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Item Are Organisational Characteristics Antecedents of Employee Commitment? Evidence using Academic Staff in Private Universities in Uganda by Wilson(International Conference on Private Higher Education in Africa, 2016) Mugizi, Fred E. K. Bakkabulindi; Bisaso, RonaldThe study sought to find out whether organizational structure, leadership, relationships and support were antecedents of the employee commitment (EC) of the academic staff. The correlational study involved 173 respondents from three private universities in Uganda. Data were collected using a questionnaire whose validity and reliability were tested using Factor Analysis and Cronbach Alpha. Means were used for descriptive analysis, while multiple regression helped to test the hypotheses. Results showed that organizational leadership and support were significant positive antecedents of EC, while organizational structure and employee relationships were not. This led to the conclusion that the two positive antecedents were most likely essential requirements for the EC of the academic staff in private universities to their jobs, while organizational structure and employee relationships may not be. Hence the recommendation those stakeholders such as the directorates of human resource in the respective universities, promote good organizational leadership and support in order to enhance the EC of the academic staff.Item The Role of Blockchain Technology in Financial Engineering(Springer Singapore., 2021) Chakravaram, Venkamaraju; Ratnakaram, Sunitha; Agasha, Ester; Vihari, Nitin SimhaHome ICCCE 2020 Conference paper The Role of Blockchain Technology in Financial Engineering Venkamaraju Chakravaram, Sunitha Ratnakaram, Ester Agasha & Nitin Simha Vihari Conference paper First Online: 12 October 2020 1344 Accesses 3 Citations Part of the Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering book series (LNEE,volume 698) Abstract This research work is to study and list out the processes and operational areas where Blockchain Technology (BCT) is playing a greater role as a tool in the process of financial engineering (FE) in the insurance business. We studied the use of BCT as one of the InsurTech tools in the design and development of financially engineered insurance products. Here, the development of insurance products covers the design of new and innovative insurance policy models, its attractive features as per the needs and requirements of concerned target customers. Insurance processes cover the management and administration of insurance business i.e., marketing, sales and distribution, the underwriting process and claims management, etc. Financial Engineering is a process of creating a new and innovative insurance model by merging existing policy models OR creating a new and innovative insurance model. FE uses the tools and techniques of Statistics, Financial Mathematics, Econometrics, ICTs which includes, FinTech tools, InsurTech tools like Blockchain Technology, Artificial Intelligence, etc. In this research work, we used descriptive cum explorative research methodology. We have studied the role of BCT as an effective tool in the financial engineering process of the insurance business.Item Cryptocurrency: Threat or Opportunity(Springer Singapore, 2021) Chakravaram, Venkamaraju; Ratnakaram, Sunitha; Agasha, Ester; Vihar, Nitin SimhaThough a weak currency is a sign of a weak economy and a weak economy leads to a weak nation, here we gave an attempt to study about the cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is also known as the digital currency of the 21st Century which moves in the form of cryptographic codes in between people or institutions those who are connected to peer to peer networks (P2P). Blockchain Technology plays a major role in the flow of cryptographic codes among various nodes in the P2P networks to convert into Cryptocurrency in the decentralized ledger environment. This paper investigates the working of cryptocurrency and its impact on economies, especially to list the threats and opportunities to the Indian Economy. Also gave an attempt to differentiate the cryptocurrency and fiat or real currencies on various aspects in the world economy. We used descriptive cum exploratory research methodology to get the desired results in the present research work.Item Why Social Protection programmes have attracted domestic political support in Uganda: Evidence from Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) Pilot programme(ResearchGate, 2014) Mubiru, John BoscoThis paper examines why Social Protection interventions such as the current Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (SAGE) pilot programme in 14 districts of Uganda has attracted more domestic political support in the recent years than before 2006. The paper further highlights the political factors that were previously an obstacle to the implementation of social protection programmes including the predominant political (and socio-economic) paradigm factors, negative elite attitudes, politics within institutions and lack of genuine knowledge among stakeholders about social protection. The paper also examines factors that have contributed to the increased domestic political support for the SAGE pilot programme in Uganda. The factors discussed include Civil Society pressure, donor support and policy influence, the current political environment and institutional capacity building through trainings as well as study trips. The paper demonstrates that over the past few years, there has been an effort to increase knowledge and discussions on the need for social protection and its affordability in Uganda which has attracted the attention of politicians. The paper indicates that “political buy-in” is necessary to ensure that social protection is given a high priority and is sustained. The paper concludes by arguing that politics in Uganda remains a central aspect in social protection advocacy in Uganda. As such, it is vital that domestic political support is won if social protection interventions such as SAGE are to be recognized as a priority policy and budget issue for Uganda.Item The Role of Local Government in Social Protection Programmes: A Case of Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment (Sage) in Uganda.