The National Research Repository of Uganda - NRU

Welcome to the National Research Repository of Uganda, abbreviated as "NRU". NRU was established in 2021. NRU is a collection of scholarly output by researchers from the UNCST Community, including scholarly articles and books, electronic theses and dissertations, conference proceedings, journals, technical reports and digitised library collections. It is the official Institutional Archive (IA) of UNCST.

For information about the publishers' copyright policy on archiving your articles online or in an institutional archive, visit the Sherpa Site at http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo.php The site gives a summary of the permissions normally given as part of each publisher's copyright transfer agreement. If you wish to publish your research findings in the NRU, please contact NRU administrator at admin@uncst.go.ug for details. NRU operates both open access and closed access models. Access to fulltext has been restricted in adherence to the UNCST Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Copyrights policies.

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Africa Portal is an online repository of open access library collection with over 3,000 books, journals, and digital documents on African policy issues. This is an initiative by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Makerere University (MAK), and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Please visit the Africa Portal at http://www.africaportal.org/library.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 12

Books and Book Abstracts
This community contains Open Access Books and Book Abstracts
Conference Proceedings
This community contains Ugandan Conference proceedings
Institutional Annual Research Reports
This community contains consolidated Ugandan Institutional Annual Research Reports on a broad range of subjects
Institutional Repository Policies
This community contains approved and running institutional repository policies from different research institutions
IT DevOps Communinity
IT DevOps Community

