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Item Cracking the Wealth Puzzle: Investigating the Interplay of Personal Finance, Expenditure Behavior, and Financial Management(Villnius University Press, 2024-10) Lulaj, EnkeledaThis paper investigated the wealth puzzle by examining the relationships among personal finance (PF), expenditure behavior (EB), and financial management (FM). Data from a diverse sample of 2000 individuals across regions such as Kosovo, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Turkey, Pakistan, Nepal, Uganda, Cameroon, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Albania, Oman, and Egypt were collected through an online questionnaire from 2023 to 2024, and processed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using AMOS and SPSS programs. Results revealed the robust relationships among PF, EB, and FM, indicating their resilience and strong internal consistency, and underscoring their pivotal role in shaping individuals’ financial stability and well-being. Notably, EB emerged as a crucial determinant, highlighting the importance of aligning spending habits with family priorities, moderating excesses, and consistently reviewing for improvements. Moreover, critical variables within PF and FM underscored the necessity for strategic financial planning, efficient spending optimization, and the cultivation of resilience against unforeseen financial obstacles. This research has significantly advanced the understanding of wealth dynamics and provided practical insights for policymakers and educators to design targeted financial education initiatives that can improve financial well-being and longterm prosperity. Future research should concentrate on understanding underlying mechanisms and assessing intervention effectiveness across more variables and countries.Item Entrepreneurial ecosystem pillars and performance of SMEs in the manufacturing sector of Uganda(Emeraid insight, 2024-10) Birungi, Hajira; Mbidde, Cathy Ikiror; Mutunzi, Ahmed Kitunzi; Kiwaala, YusufItem SCREENING AND SIGNALLING NON-COGNITIVE SKILLS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE FROM UGANDA∗(Oxford University Press, 2022-02) Bassi, Vittorio; Nansamba, AishaWe study how employers and job seekers respond to credible information on skills that are difficult to observe, and how this affects matching in the labour market. We experimentally vary whether certificates on workers’ non-cognitive skills are disclosed to both sides of the market during job interviews between young workers and small firms in Uganda. The certificates cause workers to increase their labour market expectations, while high-ability managers revise their assessments of the workers’ skills upwards. The reaction in terms of beliefs leads to an increase in positive assortative matching and to higher earnings for workers, conditional on employment.Item Social realities in remote villages: Infant and young child feeding in Kirewa, Uganda(Public Library of Science, 2024-09-10) Schneider, Lauriina; Korhonen, Katja; Ollila, Sari; Mutanen, MarjaUnderstanding infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices in Africa requires an examination of the social context. Social relationships influence people through mechanisms such as social support, social influence, social engagement, access to resources and negative social interactions. This study explores how these mechanisms manifest in IYCF in remote villages in Uganda. In 2018, we conducted two focus group discussions each with mothers, fathers and grandparents, ande interviews with two clan leaders, six village health teamers (VHT) and four healthcare workers (HCW). We deductively searched the data for any indications of elements that could influence child feeding and health using the psychosocial mechanisms of social support, social influence, social engagement, access to resources and negative social interactions as the broader themes. The manifestation of social support involved practical help from mothers-in-law (MIL), financial contributions from fathers, and informational, instrumental, emotional and appraisal support from VHTs. Social influence by MILs mainly concerned the transmission of food-related beliefs and pressure to have many children. The social engagement of young mothers was restricted. Access to resources was stratified and affected by poverty, patriarchy, and knowledge of HCWs and VHTs. Negative social interactions included physical abuse, alcoholism, and fear-based relationships. We found the different psychosocial mechanisms to construct a useful framework for describing the social reality surrounding IYCF. Changing attitudes towards family planning, involving fathers in IYCF, and strengthening the position of VHTs as family advisers can potentially improve IYCF in rural Uganda.Item Misalignments in prepaid