(ResearchGate, 2015) Mubiru, John BoscoSocial protection has been recognized as a critical element of national development strategies in both developed and developing countries. Uganda have embraced social protection interventions in the recent years as key to achieving inclusive, pro-poor, and equitable development which is evident in its commitments to declarations at regional and international levels. The government has further established and implemented social protection interventions (both contributory and non-contributory schemes). The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development through the Expanding Social Protection (ESP) Programme with financial support from DFID, Irish Aid and UNICEF is piloting two schemes – Senior Citizen Grants (SCG) and Vulnerable Family Grants (VFG) under the SAGE programme. The local governments have been among the key stakeholders in the implementation of the SAGE programme in the 15 pilot districts. They have participated in range of activities including identification, targeting and selection of beneficiaries; sensitization, awareness raising and community mobilizations; managing grievances; coordination; monitoring and reporting as well as providing office space. The participation of the local governments in SAGE has been attributed to some enabling factors that include the trainings; monthly allowances; logistical support; political capital of the programme and the clear mandate on the roles of local governments. However, local governments’ participation in the SAGE programme have encountered a number of challenges such as staffing gaps; reporting challenges; inadequate financial resources and role conflicts. Despite the challenges, SAGE has also impacted on the performance and service delivery of the local governments in the pilot districts In order to strengthen the effectiveness of the local government’s participation and the objectives of the SAGE programme, there is need to create linkages between beneficiaries and other social services; mainstream SAGE in the local government plans and budgets; strengthen the coordination and information sharing and promoting social accountability.Item Transforming Uganda’s Public Policy, Economy, and Politics; What we must do to make Uganda better(ACODE, 2010) Tabaire, Bernard; Okao, Jackie"Who should improve things? That is a question posed at the 7th meeting of the State of the Nation Platform, most of whose members fall in the dissatisfied age group. Appropriately, the discussion was led by a panel drawn from amongst the STON members to compel self-reflection. After all, those who are younger and economically active largely drive transformation of society. What is the vision, mission and objective of our generation? Why are we living at this time? What do we want to change? What future do we need? What means are we going to use to achieve that future? Who is going to lead us? Are we just making comments and leaving it at that? What are our own value systems as a generation, as Ugandans? Are we not making an assumption that we are talking about a homogenous generation? The questions did not have to be answered fully and immediately but, if anything, they sparked off some good amount of serious thinking about the state of affairs in Uganda."Item The preparedness of the Uganda Police to ensure a free, fair and violent-free Elections in 2011(ACODE, 2010) Tabaire, Bernard; Okao, Jackie"In recent years, Uganda has experienced violent riots and tensions surrounding elections. With violence reported in the most recent by-elections, the 2011 general elections have the unfortunate potential of erupting into serious violence, particularly in the urban areas. Uganda is struggling to cope with the shift from two decades of a “no party” to a pluralistic political dispensation. The forthcoming elections will be the third in 30 years to be held under the new pluralist, or multiparty, system. The first, held in 1980, were heavily disputed leading to the launch of a five-year guerrilla war that ushered in the present government in 1986. The 2006 elections were marred by violence, charges of rape and treason against the leading presidential challenger, allegations of vote rigging, intimidation of voters, and reported incompetence by the Electoral Commission. They were also affected by a lack of understanding of the system by most voters given that not only were these the first multiparty elections in a long time but also it was the first time that presidential, parliamentary, and (higher) local council elections were being held on the same day. Memories of past insecurity, particularly among the older generation and those in rural areas, mean that for many, stability and peace are more important than development and prosperity. Younger urban voters, on the other hand, are pushing for new opportunities and the hope of a better future."Item Reviving Makerere University to a Leading Institution for Academic Excellence in Africa(ACODE, 2010) Tabaire, Bernard; Okao, JackieEstablished in 1922 as a technical school, Makerere University is now one of the largest universities in eastern and