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.

Communities in NRU

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 10

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

Acceptability of alcohol-based hand rub during neonatal care in rural Ugandan households: a qualitative study nested within the BabyGel trial
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-09-04)
Heidi H. Thorsdalen;
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Ingunn Marie S. Engebretsen;
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David Mukunya ;
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Vivian Mutaki;
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Agnes Napyo;
Background Poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene exacerbates the spread of infections among newborns. The BabyGel cluster randomised trial assessed the effectiveness of a community-level alcohol-based hand rub with a training component in reducing infection or death rates among newborns in Uganda. Objective Nested in the BabyGel trial, this study investigated the acceptability of the BabyGel intervention among mothers and household members in Eastern Uganda, using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Methods In 2022, we conducted individual semistructured interviews with mothers, and group interviews with mothers and other household members, all recruited from intervention-arm clusters. Thematic analysis combined inductive and deductive coding, structured by the framework’s seven constructs: affective attitude, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, perceived effectiveness and self-efficacy. Results Twenty mothers and 14 household members participated in 10 individual and 10 small group interviews. Participants found the intervention generally acceptable, appreciating its convenience and perceived protection against infection. Many described hand hygiene changes that persisted beyond the intervention period. However, concerns related to its harmful effects, spiritual beliefs and social tensions with visitors occasionally influenced its use. Conclusion Alcohol-based hand rub combined with a training component was generally well accepted, driven by perceived health and practical benefits, although concerns related to safety, belief systems and social dynamics remained. Because data collection coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of heightened hygiene awareness, the acceptability observed could differ in nonpandemic periods. Culturally adapted education, community engagement and reinforcement of correct use may enhance acceptability and sustainability in similar settings.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV2 in Communities Surrounding Bwindi–Mgahinga Mountain Gorilla Conservation Area, Uganda
(John Wiley & Sons, Inc, 2026-10-04)
Kungu, Joseph M.;
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Neumbe, Joan;
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Kiganira, Dan Brian ;
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Tino, Patience;
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Namayanja, Josephine;
ABSTRACTBackground: Mountain gorillas are endangered primates that share approximately 99% of their DNA with humans. Consequently,they may be susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), the virus that causescoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Understanding the burden of infection of human populations in the surroundings of theseendangered species is critical to assess the potential risk of spillover. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV2and its associated risk factors in communities surrounding the Bwindi–Mgahinga Conservation Area in Uganda.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 576 participants from the districts of Kanungu, Kisoro and Rubanda.Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected and analysed using real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chainreaction (RT qPCR) at the Uganda Virus Research Institute. Demographic and behavioural data were collected using a structuredquestionnaire administered via KoboToolbox. Data analysis was performed using Stata (version 16) with cross-tabulationto generate descriptive statistics of demographic characteristics, self-reported non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) andSARS-CoV2-specific RNA status.Results: The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV2 was 8.0%. Prevalence was highest in Kanungu (10.7%), followed by Kisoro (6.1%)and Rubanda (5.0%). Washing hands often was the only self-reported NPI associated with SARS-CoV2 prevalence (X2 = 5.5,p = 0.02).Conclusion: SARS-CoV2 was present among communities surrounding the Bwindi–Mgahinga Conservation Area. Strengtheningadherence to preventive measures, such as hand hygiene, is essential to reduce transmission risk within communities and potentialspillover to endangered mountain gorillas.
Traditional knowledge and local adaptation strategies for climate resilient water management in Eastern Uganda
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-10-17)
Daniel Omuna,
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Israel Olusegun Obaroh,
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Esther Ugo Alum,
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Afam Uzorka,
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Manal Awad Khiry
Climate change exacerbates water insecurity across Eastern Uganda by increasing thefrequency and intensity of droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall fluctuations,which substantially compromise water availability, accessibility, and quality. WhileTraditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and community-based adaptation strategieshave been reported to support local resilience, their systematic incorporation intoformal water management frameworks remains inadequate. A narrative review of peer-reviewed publications spanning 2015–2025 was conducted across Scopus, Web ofScience, Google Scholar, and grey literature. The synthesis examined key thematic areasincluding climate stressors, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, household and community adaptation strategies, gender and intergenerational roles, and policy gaps. Communities employ TEK strategies including rainwater harvesting and communalgovernance structures wherein women, elders, and youth actively participate in watermanagement decisions. While TEK approaches complement contemporary methodssuch as hybrid technologies, top-down project implementation frequently conflicts withestablished local practices. Significant policy gaps persist across several dimensions:stakeholder participation, gender inclusion, knowledge documentation, and resourceallocation. Additionally, further research is warranted to assess the efficacy of adaptation strategies and to understand the dynamics of collaborative knowledge production.The integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge into water policy frameworks,achieved through participatory and culturally grounded approaches that prioritizegender inclusion, can foster more equitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient watermanagement systems.
Pharmacokinetic assessment of subcutaneous rituximab hyaluronidase among Ugandan adults with CD20+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
(Elsevier, 2026-10-22)
Kelvin Roland Mubiru;
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Henry Ddungu;
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Scott V. Adams ;
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Jacqueline Asea;
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Benjamin Mwesige;
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is the most common hematologic malignancy worldwide. In high-income countries, treatment outcomes for NHL have dramatically improved over the past 25 years in large parts due to rituximab. However, these same benefits have not been realized in low- and middle-income countries given limited access to monoclonal antibodies. To assess the pharmacokinetic profile of subcutaneous rituximab (sqR) among patients in Uganda, we enrolled 18 newly diagnosed patients with CD20 + diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In cohort 1 (n = 6) IV rituximab was given on day 1 of cycle 1, followed by CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, Oncovin [vincristine], and prednisone) chemotherapy and then sqR and CHOP for cycles 2 to 6. The second cohort (n = 12) received sqR plus CHOP for all cycles. We assessed trough concentrations (C trough ) from the plasma, and pharmacokinetic assessments were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C trough was analyzed descriptively. We demonstrate that C trough provides exposure within the published reference range, was consistent across cohorts and within acceptable limits, and supports the use of sqR in Uganda. Efforts to increase access to monoclonal antibodies, including rituximab, are necessary to reduce health disparities. Subcutaneous formulations are one way forward. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03864419 .
Entrepreneurial orientation and succession planning among small and medium family-owned enterprises in Kampala Central Business District, Uganda
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-10-07)
Reuben David Kizito;
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Rogers Matama;
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Vicent Bagire ;
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Isaac Nkoote Nabeeta;
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Lawrence Kyazze
The study investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and succession planning among small and medium family-owned businesses in Uganda. The study employed a cross-sectional survey and descriptive research designs using a quantitative approach. Data were collected using a closed-ended questionnaire from 176 small and medium family-owned businesses. The data were analysed using Smart PLS version 4.0. The results show that competitive aggressiveness and risk taking are positively and significantly related to succession planning. In contrast, proactiveness and autonomy showed no relationship with succession planning among small- and medium-sized family-owned businesses in Uganda. The study employed a cross-sectional survey; however, given the evolving nature of entrepreneurial orientation, a longitudinal study is recommended. Future studies should examine other antecedents of entrepreneurial orientation, such as social emotional wealth, innovation orientation among others which are key in family businesses. Family business owners should incorporate calculated risk-taking and competitive drive into their succession planning, while also promoting a collective vision and consensus when exercising autonomy and proactivity. This study uniquely shows how integrating calculated risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness with goal-setting theory enhances succession planning.