water technology: findings from urban poor settings of Kampala, Uganda(IWA Publishers, 2024-09) Ahabwe, Gerald Zihembire; Ssewaya, Achilles; Batega, Dauda Waiswa; Kayaga, SamABSTRACT Progressive urban water utilities in developing countries have, since the mid-2000s deployed prepaid dispensers (PPDs) to provide reliable and equitably priced water services to slum residents. This paper reports on a study that evaluates the performance of the PPDs first deployed in the slums of Kampala in 2006 by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), Uganda's main urban water utility. By February 2020, over 1,400 PPDs were installed in 20 slums, serving residents through over 33,000 access tokens. Data were collected in 2019/2020 through 275 household questionnaires, 17 key informant interviews, and 8 focus group discussions. The main finding was that although the PPD technology has achieved a relatively high diffusion rate, water drawn therefrom was an average of a paltry 7 litres per capita per day, meaning that many slum residents still rely on other water sources of doubtful quality. Key misalignments include misappropriation by local middlemen, who inflate the prices; high levels of technical malfunctions; and the utility's overreliance on international development financing for asset maintenance and expansion. NWSC should mainstream the pro-poor service department and build the necessary capabilities to ensure better technical functionality of the PPDs, including setting up smart partnerships where necessary. CrossRefItem Perceived satisfaction and household fuel transition: evidence from Ugandan households(Frontiers Media S.A, 2024-07) Elasu, Joseph; Ntayi, Joseph Mpeera; Adaramola, Muyiwa S; Buyinza, Faisal; Atukunda, Ronnette; Ngoma, MuhamadIntroduction The dominance of biomass for cooking has implications for the country. For instance, biomass conversion using traditional technologies (three stone) in poorly ventilated kitchens produce smoke that influences the reproductive health outcomes for expectant mother. Beyond health outcomes, uncontrollable harvesting of biomass for cooking contributes to environmental degradation. Unfortunately, biomass in form of firewood, charcoal, plant and animal wastes is widely consumed by more than 94% of Ugandan households for cooking. This paper examined whether perceived satisfaction plays a significant role in household energy transition in Uganda. Methods The study adopted a panel data methodology employing an ordered logit model with random effects to estimate the effect of perceived satisfaction on household fuel transition from high to low pollutant cooking fuels in Uganda. The data used was obtained from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBoS) which is mandated by an Act of parliament to develop and maintain a national statistics system to ensure collection, analysis and publication of integrated, relevant, reliable and timely statistical information. Findings and discussion Our findings demonstrate that perceived satisfaction influences household fuel transition decisions in Uganda. The study concluded by suggesting policy recommendations for government action. CrossRefItem Applying the Index of Vulnerability approach to understand water insecurity and other social-ecological factors associated with depression among urban refugee youth in Kampala, Uganda(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-06) Logie, Carmen H; Okumu, Moses; Admassu, Zerihun; MacKenzie, Frannie; Kortenaar, Jean-Luc; Perez-Brumer, Amaya; Gittings, Lesley; Khan, Naimul; Hakiza, Robert; Kibuuka Musoke, Daniel; Nakitende, Aidah; Katisi, Brenda; Kyambadde, Peter; Taing, Lina; Mbuagbaw, LawrenceAbstract Water insecurity and other social-ecological factors may be associated with depression in low and middle-income contexts (LMICs). This is understudied among urban refugee youth in LMICs, who experience multiple forms of marginalization. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a peer-driven sample of urban refugee youth aged 16–24 in Kampala, Uganda. We explored: the prevalence of depression (moderate, moderately severe); associations between social-ecological (structural, community, interpersonal, intrapersonal) factors and depression; and associations between an Index of Vulnerability (IoV) comprised of social-ecological stressors and depression. Among n = 335 participants (mean age: 20.8 years, standard deviation: 3.1), in multivariable analyses, longer time in Uganda, water insecurity, lower social support, parenthood, and recent intimate partner violence were associated with moderate depression; and longer time in Uganda, water insecurity, and lower social support were associated with moderately severe depression. IoV scores were associated with moderate depression among men and women, and moderately severe