International Journal of Advanced Research

Effect of Occupational Health and Safety Best Practices on Employee Performance in Private Companies in Rwanda

Mugisha Gatare Alphonse — 2025-01-02

The study titled "Effect of Occupational Health and Safety Best Practices on Employee Performance in Rwanda: Case of Sulfo Rwanda" explores the relationship between occupational health and safety (OHS) best practices and employee performance. The research aimed to investigate six key factors: the impact of safety training and awareness, incident reporting and investigation, safe work practices, regular inspections and audits, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and overall employee performance. Using an explanatory mixed-methods research design, the study relied on a population sample determined by the Yaman formula and employed a convenience sampling technique. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document reviews, with descriptive and inferential statistical methods used for analysis. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between all examined safety practices and employee performance at Sulfo Rwanda. Specifically, safety training and awareness, incident reporting, safe work practices, regular inspections and audits, and the use of PPE all contributed positively to enhancing employee performance. The study concluded that the implementation of robust occupational health and safety practices significantly improves employee performance. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that Sulfo Rwanda's management establish health and safety committees with qualified staff, conduct regular workplace inspections, and actively involve workers in the inspection process to further improve safety standards

Effect of Legal Actions against People Who do not Pay Their Water Bills on NWSC's Performance

Asinai Lilian — 2025-01-02

This study examined the impact of legal actions against customers who fail to pay water bills on the performance of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in Uganda. Using a mixed-methods approach that included both qualitative and quantitative data, the research assessed the relationship between legal enforcement measures and revenue collection. The findings indicated that a significant percentage of customers (76%) do not understand the water bill payment regulatory law, contributing to revenue loss. Although 62.4% of customers believe that NWSC strictly applies the regulations to enforce payment, over 62.5% admitted that the corporation rarely takes clients to court for non-payment. Grounded in deterrence theory, the study posits that legal penalties can effectively deter non-compliance, enhancing financial sustainability. It highlights the importance of a strong legal framework to ensure timely payments, particularly in the context of increasing urbanization that strains resources. Recommendations include implementing comprehensive awareness programs about billing regulations and strengthening legal processes for debt recovery. The insights from this research aim to improve financial performance and ensure sustainable water service delivery in Uganda

Market Orientation in Universities: Bridging Academia and Stakeholder Expectations

Gloria Lamaro — 2025-02-04

This study explores the market orientation practices at Gulu University, Uganda, to understand how the institution aligns its academic programs with the needs of external stakeholders, such as employers, and enhances stakeholder satisfaction. Using a qualitative approach, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis involving faculty, students, employers, and community leaders over a ten-year period (2013–2023). Findings reveal that Gulu University has made significant efforts to align its academic offerings with local job market demands, especially in fields like Information Technology and Business Administration. However, programs in areas such as the humanities were criticized for being less market-responsive, with graduates in these fields often lacking necessary practical skills. Both employers and students noted that while some programs were beneficial for job preparation, others felt outdated and disconnected from industry needs. The study also highlights that the university has engaged with external stakeholders through initiatives like internships and outreach programs, though these efforts were inconsistent and lacked coordination across departments. Students expressed frustration with the limited accessibility of these opportunities. Additionally, while some curriculum revisions have been made, the pace of change remains slow, particularly in non-technical disciplines, which hampers the university’s ability to meet evolving market demands. The study concludes that while Gulu University has made progress, barriers such as limited resources, fragmented stakeholder engagement, and slow curriculum updates hinder the full implementation of market orientation. Recommendations include adopting a more coordinated market orientation strategy, investing in faculty development, and integrating stakeholder feedback into the curriculum. Further research is recommended to assess the long-term impact of these strategies on graduate employability and institutional success

Possible Solutions to Malnutrition Among Children Under Five as Caused By Harsh Climate Change Impacts In Uganda

Fred Wanyina — 2025-02-12

Malnutrition due to food insecurity is proceeding to be a strong pandemic and one of the major public health problems in developing countries like Uganda. Harsh climatic change impacts such as heavy winds, and floods, often destroy crops and cause food insecurity among households in Uganda, which in turn leads to malnutrition that affects majorly children under five. The reviewer obtained the review articles from the internet through Google search and was able to review 17 articles whose information was in line with the study of possible solutions to malnutrition caused by climate change impacts in children under five years of age in Uganda. The government and the Hospital administrators may borrow from the findings of this review study to formulate policies that may enhance the proper management of malnutrition in the country. The objectives of this review were to find possible solutions to malnutrition as brought by harsh climatic change impacts especially in children who are below five years of age, caretakers to read and put into practice the best ways of controlling malnutrition and food security practices and also communicate the findings of this review to local communities for awareness about possible solutions to get liberated from the challenge of malnutrition as pointed out by different researchers. The findings of this review included; giving attention to the risks of malnutrition and climate harsh climate change impacts, educating mothers on how to prevent malnutrition and practice good farming methods, practice of climate change mitigation and adaption; and practice of large-scale agriculture to produce more food among others. To conclude, Sustainable Development Goals spell out how we can protect our environment and slow climate change, from forests to oceans to everywhere in between. Electricity should be used and cleaner production strategies practised during farm operations. Reusing of resources must be embraced and also actions to mitigate the changing climate should be embraced and this can result in good nutrition and health, especially in children under five.

