Gulu University Digital Repository (GU-IR)
GU-IR preserves research output from the Gulu University community
Communities in GU-IR
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
MATRIARCHY AND THE STATE FORMATION OF BUGANDA FROM 1856 TO 2022
(Gulu University, 2025) BRENDAH NAKABIITO
ABSTRACT
There is sufficient evidence in historical scholarship that public interest in primitive
matriarchies has been revived globally. Suddenly magazine articles, journal articles
and books appear attesting to a former rule by women, this is partly because no
matriarchies persist anywhere at the present time and because primary sources
recounting them were totally lacking. This study investigated the contribution of
matriarchy to state formation of Buganda Kingdom. It was guided by the following
specific objectives namely; to examine how Buganda kingdom was organized; to
assess the nature of Matriarchy in Buganda kingdom and examine the influential royal
women and the role they played in state formation of Buganda. The study used
qualitative methods and data was collected using interview guide. Data was analyzed
thematically according to similarity of responses in relation to study objectives. My
findings revealed that Buganda kingdom was a centralized polity organized politically,
economically, socially and culturally with the Kabaka as a cultural leader and head of
state. Buganda was organized into administrative units with the Kabaka at the centre
and the chiefs at the periphery. My study also found out that the nature of Matriarchy
was women rule at one time in history and there was matrilineality but most important
matriarchy in Buganda was considered from the contribution of women to state
formation and finally research question three, findings revealed that there were a
number of influential royal women who contributed in various capacities to state
formation while other women emerged as unique personalities and contributed to
Buganda. It was concluded that Buganda kingdom was a centralized polity with well organized
political, social economic and cultural structure and matriarchy contributed
immensely to state formation. It was recommended that Oral information should be
written and achieved in counties, sub-counties, parishes and villages to enable people
access information about Buganda.
Exploring Human - Wildlife Conflicts through the Livelihoods Framework in Nwoya District
(Gulu University, 2026-09-14) Aloyo Innocent Jessie
This study conducts a detailed evaluation of human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) in the Lii subcounty of Nwoya District, with the goal of understanding the impacts of these conflicts,
measuring the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, and assessing community involvement and policy execution; employing a cross-sectional methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research reveals that HWC is an extensive issue affecting nearly all surveyed households, predominantly driven by problematic encounters with elephants, leading to substantial economic setbacks, including an average 75% decrease in annual crop yields and a 60% drop in household income, with potential financial losses reaching UGX 40,000,000 yearly. Moreover, these conflicts significantly undermine all five capital assets of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, causing deep psychosocial impacts like chronic stress and fear reminiscent of the LRA insurgency. Although households implement various strategies to deter wildlife, their effectiveness is often viewed as limited, especially as elephants adapt to traditional deterrents. A significant finding is the pervasive dissatisfaction with current HWC management, fueled by a sense of exclusion from decision making and inadequate governmental or NGO support. This frustration is exacerbated by a lack of feedback on reported incidents, intensifying the belief that the government prioritizes wildlife over human welfare. The study calls for urgent, sustainable solutions that prioritize genuine community engagement and address underlying issues such as incomplete fencing and habitat destruction to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
School Organizational Structure Implementation and Teachers’ Performance in Government-aided Secondary Schools in Gulu City
(Gulu University, 2025) Lanyero Jacqueline
This study investigated the relationship between school organizational structure and teachers’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Gulu City, Uganda. The study
focused on understanding how centralization and formalization within school structures impact teachers' ability to perform tasks such as lesson planning, time management, and
assessment of students and the objectives were; To establish school organizational structure implementation in government-aided secondary schools in Gulu City, examine the level of teachers’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Gulu City and to determine the relationship between school organizational structure and teachers’ performance in government-aided secondary schools in Gulu City. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including questionnaires and interviews with teachers, headteachers, and deputy headteachers across six selected schools. A cross-sectional research design was used to gather data at a specific point in time, and a sample of 186 respondents was drawn from a population of teachers and headteachers. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the relationships between school organizational structure and teachers’ performance. The findings revealed that School organisational structure exist in government aided secondary schools and are being implemented and both centralization and formalization positively relate teacher performance, particularly in areas such as work preparation schemes, assessment practices, and time management. However, centralization had little effect on lesson planning, indicating that teacher autonomy is more important in this area. The study also revealed that the level of teachers is low. identified challenges, such as unclear communication channels and overlapping roles, which hindered the level of teacher performance. The study concluded that while formalization is key in improving teachers’ performance in structured tasks, a balance between centralized decision-making and teacher autonomy is necessary to enhance performance in creative tasks like lesson planning. Recommendations included increasing teacher involvement in decision-making, providing continuous professional development, and promoting a balance between School organisational structure and ensure flexibility in School governance. This research contributed to understanding how School organizational structures implemented in schools can be designed to foster better teacher performance, ultimately improving educational outcome.
