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.
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- 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
Visual arts practices, needs, and challenges in the implementation of competence-based education in selected schools in Mbarara city, Uganda
(East African Journal of Education Studies, 2026) Mwesiga, Dickson
Competence-Based Education has emerged as a transformative framework within Uganda’s educational landscape, emphasising practical skills, critical thinking, and learner-centred pedagogies. This research investigated the practices, requirements, and challenges associated with implementing competence-based education in Visual Arts across selected secondary schools in Mbarara City, Uganda. Anchored in Constructivist Learning Theory and the Taba Curriculum Model, the study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Visual Arts educators, 6 school administrators, and 2 curriculum coordinators from secondary schools in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda. Braun and Clarke’s (2006) framework for thematic analysis was employed to investigate classroom, institutional, and curriculum perspectives concerning the implementation of Competence-Based Education (CBE) in Visual Arts. This methodology offered a comprehensive overview of the efforts and experiences of the participants. The findings revealed that although teachers frequently implement project-based and experiential learning strategies aligned with CBE principles, significant gaps persist in professional training, instructional resources, and institutional support. Major challenges identified included insufficient teaching materials, limited opportunities for professional development, large class sizes, and inadequate integration of CBE-aligned assessment strategies. The study concludes that the successful implementation of CBE in Visual Arts education necessitates continuous teacher training, improved resource allocation, and strong policy support. Recommendations entail targeted capacity-building initiatives, the provision of specialised instructional materials, and the establishment of institutional frameworks to monitor and promote the consistent adoption of CBE practices within Visual Arts classrooms.
Does gender matter in conspiracy beliefs vaccination hesitancy? Evidence from Covid-19 vaccination in Uganda
(Sustainable Development, Culture, Traditions (SDCT) Journal, 2026) Bacwayo, Kukunda Elizabeth; Sebaggala, Richard; Maractho, Emilly; Amaniyo, Mercy; Mwije, Solomon; Kemigisha, Evas; Kobusingye, Jacqueline; Cheremoi, Clare
Whereas countries have made strides in getting citizens vaccinated, many still face the challenge of vaccination hesitancy. Evidence indicates that conspiracy beliefs among citizens influence hesitancy and that these beliefs are contextual; thus differing among individuals. Studies have examined the gender aspect and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs but research is still limited on contextualizing the conspiracy beliefs among the genders and on whether such variations affect vaccination hesitancy differently. This paper examines whether gender is a significant moderating factor between conspiracy theory beliefs and vaccination hesitancy in Uganda, using COVID-19 Vaccination as a case. The study findings on which the article is based are part of a larger study on conspiracy theory and covid-19 vaccination hesitancy. This was an explanatory sequential mixed methods study that included a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews. To establish the relationship between conspiracy belief and vaccination hesitancy across gender, Pearson Chi-square analysis was used to explore the gender differences in intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination and conspiracy beliefs and mentality. There were 1201 participants in the study and 53% of these were females. The findings show that women with strong beliefs in conspiracy theories were more likely to be undecided and unlikely to take up COVID-19 vaccine compared to men with similar beliefs. Men with similar beliefs were already vaccinated. Similarly, females with strong conspiracy mentality were less likely to take up COVID-19 vaccine compared to men with similar mentality. This implies that interventions to improve COVID-19 vaccination should be contextual and consider the gendered differences especially among women who are undecided and unlikely to take the vaccines due to conspiracy mentality.
Christian Sexual Ethics: An Exegetical Study of 1 Corinthians 6:12-18
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-08) Martin Oluge
Sexual immorality remains a serious and persistent challenge in the Church of Uganda, undermining its moral authority and public witness. Despite Uganda’s overwhelming Christian majority with approximately 85 percent of the population identifying as Christian (UBOS, 2014), the country records one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in East Africa (UBOS & ICF International, 2018), alongside documented cases of moral failure even among church leaders. Yet empirical studies demonstrate that the Church’s moral influence on sexual behaviour is both real and significant, though it depends heavily on the theological depth and pastoral quality of its teaching. It is this need that the present study seeks to address through an exegetical investigation of 1 Corinthians 6:12-18. Employing a qualitative, library-based, historical-grammatical method, the study examines the Greek text within its historical, literary, and theological context before drawing pastoral conclusions for the Ugandan church. It is guided by two questions: what are the key theological principles regarding the body and sexual ethics in 1 Corinthians 6:12-18, and what practical strategies can promote sexual holiness in the Church of Uganda? The exegetical analysis identifies four theological principles in Paul’s argument: a resurrection-grounded theology of the body; a reframing of Christian freedom as communal service and Spirit-empowered self-mastery; the one-flesh theology of sexual union grounded in Genesis 2:24; and the urgent, continuing command to flee sexual immorality as an expression of union with Christ. Together these do not form a list of prohibitions but a compelling vision of Christian identity that renders sexual immorality theologically incompatible with belonging to Christ. The study proposes four practical strategies for fostering sexual holiness: theologically grounded preaching; discipleship and catechesis that treat sexual ethics as central to Christian identity; theologically rich premarital ministry; and communal accountability structures that hold truth and grace together. The study concludes that Paul’s word to the Corinthians remains a living and directly relevant word for the Church of Uganda today.
