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.

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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

Recent Submissions

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    A risky coping strategy: a cross-sectional study on the prevalence and predictors of multiple sexual partnerships among adolescent girls and young women in artisanal mining in Uganda and Ghana during the COVID-19 lockdown
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-02-14)
    Kwagala, Betty;
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    Randolph-Koranteng, Nina;
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    Chidwick, Hanna ;
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    Mensah, Deborah;
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    Osei, Lydia;
    Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) attracts some of the most vulnerable populations, including females who constitute close to half of the labor force. Among this group are adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) who, driven by poverty, engage in risky sexual behaviors that are detrimental to their health. The situation was dire during the COVID-19 lockdown. This paper examines the determinants of multiple sexual partnerships (MSPs) (operationally defined as two or more partners—serial or concurrent during the COVID-19 lockdown in the year preceding the study) among AGYW involved in gold ASM (ASGM). It is based on a cross-sectional survey of 1618 AGYW in ASGM communities in Uganda and Ghana. We used frequency distributions and Pearson’s chi-squared tests for descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression to examine the determinants of MSPs. Results indicate that the prevalence of MSPs was 25% (29% for Ghana and 22% for Uganda). The odds of MSPs were higher among AGYW from Ghana, those who worked directly in the mines, worked during the lockdown, were underpaid, consumed alcohol/substances, and experienced sexual violence. The high prevalence of MSPs among AGYW in ASM requires targeted interventions, given its close association with health risks. Response requires integrated interventions addressing poverty through promotion of financial literacy and microfinance, promoting a safe work environment, addressing risky behaviors such as alcohol and substance misuse, plus gender norms and practices that degrade AGYW and negatively affect their well-being.
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    Microbiological and chemical quality of raw milk, Bongo and yoghurt from diverse sources in Mbarara District, Uganda: a cross-sectional analysis of contamination and safety indicators
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-04-24)
    Amos Mugabe;
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    Ediriisa Mugampoza;
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    Paul Alex Wacoo
    This study assessed the microbiological and chemical quality of milk, Bongo, and yoghurt collected from different points along the dairy value chain in Mbarara District, Uganda, over three sampling rounds between October and December 2024. A total of 270 samples were analyzed, comprising 162 milk samples from farms, collection centers, and processors, as well as 54 yoghurt and 54 Bongo samples from processors. Microbiological quality was evaluated using standard plate count methods to determine total viable counts (TVC), Escherichia coli, and yeasts and moulds, while Salmonella was detected qualitatively. Chemical quality was assessed through pH and titratable acidity following ISO protocols. Overall results showed that milk from informal collection centers had the highest contamination (TVC 8.73 log CFU/mL; E. coli 4.02 log CFU/mL). Yeasts and moulds were highest (5.55 log CFU/mL) in yoghurt from small-scale processors. Salmonella was detected only in milk from farms and informal collection centers. Milk from formal farms had the highest pH (7.01), whereas yogurt from small-scale processors highest titratable acidity (0.93% lactic acid). Statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test, p < 0.05) showed variation in quality along the dairy value chain hence the need for improved hygiene and processing practices, especially in informal sectors.
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    Longitudinal analysis of viral suppression before, during, and after pregnancy among women on antiretroviral therapy in Uganda: six-year real-world experience
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-02-28)
    Collins Ankunda;
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    Jude Emunyu;
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    Sharon Namasambi ;
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    Brendah Kyomuhangi;
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    Conrad Sserunjogi;
