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Remain or return? Dual citizenship and uncertainity: the case of South Sudanese refugees in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda
(Gulu University, 2026) Achiro Flavia
Uganda remains Africa’s largest hosting country for many refugees from different African
States such as South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, and others with refugees from South Sudan constituting the largest percentage of the total refugee populations. This study and question on Remain or return? Dual citizenship and uncertainty, was carried out in Palabek refugee settlement in Lamwo district, Northern Uganda. The study was guided by three objectives including (a) to examine factors that influence the pursuit for dual citizenship (b) to explore and describe the perceptions of South Sudanese refugees towards dual citizenship and (c) to understand and document how the practice to dual citizenship can be strategized.
A qualitative research approach was employed and data collected over a period of three weeks. A case study design was used with attendant methods being interviews and focus group discussions. Case study research design allowed for an understanding of phenomena in real life situations and for the collection of a great deal of information regarding the topic. Furthermore, the key informants identified for this study were purposively selected and included the Refugees, the Woman Leader, Refugee Welfare Committee 3 & 2, Office of the Prime Minister, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Immigration office.
The key findings showed that there is inadequate knowledge about dual citizenship amongst the refugees. Another finding was that refugees hardly have access to dual citizenship programs as; some of them have resorted to intermarriage to easily acquire dual citizenship.
To remedy this, the research recommends that awareness on dual citizenship should be introduced in the settlement to enable the refugees know their rights. Secondly, the authorities working in the settlement handling refugee affairs especially OPM and UNHCR should work closely with the refugee local leaders and other organizations advocating for the right to citizenship by refugees. With this partnership, it will help to harmonize the gaps surrounding the right to dual citizenship.
Onek Denis Amooti _TEACHERS' PREPAREDNESS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOWER SECONDARY CURRICULUM IN AMURU DISTRICT_2026.pdf
(Gulu University, 2026-06-17) Onek Denis Amooti
This study examined teachers’ preparedness and the implementation of the Lower Secondary Curriculum in secondary schools in Amuru District, Uganda. The study aimed at establishing whether teachers possess the knowledge, pedagogical skills, assessment competence, and classroom management abilities required for effective implementation of the competency-based curriculum. A descriptive research design employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches was used. Data were collected from teachers, head teachers, and students through questionnaires and interviews, Findings revealed that the level of teacher preparedness in Amuru District is generally high, particularly in subject content mastery, learner centered teaching methods, and continuous assessment practices. The study also found that teachers who attended curriculum orientation and professional development programs implemented the curriculum more effectively. However, challenges such as inadequate instructional materials, limited ICT facilities, and insufficient refresher training still affected implementation in some schools. The study concludes that effective implementation of the Lower Secondary Curriculum largely depends on continuous teacher support and adequate learning resources. It recommends regular capacity building and increased stakeholder support to strengthen curriculum implementation in secondary schools.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION SUPPORTED VILLAGE SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS (VSLAs) AND HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOODS IN, NORTHERN UGANDA: A CASE OF THRIVE- GULU SUPPORTED VSLAs IN GULU CITY
(Gulu University, 2026) Akello Filda
Village Savings and Loan Associations have emerged as a significant and transformative approach to improving household livelihoods in diverse socio-economic contexts. This study investigated Village Savings and Loan Associations and household livelihood; the case of Village Savings and Loan Associations under the support of THRIVE-Gulu. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the status of Village Savings and Loan Associations in Gulu city; to assess the level of household livelihoods; to determine the relationship between Village Savings and Loan Associations ship between Village Savings and Loan Associations and household livelihoods. Descriptive and cross-sectional research designs were used. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides from a sample of 286 Village Savings and Loan Associations members. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 software. The study finding shows that savings and credit have significant effect on household livelihoods while soft-skills do not have any significant effect on household livelihoods; the study further found that social trust has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between Village Savings and Loan Associations and household livelihoods. The study concludes that Village Savings and Loan Associations remains a key mechanism in enhancing household livelihoods. The study recommends that measures to improve household livelihood should focus on savings and credit since they have significant effect on household livelihoods. Furthermore, Village Savings and Loan Associations implementors should integrate social trust into Village Savings and Loan Associations operations in order to have greater effect on household livelihoods.
Cultivating Voters’ Perceptions and Women’s Political Representation in Uganda
(Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, 2025-02-01) Dr. Doreen Chemutai (PhD)
This study considers voter perceptions as resources women politicians cultivate. How women cultivate this resource is relatively understudied in Uganda. The study addresses the gap in the literature through a qualitative approach. Women Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the Northern Uganda districts of Kitgum, Pader, Oyam, Agago, and Gulu selected purposively completed individual in-depth interviews. Additionally, constituents in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) provided input with the help of a discussion guide. Findings reveal that voters' perceptions of women MPs are contextual; voter characteristics and expectations influence voters' impression of an individual. Irrespective of the seat type, women MPs cultivate votes through constituency service.
However, women in reserved seats use humility, honesty, and motherliness to influence voters' perceptions. Compared to women in open seats, women in reserved seats are better at nurturing voter perceptions. A further revelation is that a reciprocal relationship exists between voters' perceptions of MPs and performance outcomes. The study suggests that voters' perceptions are an essential political resource as they provide a feedback loop for improved performance, better policies and the election of good leaders.
A qualitative exploration of fermented milk processing traditionally practiced by the pokot ethnic group of Karamoja in Uganda
(Elsevier, 2026-07-09) Owiny Emmanuel; Oyet Sunday Mark; Chemutai Doreen; Kitambo Enos; Muggaga Christopher; Okello Uma-Ipolto
Traditional food processing methods have the potential to combat malnutrition while providing sustainable livelihoods in communities such as the Karamojong devasted by a high burden of malnutrition and associated health consequences. The purpose of the current study was to document the traditional milk processing among the Pokot community in Karamoja subregion of Uganda, specifically focusing on the sour milk. A qualitative study involving five key informants and 46 Focus Group Discussion (FGD) participants was employed. We found that traditional knowledge of fermenting milk is passed by the older women to younger generations while in their childhood. We also observed that the Pokot ethnic community used burnt plant parts for treating fermentation vessels. Calabash or gourds were the most common fermentation vessels though some households used plastic jerricans as fermentation vessels. A traditionally fermented milk locally known as lolon, follows seven key steps: cleaning of the gourds, milking, sieving, boiling, defatting, fermentation, and draining. Our study demonstrates that milk processing by traditional methods by the Pokot ethnic community is culturally entrenched, initiated when the women are at a young age. Cultural identity associated with the milk processing among the Pokot reinforces food systems, therefore, we recommend the need for further empirical research beyond the current exploration such as innovations for improving and optimizing the process steps to improve food security and nutrition among the Pokot community in Karamoja subregion.