central Africa with 20 faculties/institutes/schools offering not only day but also evening and external study programmes to a student body of more than 30,000 undergraduates and 3,000 postgraduates. It is also a centre of research.Item Politics of Patronage and Religion in Uganda(ACODE, 2010) Tabaire, Bernard; Okao, Jackie"The 9th State of the Nation Platform meeting held on June 4, 2010 debated the “ Role of Religious Leaders in Promoting and Sustaining Democracy and Good Governance in Uganda: Towards the 2011 Elections and Beyond.” Bishop Zac Niringiye, the assistant Bishop of the Church of Uganda’s Diocese of Kampala and the chairman of the National Governing Council of the African Peer Review Mechanism was the main speaker. The meeting was well attended by religious leaders from other denominations and officials from Inter-religious Council of Uganda. There was near unanimity at the end of the debate that things are not going well in Uganda. A new beginning with a new cadre of leaders with vision, conviction, and courage in Uganda needs to kick the country to a higher level, not new laws and institutions because country has Bishop Zac Niringiye framed his submission in terms of the politics of patronage. “Our governance challenge is political,” he said. “We have a long history of the entrenched politics of patronage.” It is no longer God and Country first, the bishop said in reference to Uganda’s national motto: For God and My Country. The motto that works, he said, is: For Me and My Group First. Whether it is creation of districts or behaviour of churches. “We seem not to have leaders who are capable of going beyond this mindset,” the bishop said."Item Decentralisation: A Good Thing Being Abused?(ACODE, 2010) Tabaire, Bernard; Okao, Jackie"Various official documents enjoin local government units to help enhance effective and transparent governance in Uganda. Decentralisation is the policy under which local governments operate. Local governments here refer to district councils, city council, municipalities, city and division councils, town councils, and sub-county councils. Decentralisation aims to involve the people in their governance – in decision-making, in identifying their own problems, in setting priorities and planning their implementation and monitoring, in ensuring better use of resources, and in ensuring value for money. The decentralisation policy is designed to achieve a number of objectives. a) Transfer real power(devolution) to local governments, thus reducing the workload on central government officials. b) Establish decentralisation as the guiding principle applied to all levels of government to ensure citizens’ participation and democratic control in decision-making. c) Achieve good governance, which is a prerequisite for better performance of public servants. d) Bring political and administrative control over services to the point where they are actually delivered, thereby improving accountability and effectiveness, and promoting people’s feeling of ownership of programmes and projects executed in their areas. e) Free local managers from central constraints and, as a long-term goal, allow them to develop organisational structures tailored to local circumstances. f) Improve capacities of councils to plan, finance and manage the delivery of services to their constituents."Item A Reflection on Uganda’s Foreign Policy and Role at the UN Security Council(ACODE, 2010) Tabaire, Bernard; Okao, Jackie"Uganda is a landlocked country that depends on foreign imports for most of its consumer goods and energy requirements. Thus, even before independence, maintaining an open trade route to the Indian Ocean was a primary foreign policy objective. Indeed, in the first decade of independence, policymakers emphasised co-operation with Uganda’s neighbours. At continental level, it assumed a pan-Africanist stance, being a founding member of the Organisation of African Unity (now African Union) and a strong supporter of liberation movements especially in Southern Africa. On the global stage, the country maintained a posture of non-alignment although it sometimes sided more with the communist/socialist bloc led by the then-Soviet Union and China. When the NRM came to power in 1986, the new government enthusiastically supported international and especially African co-operation but conditioned it on an ideological evaluation of whether other regimes were racist, dictatorial, corrupt, or violators of human rights. In a new assertiveness, Uganda actively supported the overthrow of governments in Rwanda and D.R. Congo (then Zaire) because they were dictatorial, corrupt, and abused human rights."Item Posttraumatic Growth, Resilience, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Among Refugees(Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2013) Ssenyonga, Joseph; Owens, Vicki; Kani Olema, DavidThe study examined posttraumatic growth, resilience and PTSD among a random sample of 426 (mean age: 35 years; 51.6% females) Congolese refugees resident at Nakivale camp, using a cross-sectional survey. Interviews were conducted using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Posttraumatic Diagnostic Survey. Prevalence of PTSD was 61.7%, with 58.6% female reporting PTSD. Female gender, low education level, and trauma load were significant predictors of PTSD. The regression model accounted for 12.2 percent of the variance in PTSD. Resilience, posttraumatic growth, number of displacements and trauma load were significant predictors accounting for 6.1 percent of the variance in PTSD symptom severity. There were no significant differences in the resilience and posttraumatic growth of refugees with and without PTSD. The high prevalence of PTSD is