women of reproductive age who desire future fertility. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there are 48.8 million women of reproductive age (15-49 years). Nearly half of married women want to space their births. However, 22 million fewer than half currently use any contraceptive method, and less than one in seven use a technique. In South Sudan, the total fertility rate is 4.4 children per woman, and family planning
usage remains very low, with only 3% of women using any contraceptive method. As a result, the unmet need for family planning remains high at 29.7%. To determine the level and factors associated with the uptake of LARC methods among women of reproductive age at Kuajok State Hospital We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, and reproductive-age women were randomly enrolled. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain data on demographic, socio-cultural, and socio-economic factors, as well as facility-based factors. Clinical chart reviews were done to obtain the level of uptake of the long acting reversible contraceptive method. We determined the level of uptake as a percentage of all reproductive-age women and used Multivariate analysis to identify the factors associated with the use of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. The level of significance was set at a p-value <0.05.
The findings revealed that the majority of respondents, 230 out of 288 (79.9%), aged between 20 and 39 years, were significantly more likely to use LARC methods compared to other age groups (p=0.001 and 0.004). Socio-demographic factors were not statistically significant in influencing LARC uptake. However, several socio-cultural and health facility factors, including accessibility and cost of services, were significantly associated with LARC uptake (p<0.000). Additionally, income level was a significant socio-economic factor, with 202 out of 288 respondents (70%) reporting income-related influence on their contraceptive choices (p<0.000). In summary, age, income, cost, and accessibility of services were key determinants of LARC uptake. The study recommends strengthening family planning education and community sensitization, expanding mobile outreach services, integrating reproductive health services into routine care, and improving training for health workers using standardized Ministry of Health curricula. The development and dissemination of culturally appropriate information, education, and communication (IEC) materials are also essential for increasing contraceptive uptake among women of reproductive age (15-49 years).
Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Pregnant Teenagers Seeking Care in Kayunga District Kiyuba
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-13) Ivan Kiyuba
Introduction :Birth preparedness and complication readiness the strategy that promotes timely use of skilled maternal and neonatal care, targets to improve the quality of pregnancy and its outcomes, thus reducing the delays, pregnant teenagers are more at risk and contribute significantly proportion to the maternal mortality ratios globally.
Objective: To determine the proportion and factors associated with birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant teenagers seeking care in Kayunga district.
Methods: Analytic cross-sectional study conducted at 13 selected health facilities. Consecutive sampling enrolled emancipated minors the pregnant teenagers (13-19years) between > 36 weeks of amenorrhea to two days post-partum. Pregnant teenager considered birth prepared complication ready if attained four indices; 2 mandatory signs spontaneous knowledge of danger signs and identified compatible blood donor plus 2 others among; pregnancy registration, place to give birth, identified skilled birth attendant, transport plan and birth companion. Data captured in excel program exported to IBM SPSS 23.0 and finally STATA for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done. Results: 377 pregnant teenagers’ 1.59% had birth prepared and complication ready despite 94.16% with a birth plan.
Majority 63.4% were 18-19years, 66.0% had no formal /primary education, 79.2% were married and 329 (84.6%) low income with < 500,000UGX monthly expenditure. Occupation of pregnant teenagers and partners were informal and peasantry 316(83.8%) and 335(88.8%) respectively.
Only 3.5% had 8 or more ANC contacts 101(27.2%) started antenatal at less or equal to 12 weeks of amenorrhea. Bivariate; primary level education [X2–11.559-0.009], being married [X2 - 11.520 – 0.003], grass thatched house [X2–10.818–0.004]. Plan giving birth at HC IV, III [X2–16.385–0.006] identified a compatible blood donor [X2– 21.597– 0.001]. Spontaneous knowledge of danger signs;[X2–137.564– 0.000].
Conclusion: Only 1.59% pregnant teenagers were birth prepared and complication ready despite 94.16% with a birth plan.
Bivariate significant factors were primary level education, being married, grass thatched house, plan to give birth at H/C IV and III, identified compatible blood donor and spontaneous knowledge of danger signs.