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MOBILE BANKING SERVICES AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN BARDEGE LAYIBI DIVISION, GULU CITY
(Gulu University, 2026-10) OLWOCH, OCAYA PATRICK
This research examined the influence of mobile banking on financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs in Bardege-Layibi Division, Gulu City, with moderating effect of digital literacy. Four objectives guided the research. The first one was aimed at examining how women entrepreneurs utilize mobile banking services; the second – determining their level of financial inclusion; the third exploring the association between mobile banking services and financial inclusion; the fourth identifying the role of digital literacy in this association. Descriptive survey design was used with cross-sectional timeframe and mixed methods. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from women entrepreneurs, Community Development Officers, Commercial Officers, and market leaders in Bardege-Layibi Division. Sample size of 384 women entrepreneurs was computed based on Cochran’s formula for population size, while 12 key informants were purposefully selected for interview. Data gathering involved questionnaires and interview guide. Quantitative data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis using SPSS software, while qualitative data analysis used thematic analysis. The instrument validity was assessed with the Content Validity Index (CVI = 0.911), while its reliability was established with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients which ranged from 0.716 to 0.801. Results showed that women entrepreneurs have high utilization of mobile banking services in terms of payment, withdrawal, savings, and inquiry services while the utilization of credit services is low. In addition, women entrepreneurs have a high level of financial inclusion as indicated by improved access, affordability and service quality of financial services. Correlation and regression analysis indicated that payment, withdrawal, savings, and inquiry services have significant positive relationships with financial inclusion, while credit services do not have a significant influence. Furthermore, the study found out that digital literacy significantly moderates the relationship between mobile banking services and financial inclusion such that women entrepreneurs with high level of digital literacy benefit more with financial inclusion from mobile banking services compared to women with low level of digital literacy. The study concludes that mobile banking services greatly enhance financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs particularly with regard to payment, withdrawal, savings, and inquiry services. Digital literacy plays an important role in enhancing the influence of mobile banking services on financial inclusion. The study recommends that governments, banks and mobile money service providers should increase efforts on improving digital literacy of women entrepreneurs, providing affordable digital financial services and designing user-friendly financial products for them.
UGANDA’S GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES TO INTEGRATE REFUGEES IN KIRYANDONGO REFUGEE SETTLEMENT, 1954–2014: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
(Gulu University, 2026-10) Opiro, Bismark
This study examined Uganda’s government initiatives to integrate refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement from 1954 to 2014 from a historical perspective. It was guided by three objectives: to examine the refugee laws and their effectiveness in governing refugee integration in Uganda; to assess the forms of government initiatives to integrate refugees in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement; and to examine the challenges of refugees’ integration among host communities in Kiryandongo. The study was anchored on historical institutionalism and adopted a qualitative approach and a historical research design. Data were obtained from laws, official government and UNHCR documents and published literature, including archival records reproduced in published studies, and from 105 participants comprising refugees, host community members, block leaders, officials of the Office of the Prime Minister, local government officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations, through key informant interviews, individual interviews, focus group discussions and observation. Data were analyzed through source criticism, thematic analysis and chronological historical analysis. The study found that refugee law evolved from the control-oriented Control of Alien Refugees Act of 1960, which confined refugees to settlements and denied them a path to citizenship, to the rights-based Refugees Act of 2006 and the Refugees Regulations of 2010, although implementation remained constrained by limited resources and administrative discretion. Government initiatives in Kiryandongo progressed from colonial land allocation for displaced Kenyans in 1954 to the gazetting of the settlement in 1990, the Self-Reliance Strategy of 1999 and the reopening of the settlement in 2014, with land allocation, settlement farming and shared education, health and market services as the main forms of integration. Integration was, however, constrained in every period by land pressure, competition over natural resources, unequal distribution of services, insecurity, political suspicion and cultural differences. The study concludes that Uganda’s approach to refugee integration in Kiryandongo was shaped by a colonial settlement model that later governments adapted rather than replaced, so that economic integration advanced further than legal and social integration.