partly explained by risk factors including trauma load. Our findings also point to the protective role of resilience and posttraumatic growth among refugees.Item Posttraumatic Cognitions, Avoidance Coping, Suicide, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Adolescent Refugees(Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2013) Ssenyonga, Joseph; Owens, Vicki; Kani Olema, DavidThis cross-sectional survey examined posttraumatic cognitions, avoidance coping, suicide and trauma-related disorders of Congolese adolescent refugees in Nakivale refugee settlement. We interviewed 89 adolescents (aged 18-24 years; 62.9% females) using the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, Coping Response Inventory, MINI suicidality scale and Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostics Survey. Forty-four (49.4%) adolescent satisfied the PTSD diagnostic criteria. Twenty-six adolescents (29.2%) had moderate to high current suicide risk. Significant predictors including negative cognitions about self, emotional discharge, and acceptance or resignation explained 33.6 percent of the variance in PTSD symptom severity. About 50.8 percent of the variance in PTSD was explained by risk factors including age, trauma load, and negative cognitions about self. The findings suggest that for the adolescent refugees, negative appraisal and avoidance coping strategies used subsequent to trauma exposure have implication for current psychological wellbeing. Therefore there is need to provide psychological intervention to address these maladaptive posttraumatic problems.Item The Implementation of Rwanda’s Expropriation Law and Its Outcomes on the Population(Legal Aid Forum, Rwanda, 2016) Rose, Hadley; Mugisha, Frank; Kananga, Andrews; Clay, DanielRwanda is undergoing rapid development, often leading to expropriation of private lands. The expropriation law provides procedures to protect the rights of property owners in the expropriation process. The implementation of that law, however, has caused concerns about potential human rights violations and about how expropriation is affecting the population both economically and socially. This research, carried out from October 2014 – August 2015, showed that expropriated households faced severe declines in their monthly income, and sometimes faced months of restrictions on being able to make basic improvements to their properties while expropriations were pending. Despite these issues, however, government did manage to notify most landowners being expropriated of the expropriation process through public meetings, and in fact most expropriated households believed the projects causing expropriation were in the best interests of the community.Item Utilizing evidence to drive program implementation: How Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) surveys help districts to target underserved areas in Uganda(USAID, 2006) Kironde, Samson; Mabirizi, Joseph; Businge, Denis; Ssimbwa, Stephen; Orobaton, NosaFor e ective implementation of decentralized health systems at the local level, districts need to have accurate, up-to-date and representative information to guide decisions about where to focus resources in order to achieve maximum impact with the often limited resources at their disposal. However, many local government entities in Uganda have limited capacity and resources to measure outputs and outcomes in order to e ectively tailor interventions. Use of regular low cost Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) surveys can help achieve this.Item Using OERs to improve teacher quality: emerging findings from TESSA(Commonwealth Forum on Open Learning, 2010) Wolfenden, Freda; Umar, Abdurrahman; Aguti, Jessica; Abdel Gafar, AmaniThe last decade has seen tremendous progress in primary pupil enrolment across much of sub-Saharan Africa but unfortunately in many areas this has not been accompanied by an improvement in pupil achievement. Attention and priorities are now expanding to embrace close scrutiny of the processes of classroom teaching and learning. Governments and donor agencies across the region are engaged in promoting a pedagogical paradigm shift to improve pupil attainment; a learner-centred classroom approach with pupil-teacher construction of knowledge through active inquiry. But to date systematic adoption and embedding of these progressive teaching methods has been limited and pupil learning achievements continue to be low. Much recent research on African classrooms shows that the dominant mode of teaching remains a teacher-led transmission style in which pupil talk is restricted to short, often chorus, answers to closed questions. ( Pontefract and Hardiman, 2005; Akyeampong et al, 2006; Altinyelken,2010; Henevald et al, 2006; Mtika & Gates, 2009) Recent UNESCO EFA reports draw attention to the importance of teacher quality for improving pupil achievement in schools and the key role of teacher education in shifting modes of interaction in African schools to those which more fully support pupils’ cognitive and linguistic learning (UNESCO, 2010). Teachers are potentially key agents of change. However such a focus on teachers is not unproblematic.Item Learner Support in Distance Education: Unlocking the Potential of Public Libraries in Supporting Teaching and Learning In Open and Distance Learning(In EDEN Conference Proceedings, 2015) Nabushawo, Harriet; Aguti, Jessica Norah; Winterbottom, MarkThis study examined the nature of services and facilities available and accessible in public libraries to ODL students in sub-Saharan Africa and the challenges these services face. Library services are central in teaching and learning processes because they expose the students to a variety of