Recent Submissions

A landscape analysis of enablers and barriers to digital payments to health workers during large-scale immunisation campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review and in-depth interviews
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-05-21)
Vincent Micheal Kiberu;
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Noel Namuhani;
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Elizabeth Ekirapa ;
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Juliet Aweko;
;
Charles Opio;
Background Timely and consistent digital payment of health workers is crucial for improving the effectiveness of immunization campaigns and achieving the polio eradication goals by 2026. However, evidence on the enablers and barriers to digital payments in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is limited. Objective To explore the enablers and barriers to digital payments for immunization campaign health workers in eight selected SSA countries. Methods An exploratory case study using qualitative methods was conducted in eight SSA countries: four English-speaking (Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana) and four French-speaking (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo). A scoping review and in-depth interviews were conducted between March and May 2022 in each country. Data were analyzed thematically. Results Digital payments are rapidly expanding in SSA, including during large-scale immunization campaigns. Key enablers included supportive regulatory frameworks, increasing mobile phone and digital platform coverage, and the benefits of digital payments. Barriers included inadequate telecom infrastructure, cybercrime, challenges with customer registration, higher transaction costs, and payment delays. Conclusion This study identifies key enablers of digital payments in eight SSA countries, including supportive regulations, growing mobile phone ownership, and expanding digital platforms. Persistent challenges – such as limited infrastructure, verification constraints, and payment delays – affect implementation. Findings, while context-specific, offer valuable insights for policymakers to strengthen digital payment systems, improve verification, and enhance coordination to optimize health worker payments during immunization and public health campaigns.
Artificial intelligence-powered multiclass deep learning model for detection of aflatoxin-related defects in Ugandan groundnuts
(Springer International Publishing, 2026-03-01)
Tamale, Lillian;
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Ssebuggwawo, Denis;
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Mirembe, Drake Patrick ;
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Mirugwe, Alex;
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Lubega, Jude T.
Aflatoxin contamination poses a persistent challenge to groundnut value chains in sub-Saharan Africa, where conventional laboratory-based detection methods are costly, time-consuming, and often inaccessible to smallholder farmers. This study presents an artificial intelligence–powered multiclass deep learning framework for image-based detection of aflatoxin-related defects in groundnuts. A curated dataset of 2252 groundnut kernel images was compiled and categorized into four classes: Healthy, Moldy, pest-infested, and physiological disorder. The dataset was partitioned into training, validation, and test sets, with targeted data augmentation applied to address class imbalance. The proposed model employs an Inception-ResNet-V2 architecture with transfer learning, class-weighted categorical cross-entropy loss, and optimized hyperparameters to enhance multiclass discrimination. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, class-wise precision, recall, F1-score, and receiver operating characteristic analysis. The model achieved an overall classification accuracy of 99.29% on the independent test set, with class-specific AUC values of 1.00 (Moldy), 0.98 (Healthy), 0.97 (Pest-Infested), and 0.99 (Physiological Disorder). These results demonstrate strong generalization and robust differentiation of visually similar defect classes. The findings indicate that multiclass deep learning can effectively support early-stage screening of aflatoxin-associated defects in groundnuts, providing a scalable and low-cost complementary tool to conventional aflatoxin testing methods. Publicly Available Content Database
Socio-economic analysis of market participation among small holder apple (Malus domestica) farmers in three key agro-ecological zones of Uganda
(Springer International Publishing, 2026-05-27)
Nimusiima, Mercy;
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Agaba, Rolland;
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Kubiriba, Jerome
This study investigates the determinants of market participation among smallholder apple farmers in Uganda, focusing on the role of household income and education. Apple production in Uganda begun in the Kigezi highlands and later expanded to Mt. Rwenzori and Mt. Elgon highland regions offering potential for income diversification, food and nutritional security. Previous research focuses on profitability of the enterprise rather than market participation. Moreover, literature reveals that market participation increases household income. However, it remains unclear whether income, in turn, promotes market participation. Similarly, the influence of education on market participation is debated, especially when measured solely by years of schooling. This study was designed to respond to such propositions through a cross-sectional household survey using semi-structured questionnaire, conducted among 270 randomly selected apple farmers in the three key highland agroecological zones of Uganda. Exploratory data analysis (EDA) and an instrumental variable (IV) Probit model were used to analyse the data. Results show that 88.9% of the farmers market their apple fruits in local wet markets. Findings reveal that market participation is positively influenced by gender (favoring males), yield ( P = 0.000), farmer group membership ( P = 0.022), market assurance ( P = 0.026), and extension support ( P = 0.000). Conversely, higher household income and elevated education levels negatively influence participation at 1% and 10% significant levels respectively. The study recommends strengthening of farmer group marketing and partnerships to facilitate market assurance and access. We also advocate for integrated vocational and agribusiness training into higher education to align education with practical market engagements. This study is however limited to use of cross-sectional data and one instrumental variable which renders interpretation of results as association relationships rather than definitive causal effects. Future research should explore use of panel data with inclusion of several instruments to enable definitive causal statistical inferences. The intensity and frequency of farmers’ market participation should also be explicitly studied using Heckman or double hurdle models.
Institutional pressures and environmental innovations of manufacturing firms in Uganda
(Emerald Publishing, 2026-04-10)
Kassim Alinda;
;
Azizi Wakibi
Abstract Purpose – This study aims to investigate the predictive power of institutional pressures (IP)—including coercive, normative, and mimetic influences—on environmental innovations (EI) within medium and large (M&L) manufacturing firms operating in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach – This quantitative study gathered data through structured surveys from key stakeholdersin Uganda’s manufacturing sector, involving 208 firms across diverse regions. Utilizing SmartPLS Version 4, Structural Equation Modeling was applied to examine the correlation between IP and EI. Findings – Our analysis reveals the significant influence of IP on EI in Uganda’s M&L manufacturing firms. While regulatory mandatestheoretically relate to EI, our findingssuggest no statistically significant association. Conversely, societal norms and mimetic pressures positively impact EI. Notably, mimetic pressures exhibit the strongest predictive potential, followed closely by normative pressures. Research limitations/implications – Our findings highlight the significant impact of mimetic and normative pressures on EI in Uganda’s industrial sector. Policymakers and business leaders can utilize these pressures to fosterindustry-wide innovations and align strategies with societal values, complementing coercive pressuresfor regulatory compliance. Originality/value – Thisstudy provides new insightsinto how IP drive EIin Uganda’s manufacturing sector.By clarifying the roles of coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures, it guides policymakers and business leaders in enhancing environmental initiatives.
Exploring community perceptions of gender roles as a predisposing factorin schistosomiasis infection in southwestern Uganda
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-05-03)
Mugabi, Faith;
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Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth;
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Huyse, Tine ;
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Kemigisha, Elizabeth;
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Nyakato, Viola Nilah
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, affects people of all genders and ages.However, few studies have examined how communities in endemic areas perceivegender roles as factors influencing infection and control. This study explored theperceptions of farming (Kyaterekera) and fishing (Ndaiga) communities along LakeAlbert in Uganda's Kagadi District regarding gender roles and their role in schistosomi-asis infection. Using an ethnographic design, we conducted 10 key informant interviewsand 18 focus group discussions with 150 participants. Data were analysed thematically.Participants from both settings recognised that gender roles influence infection riskdifferently for men and women. Societal expectations and gender stereotypes wereseen as contributing factors. Farming men often perceived bilharzia as a lake-side issue.Drug side effects were a shared concern, but women in fishing communities preferredusing herbs and prayers, while men favoured hospital visits. Gender roles and percep-tions of schistosomiasis risk vary by gender and location. Common themes includesocietal expectations, stereotypes and concerns about treatment. Gender-specific inter-ventions, such as gender-sensitive campaigns and inclusive decision-making, couldhelp effectively control the disease.