The National Research Repository of Uganda - NRU

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  Development and characterization of a recombinant Bundibugyo virus expressing a fluorescent reporter protein

  (Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-07-22)

  Shilpi Jain;

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  Éric Bergeron;

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  Mike Flint ;

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  Joel M. Montgomery;

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  Christina F. Spiropoulou;

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  Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), caused by Bundibugyo virus (BDBV), is associated with substantial morbidity andmortality, with previous outbreaks reporting case fatality rates of 30%–50%. The ongoing BDBV outbreak in theDemocratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda highlights the urgent need for virus-specific research tools andmedical countermeasures. Unlike Ebola virus disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus, no licensed vaccines or specifictherapeutics are currently available for BVD. The lack of research tools has limited studies with BDBV. To facilitateantiviral testing and neutralization studies, we developed the first recombinant BDBV expressing the fluorescentreporter protein ZsGreen (rBDBV-ZsG). As a proof of concept, we tested a set of previously characterized antiviralcompounds and demonstrated comparable inhibitory profiles between rBDBV-ZsG and the wild-type BDBV parentalstrain. Furthermore, the utility of rBDBV-ZsG was successfully evaluated in neutralization assays, demonstrating robustsensitivity and specificity using monoclonal antibodies and convalescent serum samples.

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  Gendered time use among specializing medical doctors at Makerere University, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

  (Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-03-03)

  Angela N. Kisakye;

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  Suzanne Namusoke Kiwanuka;

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  Isabel Goicolea ;

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  Ida Linander;

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  Helene Johansson

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  Background Previous research shows that gendered differences in time use unfairly impact women’s career advancement and influence workforce management. Despite a growing body of literature on gendered time use, the topic has not been well documented among specializing medical doctors in sub-Saharan African countries, including Uganda. Objectives This study was conducted among specialist medical doctors at Makerere University to: (i) analyze gendered differences in time use for paid and unpaid activities and (ii) assess whether parenting influences time use. Methods The study sample comprised 244 medical doctors pursuing graduate specialist programs in 2024. The data collection, which utilized a self-administered questionnaire, assessed socio-demographic factors and self-reported time spent on paid work, unpaid domestic work, unpaid care for household members, studying, socializing, and leisure activities. Quantile regression analysis, with 95% confidence intervals, was used to compare median differences in reported time use across various activities for men and women. Results Compared to men, women reported spending more time on unpaid domestic work (2 vs 1 h/day: 95% CI: 0.6, 1.4) and less time on leisure activities (4 vs 7 h/week: 95% CI: −5.3, −0.8). Women with children spent more time on paid work than their male counterparts. Women with children reported spending half a day more on paid work and an additional hour on unpaid domestic work compared to men with children. Conclusion This gender imbalance in time use could negatively impact the career progression and well-being of female doctors and further reinforce gender inequalities in the medical workforce in Uganda.

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  Interagency collaboration and agile humanitarian crises response among humanitarian organizations in Uganda

  (Springer International Publishing, 2026-03-24)

  Ntale, Peter Dithan;

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  Ssempebwa, Jude;

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  Nalubega, Vivian ;

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  Mugabe, Robert;

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  Gumoshabe, Florance;

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  The escalating frequency and complexity of both natural and anthropogenic disasters have exposed serious structural and coordination weaknesses within Uganda’s humanitarian systems. As these shocks intensify, long-standing structural weaknesses have become more visible, particularly the persistent fragmentation of institutional arrangements. This fragmentation undermines effective information sharing, coordination, and timely resource mobilization, thereby constraining the development of the preparedness and operational agility required for coherent and effective humanitarian action. This study, therefore, investigates interagency collaboration as a strategic mechanism to strengthen disaster preparedness, risk management, and agile humanitarian response in Uganda. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 142 respondents across 60 purposively selected organizations through structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and document reviews. Employing regression analysis, the findings indicate that interagency collaboration, disaster preparedness, and risk management collectively explain 42.4% of the variation in humanitarian agility, demonstrating their critical role in enhancing organizational responsiveness. Further, mediation analysis reveals that disaster preparedness partially mediates the relationship between interagency collaboration and agile response within the framework. Complementary thematic and documentary analyses corroborate these results, highlighting that collaborative approaches enhance readiness, optimize resource allocation, reduce inefficiencies, and foster timely interventions in crisis contexts, while reducing the significant role of often reactive, fragmented, and poorly operationalized risk management interventions in humanitarian contexts. Nevertheless, the findings acknowledge the influence of additional contextual factors beyond the scope of the study that shape humanitarian agility. The study concludes that redesigning organizational structures to institutionalize interagency synergy is vital for strengthening disaster preparedness, managing complex risks, and enabling coordinated, adaptive, and effective responses to humanitarian crises.