depression among women. The IoV scores accounted for more variance in moderate/moderately severe depression among women than any single indicator; among men, water insecurity was most strongly associated with moderate depression. Future research can explore strategies to address water insecurity and other social-ecological stressors to promote health and wellbeing with urban refugee youth.Item Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in breast milk of nursing mothers: Correlates with household fuel and cooking methods used in Uganda, East Africa(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-06) Fred Ssepuya; Silver Odongo; Benjamin A. Musa Bandowe; Juma John Moses Abayi; Chijioke Olisah; Henry Matovu; Edward Mubiru; Mika Sillanpää; Ibrahim Karume; Charles Drago Kato; Victor Odhiambo Shikuku; Patrick SsebugereMaternal breast milk, which is a complete food for the infant's growth, development, and health, contains fats and lipids making it susceptible to accumulation of lipophilic compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study aimed at analyzing correlates of measured levels of PAHs in breast milk of nursing mothers to frequently used household fuels and cooking methods in Uganda, and estimate the potential health risks of PAHs to infants through breastfeeding. Sixty breast milk samples were collected from healthy and non-smoking mothers who had lived in Kampala capital city (urban area) and Nakaseke district (rural area) for at least five years. Sample extracts were analyzed for PAHs using a gas chromatograph coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. ∑13PAHs in samples from Kampala ranged from 3.44 to 696 ng/g lw while those from Nakaseke ranged from 0.84 to 87.9 ng/g lw. PAHs with 2–3 rings were more abundant in the samples than PAHs with 4–6 rings. At least 33 % of the variance in the levels of ∑13PAHs in the breast milk samples was attributable to the fuel type and cooking methods used. Nursing mothers who used charcoal for cooking accumulated higher levels of ∑13PAHs in their breast milk samples compared to those who used firewood. Levels of ∑13PAHs in breast milk of mothers increased depending on the cooking methods used in the order; boiling< grilling< deep-frying. In all samples, hazard quotients for PAHs were <1 and estimated incremental cancer risks were all between 10−6 and 10−4 , indicating that the health risks to infants due to the ingestion of PAHs in breast milk was tolerable. Further studies with large datasets on PAHs and their deriv atives and, larger samples sizes are needed to confirm these findings.Item A Cross-Country Study of Cigarette Affordability and Single-Stick Purchases Using Survey Data From African Countries(MEDLINE - Academic, 2024-05) Filby, SamanthaAbstract INTRODUCTIONReducing cigarette affordability is paramount for reducing cigarette consumption. Measuring affordability requires data on cigarette prices. Unlike the commonly used retail price of a 20-pack of the most-sold cigarette domestically, survey-derived cigarette prices reflect differences arising from the brand variety and the types of packaging in which cigarettes are purchased.AIMS AND METHODSThis paper uses self-reported cigarette price data from the eight African countries that have implemented the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) to construct country-level Relative Income Prices. The relationship between cigarette affordability, cigarette smoking prevalence, and cigarette smoking intensity, is examined using logit models for smoking participation (N = 51 122) and generalized linear models for conditional cigarette demand (N = 2443). GATS data are also used to produce nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of single-stick cigarette purchases in the sampled countries.RESULTSThe estimated affordability elasticity of cigarette smoking participation is -0.245 (95% CI = -0.411 to -0.078). The estimated affordability elasticity of smoking intensity is -0.155 (95% CI = -0.286 to -0.023). Single-stick cigarette sales dominate all-markets. The proportion of smokers who reported buying cigarettes in the form of single sticks during their most recent cigarette purchase exceeds 90% in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.CONCLUSIONSThe results point to the need for governments in the countries sampled to increase excise taxes in a manner that renders cigarettes less affordable over time, and to enact and enforce legislation that prohibits the sale of single cigarettes. These findings highlight that measures to reduce both the demand and supply of cigarettes will be required to reduce their use in the region.IMPLICATIONSThis study is the first to examine the prevalence of single-stick cigarette purchases, and the association between cigarette affordability and smoking outcomes, in the African