Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (FEMS)

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Open Access
Exploring the effect of digital finance on financial inclusion in Uganda, a reflection from Lira City
(Journal of Electronic Business & Digital Economics, 2025) Eton, Marus; Mwosi, Fabian; Amandu, Ishaq Yassin; Ocan, Johnson; Ogwel, Bernard Patrick
Purpose – The study aims to discuss financial inclusion (FI) as a facilitator of digital financing with intension of solving challenges relating to financial exclusion. Design/methodology/approach – Both descriptive and correlation research designs were used to understand the nexus between digital finance (DF) and FI. The study collected data from 300 respondents, which included vendors and dealers in agricultural produce, who were selected purposively and randomly. Findings – The study found a significant contribution of DF to FI and the variations in FI due to mobile money (MM) and Internet banking are significant. MM and smartphones are very often used in performing commercial transactions due to easy accessibility compared to ATMs, the Internet and agent banking, which is always restricted. Research limitations/implications – The study only focused on how DF platform affects financial inclusiveness in Lira City and did not explore other financial services. Social implications – The quickest and widest adoption of MM by rural communities is mostly a factor of user-friendliness, which seem to be lacking in other bank applications or products. Originality/value – The study offers a significant insight on challenges related to the financial inclusiveness, which is a global concern by many economies.
Open Access
The effects of financial distress on financial performance: An empirical analysis of SMEs in Sheema, Buhweju, Rubirizi, and Bushenyi districts
(African Journal of Business Management, 2025-01) Mpora, Eliab Byamukama; Bwengye, Anny Katabaazi; Atukunda, Emilly; Ngirababo, Rwusira Dan
This study investigated the impact of financial distress on the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sheema, Buhweju, Rubirizi, and Bushenyi Districts, Uganda. Specifically, it examined the effects of excessive debt, inadequate capital, poor management practices, unwise expansion, intense competition, litigation, and unfavorable contracts on SMEs. Financial distress, if left unchecked, can lead to bank failures and severely harm the economy, emphasizing the need for close monitoring. This study aimed to determine the relationship between financial distress and SME performance. A descriptive research design was adopted, involving in-depth analysis of data collected from 180 respondents across the four districts. The findings revealed a significant negative correlation between financial distress and SME performance. As financial strain increased, financial performance declined, and vice versa. The study recommends that SMEs leverage technology to manage their financial records, ensuring ease of auditing and access to credit. Additionally, SMEs should employ skilled accountants for bookkeeping to enhance the quality of their financial records.
Open Access
Examining the Effect of Tax Reforms on Revenue Collection Performance in Uganda:
(International Journal of Research in Sociology and Anthropology (IJRSA), 2025) Turyaheebwa, Paul; Kaaya, Siraje; Turyahebwa, Abanis; Sunday, Arthur
This study examines the effect of tax reforms on revenue collection performance in Uganda, with a focus on the mediating role of e-tax innovation in tax administration. The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 350 active taxpayers across various industries in the Greater Mbarara region. The study investigates the impact of tax reforms, including VAT reforms, presumptive tax regimes, and technological innovations in tax administration, on revenue collection performance. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between tax reforms and revenue collection performance. The findings reveal a positive and statistically significant relationship between tax reforms and revenue collection performance (β = 0.303, Z-value = 4.801, p < 0.001). The study also highlights the importance of e-tax innovation as a mediating factor in this relationship. The research contributes to the understanding of tax reform effectiveness in developing countries, emphasizing the role of fairness perceptions, tax education, and technological advancements in improving tax compliance and revenue collection. The findings suggest that a comprehensive approach integrating these factors is crucial for enhancing Uganda's tax system efficiency and effectiveness. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and tax administrators in Uganda and similar developing countries, offering recommendations for improving tax reform strategies and implementation to boost revenue collection performance.
Open Access
The effects of tax administration on revenue collection in Uganda:
(Kabale University, 2024) Turyaheebwa, Paul; Kaaya, Siraje; Turyahebwa, Abanis; Sunday, Arthur
This research examines the impact of tax administration, with a focus on the self assessment system (SAS), on revenue collection in Uganda. Utilizing data collected from 350 commercial enterprises through questionnaires, the study employs AMOS PLS-SEM for data analysis. The findings reveal that the SAS significantly enhances revenue collection by empowering taxpayers to self-report and calculate their tax liabilities, contingent upon adequate tax knowledge and awareness. The study also identifies government spending and tax collection methods as positive moderators in the relationship between SAS and revenue collection, highlighting the importance of government efficiency and transparency in fostering tax compliance. Despite the positive impact of compliance audits on revenue performance, the effectiveness of tax audits varies across different contexts, necessitating tailored approaches. The research concludes that a comprehensive strategy integrating tax education, transparent government spending, and strategic compliance audits is essential for optimizing revenue collection and supporting sustainable economic development in Uganda. Future research should explore the long-term effects of these interventions and consider the role of digitalization and socio-cultural factors in shaping tax compliance behavior.
