DSpace 7
DSpace is the world leading open source repository platform that enables organisations to:

Communities in DSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
Transforming Higher Education for Community Development:
(Koninklijke Brill BV, 2025) Holmfeld Lone Dirckinck-, Tabo,Geofffrey Olok, Okumu,Charles Nelson , Kattenhøj Morten Kure and Lassen Inger
Okot p’Bitek (1931–1982) is an internationally renowned poet, polemic writer and cultural activist. From an early age he imbibed Acoli culture through informal education from his parents who were practitioners of Acoli culture. His formal education began in Gulu Primary in 1938 and ended in Oxford in 1963. Okot’s brilliant scholarship, a combination of literary and polemic writings, is a contribution to humanistic education and therefore a contribution to decolonization of education not only in Acoli but in Uganda’s education system. In his poetry and polemic writings, he challenges
the colonial Centre which dominated the educational system which was inherited by Uganda at independence in 1962. In this chapter, post-colonial theory is used to show how Okot writes back from the periphery to the colonial Centre. The chapter examines Okot’s poetry, religious and political writings and how they contribute to decolonization of education. The study uses qualitative methodology, and the main method is document analysis. The main literary text is Song of Lawino (1966). The Chapter concludes that Okot’s inspiration is supportive of humanistic education which contributes towards a balanced educational system in Uganda where the emphasis is shifting towards Science and Technological education.
Determinants of shea nut marketing arrangements in northern Uganda
(Discover Agriculture, 2024-09-30) Akatwetaba, Deborah; Okello, Daniel Micheal; Kasharu, Apollo; Egeru, Anthony; Mugonola, Basil
This study assessed factors influencing shea nut actors’ choices of shea nut marketing arrangements in northern Uganda. An understanding of these factors is vital in influencing the choice of the different marketing arrangements. Cross-sectional data was collected from a sample of 325 shea nut actors. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logit model. The shea nut actors in this study were composed of 78% collectors, 16% traders and 7% processors. About 73% and 43% of shea collectors and traders, respectively, sold their shea nuts and/or products through spot markets, while, 45% of the processors sold their shea nut and/or products through informal contracts. Formal contract was the least common marketing arrangement among all the actors. The probability of choosing each the marketing arrangement were influenced by several factors including experience, education, income level, access to extension, training, access to credit, awareness of innovations in the shea value chain, awareness of value addition supporting institutions, main occupation (farming), distance to the market, access to information and means of transport used (head portage). Efforts to increase formal contract participation should focus on providing extensions and creating awareness about institutions that support value addition. There is need for a location and actor specific approach in promoting the different market arrangements in shea products marketing.
Impact of Meteorological Factors on the Interaction between Green Vegetation, Urban Features and Air Quality Over Time in Kampala-Uganda
(East African Nature and Science Organization, 2025-03-18) Ddumba, Jorum; Anahita, Ali; Katyal, Sonal; Shaban, Kato Stonewall
The study aimed to analyze the influence of meteorological factors on the interaction between green vegetated areas, urban features, and air quality over time
within Kampala city. Six (6) streets were sampled: - Nasser Lane, 6th Street, Namirembe Road, Owino Kafumbe- Mukasa, Makindu Close, and Nakasero Lane.
From each street, samples were taken 3 times a day (Morning, Midday and Afternoon) for 7 days. The sampling frequency of every spot was thus 21 times.
Makindu Close and Nakasero Lane are known for green vegetation, 6th Street is known for buildings and industrial zones, while Namirembe Road and Owino
Kafumbe- Mukasa are known for car parks. A negative coefficient for humidity indicated that higher humidity levels are associated with low PM2.5 concentrations.
The relationship between temperature and PM2.5 in the morning showed a slight positive trend, suggesting that PM2.5 levels may increase slightly as temperatures rise. Significant negative impact for several sites indicated that compared to the reference site (6th Street Industrial Area), other sites had lower PM2.5 levels. Both PM2.5 and PM10 levels had broader distributions in the morning and evening, indicating more significant variability in particulate matter concentrations during these times. CO levels were variable in the evening, with several sites showing higher concentrations. NO2 levels showed variability across different times, with the highest spread in the evening, indicating increased variability of nitrogen dioxide concentrations during that period. Makindu Close Kololo showed relatively stable levels across the day compared to other sites justifying the importance of green vegetated areas in improving air quality by absorbing pollutants.