setting, using data from the GATS. Findings provide local evidence for the countries sampled, which represent over half of sub-Saharan Africa's adult population (aged 15 and older), on the importance of implementing excise tax increases that reduce cigarette affordability over time. They also highlight the need to enact and enforce legislation that prohibits the sale of single cigarettes.Item Unravelling taboos and cultural beliefs associated with hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende district Eastern Uganda(BioMed Central Ltd, 2024) Tugume, Patience; Mustafa, Abubakar Sadik; Walusansa, Abdul; Ojelel, Samuel; Nyachwo, Evelyne B; Muhumuza, Emmanuel; Nampeera, Maria; Kabbale, Fredrick; Ssenku, Jamilu EAbstract Background Food taboos and cultural beliefs among pregnant and breast-feeding women influence their food consumption patterns and hence the health of women and unborn children. Cognizant of their neglect in programs aimed to ameliorate hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende and other resource-poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa, we opted for a study to unravel them to inform program design. Methods We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant and breast-feeding women from six sub-counties of Buyende district in Eastern Uganda. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 462 women, eight focus group discussions with 6–10 participants in each and a total of 15 key informant interviews. Results The present study revealed that 129 (27.9%) of the respondents practice food taboos and adhere to cultural beliefs related to their dietary habits during pregnancy and breast-feeding that are fuelling the prevalence of hidden hunger. The most tabooed foods during pregnancy were sugarcane (17.8%), fishes which included lung fish, catfish and the Lake Victoria sardine (Rastrineobola argentea) (15.2%), oranges (6.6%), pineapples (5.9%), eggs (3.3%), chicken (3.3%) and cassava, mangoes and Cleome gynandra (each at 3%). Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy and labour complications and undesirable effects on the baby. Most women learnt of the taboos and beliefs from the elders, their own mother, grandparents or mother-in-law, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups within the community. Conclusions The taboos and cultural beliefs in the study area render pregnant and breast-feeding women prone to micronutrient deficiency since they are denied consumption of a diversity of nutritious foods. There is a need to educate such women about consumption of nutrient-rich foods like fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables in order to improve their health, that of the unborn and children being breast fed. Additionally, culturally appropriate nutrition education may be a good strategy to eliminate inappropriate food taboos and beliefs with negative impact on the health of pregnant and breast-feeding women.Item The suspension of the Democratic Governance Facility in Uganda: the illusion of “politically smart aid”(Routledge, 2023-08-10) Vandeputte, NathanIn 2021, the President of Uganda suspended the “Democratic Governance Facility” (DGF), which is a European basket fund aimed at providing financial support in areas such as democracy, human rights, and rule of law. Paradoxically, the DGF had explicitly adopted a new “politically smart framework”, which is a development approach that promises to deliver aid more effectively and sustainably in contentious environments. This raises the question: what went wrong? Informed by post-development theoretical arguments and through a discursive analysis of the DGF’s implementation of this new aid framework, this paper argues that this framework itself does not allow proper understanding of what makes aid “political”; in casu that it does not allow appreciation of local viewpoints of democracy, representation, and ownership. Then, rather than improving the status quo, this paper argues in favour of making aid “political” through a fundamental reconsideration of the very substance and infrastructure of aid itself. International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS)Item An exploratory study on becoming a traditional spiritual healer among Baganda in Central Uganda(Public Library of Science, 2024-05) Sekagya, Yahaya H K; Muchunguzi, Charles; Unnikrishnan, Payyappallimana; Mulogo, Edgar MTraditional medicinal knowledge and healing practices of indigenous spiritual healers play important roles in health care, and contribute towards achieving Universal Health Care. Traditional spiritual healers (TSHs) are grouped into three categories. One category of Baganda TSHs, Balubaale , engage ancestral spirits during health management. Balubaale are socially significant but not legally accepted. Their initiation and training