The Challenges Facing People with Physical Disabilities in Accessing Public Services in Qardho, Puntland, Somalia

Hassan Ahmed Hussen — 2025-02-15

This study examines the challenges faced by people with physical disabilities in accessing public service in Qardho, Puntland Somalia, and explores strategies for improving accessibility. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 115 respondents, including 60 wheelchair users, 23 school principals, 21 mosque imams, 5 restaurant owners, 3 supermarket managers, and 3 hotel managers, selected purposively. The collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The study found that 90% of mosques and 100% of schools and supermarkets interviewed do not have physically disabled clients. Additionally, none of the targeted mosques, schools, supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants have special toilets or signposts. Furthermore, 90.48% of mosques, 86.96% of schools, 66.67% of supermarkets, 66.66% of hotels, and 60% of restaurants assessed lack provisions such as ramps, elevators, and stairlifts for the physically challenged. To address these challenges, the study recommends policy enforcement on accessibility standards, investment in disability-friendly infrastructure, awareness campaigns to promote inclusion and training for service providers on disability accommodations.

Community Attitude on INSPIRE Strategies for Mitigating Violence Against Children. A Case of Mbeya City Council

Fausta Senga — 2025-02-20

Violence against children (VAC) is a serious issue in Tanzania and globally at large. Factors for its occurrence are known and community participation is highly recommended and needed in VAC prevention. Violence against children can be prevented if the global community acts now, acts wisely and acts together. Implementation and enforcement of laws, norms and values, safe environments, parent and caregiver support, income and economic strengthening, response and support services, and education and life skills (INSPIRE) are vital strategies for this success. This study assessed the community’s participation in the implementation of INSPIRE strategies in Mbeya City. A hundred randomly selected community members and 9 key informants were selected based on the stake they had. Community surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and documentary reviews were used in data collection. The Statistical Product for Service Solution (IBM-SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze quantitative data through descriptive and inferential statistics (factor analysis). Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study reveals that; community members had positive attitudes on INSPIRE strategies with moderate practices. However, interference from the witnesses, rate of reporting and exposing perpetrators were reported as resulting from fear of being blamed for the consequences especially when VAC cases reach at police or the courts of law. The study concluded that the community’s positive attitude toward INSPIRE strategies is influenced by a moderate level of awareness. The study recommends that; the community’s awareness and capacity building should continue to enhance positive attitudes and improve practices to stop VAC.

Development of Maintenance Management System to Improve Reliability of Power Supply in Medium Voltage Distribution Network: A Case of TANESCO, Kinondoni North Region

Said Abdallah Salanga — 2025-02-21

The reliability of the power supply in medium voltage distribution networks is crucial in the Kinondoni North region due to the growing demand for reliable electricity, increasing by approximately 20 MW per year. However, power supply reliability is compromised by several factors such as aging infrastructure, equipment failures, vandalism, natural disasters like storms and floods etc. These issues contribute to faults in the distribution feeders, causing power interruptions. Key challenges include identifying the location of faults, restoring power efficiently, and managing network maintenance. This research aims to develop a Maintenance Management System (MMS) to manage both maintenance and operational activities in medium voltage distribution networks, enhancing the efficiency of operations and improving power supply reliability in medium voltage distribution networks in the region. To achieve this, factors affecting maintenance management were identified through a literature review, assessment, and site surveys. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS and a regression model was developed to improve reliability. The analysis revealed six most significant factors out of ten factors that influence power supply reliability are Budget Constraints, Network Design, Fault Detection & Isolation Equipment, Maintenance Practices, Data and Information Management, and Skilled Labor. The model developed had high predictive accuracy, with R=0.915, indicating that these factors significantly predict the reliability of the power supply. To improve reliability, the study recommends adopting the reliability performance model and MMS in the Kinondoni north region. Key recommendations include investing in workforce development, training employees on advanced fault detection technologies, implementing smart grid technologies for real-time data monitoring, optimizing grid design with redundancy, and adopting predictive maintenance based on condition monitoring. These strategies will reduce downtime and improve the overall reliability of the power supply in the medium voltage distribution network

Mobilité Quotidienne et Résidentielle des Travailleurs De la Nouvelle Zone Industrielle de Yopougon (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

Gué Pierre Guele — 2025-03-08

L’implantation de nouvelles unités industrielles excentrées à la périphérie nord d’Abidjan en pleine expansion, soulève des interrogations sur les logiques spatiales des travailleurs, en termes de mobilité résidentielle ou de mobilité quotidienne. Cette recherche vise donc à contribuer à une meilleure connaissance des enjeux géographiques liés à la création de la nouvelle zone industrielle de Yopougon. La démarche méthodologique repose sur une approche géographique qui tente de cerner les travailleurs dans leur environnement professionnel et socioéconomique pour une meilleure compréhension du choix de la résidence et des modalités de déplacement par la mise en œuvre d'outils de collecte de données quantitatives et qualitatives (revue documentaire, entretiens avec les responsables des entreprises, relevé de points GPS et enquête transversale par questionnaire auprès de 171 travailleurs). Les résultats révèlent une tendance relativement supérieure de la mobilité résidentielle (56,1%) sur la mobilité quotidienne (43,9%). Les facteurs les plus déterminants sont l’accessibilité géographique, le cout du loyer, le cout du transport et les considérations d’ordre familial.