    Introduction This study evaluated the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated factors on viral suppression before, during, and after pregnancy (maternal timeline). Methods We conducted a cohort study, retrospectively reviewing records of 1291 pregnant and breastfeeding women on ART. Descriptive statistics summarised the demographics and clinical characteristics. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and generalised estimating equations were used to assess variations in viral suppression across the maternal timeline. Results ART regimens comprised 62.5% dolutegravir (DTG)-, 28.8% efavirenz (EFV)-, 4.5% nevirapine (NVP)-, and 4.2% protease inhibitor (PI)-based therapy. Viral suppression rates before, during, and after pregnancy were DTG- (95.0%, 94.6%, 95.7%), EFV- (94.9%, 94.2%, 93.6%), NVP- (93.1%, 94.7%, 93.5%), and PI-based (79.6%, 88.0%, 85.7%). ART regimens varied in effectiveness, with statistical significance observed before (p < 0.001) and after (p = 0.018), but not during pregnancy (p = 0.678). PI-based regimens showed higher risk of non-suppression in the non-adjusted model (IRR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.63–6.30, p = 0.001). In the adjusted model, poor adherence (aIRR = 7.80, 95% CI: 2.54–23.90, p < 0.001), fair adherence (aIRR = 5.03, 95% CI: 1.11–22.86, p = 0.036), second-line ART (aIRR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.75–5.62, p < 0.001), and third-line ART (aIRR = 8.48, 95% CI: 1.82–39.43, p = 0.006) remained significant. Conclusion ART effectiveness showed variation before and after, but not during pregnancy. EFV- and NVP-based regimens achieved suppression rates comparable to DTG across maternal timelines, with the exception of PI-based regimens. Adherence and ART drugs influence outcomes more than regimen choice alone, with good adherence essential for optimal maternal outcomes.
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    ‘Weathering the storm’. Resilience and small and medium-sizedenterprises in Uganda
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2026-04-17)
    Eva Ssewagudde Jjagwe;
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    Natanya Meyer;
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    Chris Schachtebeck
    the survival of small and Medium-sized Enterprises (sMEs) is crucial to globaleconomies, particularly for developing countries, due to their significant contributionsto development and the well-being of their societies. When sMEs develop resilience,they are better equipped to evolve and adapt their operations to changing environments,thereby increasing their survival prospects. this study aimed to investigate how sMEsurvival is enabled by resilience, focusing on the mediators that enhance thisrelationship. the study adopted a quantitative positivist approach, collecting data fromugandan sMEs selected through purposive sampling using descriptive statistics. thestudy found that resilience influences sME survival, the extent of which is mediated byaccess to finance, leadership and management, technology and innovation, and humancapital management. these mediators help sMEs translate resilience into effectivestrategies for adaptation, agility, and continuity across different contexts. overall, thisstudy provides a theoretical framework that demonstrates how mediators enhance theresilience and survival of sMEs, contributing to the ongoing discourse and offeringpractical insights, while identifying areas for future research.
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    Quality of Life among HIV Patients with NCDs Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Wakiso District, Uganda: Exploring Key Determinants
    (African Health Sciences, 2025-12)
    Christopher Ddamulira;
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    James Wanzima;
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    Lawrence Sserwanga;
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    Eria Muwanguzi;
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    Frank Pio Kiyingi;
    Background: Uganda, like many other nations, faces a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases due to the severe impacts of HIV, antiretroviral therapy, and the increasing number of HIV-positive individuals. Objective: To determine the factors that influence the quality of life among HIV patients with NCDs receiving antiretroviral therapy in Wakiso District, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Wakiso, Uganda, among HIV patients with NCDs receiving antiretroviral therapy and drug refills from Community Drug Distribution Points (CDDP). 219 participants completed questionnaires between November 2019 and December 2020. The factors assessed as predictors included health promotion, community support system, patient monitoring, age, sex, education level, and marital status. The diagnosis of NCDs was based on documented evidence ofiabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hypertension (HT); fasting blood sugar >7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dl) for DM, and blood pressure > 140/90mmhg for HT. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, path analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), which were used to verify and test the model. Results: The research found that most HIV patients were female (61.6%), aged 40 or older (94.5%), with secondary school or less education (69.4%). 54.8% were single. Community-based NCD services, such as health promotion (β=0.58, P=0.006), community support system (β=0.24, p<0.001), and patient monitoring system (β=0.46, p<0.001), directly influenced the quality-of-life improvements, along with other factors like education level (β=0.76, p<0.001) and marital status (β=0.57, P=0.002). Conclusion: The quality of life for HIV-positive individuals with NCDs in Wakiso district requires strengthening community-integrated HIV-NCD interventions to improve the overall quality of life for these individuals.