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Participation of Students in Games and Sports and Management of Indiscipline in Secondary Schools in Kitgum Municipality
(Gulu University, 2026) Oyet Nelson Mackenzie
The study was conducted on participation of students in games and sports and management of indiscipline in secondary schools in Kitgum Municipality. Student athletes in Kitgum Municipality were generally seen as being indiscipline; normally normally stirring commotion during games days and even in schools, portraying numerous misconducts; the study aimed to examine how participation of students in games and sports influences management of indiscipline in secondary schools in Kitgum Municipality. The study was conducted using correlation design; data were collected using questionnaires and interviews from 248 participants. Questionnaire data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the level of students’ participation in games and sports and strategies for management of indiscipline of students in games and sports. Objective three was analysed using Pearson correlation. Findings revealed that students generally reported high to very high levels of participation in games and sports activities (Means ranging from 4.25–4.62); football, athletics, field events and volleyball were the most popular and actively promoted sporting activities, while Scrabble received comparatively lower participation. The findings revealed a very high level of implementation of school discipline practices (Means = 4.66–4.77) across the schools studied; The interview results supported the quantitative findings for objectives one and two as most deputies attested to high level of participation in games, and management of Indiscipline in their schools. The correlation analysis revealed that there is a moderate positive relationship between management of indiscipline and students' participation in games and sports (r = 0.548). The study concluded that there is a high level of students' participation in games and sports activities in the secondary schools studied, there is a very high level of school discipline practices in the secondary schools studied and that management of indiscipline has a significant positive relationship with students' participation in games and sports. The study recommended in objective one, that school administrators should sustain and strengthen participation in highly popular sports such as football, athletics, field events and volleyball while deliberately promoting less-participated activities such as scrabble through awareness campaigns, inter-school competitions, provision of equipment and specialised coaching. In objective two, that Secondary school administrators should sustain and strengthen positive discipline practices by ensuring that school rules remain clearly communicated, guidance and counselling services are adequately resourced, reward systems are consistently implemented.
Comparative analysis of energy recovery and digestate quality from anaerobic co-digestion of fruit and vegetable wastes under ambient and mesophilic conditions
(Scientific reports, 2026-05-14) Kabenge, Isa; Komakech, Allan. J.; Rubagumya, Isaac; Kizito, Simon Savio; Ahmadisedigh, Hossein; Menya, Emmanuel; Lépine, Julien; Zziwa, Ahamada
Large quantities of fruits and vegetables are lost along the supply chain due to their perishable nature, with factors such as inadequate refrigerated transport, poor road conditions, and limited cold storage facilities contributing to this loss. Anaerobic digestion offers a promising solution for mitigating the negative impacts of fruits and vegetable wastes (FVW). This study investigated the anaerobic co-digestion of FVW under ambient and mesophilic conditions, focusing on biogas yield, digestate quality, and energy efficiency. A 50:50 mixture of FVW and cow dung at mesophilic temperatures resulted in the highest biogas yield of 1,328.4 mLg-1VS, with a specific methane yield of 258.4 mL CH4 g-1 VS. The digestate from this mixture contained 64.56, 15.34, and 20.32 gkg-1 of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), respectively. The heavy metal concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were 0.02, 0.51, non-detectable, 88.60, and 3.67 mgkg-1, respectively, all falling within the acceptable limits for digestate/compost quality according to national and international standards. However, additional regulated metals such as As, Cr, Hg, Se, and Cd were not analyzed in this study. Therefore, compliance with international biofertilizer standards should be limited to the analyzed heavy metals. Although the average H2S levels remained below 22 ppm, routine monitoring is advisable, as elevated levels can compromise biogas quality, necessitating additional costs for biogas purification. From an energy recovery perspective, integrating insulation and correctly sizing the tank was found to improve both energy yield and operational efficiency, thereby enhancing the overall sustainability of the anaerobic digestion system. Further research should focus on temperature adaptability experiments in different climate zones, co-digestion with other organic wastes, long-term operational stability testing at the pilot scale, heavy metals and microbial analysis of the solid digestate.
Refugee-host communities and resource access at Palabek refugee settlement in Lamwo District, northern Uganda: a historical analysis (2017-2025)
(GULU UNIVERSITY, 2026) OKWIR ALLAN DANIEL
This study examined resource access among refugee and host communities in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Lamwo District, Northern Uganda, from 2017 to 2025. Its objectives were to explore the settlement’s history, establish evolving refugee resource needs, investigate resource-sharing dynamics, and examine experiences of accessing resources.
The study adopted a qualitative historical-ethnographic design involving 118 participants selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observation and documentary review, and analysed using content, narrative and chronological analysis.