Analysis of Community Forestry Impact on the Forest Communities Based Management Landscape Dynamics in Miombo Woodland Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Séraphin Irenge Murhula — 2025-04-02

Twenty local communities had received in Upper-Katanga their accreditation granting them perpetual management of their forest concession according to the Decree-Law No 14/018 of August 2nd, 2014, concerning the allocation of Forest Communities Based Management (FCBM). The objective is to reduce poverty, improve community livelihoods and reduce forest degradation and deforestation. Thus, community forestry serves as a management tool to address the numerous pressures on the Katangian open forest (Miombo Woodland), including deforestation and land cover changes which alter the structure and dynamics of vegetation cover and increase climate change effects. It also encourages the local communities to restore and conserve their forest heritage sustainably through FCBM. Consequently, the establishment of FCBM leads to changes in the spatial configuration of the Miombo landscape. To evaluate the impact of community forestry on the dynamic landscape of FCBM, Landsat images were used with a combined approach which integrated NDVI into the coloured composition to increase class separability for the final classification. The interpretation of the landscape dynamics was determinate by spatial indices (area, perimeter and number of patches). The accuracy and Kappa index were greater than 90% on all classifications carried out by spectral correspondence of 2021 image, for six defined land cover classes. The analysis shows that NDVI inclusion in the colour composition increases the separability of forest classes following its degradation gradient. Furthermore, spatial indices show that community forestry has greatly influenced spatial configuration, from 2017 to 2019. The trend becomes downward between 2019 to 2021, thus demonstrating the impact of Covid-19 on the Miombo project results. This is visible through the number of patches, perimeter and area in each FCBM and in turn, its landscape dynamics before Covid-19 forest area increased by more than 80% in each FCBM but after COVID-19 it decreased. However, this dynamic remains proportional to temporal fluctuations as the trends before and after COVID-19 are disproportionate. The community forestry project implementation in the Miombo woodland has led to a transformation in the forest areas and affected their extent, number, and type. Therefore, reassessing the project’s broad strategies is essential to ensure the sustainability of its activities in these areas

Transformation Geometry Attitude Scale (TGAS): Development and Validation for Secondary School Learners in Uganda

Issa Ndungo — 2025-04-11

Transformation geometry, a core topic in secondary school mathematics, strengthens students' spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. Students’ attitudes toward transformation geometry significantly influence their engagement, motivation, and achievement in mathematics. However, existing attitude scales either focus on general mathematics/geometry, are designed for other educational levels or were developed outside Uganda, limiting their contextual relevance. This study aimed to develop and validate the Transformation Geometry Attitude Scale (TGAS) for assessing Ugandan secondary school learners' attitudes. The scale was developed through expert consultations and piloted among 132 secondary students. Validation involved Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and reliability testing. The initial 36-item scale (α = 0.85) was refined to 22 items across three dimensions: Interest & Confidence (α = 0.80), Engagement & Metacognition (α = 0.77), and Relevance & Applications (α = 0.85). The validated TGAS provides a reliable tool for evaluating students’ attitudes and informing instructional strategies in transformation geometry. Future research should apply Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) across diverse educational settings to further validate its structure

Children and Libraries: Innovative Library services at Marko Lukooya Memorial Community Library during the Covid-19 pandemic, Uganda

Nina Olivia Rugambwa, PhD — 2025-04-17

Community libraries do not receive financial support from the government, unlike public and academic libraries in Uganda. This study explored the provision of library services during the COVID-19 period by Marko Lukooya Memorial Community Library. The study investigated library services provided by the library, challenges encountered, and strategies that were used to address the challenges faced during the pandemic. A qualitative case study research design was used. Data was collected using face-to-face in-depth interviews and observation methods with library staff and patrons. Standard Operating Procedures were followed during the pandemic by both the participants and researchers to mitigate the risk of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Key findings revealed that the library adapted innovative ways to provide library services to children and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic amidst many challenges. The study recommends training of library staff in information management and more material and financial support by donors, the government, and all well-wishers to support the good work being done by Marko Lukooya Memorial Community Library in Uganda.

Eradicating Poverty Among the Ugandan Youths: An Evaluation of the Youth Livelihood Programme’s Contribution to Achieving MDG 1 and SDG 1

Allan Paul Mbabazi Nshimye — 2025-04-24

The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No 1 sought to eradicate extreme poverty, and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No 1 as adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/1 seeks to End poverty in all its forms everywhere. Uganda as a participating member of the United Nations General Assembly, is obligated to join the united global fight against poverty stipulated in the resolutions laying out the MDGs and SDGs. In 2014, the Ugandan government launched the Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) to aid in the fight to end poverty, targeting the largest segment of her population, the youths, in line with Goal 1 in the MDGs and subsequent SDGs. In this study, we: sought to determine the anti-poverty targets in Goal 1 of the MDGs and SDGs; and, scrutinise the Youth Livelihood Programme within the framework targets to eradicate poverty in Goal 1 of the MDGs and SDGs. We used qualitative research which was guided by the critical theory paradigm to analyse the Youth Livelihood Programme with a view to determine if it was a suitable tool in the fight against poverty. We adopted an explanatory research design focusing on the YLP in Uganda as a case study. The findings show that the Youth Livelihood Programme has recorded some success by benefiting 263,897 youths and creating over 1,250,000 indirect jobs (UGANDA-MoFPED, 2024). It is also clear that the YLP has only benefited 3.4% of the Ugandan youth population and the revolving fund is slowly getting depleted due to poor loan recovery rates from the youth groups that borrowed from the YLP fund. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend that the YLP fund can be saved by hiring competent loan recovery managers. The program could be boosted by allocating free land to the YLP beneficiaries. The government ought to increase resource mobilisation and allocation for the YLP and formulate YLP-supportive policies in the agriculture, trade and banking sectors. The recommendations will lead to greater success of the YLP and enable Uganda to fulfil its commitment to Goal 1 within the MDGs and the Successor SDGs