Parenting Styles and Learners’ Discipline in Secondary Schools in Lamwo District
(Gulu University, 2026-08) Okumu, Amose
This study investigated the relationship between parenting styles and learners’ discipline in secondary schools in Lamwo District, guided by three objectives: exploring the parenting styles practiced by parents, determining the status of learners’ discipline, and establishing how parenting styles influence learner discipline. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from a sample of 264 students using questionnaire and 12 key informants using
interview guide, including disciplinary committee Chairpersons, head teachers, and PTA Chairpersons. Quantitative findings indicated that permissive parenting was the most prevalent style (mean = 3.75, SD = 1.035), followed by authoritarian (mean = 3.64, SD = 2.055) and authoritative parenting (mean = 3.59, SD = 1.261), while qualitative data reinforced these results. The study revealed that learners’ discipline remains a pressing challenge, largely influenced by inconsistent parental involvement and the predominance of permissive and authoritarian parenting practices. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive relationships between all three parenting styles and learners’ discipline, with permissive parenting style showing the strongest correlation (r = 0.708**, p< 0.01); however, qualitative evidence emphasized authoritative parenting as the most effective in promoting positive learner behaviour. The study concludes that parenting styles significantly affect learner’s discipline which aligns with Bronfenbrenner’s view in his Ecological Systems theory. Recommendations
focused on promoting authoritative parenting through community sensitization, increasing parental engagement in school matters, and addressing the adverse impacts of permissive and authoritarian approaches. However, there is still need for further research to explore the complexities of permissive parenting styles and the evolving parenting dynamics to better inform policies and interventions aimed at improving learners’ discipline in Lamwo District.
Hands-on Learning and Students' Community Engagement Practices: A case of Secondary Schools in Gulu City, Uganda.
(2026-10-22) Oyella Gloria
This study examined the relationship between hands-on learning and students’ community engagement practices in secondary schools in Gulu City, Uganda. The study was guided by three objectives: to examine students’ community engagement practices, to assess the state of hands-on learning activities, and to determine the relationship between hands-on learning and students’ community engagement practices. The study was grounded in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (1984) and employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. A sample of 284 respondents comprising 234 students and 50 teachers was drawn from secondary schools in Gulu City. Data were collected using semi structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation mean score, standard deviation, and multiple linear regression, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that students demonstrated high levels of community engagement (µ=4.08, SD=0.81), with environmental
activism (µ =4.22) and volunteering (µ =4.23) being the most prevalent dimensions. Handson learning activities showed moderate to high implementation levels (Student µ =3.72, SD=0.85; Teacher µ =4.04, SD=0.79), with games and sports recording the highest mean scores. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between overall hands-on learning and community engagement (Student r=0.40, p<0.01; Teacher
r=0.64, p<0.01). Regression analysis indicated that hands-on learning significantly predicts community engagement practices among students (B=0.145, p=0.020 from student perspective; B=0.479, p<0.001 from teacher perspective). Extraneous variables including teachers’ facilitation, time constraints, school resources, and parental support influenced the relationship. The study concludes that hands-on learning activities significantly influence students’ community engagement practices, but implementation is constrained by resource limitations, time pressures, and inadequate teacher training. The study recommends increased budget allocation for hands-on learning resources, structured teacher professional development, flexible curriculum implementation, and strengthened school-community partnerships.
INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN NORTHERN UGANDA: EVIDENCE FROM OYAM DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT
(Gulu University, 2026-04-26) OLILA, DENIS BONNY
Internal control system plays significant role in enhancing financial performance of institutions. This study investigated the effect of internal control system on financial performance of lower local governments with evidence from Oyam District Local Government. The aims of the study were: To assess the effectiveness internal control system; to examine the status of financial performance; to examine the relationship between internal control system and financial performance of lower local governments; to assess the moderating effect of IFMS on the relationship between the internal control system and financial performance of lower local governments the case of Oyam District Local Government. Cross-sectional research design was used in the study with purely quantitative approach. Data was collected using structured questionnaires from 174 staff of Oyam District Local Government. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression) with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Study findings revealed: The study finding shows a high level of usage of internal control system in terms of control activities and control environment, and a high level of financial performance. The study finding shows a moderate level of usage of internal control system in terms of control activities, control environment and risk assessment by management of Oyam District Local Government and at the same time, a high level of financial performance in the forms of accountability, financial reporting and performance of revenue. They also show that all the dimensions of internal control system (control activities, control environment and risk assessment) have significant positive relationship with the financial performance of Oyam District Local Government. At the same time, they show that integrated financial management systems moderated the relationship between internal control system and financial performance in Oyam District Local Government. The study concluded that internal control system has a significant positive effect on financial performance. The study recommended that; strategies aimed at improving financial performance should focus on control environment, control activities and risk management; and the study recommended need to strengthen integrated financial management system while implementing internal control system in order to influence financial performance