Open Access
Foreign Direct Investment and Environmental Challenges: A Case Study of Uganda With Analytical Perspective.
(Kabale University, 2024) Byanyima, Faustino; Mayanja, Edison; Kadengye, Damazo T.; Arineitwe, Shine; Mijwil, Maad M.; Gaballa, Moustafa; Cherakkara, Veedu Rajeev; Turyasingura, Benson
This chapter examines the connection between foreign direct investment (FDI) and environmental degradation in Uganda from 1990 to 2022. It includes control variables such as GDP growth, trade openness, urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural activity, utilizing data from the World Bank's World Development Indicators. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to tackle endogeneity, the study finds a significant long-term non-linear relationship between FDI and CO2 emissions, aligning with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis. The results indicate an inverse U-shaped relationship, where carbon emissions initially increase with FDI before declining over time. The research highlights the influence of GDP growth, urbanization, agriculture, and industrialization on environmental outcomes. The findings stress the need for policymakers to balance attracting FDI with maintaining environmental sustainability, supporting the pollution haven theory in Uganda.
Open Access
Optimal Control Harmony: Navigating Deterministic and Stochastic Realms with a Two-Strain Model Using Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle.
(Kabale University, 2024) Kayanja, Andrew; Abola, Benard; Kikawa, Cliff R.; Oyo, Benedict; Ssematima, Amos
In this paper, we study optimal control solutions using a two-strain SARS-CoV-2 deterministic epidemic model characterized by standard incidence, alongside a two-strain stochastic model incorporating a random transmission rate. We present proofs demonstrating the existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of a positive solution for any positive initial value for both models. An algorithm for simulating the ensemble average optimal control solution is introduced and it realism is compared to both stochastic and deterministic solutions. Additionally, we include graphical representations to illustrate the dynamics and outcomes of our models. Our findings suggest that ensemble average optimal control simulations may offer enhanced visualization and realism compared to both stochastic and deterministic solutions.
Open Access
Opportunity Recognition Competence of Women Entrepreneurs and Its Effect on Performance of Women Owned Enterprises in Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Murezi, Caroline Masiko; Agaba, Moses; Kikawa, Richard Cliff; Kaaya, Siraje
In Uganda, women have found alternative forms of employment through entrepreneurship, though research indicates that males tend to dominate in the field of entrepreneurship. However, women can succeed in entrepreneurship if they have the right information, abilities, resources, and encouragement. This study sought to provide deeper insights on opportunity recognition as a competence that influences the performance of female-led/owned enterprises. It concentrates on women’s ability to recognize entrepreneurial opportunities, and how this impact on the performance of women-owned/led enterprises. This study presented a conceptual model predicting the performance of women entrepreneurs, building on the body of literature already available in the fields of women entrepreneurship, and opportunity recognition of women entrepreneurs. The article concluded with significant theoretical and practical research implications and offers avenues for future research.
Open Access
Business partnership, women empowerment and support to women living with HIV/AIDS in Kabale, Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Mwosi, Fabian; Eton, Marus; Aluonzi, Burani; Olupot, Simon Peter; Alia, Richard
Purpose: This investigation stemmed from the need to support women living with HIV/AIDS using community approaches of business partnerships and women empowerment as opposed to government-private sector-led support. Research Methodology: This study adopted systematic sampling techniques for data collection from 123 women living with HIV/AIDS from a designated health center in Kabale Municipality. Women taking ARVs were identified from the points where they were collecting their ARVs and were given questionnaires after consenting to participate in the study. Results: Women empowerment increased decision-making power, while business partnerships decreased dependence on male partners. Women empowerment increases support for women living with HIV/AIDS compared with business partnerships. Business partnerships, as observed in this study, draw weak relationships from many women living with HIV/AIDS. Women empowerment programs that cut across all age groups are effective in supporting vulnerable women living with HIV/AIDS. Limitations: This study encountered the challenge of interfacing with the respondents since the information was collected by those in charge of the drug distribution center but not the researchers and this affected in-depth investigations. Women accessing HIV/AIDS do not want to be identified because of stigma within the community. Contributions: From a public health perspective, designers of intervention programs to support women living with HIV/AIDS should consider inclusiveness in design, driven by age categorizations. Designers of intervention programs to support women living with HIV/AIDS should target business partnerships among low-income earners to reduce vulnerability.