Development of GRU Deep Learning Model for Predicting Daily United States Dollar to Tanzanian Shilling Exchange Rate Using Comparable Time-Lags Inputs

Isakwisa Gaddy Tende — 2025-05-09

To import goods and services into the country, Tanzania relies on foreign currencies, specifically the United States Dollar (USD). Failure to timely predict accurate USD to TZS exchange rates may result in several problems, including failure to import into the country critical services and goods timely manner, losses in foreign exchange markets and bad decisions in investments. To address these challenges, this study has developed a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) Deep Learning model to predict the next day’s USD to TZS exchange rate (output) using three different inputs (time-lags) of previous days' exchange rates. This study has also developed a Web User Interface (UI) which is integrated with the developed GRU Deep Learning model. The Web UI receives the previous days' exchange rates entered by a user as inputs, predicts the next day’s exchange rate (output) and displays it to the user. The findings reveal that, 5-days time-lag (input) is the optimal (best performing) time-lag with a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) score of 0.11%, followed by 10 days time-lag with a MAPE score of 0.20% and 15 days time-lag with a MAPE score of 1.12%, suggesting that the shorter the time-lag (input), the better the performance of the GRU model in predicting the next day’s USD to TZS exchange rate (output). Therefore, this study recommends that Artificial Intelligence (AI) researchers and software developers use an optimal 5-day time-lag input when predicting the USD to TZS exchange rate using previous days' exchange rates using the GRU Deep Learning model. This study’s major contributions include an operational GRU model and Web User Interface (UI) for allowing users to predict daily USD to TZS exchange rates and a pre-processed 12-year-long daily USD to TZS exchange rates dataset ready and suitable for usage in AI research and software development activities

The Critical Examination of Challenges Facing the Women's Movement in Africa: A Case Study in Liberia

Awoke Atinafu Adam — 2025-05-14

This article offers a critical analysis of the obstacles encountered by the women’s movement in Africa, focusing on Liberia as a case example. Despite commitments at the global, continental, and regional levels to advance women’s rights and gender equality, women across Africa still confront substantial hurdles in attaining equal rights and opportunities. The discussion delves into various feminist theories and conceptual frameworks, such as liberal, cultural, radical, and post-modern perspectives, and assesses the influence of non-violent women’s movements in driving social change. Liberia’s experience serves as a case study to illustrate both the achievements and ongoing challenges of its women’s movement, including the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as president and reforms aimed at increasing women’s participation in government and security roles. The paper contends that African women’s movements face major issues such as violence against women, economic disparities, and deeply rooted patriarchal norms. It concludes with recommendations to advance women’s rights and gender equality in Africa, emphasising the importance of investing in women’s education and economic empowerment, and addressing the fundamental causes of violence targeting women and girls

Analysis of Soil Pollution by Trace Metal Elements and Habitability Conditions in the Kanyamenshi Neighbourhood, Kipushi City (Haut-Katanga, DR Congo)

Ildephonse Ilunga Mwika — 2025-05-21

The city of Kipushi has experienced accelerated, unregulated urbanisation, primarily driven by mining activities, leading to extensive environmental contamination. In particular, the spontaneous occupation of mining waste sites has intensified soil pollution by trace metal elements (TMEs). This study evaluates soil pollution management practices and their relationship to habitability conditions in the Kanyamenshi neighbourhood. Structured household surveys were administered to residents adjacent to Kipushi’s tailings to document anti-pollution architectural and landscaping strategies, as well as socioeconomic profiles. Spatial distribution of TMEs in soils was mapped using geostatistical interpolation techniques within QGIS. Results demonstrate that adaptive architectural and landscaping practices correlate strongly with local contamination levels. In Kanyamenshi, 55.2% of respondents reported implementing remediation measures, including soil scrubbing (deep biological ground extraction, (DBGE) and complementary mitigation techniques. In Kichangalayi, 35% of households employed excavation-based interventions. Socioeconomic analysis revealed that educational attainment remains low, with 35% of residents having primary education and 45% secondary education. Spatial interpolation revealed that Cu-Co concentrations are markedly lower in the southern sector of the study area and significantly elevated toward the northeast. These findings highlight the emergence of both autonomous and community-driven environmental management practices in highly contaminated urban settings. The identification of key land stakeholders emerges as a strategic priority for enhancing the efficacy of soil pollution mitigation efforts and promoting sustainable urban development.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Logistics: Potentials and Limitations in Shopping Basket Analysis and Shipping Optimisation

