Browsing by Author "Mwesigwa, Andrew"
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Item An Assessment of the Effectiveness ofWeather Information Dissemination among Farmers and Policy Makers(Sustainability, 2022) Sansa-Otim, Julianne; Nsabagwa, Mary; Mwesigwa, Andrew; Faith, Becky; Owoseni, Mojisola; Osuolale, Olayinka; Mboma, Daudi; Khemis, Ben; Albino, Peter; Owusu Ansah, Samuel; Abla Ahiataku, Maureen; Owusu-Tawia, Victoria; Bashiru, Yahaya; Mugume, Isaac; Akol, Roseline; Kunya, Nathern; Inguula Odongo, RonaldThe changing environment, climate, and the increasing manifestation of disasters, has generated an increased demand for accurate and timely weather information. This information is provided by the National meteorological authorities (NMAs) through different dissemination channels e.g., using radios, Televisions, emails among others. The use of ICTs to provide weather information is recently gaining popularity. A study was conducted in three countries, namely Nigeria, Uganda, and South Sudan to assess the efficiency of an ICT tool, known as “Weather Information Dissemination System”. The study involved 254 participants (Uganda: 71; South Sudan: 133; and Nigeria: 50). The collected primary data were first quality controlled and organized thematically for detailed analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to provide quantitative analysis as well as content scrutinized for qualitative analysis. The results showed that there is a need for timely weather information to plan farming activities such as planting and application of fertilizers and pesticides as well as to manage flood and drought by the water sector and disaster management. Results further showed that the majority of the respondents have access to the technology needed to access weather and climate information. The respondents who received weather information from NMAs noted that the forecast was good. However, they further noted that there is more room for improvement especially with making the forecasts location-specific, ensuring mobile access is adequate in all regions, provision of weather information by SMS (in countries where this service is currently unavailable) and improved timing of the weather information. Finally, uncertainty about the accuracy of weather information and the weather information not meeting specific needs are key barriers to people’s willingness to pay for it (Uganda: 33.3%; South Sudan: 46.1%; and Nigeria: 33.3%). Improved collaborations between the NMAs, ICT service providers, policymakers and farmers will facilitate an effective approach to weather information access and dissemination. Innovative sensitization approaches through the media houses will enable better understanding of weather products and utilization, and access to enabling ICTs would increase access to weather forecastsItem The changing IT trends: are academic libraries coping?(Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries, 2014) Musoke, Maria G. N.; Sentamu, Timothy; Mwesigwa, AndrewThe modern academic library environment is changing not only to cope with technological advancements, but also to organise, preserve and make knowledge accessible in real time. The current technological developments, the increased library user expectations and users‟ participation in the information chain e.g through social media have been the major catalysts for automation. By 2013, Makerere University (Mak) Main Library alone had over 474 Personal Computers (PCs) in its bid to integrate Information Technologies (ITs) in library functions. However, in recent times, there has been evidence of own laptops‟ usage by Mak Library users. In response to this trend, Mak Main library redesigned space in 2012 to provide data points to accommodate laptop users as the wireless connection infrastructure could no longer handle the exponentially increased user population at Mak library. The paper reports findings of a quantitative study that investigated the usage of the Main library IT facilities, users‟ preferences and whether the various IT facilities were meeting the users‟ needs and expectations. The findings revealed that 22% (1221) of the 5,472 library users, at the time of collecting data, were found using library IT facilities, while the rest of the library users 78% (4,251) were engaged in private study, discussions in the Group study facilities or were using other library facilities and services. The 22% found using library IT facilities reported to have used the following: 46% Learning Commons for undergraduates, 4% Research Commons for postgraduates and researchers, 16% OPAC terminals, 2% lab for users with disabilities, 10% laptop users‟ lab and 22% own laptops connected to the LAN in the rest of the Main library building. Of the 22% who used library IT facilities, only 38% owned laptops, hence confirming the continued need for library PCs. The study highlighted reasons for the preferred IT facilities and its implications for policy on academic library service delivery. The findings confirmed that Mak Main lib had tried to cope with the changing IT developments and user behavior to remain relevant to the academic and research community served.Item Informing Policy and Practice Through Assessment of New Library Books' Usage at Makerere University(Acquisitions, & Technical Services, 2017) Musoke, Maria G. N.; Mwesigwa, AndrewMakerere University Library procured 11,811 copies (4,662 titles) of the latest editions of textbooks with funding from Carnegie Corporation of New York. By the time of the study, there were 20,251 titles in both International Development Agency and Law textbook sections of themain library, of which 23% were the newly acquired titles. The books were selected by lecturers from all academic departments. Prior to the selection, lecturers were trained in modern book selection methods to ensure that they made appropriate selections and updated the reading lists. Once received, the bibliographic records of new books were entered in the Virtua Integrated Library System. After 1 year, Makerere University Library conducted a study to find out whether the new books were being used, how relevant the books were to users’ needs, whether the reading lists were current, whether user education, library catalogues, etc., had any influence on the usage of new books. The first set of data was electronically collected for 2 weeks during the peak period (11th and 12th weeks of the semester) using the Virtua Integrated Library System circulation module. While the second set of data was collected in the 5th and 7thweeks of the semester both electronically andmanually to address the gaps realized in the first set of data that was collected only electronically. A short, self-administered questionnaire was used to manually collect data; it had 10 questions, two of which were open-ended. The quantifiable data was analyzed using Google spreadsheets, while the qualitative datawas categorized into themes. The findings indicated that the books were overwhelmingly relevant (95%); while 93% of the respondents identified the new books fromthe reading lists, confirming that the lists had been updated and hence the book selection training was timely. Course mates contributed 30%, online catalogue 14%, while library user education (20%) and other information literacy training sessions contributed to raising awareness about the new books and the sections where they are located. The article concludes by highlighting the implications of the study findings for policy and practice, lessons learned, as well as identifying areas in library services at Makerere University Library that require further research.