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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This community contains Open Access Books and Book Abstracts
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This community contains Ugandan Conference proceedings
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This community contains consolidated Ugandan Institutional Annual Research Reports on a broad range of subjects
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This community contains approved and running institutional repository policies from different research institutions
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Recent Submissions

From Uganda to The Hague and Back: The ICC’s Ongwen Case
(Oxford University Press, 2025-11-05)
Grey, Rosemary;
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Moffett, Luke;
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Dé, Urmila
On a cold February morning in 2021 in Trial Chamber IX in the Hague, Dominic Ongwen rose to hear the judgment for his crimes committed far away in the savanna grassland of northern Uganda almost 20 years ago, when he was a brigade commander of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group. The orderly proceedings of the Hague courtroom stood in stark contrast to the four attacks, crimes against child soldiers and gender-based crimes of which the Chamber found him guilty: attacks in which his soldiers surrounded camps sheltering civilians displaced by the war and indiscriminately shot them, burning more inside their tents and grass huts. Such LRA violence did not start with these crimes, nor did it stop after them. Ongwen had felt the effects of such violence himself, being taken on his way home from school and forced to commit atrocities as a child against other abductees. The judgment delivered that cold February morning and its confirmation on appeal the following winter brought to an end years of trial proceedings, but did it represent justice more broadly?
Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Humans in Uganda, 2013–2019
(Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2021-10-18)
Balinandi, Stephen;
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Whitmer, Shannon;
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Mulei, Sophia ;
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Nyakarahuka, Luke;
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Tumusiime, Alex;
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is endemic in Uganda, yet its epidemiology remains largely uncharacterized. To better understand its occurrence within Uganda, case reports of patients hospitalized with CCHF between 2013 and 2019 were reviewed. Further, genome sequences of CCHF-positive RNA obtained during this period were determined for phylogenetic comparisons. We found that a total of 32 cases (75% males; CFR, 31.2%), aged between 9 to 68 years, were reported during the study period. Most cases were detected during July to December of each outbreak year (81.2%; P < 0.01) and were located along the "cattle corridor" (68.7%, P = 0.03). The most common presenting symptoms were fever (93.8%), hemorrhage (81.3%), headache (78.1 %), fatigue (68.8%), vomiting (68.8%), and myalgia (65.6%). In five patients for whom hematological data were available, varied abnormalities were observed including thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, anemia, lymphopenia, lymphocytosis, polycythemia, and microcytosis. About 56.3% (P = 0.47) of patients reported tick bites or exposure to livestock as their potential source of infection. Person-to-person transmission was suspected for two cases. Using unbiased metagenomics, we found that the viral S- and L- segments have remained conserved in Africa 2 Glade since the 1950s. In contrast, the M segment split into two geographically interspersed Glades; one that belongs to Africa 2 and another that is ancestral to Africa 1 and 2. Overall, this data summarizes information on the history and clinical presentation of human CCHF in Uganda. Importantly, it identifies vulnerable populations as well as temporal and geographic regions in Uganda where surveillance and control interventions could be focused.
Compliance with the WHO recommended 8+ antenatal care contacts schedule among postpartum mothers in eastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
(Public Library of Science, 2024-12-09)
Lee, Seungwon;
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Adam, Eminai;
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Kanyike, Andrew Marvin ;
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Wani, Solomon;
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Kasibante, Samuel;
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 8 antenatal care (ANC) contacts during pregnancy, but many women in low and middle-income countries do not adhere to this schedule, which may contribute to high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. This study assessed compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule and associated factors among postpartum mothers in eastern Uganda.BACKGROUNDThe World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 8 antenatal care (ANC) contacts during pregnancy, but many women in low and middle-income countries do not adhere to this schedule, which may contribute to high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. This study assessed compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule and associated factors among postpartum mothers in eastern Uganda.This was a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted between July and August 2022 at four selected hospitals in Eastern Uganda using quantitative techniques. We recruited postnatal mothers who had given birth within 48 hours with records of their ANC contacts. Compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule was defined as having received the recommended ANC contacts as per the gestational age at childbirth following the current ANC for a positive pregnancy experience WHO guidelines. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association between compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule and selected independent variables.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted between July and August 2022 at four selected hospitals in Eastern Uganda using quantitative techniques. We recruited postnatal mothers who had given birth within 48 hours with records of their ANC contacts. Compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule was defined as having received the recommended ANC contacts as per the gestational age at childbirth following the current ANC for a positive pregnancy experience WHO guidelines. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the association between compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule and selected independent variables.A total of 1104 postpartum mothers participated in the study with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 26 ± 6.4 years, and a majority had given birth from a referral hospital (n = 624 56.5%). Compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule was low (n = 258, 23.4%), and only 23.2% (196) of the women had attended their first antenatal care contact within the first trimester. Factors associated with compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts were: attending the first antenatal care contact within 12 weeks of gestation [AOR: 6.42; 95% CI: (4.43 to 9.33)], having 2 to 4 children [AOR: 0.65; 95% CI: (0.44 to 0.94)], having a spouse who is unemployed [AOR: 1.71; 95% CI: (0.53 to1.08)] and having insurance coverage [AOR: 2.31; 95% CI: (1.17 to 4.57)].RESULTSA total of 1104 postpartum mothers participated in the study with a mean age (± standard deviation) of 26 ± 6.4 years, and a majority had given birth from a referral hospital (n = 624 56.5%). Compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule was low (n = 258, 23.4%), and only 23.2% (196) of the women had attended their first antenatal care contact within the first trimester. Factors associated with compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts were: attending the first antenatal care contact within 12 weeks of gestation [AOR: 6.42; 95% CI: (4.43 to 9.33)], having 2 to 4 children [AOR: 0.65; 95% CI: (0.44 to 0.94)], having a spouse who is unemployed [AOR: 1.71; 95% CI: (0.53 to1.08)] and having insurance coverage [AOR: 2.31; 95% CI: (1.17 to 4.57)].Compliance with the 8+ ANC contacts schedule remains very low. Efforts should focus on increasing health education, particularly for multiparous women, and encouraging mothers to begin ANC in their first trimester. Exploring the dynamics of partner support, especially with employment status, may offer insights into improving ANC attendance.CONCLUSIONCompliance with the 8+ ANC contacts schedule remains very low. Efforts should focus on increasing health education, particularly for multiparous women, and encouraging mothers to begin ANC in their first trimester. Exploring the dynamics of partner support, especially with employment status, may offer insights into improving ANC attendance.
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.