Burak Elkilic — 2025-06-05

The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into logistics processes is changing conventional decision-making structures. In e-commerce logistics in particular, the question arises as to whether algorithmic systems lead to efficiency gains without undermining transparency and responsibility. The study combines a theoretical-conceptual analysis with a case study of the company Zalando. Existing literature is systematically evaluated in order to examine technical, organisational and ethical aspects of AI use in shopping basket analysis and shipping optimisation. AI systems can make shipping logistics more precise, faster and more individualised. At the same time, new risks arise such as algorithmic intransparency, biased decisions and data-based dependencies. Without stable data infrastructures and human control, many advantages remain hypothetical. For AI to be used responsibly in logistics, comprehensible rules, ethical guidelines and robust data structures are required. The study shows that progress depends not only on technological performance, but also on a conscious approach to responsibility

Matrilineal Inheritance: Unearthing Subjugated Knowledge and Construction of Self in Paule Marshall’s Daughters

Daniel Tia — 2025-06-16

The transmission of knowledge and the formation of selfhood within matrilineal structures represent a fecund yet underexplored nexus in feminist epistemology and postcolonial studies. This study posits that Paule Marshall’s Daughters offers a compelling literary terrain for excavating the epistemological significance of matrilineal inheritance, particularly concerning the unearthing of subjugated knowledge and their profound influence on the construction of female subjectivity. While existing scholarship has illuminated various facets of Marshall’s work, a focused philosophical examination of the epistemological weight of intergenerational matrilineal connections and their impact on self-formation within the specific sociopolitical context of the novel remains a desideratum. The central problem is that matrilineal inheritance, as depicted in the novel under consideration, functions as a crucial epistemological framework through which subjugated knowledge, often obscured by patriarchal and neocolonial forces are transmitted, thereby fundamentally shaping the protagonists’ understanding of themselves and their world. This engenders the ensuing pivotal interrogative: How do the intergenerational transmissions of matrilineal narratives, experiences, and wisdom in Daughters serve as epistemic pathways for the acquisition of knowledge and the subsequent construction of a resilient and nuanced sense of selfhood for the female characters? The objective of this study is to explicate the epistemological role of matrilineal inheritance in Daughters. This implies both identifying the specific forms of knowledge transmitted (historical, cultural, emotional, political) and analysing their influence on the protagonists’ evolving identities. To achieve this, it is relevant to adopt a hermeneutic-phenomenological methodology, drawing upon feminist epistemologies and postcolonial theory to interpret the narrative’s imbricated layers of personal experience, familial history, and sociopolitical context. This approach is pertinent as it allows for a nuanced understanding of how lived experiences and embodied knowledge, often marginalised within dominant epistemological frameworks, contribute to the formation of selfhood. However, its inherent interpretative feature requires a rigorous reflexivity to mitigate researcher bias, and its focus on individual or textual experience may preclude broader quantitative generalisations. To conduct the current investigation, two major axes will be considered. The former examines the transmission of subjugated knowledge through matrilineal lines. This involves analysing the narrative instances where ancestral stories, cultural practices, and embodied wisdom are shared between mothers, daughters, and grandmothers, and how those transmissions challenge dominant historical narratives and epistemological paradigms. The latter focuses on the agency of the female characters in appropriating and integrating this inherited knowledge into their own self-construction. It also shows how the protagonists navigate the complexities of their identities in relation to their matrilineal heritage and the broader sociopolitical forces that seek to define them

Funding Diversification and Performance of Education Projects Implemented by Non-Profit Organizations in Dadaab Refugee Complex, Kenya

Stanley Khaemba Kasembeli — 2025-06-20

The performance of education projects is integral in protracted situations where refugees hope to find durable solutions to displacement from their countries. The Dadaab refugee complex is one such area that hosts thousands of school-going populations who rely on the performance of education projects. Studies have shown that a significant number of projects fail due to a myriad of challenges, including poor management strategies, which delay the project implementation and completion within the constraints of time while minimizing cost overruns. However, there are limited studies that have linked funding diversification to the performance of projects in emergency settings. Even though several studies on the performance of education projects have been conducted globally, there exist significant conceptual, methodological, and contextual inconsistencies that necessitate the present study to bridge these knowledge gaps. This study examined the influence of funding diversification on the performance of education projects implemented by Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) in the Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya. The study was anchored on the charitable triad theory. The research adopted a descriptive survey design. A census approach selected all 20 education projects. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the respondents directly engaged in implementing the education programs in the Dadaab refugee complex. The unit of observation included 6 school principals, 22 head teachers, 20 learning centre heads, 36 boards of management (BOM) members, 20 education officers/coordinators, 15 program managers, and 2 Dadaab education directors. The study used descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses to explain the relationship between funding diversification and project performance. Data was then presented in the form of frequency distribution tables. The study findings were that even though funding diversification had a positive relationship with the performance of education projects (r=0.799), it was not statistically significant (β = 0.039, p = 0.728). To improve funding diversification, there is a need for establishing multi-functional teams that conduct participatory assessments to inform communities' and NPOs' needs and match them with each donor type's rationale to support education programs.