practices have not been documented in Uganda. The study purpose was to understand and establish the training of traditional spiritual healers. Twelve (10M, 2F); practicing TSHs in Central Uganda were purposively selected and recruited between 15 th July 2019 and 29 th April 2020, and were prospectively interacted with for 24 months. Transcribed data was coded and thematically analyzed using ATLAS ti. 22 computer software and presented based on an inductive approach. Findings show key areas of TSHs training include connecting with ancestral spirits and the spiritual powers of non-materials and materials such as living and non-living things through rituals. Spiritual healers train in diagnosis and health management based on ancestral spirits and they finally pass out in a communal ceremony witnessed by family and community members. We conclude that TSHs undergo training and are supervised and supported by experienced spiritualists, family and the community. We recommend similar studies among other ethnic groups to contextualize the process of becoming a TSH, compare and harmonize findings to facilitate inter-medical systems communication and policy considerations.Item Confirmatory factor analysis of latent constructs for measuring social well-being in African migrant samples(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-05) Ejoke, Ufuoma Patience; Du Plessis, Edwin Devon; Dev, Smitha; Al Bustami, Ghanem Jaser; Varghese, MaryThe present study contributes to psychology and well-being literature by investigating social well-being in minority contexts. The factor structure of the Keyes' long format 33-item social well-being measure was investigated among African migrant samples. A cross-sectional survey methodology was used to collect data from a total of 404 African migrants living in South Africa (n = 146), Uganda (n = 158) and Kenya (n = 100). They were 202 (50%) males, 195 (48.3%) females, and 7 (1.7%) of the samples did not disclose their gender. They were aged from 14 to 70 with a Mean age of 32.21 (standard deviation = 7.696). Data collected were analysed using CFA in AMOS (version 29). We found an unstable four-factor emic solution for African migrants in Sub-Sahara Africa. We could not replicate the theoretical social well-being model of Keyes (1998) among African migrant samples in Sub-Saharan Africa. Insights from the study will be critical to designing culturally appropriate indigenous measures that accurately reflect the social realities and well-being constructs of African migrants. Our findings will also help policymakers and service providers to identify areas of need, develop appropriate socio-cultural programmes, and allocate resources more effectively to support the integration and well-being of migrants within African societies.Item How do transport companies execute strategies in a volatile environment? A qualitative inquiry(Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2024-04) Ssekiziyivu, Bob; Bagire, Vincent; Ngoma, Muhammed; Nkurunziza, Gideon; Abaho, Ernest; Hassan, BashirPurpose – The purpose of this study was to explore how transport companies in Uganda execute strategies in a turbulent business environment. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted an exploratory qualitative methodology using the data collected through an open-ended instrument. Utilizing the qualitative data analysis software QSR NVivo9, the data were analyzed following the Gioia's methodology. Verbatim texts were used to explain the emergent themes. Findings – The study's findings show that to successfully execute strategies, companies in Uganda communicate, coordinate and put control systems in their operations. The activities undertaken include customer care, timely settlement of complaints, comfortable seats, playing local music, partnerships with reliable fuel stations, setting up strategic offices, cost management, use of experienced drivers, sub-renting vehicles and inspections. Originality/value – The study produces a pioneering result of how transport companies execute strategies in a turbulent business environment, an aspect that has not been adequately highlighted in previous studies.Item The effectiveness of emerging markets’ legal structure in explaining financial development(Public Library of Science, 2024-04-18) Anser, Muhammad Khalid; Khan, Muhammad Asif; Khan, Mohammed Arshad; Huizhen, Wang; Haider, AhsanuddinThis article examines the role of legal structure in explaining financial development in twenty-three emerging markets, which has not been explored in institutional economics literature before. This study relied on Pedroni, and Kao cointegration tests, which is followed by the renowned panel cointegration technique. The results of the Pedroni and Kao cointegration tests show that the variables understudy is cointegrated in the long-run. These