resources which facilitate in-depth study and lead to development of intended competencies. However, according to Pernell (2002), traditional library services often fail to adapt to the needs of Open and Distance Learning students especially in dual mode universities. This in the end affects students' final grades as well as the quality of education they receive. Using a cross sectional survey, from 422 respondents who include students, staff (both on campus and off campus) and librarians, data were collected though questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions and documentary analysis. The findings reveal that due to inadequate library resources in study centres where ODL students are meant to receive remote support, the students have been utilizing library resources from the public libraries. This support from public libraries however needs to be acknowledged and fully integrated in the University policy provision for effective collaboration and knowledge sharing to ensure smooth coordination of library activities. This paper seeks to examine the potential of public libraries in supporting distance learners in Makerere University and the need for policy to guide the collaborations and while sharing library resources.Item Capital Inflows and Macroeconomic Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa(Palgrave Macmillan, 1999) Kasekende, Louis; Kitabire, Damoni; Martin, MatthewDuring the last three years, there has been an expanding literature on private capital inflows to developing countries. In 1992 and 1993, attention focused on the rise in such inflows, their causes and nature. Gradually, it moved to their potential macroeconomic impact and the policy implications. In 1994 and 1995, following events in Mexico, it has concentrated on the sustainability of the inflows, and the policy implications of potential reversal. Virtually all of the studies have focused on Latin America, though some authors have also examined East Asian experiences. Analysis of Eastern Europe is extremely rare (Calvo, Sahay and Vegh, 1995; Griffith-Jones, 1995), and that of Mrica is virtually non-existent (with the notable exception of the excellent study by Asea and Reinhart, 1995). Even the most comprehensive recent analysis and survey of the literature (Fernandez-Arias and Montiel, 1995) has concluded that there is only impressionistic evidence of private capital inflows to sub-Saharan Mrica, where 'capital inflows have not materialized'. Mrica has continued to be analysed from the point of view that most of its capital inflows causing 'Dutch Disease' effects are aid inflows (see, for example, Younger, 1992). The key areas examined in the literature have been the scale and composition of private capital inflows, their causes and sustainability, their effects on macroeconomic stability, and their responsiveness to policy measures.Item Leader-member exchanges and psychological contract: testing for interaction effects(Journal of Management Development, 2017) Kasekende, FrancisThe purpose of this paper is to examine the interaction effects of leader-member exchange (LMX) dimensions and how they blend to affect psychological contract in the public service in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach – The authors employ the structural equation model to test a conditional hypothesis. Findings – It is indicated that the magnitude of effect of affect and professional respect on psychological contract is dependent upon perceived contribution, implying that the predictive power of affect and professional respect on psychological contract increases considerably when perceived contribution increases. Research limitations/implications – Only a single-research methodological approach was employed. So, future research through interviews could be undertaken to triangulate the results. Furthermore, future research should be undertaken to examine the multiplicative effects studied in this paper across time. Practical implications – In order to increase the perceptions of fulfillment of the psychological contract in the public service in Uganda, managers should always endeavor to identify a viable LMX mix that can add value to expectations that employee and employer have of each other. Originality/value – This is the first study that focuses on testing the interactive effect of LMX dimensions on psychological contract in Uganda’s public service.Item Global Imbalances and the Implications for Africa(The Hague, 2007) Kasekende, Louisindicated by D’Arista and Griffith-Jones (2006), the United States has for most of the past twenty five years carried current account deficits. In large part, the deficit has been sustained by a gradual depreciation of the US dollar vis-à-vis other major currencies, high growth rates in other parts of the world, and a willingness of non- US residents to increase their holdings of US dollars. The phenomenon of large and growing current account deficits of the United States (amounting to $869.1 billion in 2006, or 6.5 percent of GDP) and the associated large positions that foreigners (especially emerging economies) are amassing in US securities have become a central feature of the global economy, particularly in recent years. It has predictably garnered much attention from the financial press, policymakers, practitioners and, of course, academics. The three chapters by Barry Eichengreen and Yung Chul Park (2006), Jane D’Arista and Stephany Griffith-Jones (2006) and Fan Gang (2006) in the previous volume1 present an excellent discussion of many of the key issues and the way forward. My comments highlight some key issues to stimulate further discussion and then dwell briefly on the neglected region in the discourse – Africa.