Informal Settlement Upgrading and Rehousing and Its Impact on Urban Resilience in Rwanda, A Case Study of Mpazi in Kigali City

Cesar Dusabeyezu — 2025-07-01

Informal settlements are prevalent in rapidly urbanising regions, often characterised by inadequate infrastructure and services, rendering them vulnerable to various socio-economic and environmental challenges. This study examined the impacts of informal settlement upgrading and rehousing on urban resilience in Rwanda, taking Mpazi as the case study. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach that integrated qualitative and quantitative data was utilised. With these approaches, questionnaires were administered to 400 randomly sampled residents to gather quantitative data on upgraded housing status, socioeconomic indicators, access to services, and perceptions of resilience. Moreover, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with purposively sampled community leaders, local government officials, and NGOs to obtain rich qualitative insights into the upgrading processes and their impacts on community dynamics. In addition, a regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship between the informal settlement upgrade, housing, and the urban resilience of the community living in the upgraded settlements. The results revealed that constructed housing quality was of very good status as rated by the respondents considering the obtained high overall mean of 3.89 interpreted, access to socio-economic services rated at a high level considering an overall high mean of 3.71, a high level of social cohesion and empowerment with an overall mean of 3.75 and, rehabilitated and constructed basic infrastructures rated at a high level considering an overall mean of 3.95. Regarding the contribution of urban development initiatives in enhancing the community's capacity to cope with urban stresses, the findings revealed that upgrading and rehousing have been shown to have indisputable improvements, as agreed by respondents, with an overall high mean of 3.77. Finally, the findings indicate a positive relationship between informal settlement upgrading, rehousing, and urban community resilience as evidenced by an R2 of 0.630, implying that informal settlement upgrading contributes to rehousing and thus, urban resilience. Conclusively, it can be said that if informal settlement upgrading is well implemented, it can have a great positive influence on rehousing and thus contribute to the urban resilience of the community. The findings are anticipated to contribute to urban policy discussions and provide practical insights for sustainable development strategies in Rwanda and similar contexts, ultimately supporting the resilience of urban settlements in the face of ongoing global challenges.

Teaching Patriotism: History Teachers’ Perceptions of Kenya’s National Symbols

Muturi Ephraim Waihiga — 2025-07-04

The study’s main purpose was to analyse the meaning attached to Kenya's national symbols by History teachers. The study was guided by two theories: Social Semiotic Theory (SST) and the Multimodal Discourse Analysis theory (MDA). The study adopted a qualitative paradigm and descriptive survey design. The purposive sampling method was used to sample three symbols of national unity used for the study. Seventeen (17) teachers of History were purposively selected, and a questionnaire was administered to them. The questionnaire contained seventeen (17) items that were both open and closed-ended. This was done to enable the respondents to give their perception on the Kenya national symbols. The questionnaire focused on the three national symbols sampled, which were the national anthem, national flag and national emblem. The results were presented using themes. The study revealed a divergence between some teachers’ personal views and the official narrative prescribed in the curriculum. The findings indicated that teachers understood the official meanings of these symbols but often contextualised them based on their experiences. The findings also highlighted various tools and approaches used by teachers to instruct students about national symbols. However, findings showed that time constraints and a lack of training limited their ability to engage students in deeper discussions. To ensure that curriculum content reflects Kenya’s diverse ethnic and historical realities, making national narratives more inclusive. The data obtained would be useful in developing training programs that focus on semiotic pedagogy, peace education, and multicultural instruction to equip teachers with tools for meaningful symbolic education. The data obtained will further encourage teachers to engage in reflective practice, allowing them to reconcile personal beliefs with professional responsibilities. The findings of this study would further contribute new knowledge and information in the area of applied linguistics

Digital Dawn: Toward a Framework for Assessing the Efficacy of ePapers in the Ugandan Press

Deo Arinaitwe Rugyendo — 2025-07-08

Are electronic newspapers (ePapers) efficacious? Does digitalisation enable newspapers to perform traditional and contemporary roles in developing-world contexts like Uganda? The question begs ready answers. As newspapers globally succumb to digital media technologies concurrent with novel political economy shocks, we lack cogent assessments of their efficacy. Some scholars view dwindling print-copy circulations and readerships, online platforms, news aggregators, and alternative online news sources as portending doom for print newspapers. In Uganda, printed newspaper circulation is falling. Several newspapers have digitised, forming online versions, ePapers, to reach wider audiences. However, media scholarship lacks a framework for assessing their efficacy. The framework we propose–based on a qualitative review of theoretical and empirical literature–combines theoretical resources from technological determinism and critical political economy. It offers three parameters, with corresponding indicators, for assessing ePapers’ efficacy in Uganda’s press: sustaining traditional media roles; widening readership; and revenue/profit generation. Under traditional media roles, indicators are: allowing information access, reader education, and facilitating accountability demands. Under readership, we propose attracting new subscribers, actual ePaper readership, and ePaper cross-referencing. Under revenue generation, we suggest ePaper-usage revenues, and revenue changes (from subscription, advertisement) over time. We recommend mixed methods for empirically testing the framework in and beyond Uganda

Perception of Value and Utilisation of School Libraries in Government-Aided Schools in Kabale District, Uganda

Rest Chance — 2025-07-14

This study investigates the perception of value and the extent of utilisation of school libraries in government-aided secondary schools in Kabale District, Uganda. Recognising the transformative potential of libraries in supporting education, especially within learner-centred curricular reforms, the research explores how students, teachers, and school administrators perceive the library’s role and how these perceptions influence usage patterns. Employing a convergent parallel mixed methods design, data were collected through questionnaires from 345 students and interviews with key informants, including teachers, librarians, and school administrators across five selected schools. Findings reveal a generally positive perception of school libraries, with students acknowledging their significant contribution to academic performance, self-study habits, and access to curriculum-aligned resources. Notably, 71% of students reported daily library visits, though this figure was skewed toward urban schools. In contrast, rural schools faced infrastructural challenges such as inadequate space, outdated materials, and limited access to electronic resources, which impeded effective utilisation. Traditional print resources such as textbooks and past examination papers were the most commonly accessed materials, while the use of digital resources remained low due to limited ICT infrastructure. Perception of the library’s value was found to have a weak but statistically significant positive correlation (r = .236, p < .01) with effective utilisation, indicating that while perception matters, structural and institutional factors play a critical role in determining actual usage. The study recommends infrastructural improvements, equitable resource distribution, digital integration, structured library periods, professional development for staff, and a national school library policy to enhance library value and utilisation. Ultimately, school libraries must be repositioned as central to the success of Uganda's competency-based curriculum through improved investment and strategic alignment with educational objectives.