findings are confirmed by the panel cointegration showing that legal structure (LS) has positive impact on financial development (FIND) in long-run that support Law and Finance, and New Institutional Economics theories in emerging markets. This study is the first to directly examine the long-run impact of LS on FIND in emerging markets, and the result remains consistent across alternative measure of FIND. The findings of this study have important policy implications for emerging markets. Policymakers should focus on creating a legal environment that is conducive to financial development. This includes strengthening the legal framework, improving regulatory regimes, and promoting market autonomy. Additionally, policymakers should work to attract foreign investment, which can help spur economic growth and development in emerging markets. The findings of the study are consistent across battery of robustness testing.Item Practitioner Perspectives on Child Feeding in Uganda: Community Engagement through the Global Agenda(Routledge, 2024-04) McBride, Amanda; Graham, Pamela Louise; Mugyisha, Alex; McInnes, AlisonThis collaborative research study arose in response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 3, which have amongst their targets an aim to eradicate preventable deaths in children under five years old. The research is founded on the aims of the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development which aims at strengthening the social work profession through linkages between global challenges and local responses. To address these issues through nutritious child feeding, it was essential to understand the views and experiences of SW and social development practitionersinvolved with child feeding practices. Through an online qualitative survey and reflexive thematic analysis, we explored the views and experiences of practitioners working with the Uganda Red Cross Society. Three themes were developed from analysis of the data: Lifestyle Choices & Restrictions; Limited Resources & Facilities; and Knowledge & Education. A reflection on the challenges encountered and advancing international social work through engagement with the Global Agenda are also presented.Item Non-governmental organizations’ motivation to diversify: self-interest or operation-related? Evidence from Uganda(Oxford University Press, 2024-04) Dang, Canh Thien; Owens, TrudyAbstract Understanding the mechanisms that guide non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) managerial decisions is a key to effective development policies. One fundamentally strategic decision is the number of activities an NGO offers. We provide a conceptual framework based on the agency theory to study the motivations underlying strategic decisions of development NGOs in Uganda. We test whether diversifying into many activities is driven by operational reasons or by personal gains of NGO managers. Following a historic flood in 2007, NGOs that rely more on contractual income offer fewer activities than their counterparts in less affected areas. The results support theoretical explanations that operational motives such as risk-reduction or cost complementarity dominate personal and for-profit-like motives. Our article contributes to the debates around the ethical and governmental foundation of the non-profit sector, highlighting the different roles of personal and operational aspects in the decisionmaking processItem Evaluation of a disability-inclusive ultra-poor graduation programme in Uganda: study protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial with process evaluation(BioMed Central, 2024-03) Kipchumba, Elijah; Davey, Calum; Marks, Sarah; Mugeere, Anthony; Chen, Shanquan; Banks, Lena Morgon; Islam, Kazi Eliza; Shakespeare, Tom; Kuper, Hannah; Sulaiman, MunshiAbstract There is little evidence on how to support ultra-poor people with disabilities to adopt sustainable livelihoods. The Disability-Inclusive Graduation (DIG) programme targets ultra-poor people with disabilities and/or women living in rural Uganda. The programme is an adaptation of an ultra-poor graduation model that has been shown to be effective in many contexts but not evaluated for people with disabilities. The DIG programme works with project participants over a period of 18 months. Participants receive unconditional cash transfers for 6 months, training, access to savings-and-loans groups, and a capital asset that forms the basis of their new livelihood. The programme is also adapted to address specific barriers that people with disabilities face. Eligible households are clustered by geographical proximity in order to deliver the intervention. Eligibility is based on household screening to identify the 'ultra-poor' based on proxy means testing-both households with and without people with disabilities are included