Open Access
Effect of Board Accountability on Financial Performance of Selected SACCOs in Kiruhura District, Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Kyabarongo, Benon; Agaba, Moses; Byamukama, Eliab Mpora; Sunday, Arthur; Sekiwu, Denis
Board accountability and Financial Performance are significant concepts among SACCOs in Uganda due to their involvement in the financial intermediation process. In spite of the several interventions by Bank Uganda, a number of banks and other financial institutions have failed to operate forcing the regulators to intervene to ensure sanity in the financial system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of corporate governance on the financial performance of SACCOs in Kiruhura District, Uganda and the specific objective was; To examine the effect of board accountability on the financial performance of selected SACCOs in Kiruhura District, In this study, a cross-sectional survey research design was employed, adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches research approaches. A total population of 342 people was used at a confidence level of 95% or an error of 0.05 and the sample size was 184 respondents who involved the staff and members taken from the six SACCOs registered in Kiruhura district, Uganda as of January 2023. The obtained data for analysis was divided into two phases. First, descriptive statistics on the respondents and the preliminary data analysis were performed using SPSS version 20.0. These statistics included multicollinearity, mean and standard deviation, outliers and extreme values, and missing values and in the second phase, the structural relationships between the variables in the suggested conceptual model were tested and examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Jaffrey’s Amazing Statistical Program (JASP) version 0.17.2.0 was used to implement SEM. The findings of the study were: The effect of board accountability (BAC) on financial performance was found to have a negative effect ( = -0.908), implying that the data failed to support the direct relationship between BAC and FiP, thus not supporting H01, Therefore the study concludes that SACCOS will do less well financially the more stakeholders. The study recommends that the board of directors should be more effective in ensuring that they communicate the decisions clearly and appropriately so that SACCO maximizes shareholders' wealth. SACCO should seek the best strategies for communicating and sharing accountability feedback with SACCO members to generate maximum benefits for everyone
Open Access
Financial Accountability and Service Delivery In Kabale District Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Biryomumisho, Fadison; Turyasingura, John Bosco; Agaba, Moses; Kabagambe, Jess Davi
This research was conducted in Kabale District Local Government to examine the effect of financial accountability on service delivery. The predictor variables under study were funds disbursement, auditing process, and record-keeping systems, while service delivery was the outcome variable. The study followed a cross-sectional survey. Data from 86 respondents was collected and analyzed quantitatively, complemented with qualitative analysis. Since descriptive analysis entailed a description of a single variable and its attributes, frequency tables were used to present the data. At the bivariate level, a Pearson correlation matrix was conducted to ascertain the relationships between the predictor variables and the dependent variable. A linear regression model was used to fit the data. Research findings from the regression model show that funds disbursement(R=862), Auditing process (R=656 and records-keeping systems(R=899) have a positive significance on the service delivery of Kabale District local government. The main conclusion drawn from this research is that funds disbursement, auditing process, and record-keeping systems have a significant effect on service delivery. The study therefore recommends that there is a need to put more effort into funds disbursement, auditing process, and record-keeping systems for determinations of making service delivery sustainable at Kabale District Local Government.
Open Access
The Effect of Board Risk Management on Financial Performance of Selected Saccos in Kiruhura District, Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Kyabarong, Benon; Agaba, Moses; Munyabonera, Francisis; Byamukama, Eliab Mpora; Kikawa, Cliff; Ahabwe, Oliver
Corporate risk management and important ideas among Sacco’s in Uganda are board risk management and financial performance. The study's general objective was to determine the effect of board risk management affected the financial results of particular SACCOS in the Kiruhura District. This study used a cross-sectional survey research design using a quantitative research methodology. The sample size consisted of 184 respondents, staff, and members from the six Sacco’s registered in the Kiruhura area of Uganda as of January 2023. A total population of 342 persons was used at a confidence level of 95% or an error of 0.05. Two stages separated the data that was collected for analysis. First, SPSS version 20.0 was used to conduct the preliminary data analysis and descriptive statistics on the respondents. In the second phase, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to evaluate and investigate the structural relationships between the variables in the proposed conceptual model. These statistics included multicollinearity, mean and standard deviation, outliers and extreme values, and missing data. SEM was implemented using Jaffrey's Amazing Statistical Program (JASP) version 0.17.2.0. The study's conclusions were: The financial performance of savings and credit co-operative societies (Sacco’s) in Uganda was found to be significantly positively impacted by board risk management (BRM) (=1.322**), boosting Ha, The study concludes that SACCOs would experience greater financial gains or better financial performance if they are more stringent about the processes they follow to review their risk profile and the policies they put in place. The study recommends that; Sacco’s risk management committees of the board should be very effective in influencing the corporate risk management practices adopted within the SACCOs and that SACCOs should improve on the levels of BRM to achieve favorable financial results by applying careful attention to governmental regulations, rules and policies.
Open Access
Economic Growth and Foreign Direct Investment in Africa: The Mediating Role of State Fragility and Natural Resources.