The Impact of Urban Green Spaces and Built Environments on Air Quality in Kampala City: A Comparative Analysis
(Journal of Environment, 2025-04-06) Ddumba, Jorum; Shaban, Kato Stonewall; Labeja, Richard Louis; Katyal, Sonal
Purpose: The study analyzed the multifaceted dynamics between green vegetated areas and built environments on air quality within Kampala City. Six (6) streets were sampled: - Nasser Lane, 6th Street, Namirembe Road, Owino Kafumbe- Mukasa, Makindu Close, and Nakasero Lane. Makindu Close and Nakasero Lane are known for green vegetation, 6th Street is known for buildings and industrial zones, while Namirembe Road and Owino Kafumbe- Mukasa are known for car parks.
Methodology: The survey used cross-sectional studies and quantitative approaches during data collection and analysis. The air quality parameters sampled included Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), and Carbon monoxide (CO) from various points within the city center.
Findings: Results showed that the 6th Street industrial area was the most polluted area of the city, with PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 2021 Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) levels by 100%, 86.96% and 100%, respectively. Namirembe Road and Owino Kafumbe- Mukasa were also polluted with Carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen dioxide. However, Owino Kafumbe-Mukasa’s Carbon monoxide levels exceeded WHO’s recommended Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) levels by 95.65%. Nkrumah-Nasser Lane and Nakasero Lane had mostly non-significant or less significant effects on pollutant levels. Makindu Close was less polluted; results indicated better air quality, especially with NO2.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Increasing green vegetation within the city is thus recommended to improve air purity, as evidenced in the Makindu Close and Nakasero Lane analysis. This research demonstrates a clear inverse relationship between green cover and pollutant levels, offering empirical evidence to support the promotion of urban greening initiatives as a practical solution to air quality challenges in rapidly developing cities like Kampala.
Exploring the utilization of postabortion care services and related factors among women at a tertiary health facility in Gulu, Northern Uganda
(Sega Sexual and Reproductive Health Across Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, 2024-10-11) Ayikoru, Jackline; Opee, Jimmy; Bongomin, Felix; Atim, S.Fiona; Pebalo Pebolo, Francis
Background: Abortion-related complications are the third leading cause of maternal mortality in Uganda, accounting
for approximately one-fourth of all maternal deaths. Most are preventable through adequate use of the full package of
postabortion care (PAC) services.
Objective: We aimed to assess the level of utilization of PAC services and the associated sociodemographic, obstetric,
gynecological, and system-related factors at a high-volume tertiary health facility in Northern Uganda.
Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among women receiving PAC at the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital
from March 2023 to June 2023. Participants were recruited consecutively and exit interviews were conducted using
structured questionnaires.
Methods: Utilization of PAC was defined as the use of four or more of the following: counseling, emergency treatment,
family planning services, linkage to other sexual and reproductive health services, and community health service provider
cooperation. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of PAC utilization.
Results: A total of 364 participants were enrolled in the study. Overall, 21.1% (n = 77) of the participants had used four
or more PAC services. Having a supportive partner (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI):
1.19–2.88, p = 0.006), knowledge on PAC services (aPR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.19–2.48, p = 0.004), low parity (aPR: 2.2, 95% CI:
1.16–4.35, p = 0.016), nulliparity (aPR: 2.4 95% CI: 1.19–4.73, p = 0.014), and provision of privacy(physical privacy during
prescription, counseling, procedures) (aPR: 2.3 95% CI: 1.14–4.47, p = 0.02), were significantly associated with utilization
of PAC.
Overall, only one in five participants utilized four or more PAC services. Use of four or more PAC services was
significantly associated with women having a supportive partner, knowledge of PAC services, low parity, nulliparity, and
provision of privacy while receiving PAC services.
Conclusion: Approaches such as advocating male partner involvement, bridging the knowledge gap through health
education, and promoting respectful care may improve the utilization of PAC services.