in the programme. Clusters are randomly selected prior to implementation, resulting in 96 intervention and 89 control clusters. The primary outcome of the trial is per-capita household consumption. Before the start of the intervention, a baseline household survey is conducted (November 2020) among project participants and those not offered the programme, a similar endline survey is conducted with participants with disabilities at the end of programme implementation in July 2022, and a second endline survey for all participants in October 2023. These activities are complemented by a process evaluation to understand DIG programme implementation, mechanisms, and context using complementary qualitative and quantitative methods. Ethical approval for the research has been received from Mildmay Uganda Research Ethics Committee and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. DIG is a promising intervention to evaluate for people with disabilities, adapted to be disability inclusive across programme components through extensive consultations and collaboration, and has proven efficacy at reducing poverty in other marginalised groups. However, evaluating a well-evidenced intervention among a new target group poses ethical considerations. Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations, RIDIE-STUDY-ID-626008898983a (20/04/22). ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN78592382 . Retrospectively registered on 17/08/2023.Item Value chain hygiene practices and microbial contamination of street and market vended ready-to-eat grasshopper, Ruspolia differens in Uganda: Implications for food safety and public health(Elsevier Ltd, 2024-02) Rutaro, Karlmax; Hawumba, Joseph; Nakimuli, Jane; Mulindwa, Julius; Malinga, Geoffrey M; Baingana, RhonaFood safety is a major public health issue particularly in developing countries. Ready-to-eat street-vended foods contribute significantly to dietary intake in urban and peri-urban areas, but with elevated public health risk. In this study, hygiene and food safety practices as well as the microbial contamination in Uganda's edible grasshopper value chain were evaluated.''A total of 29 grasshopper-processing households participated, and grasshopper samples collected. Indicator pathogens were analyzed using standard microbiological methods. In Kampala 50% and in Masaka 12% households had earth floors. All households in Kampala were one or two-roomed dwellings with no separate room as a kitchen, and shared a toilet. In contrast, 59% of households in Masaka had three or more rooms, 35% had a separate room for a kitchen and 47% did not share a toilet. 83% households in Kampala and 56% in Masaka obtained drinking water from public taps. Handwashing was inadequate and none of the actors was observed to wash their hands after taking a break or handling waste. For vendors, wearing protective clothing was not common, with only 28.5% in Kampala and 30.8% in Masaka wearing an apron. Containers for vending grasshoppers were largely uncovered and the utensils for measuring the grasshoppers were left mainly uncovered. Indicator organisms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, were detected. E. coli was the most common contaminant, but with lower levels in Masaka compared to Kampala. S. typhimurium was mainly a burden in Kampala. Our findings demonstrate that there are enormous contributors to poor hygiene and sanitation along the edible grasshopper value chain. The existence of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli in ready-to-eat foods imply that their consumption poses a health risk.Item Working for the Wireless World: Radio Uganda Technicians and the Wo/manpower of 1970s Cosmopolitanism(Cambridge University Press, 2024-03) Milford, IsmayThis article argues that technicians’ working lives and workplaces are crucial to conceptualizing the inequalities that characterized the ‘wireless world’ of radio broadcasting during a period of demands for a new information order. Taking Uganda’s national broadcaster and the files it has preserved as a focus, I follow calls to move beyond the exceptionalism of 1970s Uganda to locate it in global histories of technology and work. Like many broadcasters in decolonizing countries, Radio Uganda struggled to secure space on the electromagnetic spectrum, challenge neo-colonial information monopolies, balance its internationalist ambitions with its reliance on foreign equipment and training agreements, and fill vacancies. In the same years, its technicians responded to hundreds of reception reports sent by amateur distant listeners – most from Western Europe. The labour of responding to these reports and their cosmopolitan pronouncements represents a hitherto unexplored window onto the exchanges that underscored the globalization of radio technology and its limits in the 1970s.