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  Prevalence and factors associated with cerebral spinal fluid leakage among patients with traumatic brain injury at Mbarara regional referral hospital, Western Uganda

  (Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2026-05-27)

  Mohamed, Daud Abdirahman;

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  Abraha, Demoz;

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  Abass, Safiriyu ;

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  Michael, Mugenyi;

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  Daniel, Sura;

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  Abstract Background Globally, the annual rate of head injury is estimated to be 27 million, with developing countries seen to have a higher prevalence. In Uganda head injury mortality and complications have been reported to be high in different centres. The complications of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage could be contributing to the poor outcome, though no study in Uganda has assessed its burden. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated of CSF leakage among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). Methods This was a sequential study at MRRH. All patients admitted with a diagnosis of TBI, irrespective of age or severity was included. Hallo test and Beta-transferrin test on Aural or nasal fluid were used for the diagnosis of CSF leakage. Logistic regression in SPSS version 26 was done to determine the significant factors. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results In this study, we enrolled 317 participants. Majority (78.5%) were aged between 19 and 59 years. Majority (83.0%) were male. CSF leakage was confirmed in 23, representing a prevalence of 7.3%. In the multivariable analysis, the independent factors associated with CSF leakage were: having RTA as the mechanism of injury (aOR = 3.521, CI = 1.162–9.671, P = 0.002), presenting with a Glasgow coma scale < 15 (aOR = 3.468, CI = 1.319–9.120, P = 0.012) and CT findings suggestive of skull fracture (aOR = 13.35, CI = 4.33–41.13, P = < 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence CSF leak among TBI patients was relatively high as it was seen in almost 1 patient in every 10 cases. All patients that present with features suggestive of CSF leak should undergo testing to confirm. Measures to minimize cases of assault as well as minimizing severe impact should be embarked on by the peace keepers, to minimize the cases of CSF leak, as they increase mortality and morbidity.

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  Understanding mobile money usage among farmers in the hiran region of somalia: an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) approach

  (BioMed Central, 2026-07-07)

  Abdullahi, Husein Osman;

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  Mahmud, Murni;

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  Rahim, Elin Eliana Abdul ;

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  Hassan, Abdikarim Abi;

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  Ali, Abdifatah Farah;

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  Abstract Mobile money (m-money) services have become an essential financial tool in Somalia, particularly for rural communities having restrained access to formal banking infrastructure. This research explores the key factors impacting the adoption as well as use of m-money platforms among Somali farmers, who increasingly rely on services such as Hormuud’s EVC Plus and Dahabshiil’s e-Dahab for everyday financial transactions. The study also utilized the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), extended with a context-specific variable digital literacy and Perceived Trust. The survey was conducted on 156 smallholder farmers in the Hiran region using a structured quantitative survey to examine the factors that influence the adoption of m-money. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS in order to extract descriptive statistics and in SmartPLS in a bid to verify the proposed relationships. As a result, the findings indicate that the Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Digital Literacy, as well as Perceived Trust, have an impressive and strong positive effect in terms of the behavioural intention of the farmers to adhere to the m-money services. Such findings provide valuable insights to service providers and NGOs, as well as policymakers interested in raising digital financial inclusion and access to financial services in rural, underserved areas in Somalia.

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