Findings revealed a shift from emergency assistance towards self-reliance through vocational training and economic empowerment. Although resource sharing and cultural interactions promoted cooperation, limited resources contributed to food insecurity, overcrowded schools and health facilities, inadequate healthcare, and competition between refugees and host communities.
The study concludes that the transition towards self-reliance remains fragile. It recommends strengthening livelihood and food security programmes, improving access to land and employment, investing in essential social services and infrastructure, and promoting equitable resource sharing and peaceful coexistence.
Hepatitis B virus sero prevalence and associated factors among pregnant women and their male partners attending Gulu regional referral hospital antenatal clinic
(Gulu University, 2026) OTIM PATRICK
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health concern due to its potential to cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Uganda, pregnant women are routinely screened for HBV during antenatal care (ANC); however, screening of male partners and evidence on HBV seroprevalence and sero-concordance and discordance among couples remain limited, particularly in Northern Uganda. Understanding the burden of HBV infection and associated factors among couples attending ANC is essential for informing integrated screening, vaccination, and prevention strategies.
Objective: To determine Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) seroprevalence and associated factors among pregnant women and their partner attending antenatal care (ANC) clinic of Gulu Regional Referral hospital (GRRH), Gulu, Uganda.
Methods: Between December 2023 and February 2024, a hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among eligible pregnant women and their male partners attending ANC of GRRH. Following systematic random sampling, pretested questionnaire was administered by an interviewer. Blood samples were collected for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid test, which was performed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Quantitative data was analysed using logistic regression in STATA version 15 SE. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 242 couple pairs were enrolled. Overall, 8.3% (n=40/484) participants were seropositive for HBsAg; A mong the males, Male partners (10.7%, n=26/242) and among pregnant women (5.8%, n=14/242). Sero-concordance 87.6% (212/242), (Male partners negative [-ve] and pregnant women [-ve]; 83.5%, n=202/242), (Male partners positive [+ve] and pregnant women [+ve]; 4.1%, n=10/242) and sero-discordance was 12.4% (30/242), (Male partners +ve and pregnant women -ve; 8.7%, n=21/242), (Male partners -ve and pregnant women +ve; 3.7%, n=9/242). Factors associated with positive HBsAg were, being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.45, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.15 - 5.21, p=0.02), daily alcohol consumption (aOR: 4.73, 95% CI: 1.40 -16.04, p=0.01), and no prior vaccination against HBV (aOR: 12.01, 95% CI: 4.07 - 35.65, p<0.001).
Conclusion: There is a high HBsAg seropositivity rate, particularly among male partners of pregnant women. Male sex, daily alcohol consumption, and lack of prior HBV vaccination were significantly associated with infection. There is an urgent need for couple-based HBV screening during antenatal care, targeted vaccination of unvaccinated individuals, and counselling on alcohol reduction. In addition, strengthening and sensitising young people on premarital HBV screening is essential to reduce transmission
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF LEBLANGO AND FRENCH VOWEL SOUNDS: IMPLICATIONS FOR LEBLANGO SPEAKERS OF FRENCH AS A THIRD LANGUAGE
(2026-10-08) Opio Bosco
This study, titled “A Comparative Study of Leblango and French Vowel Sounds: Implications for Leblango Speakers of French as a Third Language (L3)”, compared the vowel systems of Leblango and French and examined their impact on French vowel pronunciation by L1 Leblango speakers. The analysis was conducted using the parameters of vowel height, backness, rounding, nasality, and distribution. The study employed a descriptive survey and comparative research design within a framework combining the Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis and Autosegmental Phonology. Data were collected from 20 advanced French speakers from the Lango sub-region, selected via purposive sampling. The study used audio-recorded conversational modules and reading activities. French reference data were sourced from the Corpus de Français Parlé Parisien des années 2000 (CFPP2000). The findings reveal that Leblango and French share the oral vowels /a, e, ɛ, i, ɔ, o, u, ə/ and the nasal vowels /ɔ̃/ and /ɛ̃/. The primary differences are the presence in French of front rounded vowels /y/, /ø/, /œ/ and the distinct nasal vowels /œ̃/ and /ɑ̃/, which are absent in Leblango. These similarities could be said to have facilitated the accurate pronunciation of shared French vowels, such as /i/ in si and /ɔ̃/ in bon. Conversely, the differences could be said to have led to systematic challenges, resulting in substitutions like the realization of /y/ as [u] in tu and /œ̃/ as [ɛ̃] in un. The study recommends that French language teachers in the Lango sub-region familiarize themselves with both vowel systems and adopt pedagogical methods that explicitly address these phonological contrasts, and utilize targeted listening, pronunciation exercise, and contrastive drills to enhance learners' proficiency.