Mediation Role of Tourists’ Perceptions on the Relationship between Pull Motivation Factors and Destination Loyalty, in the Lake Victoria Region Tourist Circuit, Kenya

Stephen Kamau Nguthi, PhD — 2025-07-18

To enhance competitiveness, destination managers need to understand the link between tourists’ motivation factors, perceptions, and destination loyalty. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of tourists’ perceptions on the relationship between pull motivation factors and destination loyalty. A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative primary data from 299 tourists in 26 hotels in the Lake Victoria Tourist Circuit, Kenya. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in Smart PLS 3.2.7 was used for modelling and hypothesis testing. Perceived destination awareness fully mediates the relationship between destination management factors/core resources and destination loyalty, but only partially mediates the link between support resources and loyalty. Perceived destination image and perceived destination value both partially mediate the relationships between destination support resources, core resources, qualifying/amplifying resources, and management factors, and destination loyalty. The study outcome suggests that destination managers with a focus on improving tourists’ destination loyalty should focus on tourists’ perceived destination awareness, perceived destination image, perceived destination quality, and perceived destination value

The Correlation between Tourists’ Motivation Factors and Perceptions in the Lake Victoria Region Tourism Circuit, Kenya

Stephen Kamau Kamau Nguthi, PhD — 2025-07-18

This study investigated the relationship between tourist motivations and perceptions in Kenya's Lake Victoria region, surveying 299 tourists from 26 hotels. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires through a cross-sectional survey design. Findings revealed significant positive correlations between most motivation factors and perceptions. By examining push and pull motivations alongside perceptions, the research outcome helps predict tourist travel behaviour towards the destination

Tracer Study of Graduates of National Diploma in Water, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering Programmes 2016-2019

Lilian Nakawala — 2025-07-22

The Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board (UBTEB) has been assessing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students at certificate and diploma levels since 2011. Over the past decade, nearly 69,821 TVET graduates from technical institutions have entered the workforce across various engineering disciplines. Despite this, little is known about how these graduates transition into employment. To address this gap, UBTEB conducted a Tracer Study of National Diploma Engineering Graduates (2016–2019), focusing on employment timelines, programme relevance, employability factors, employer satisfaction, and curriculum alignment with industry needs. The study employed a structured approach with a sample size of 249 graduates and 39 employers, beginning with graduate survey preparation that included data collection, verification, and strategies to enhance response rates. Data analysis was performed using Excel and STATA, with a logistic econometric model applied to assess employability determinants. The findings revealed that while most graduates secure employment within a year, systemic challenges persist in curriculum relevance (particularly digital skills gaps), ineffective internships, and unequal job access. Employers highly value graduates' practical skills, but misalignments exist between training and industry needs. Teaching quality, entrepreneurial training, and academic performance emerged as critical employability drivers, though informal hiring networks create uneven opportunities. While employers praise technical competencies, they increasingly demand stronger soft skills. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive reforms to modernise curricula, strengthen work-based learning, and expand career support services to better align Uganda's TVET system with evolving labour market requirements and technological advancements. Recommendations emphasise improving education quality, teaching methods, and entrepreneurial training to enhance graduate employability and align skills with labour market demands. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry stakeholders to strengthen Uganda’s TVET system

Responsibility-Governance Grid: Mapping CSR Tensions

Enrico Moch — 2025-08-07

Corporate Social Responsibility is not fixed. It is a field where economic aims, social expectations and regulatory gaps meet and where tension is the rule, not the exception. Concepts like ESG and Corporate Citizenship may promise clarity, but often mask how fragile the balance really is. This paper applies a theoretical, systematising approach based on a hermeneutic review of internationally recognised literature to make these tensions visible. By revisiting four established clusters, instrumental, political, integrative and ethical, the paper shows how companies navigate overlapping roles. Sustainability can strengthen performance, but only when it rests on transparent structures and clear limits. Where firms step in for absent regulators, they assume responsibilities that reach beyond market logic yet remain contested without broader legitimacy. To map these tensions, the paper introduces the Responsibility Governance Grid, an orientation framework that locates CSR clusters along two axes: degree of obligation and source of legitimacy. This grid illustrates how clusters shift when firms move between voluntary standards and regulatory expectations or between internal commitment and public accountability. The analysis underlines that governance worth its name must tolerate friction. Responsibility that survives more than one reporting cycle depends on binding rules, openness to contradiction and the courage to negotiate trade-offs. There is no universal model; there are only arrangements that reveal where governance holds and where it fails. Rather than closing the debate, this paper holds it open. It offers a starting point for those who see CSR not as a polished promise but as an ongoing task that resists easy closure and gains its relevance precisely from that