Menstrual Hygiene Management and associated factors among adolescent girls in Tapac Sub county, Moroto district, Karamoja region
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-27) Esther Loma
Background: An estimated 1.8 billion women menstruate globally each month, including adolescent girls in and out of school. Despite being a natural biological process, poor menstrual hygiene management (MHM) exposes adolescent girls to adverse health and social outcomes such as urinary tract infections, reproductive tract infections, HIV infection, mental health challenges, school absenteeism and dropout, and increased risk of adolescent pregnancy. These challenges are more pronounced in Uganda, particularly in the Karamoja sub-region, where access to menstrual hygiene information, materials, and supportive environments remains limited. However, there is limited empirical evidence on MHM adequacy and its associated factors in Tapac Sub-county. Objective: To assess menstrual hygiene management and its associated factors among adolescent girls in Tapac Sub-county, Moroto District, Karamoja region. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study design was used among adolescent girls aged 13–18 years in Tapac Sub-county. A multistage sampling technique involving stratification of parishes, random selection of villages, and systematic household sampling was employed. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire translated into Ngakarimojong. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 using descriptive statistics and log-binomial regression to determine factors associated with adequate MHM. Results: The proportion of adolescent girls who adequately practiced menstrual hygiene management was 21%. Factors associated with lower MHM adequacy included younger age (13–15 years) (aPR = 0.313; 95% CI: 0.211–0.465; p < 0.001) and menstrual duration of fewer than five days (aPR = 0.523; 95% CI: 0.341–0.802; p = 0.003). Factors positively associated with adequate MHM included being currently in school (aPR = 2.099; 95% CI: 1.388–3.174; p < 0.001), primary education level (aPR = 2.247; 95% CI: 1.207–4.183; p = 0.011), knowledge of appropriate menstrual materials (aPR = 3.284; 95% CI: 2.274–4.743; p < 0.001), and regular menstrual cycles (aPR = 2.180; 95% CI: 1.141–4.165; p = 0.018). Parental factors such as having an educated mother (aOR = 2.424; 95% CI: 1.394–4.214; p = 0.002), educated father (aOR = 1.909; 95% CI: 1.105–3.295; p = 0.020), and parental education on MHM – especially from fathers (aPR = 4.283; 95% CI: 2.870–6.392; p < 0.001) – were significantly associated with improved MHM. Additional factors included smaller household size, presence of other menstruating schoolgirls, and supportive school policies allowing menstrual management during school hours. Conclusion: Menstrual hygiene management among adolescent girls in Tapac Sub-county is inadequate, with only 2 in 10 girls practicing adequate MHM. This places the majority at risk of adverse health and social outcomes. There is a need for integrated, multi-level interventions targeting intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community factors to improve menstrual hygiene practices in the region.
Assessing Factors Associated With Stock-outs of Reproductive Health Commodities in Selected Health Facilities of Wakiso District, Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2026-04-14) Sandra Wanyenze Magona
Background: In Uganda, despite the reduced costs of reproductive health (RH) commodities and increased support from the Ministry of Health and partners such as UNFPA,stock-outs of these commodities remain a persistent challenge.There is a need to understand and document the factors associated with stock-outs and the barriers, facilitators and experiences in reproductive health commodities management.
Objective: To determine factors influencing stock out levels of reproductive health commodities and explore the barriers, facilitators and experiences of healthcare workers regarding the management of reproductive health commodities in selected health facilities of
Wakiso district.
Methods: A mixed study was employed concurrently in this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected at the same time. Quantitative data was collected from the stockcards while qualitative data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured interview guide.
Results: Stock-out level for RH commodities was 10.1% with HCIV and HCIIIs experiencing the highest percentage. Injectables contraceptives Medroxyprogesterone acetate 104mg/0.65mL, SC and Medroxyprogesterone acetate 150mg/mL being the most affected and Levonorgestrel 30mcg tabs (Microlut) the least affected. Training in supply chain management remained significantly associated with reduced stockouts, as facilities with trained staff were less likely to face stockouts (aPR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.599– 0.985, p = 0.038). Delays in delivery also showed a strong association, with facilities that experienced delivery delays being less likely to face stockouts (aPR=0.54;95% CI:0.433–0.668, p<0.001).In addition, support supervision was significantly associated
with increased stockouts (aPR=1.54; 95% CI:1.083–2.192, p=0.016). Qualitative findings provided factors associated to the depicted stockout levels, such
as limited supply chain training, limitations in support supervision, delays in supply deliveries from National Medical Stores, and inadequate budget for commodities. Quantitative findings provided barriers such as limited storage space,inadequate funds for redistribution logistics, facilitators such as functional stock monitoring systems, collaboration and support from Village Health Teams, support from development partners and non-government organizations and lastly experiences on how they coped such as redistribution, and submitting emergency orders.
Conclusion: This study examined the level of stockouts, the factors linked to them, and the challenges in managing reproductive health (RH) commodities in Wakiso District. The results showed a relatively low stockout rate of 10.1%, with higher levels at HC IVs and HC IIIs, especially for injectable contraceptives and 3-year implants due to high demand. Factors such as training in supply chain management, delivery delays, and support supervision were associated with stockouts, showing the complexity of the supply system. Interviews also revealed challenges like poor record-keeping, difficulties in redistributing stock, and
limited resources, as well as ways facilities cope with shortages. Overall, the study provides useful information to help improve the supply system and reduce stockouts of RH commodities in Wakiso District.
Results: