Kabale University Digital Repository (KAB-DR)
KAB-DR preserves research output from the Kabale University community
Communities in KAB-DR
Select a community to browse its collections.
- The collections in this Community are comprised of Indigenous Knowledge emanating from communities in the neighborhoods of Kabale University. These are communities in the great Kigezi Region.
- This community holds students (Graduates) dissertation and Thesis, Staff field reports, Students (undergraduate) study reports
- The community includes research article publications in journals both local and international, conference papers in proceedings and reports, abstracts and reviews by Kabale University Staff and Students
- This community archives publications by individual University Staff and Students, Faculty and Departmental Publications (i.e. University Journal, Newsletters, University official publications etc.), groups and Association operating in the University (i.e. Convocation and Staff and Students Association}
Recent Submissions
Determining Bandgap of Thermochromic Phosphor Films via Reflectance Measurements under Controlled Heating
(Kabale University, 2024) Katashaya, Steven Rwabona
In this article, we present a method to determine the bandgap of a thermochromic phosphor film by simple reflectance measurements under controlled heating. The phosphor is illuminated by a light-emitting diode while being heated continuously. The reflected light is detected using a calibrated photodiode circuit based on an operational transconductance amplifier. We apply the Schuster Kubelka-Munk function to deduce the absorbance over temperature and thus the bandgap. We show, for the first time, that the thermochromic phosphor's color change follows Arrhenius's Law and therefore involves activation energy. We estimate the bandgap to be between 1.1 eV and 1.9 eV and find an activation energy of 46.67 ±1.6 kJ/mol. The simplicity of the approach will appeal to undergraduate teachers and students of physics and materials science. The technique can be used to investigate other thermochromic materials as well.
Linkages with Practice for Higher-Education Curriculum Innovation.
(Kabale University, 2024) Nampala, Paul; Kalule, Stephen W.; Mshenga, Patience M.; Okello, Daniel M.; Egeru, Anthony; Ekwamu, Adipala
This article is inspired by the debate on curriculum innovation for graduate training, emerging out of linkages between universities and agribusiness development actors, targeting entrepreneurial action and employability of graduates. Experiences from
the implementation of a three-year joint project are enriched by a desk review, stakeholder feedback, and interpretative analysis of process documents during the development of the regional graduate curriculum on Agri-Enterprise Development for Egerton and
Gulu Universities in Kenya and Uganda, respectively. The graduate curriculum at the two universities in East Africa integrated the approaches of roundtable engagement and research as well as value chain cluster mapping and development through interactive
sharing with agribusiness development facilitators. Simultaneously, the two implementing universities showcased the feasibility of integrating community engagement and entrepreneurial skills into a new curriculum. They achieved this by adopting two training approaches from their previous, more limited curriculum, which lacked student entrepreneurial experiential learning. The outcome from the first cohort of students in the innovative programs demonstrates significant institutional change in teaching and learning approaches. These changes prioritize a blend of action research and theoretical exposure. At the university-wide level, a student-centered teaching and learning approach has been established, facilitated by models like Student Farm Attachment, Student Enterprise Scheme, and Student Community Engagement. Additionally, university-based research teams have honed their skills in community action research, leading to the identification of relevant challenges and plausible solutions. Furthermore, students’ skill sets have increasingly enhanced employability. Strengthening linkages between universities and community development actors can enhance curriculum orientation toward problem-solving and entrepreneurial capacity building for young graduates. Purposeful engagement with communities by university faculty and students serves as a complementary extension approach and advisory service. Implementing an innovative curriculum has the potential to boost research uptake and foster innovation. This article demonstrates how university actors’ collaboration can be exploited for curriculum (re)design, review, and up-dating for
(a) enhanced relevance of universities to community needs and employability of graduates; and (b) improvements in the research uptake pathways that facilitate research-into-use for desired impacts at
community level.
Determinants of Shea Nut Marketing Arrangements in Northern Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Akatwetaba, Deborah; Okello Daniel, Micheal; Kasharu, Apollo; Egeru, Anthony; Mugonola, Basil
This study assessed factors influencing shea nut actors’ choices of shea nut marketing arrangements in northern Uganda. An understanding of these factors is vital in influencing the choice of the different marketing arrangements. Cross-sectional data was collected from a sample of 325 shea nut actors. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multinomial logit model. The shea nut actors in this study were composed of 78% collectors, 16% traders, and 7% processors. About 73% and 43% of shea collectors and traders, respectively, sold their shea nuts and/or products through spot markets, while, 45% of the processors sold their shea nuts and/or products through informal contracts. A formal contract was the least common marketing arrangement among all the actors. The probability of choosing each marketing arrangement was influenced by several factors including experience, education, income level, access to extension, training, access to credit, awareness of innovations in the shea value chain, awareness of value addition supporting institutions, main occupation (farming), distance to the market, access to information and means of transport used (head portage). Efforts to increase formal contract participation should focus on providing extensions and creating
awareness about institutions that support value addition. There is a need for a location and actor-specific approach in
promoting the different market arrangements in shea products marketing.
Effect of Education Investment on Citizen Democratic Satisfaction and Living Conditions in Africa: A National Survey for Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Sekiwu, Denis; Adyanga, Francis Akena; Romm, Norma RA
Education spending is essential for the advancement of society since it can capacitate people to participate in
economic, social, and political life while propelling socio-economic development. However, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to experience economic decline and democratic inadequacies despite large investments in education. This calls for a critical assessment of their effects on society broadly. Therefore, using a sample of 1200 respondents from the national Afrobarometer survey, this study investigates the relationship between democratic satisfaction, education investment, and living conditions in Uganda. The results show that there is a general lack of satisfaction with the investment made in education, particularly among less educated and rural communities. Higher education is inversely correlated with better living conditions and democratic satisfaction, according to bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models. These findings highlight the need for all-encompassing educational approaches that are geared toward raising living standards and citizen contentment with
democracy.
Experiences of Participants in An Agricultural Livelihood Support Initiative for People Living With HIV In Central Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Tumwine, Christopher; Addo, Isaac Yeboah; Zakumumpa, Henry; Seeley, Janet; Oucul, Lazarus
This study aimed to assess the experiences of people living with HIV who participated in an agricultural livelihood support initiative in selected districts of Uganda. The initiative, implemented from 2017 to 2018, involved the provision of agricultural inputs such as beans, cassava cuttings, goats, chickens, and pigs to participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 people (28 women and 9 men) from the districts of Kampala, Masaka, and Wakiso (specifically Entebbe) in central Uganda, who had participated in the project. Data were analyzed thematically focusing on facilitators, challenges, and outcomes from the project. The following themes emerged as facilitators: access to land and animal feed, prior farming experience, and supportive family and friends. Some
participants experienced challenges including animal/poultry diseases, livestock theft, “low quality” agricultural inputs, unfavorable weather conditions, limited finance and land to support livelihood activities, and difficulties working in groups. Several participants reported positive livelihood outcomes including improved food security, better nutrition, increased income, and improved mental health. However, some participants reported negative outcomes which took the form of a loss of money and time invested when their livestock died from disease. Although participants in the agricultural livelihood initiative faced challenges that reduced the profitability of their projects, the initiative was regarded as beneficial and worthwhile. These findings have relevance to the broader
field of livelihood programming. Future interventions can draw from the experiences of our participants while also taking seriously into consideration the different circumstances of individuals in a targeted population so as to increase the chances of producing more positive outcomes.