Parental Involvement and Student Retention in Universal Secondary Education Schools in Amuru District, Northern Uganda
(Gulu University, 2025) Amono Lilly
This study investigated the relationship between parental involvement and student retention in Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools in Amuru District, Northern Uganda. The primary aim was to understand how various dimensions of parental engagement specifically, the provision of school needs, payment of supplementary fees, parental follow-up, and participation in school meetings impact students' retention rates. The study adopted a mixed method approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, with a sample space of 538 respondents, including students leaders, student, teachers, and school administrators. This combination allowed for a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter. The objectives of the study were determining the extent to which parents' provision of school needs correlates with students' retention rates, exploring how payment of supplementary fees affects retention, assessing the influence of parental follow-up on students' attendance and persistence, and examining the role of parental participation in school meetings in promoting retention. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews, providing a rich context for understanding the dynamics of parental involvement. Findings revealedsignificant relationships between each aspect of parental involvement and student retention. Specifically, parents who provision of school had a moderate positive correlation (r =0.305**, p < 0.01), paid supplementary fees had a weak positive (r = 0.143**, p < 0.01), while consistent follow-up by parents had a moderate positive (r = 0.445**, p < 0.01), and active participation in school meetings had a high positive correlation (r = 0.763**, p < 0.05). these all contributed to improved student persistence. These findings suggested that enhancing parental involvement could serve as a key strategy for improving student retention in USE schools. In conclusion, the study emphasized the critical role that parents played in their children's education, suggesting that targeted interventions aimed at increasing parental
involvement could effectively enhance retention rates in USE schools. Recommendations included developing programs to educate parents about their importance in the educational process, encouraging schools to facilitate greater parental engagement, and implementing community initiatives that support families in meeting school-related needs. By fostering stronger partnerships between parents and schools, the educational outcomes for students in Amuru District could be significantly improved.
A CRITICAL STUDY OF SYMBOLISM IN LANGO ORAL NARRATIVES
(Gulu University, 2025) ACEN REBECCA ELYAK
The study examined the use of symbolism in Lango oral narratives. Symbolism is an important aspect of oral literature as it enhances the cohesion and meaningfulness of a text.
The study sought to document the sub-genres of the oral narratives among the Lango; explain how symbolism is used in the selected oral narratives and examine the roles played by symbolism in the selected oral narratives in preserving Lango culture. The study was grounded in the theory of Structuralism advanced by De Saussure (1916). The case study
design was used, guided by the descriptive design and qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling was used to identify the participants of the study (in Lira City). The study
used interviews, observation and recording as methods of data collection. Data was analyzed using thematic and content analysis techniques. The study revealed three sub-genres of Lango oral narratives: the myth, legend and folktale. Furthermore, plot development, entertainment, thematic development, etc., were analyzed to explore the role of symbolism in the Lango oral narratives. The study also revealed that symbolism has preserved Lango culture by way of preserving historical and cultural knowledge, Lango’s art and creativity, and the language itself. The study recommends that a digital archive should be established to preserve and protect Lango oral narratives by including transcriptions, translations, and audio-visual recordings, with collaboration from technology experts, cultural historians, and the local community. The study also recommends further study on the role of symbolism in other genres of Lango oral literature and their roles in preserving Lango culture.