Mapping Women in Prisons Skills Development for Reintegration in the Communities of Aden Region, Yemen

Samah Ali Abdo Yousef — 2025-08-07

This study explored the social, psychological and economic needs of incarcerated women in Yemen, particularly their preparation for reintegration, and how these needs impact their successful integration into their respective communities. The struggle for skill acquisition among women in Yemen is closely tied to limited access to capital for income-generating activities, with financial resources typically controlled by male counterparts. Gender disparities in the treatment and support of female prisoners are prevalent globally, as women represent about 7% of the global prison population, with over 700,000 incarcerated women worldwide (World Prison Brief, 2023). Research indicates that up to 80% of jailed women have experienced trauma, and nearly 50% suffer from mental health issues (Woods, 2015; Van Olphen et al., 2009). This study adopted an exploratory qualitative approach, utilising in-depth interviews with 24 participants, including both prison staff and incarcerated women. The findings reveal a significant gap in structural interventions addressing the skill development needs of incarcerated women in Yemen, which hinders their successful reintegration into society. There is a clear link between the skills required for reintegration and the root causes of female incarceration in Yemen’s prison system. Despite these challenges, many formerly incarcerated women express a strong desire to avoid reoffending by engaging in locally driven income-generating activities that could foster self-reliance and economic independence. Future research should explore the reasons behind the community's resistance to addressing the skill needs of incarcerated women, despite Yemen’s commitment to international conventions. Additionally, the role of international and local NGOs in supporting these needs warrants further investigation, particularly regarding the effectiveness and sustainability of their interventions

Navigating Crisis: Understanding Patterns and Scale of Forced Migration in Greater Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria (2014-2019)

Luka Yohanna — 2025-08-08

This study investigates the dynamics of forced migration driven by the Boko Haram insurgency into greater Yola from 2014 to 2019. Combining primary data from questionnaires and interviews with secondary records from the International Organization for Migration, the research unveils that over 70% of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Greater Yola were propelled by the Boko Haram conflict. Notably, a peak in IDP influx occurred in July/August 2016, exceeding 140,000 individuals. The predominant trend observed is direct migration to Greater Yola, underlining the urgency and severity of security concerns linked to the insurgency. The study also highlights strategic step-wise migration among certain local government areas, emphasizing the adaptive nature of displacement patterns. These findings contribute vital insights for policymakers and humanitarian efforts grappling with the intricate challenges of forced migration. The study recommends bolstered security measures to facilitate the return of IDPs to their native regions, addressing the root cause of displacement

Future Orthopia: A Conceptual Design for a Liberal and Robust Market Order in the 21st Century

Enrico Moch — 2025-08-08

This paper introduces the concept of a future orthopia, a realistic vision for an economic order that preserves the radical promise of the Austrian School while acknowledging the messy realities of today’s platform-driven, highly networked markets. At its core lies the belief that spontaneous order and decentralised knowledge, as Hayek and Mises once envisioned, still hold untapped potential for economic freedom and entrepreneurial discovery. Yet the realities of platform capitalism show how quickly data monopolies and gatekeeper structures can undermine this freedom. Using a qualitative and conceptual approach, this paper brings together classical Austrian theory, complexity economics, and modern governance research. The radical reforms under Javier Milei serve as a real-world test case, a dramatic experiment in how far deregulation, fiscal austerity, and institutional rollback can push an economy toward Austrian ideals and at what social cost. The findings suggest that spontaneous order alone is not enough when network effects, algorithmic control, and market power concentrate freedom in the hands of a few. A Future orthopia, therefore, calls for an adaptive, rule-based framework that preserves openness, safeguards diversity, and limits new forms of hidden centralisation. This is not about a return to static planning but about protecting the spaces where entrepreneurial action can flourish without being fenced off by invisible gatekeepers. The paper offers a blueprint for those who believe that freedom and fairness must be defended together and that markets, if left unchecked, can be both liberating and deeply fragile. In the end, the freedom of the market remains what it has always been: the freedom of people to think, to act, and to shape their future

Internal Communication and Sanitary Service Delivery in Lyantonde District, Uganda

Rosemary Tumuhairwe — 2025-08-11

The study focused on the influence of internal communication on sanitary service delivery in Lyantonde district. The study was guided by the following objectives: to find out the current state of internal communication, to identify the state of sanitary service delivery, to determine the impact of internal communication on sanitary service delivery, and to identify the key factors influencing internal communication in Lyantonde district. This study adopted a case study research design and qualitative approach with a sample size of 53 respondents. The respondents were selected using purposive sampling. The data was collected using the interview method and analysed thematically using Atlas TI. The study found that internal communication in Lyantonde District is characterised by a mix of informal digital channels, such as WhatsApp, SMS, and phone calls, and formal methods like memos and circulars, with the former increasingly relied upon due to accessibility and speed. However, serious challenges persist, including inconsistent communication frequency, unclear or contradictory messages, limited feedback mechanisms, and a strong top-down flow that marginalises frontline workers. The study also concluded that sanitary service delivery is marked by systemic inadequacies in infrastructure, accessibility, maintenance, and equity. The study recommended that the district adopt a more integrated and inclusive communication strategy that balances the use of informal digital tools with strengthened formal channels. The study also recommends strengthening internal communication systems by adopting multi-channel approaches that ensure messages reach all relevant staff promptly and clearly, including frontline workers with limited digital access