(Kabale University, 2024) Barugahara, Florence; Munyambonera, Ezra
Using data from 43 African countries from 2000-2018, the study employed the Dynamic System GMM approach to examine the moderating effect of state fragility and natural resources on the FDI–economic growth nexus. The study found that FDI does not affect Africa's economic growth directly or indirectly after interacting with FDI with state fragility and natural resources. The insignificant impact of FDI on economic growth in Africa may be because for FDI to promote economic growth, some necessary factors, such as institutional development and the state of the economy, must be developed to a certain level high enough for the effect to be experienced. Given that African countries are fragile with low levels of institutional development, the FDI growth nexus is insignificant. The study recommends that African countries establish stable economies and develop their institutions to benefit from FDI inflows.
Open Access
Customer Loyalty and Firm Performance: An In-depth Analysis of the Edible Oils Manufacturing Firms.
(Kabale University, 2024) Mwazuna, Alice Ngele; Tibbs, Charles Yugi; Museve, Elijah; Asiimwe, Judith Bijurenda
The study sought to analyze the effect of customer loyalty on the performance of edible oil manufacturing firms in Kenya. The constructs of customer loyalty included: repurchase, positive word of mouth, recommendations, and commitment to the brand while firm performance was measured using sales volume. The study adopted a causal research design and was underpinned by the customer loyalty business model. The target population was 535,840 which included 104 employees from the marketing departments of the three firms and 535,736 households from the middle-class estates in Nairobi the Yamane 1967 formula was used to get a sample size of 504 respondents and data was collected using a structured questionnaire and document analysis guide. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and correlation analysis and results were presented using tables. The findings revealed a positive and significant effect of customer loyalty on firm performance. The study concluded that all the aspects of Customer Loyalty as depicted by repurchase, positive word of mouth, recommendation, and commitment to the brand had a positive and significant effect on the performance of the edible oil manufacturing firms. The study, therefore, recommended that for firms to improve their performance and compete effectively in the market, they should strive to acquire and maintain loyal customers.
Open Access
Effect of Board Accountability on Financial Performance of Selected SACCOs in Kiruhura District, Uganda.
(Kabale University, 2024) Kyabarongo, Benon; Agaba, Moses; Byamukama, Eliab Mpora; Sunday, Arthur; Sekiwu, Denis
Board accountability and Financial Performance are significant concepts among SACCOs in Uganda due to their involvement in the financial intermediation process. In spite of the several interventions by Bank Uganda, a number of banks and other financial institutions have failed to operate forcing the regulators to intervene to ensure sanity in the financial system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of corporate governance on the financial performance of SACCOs in Kiruhura District, Uganda and the specific objective was; To examine the effect of board accountability on the financial performance of selected SACCOs in Kiruhura District, In this study, a cross-sectional survey research design was employed, adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches research approaches. A total population of 342 people was used at a confidence level of 95% or an error of 0.05 and the sample size was 184 respondents who involved the staff and members taken from the six SACCOs registered in Kiruhura district, Uganda as of January 2023. The obtained data for analysis was divided into two phases. First, descriptive statistics on the respondents and the preliminary data analysis were performed using SPSS version 20.0. These statistics included multicollinearity, mean and standard deviation, outliers and extreme values, and missing values in the second phase, the structural relationships between the variables in the suggested conceptual model were tested and examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Jaffrey’s Amazing Statistical Program (JASP) version 0.17.2.0 was used to implement SEM. The findings of the study were: The effect of board accountability (BAC) on financial performance was found to have a negative effect ( = -0.908), implying that the data failed to support the direct relationship between BAC and FiP, thus not supporting H01, Therefore the study concludes that SACCOS will do less well financially the more its board assumes accountability for the company's decisions and communicates them openly to stakeholders. The study recommends that the board of directors should be more effective in ensuring that they communicate the decisions clearly and appropriately so that SACCO maximizes shareholders' wealth. SACCOs should seek the best strategies for communicating and sharing accountability feedback with SACCO members to generate maximum benefits for everyone
Open Access
INSPIRE Datahub: A Pan-African Integrated Suite of Services For Harmonising Longitudinal Population Health Data Using OHDSI Tools.
(Kabale University, 2024) Bhattacharjee, Tathagata; Kiwuwa-Muyingo, Sylvia; Kanjala, Chifundo; Maoyi, Molulaqhooa L.; Amadi, David; Ochola, Michael; Kadengye, Damazo; Gregory, Arofan; Kiragga, Agnes; Amelia, Taylor; Greenfield, Jay; Slaymaker, Emma; Todd, Jim; INSPIRE Network8
low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), hindering the generation of actionable insights to inform policy and decision-making. This paper proposes a pan-African, Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) research architecture and infrastructure named the INSPIRE datahub. This cloud-based Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and on-premises setup aims to enhance the discovery, integration, and analysis of clinical, population-based surveys, and other health data sources. Methods: The INSPIRE datahub, part of the Implementation Network for Sharing Population Information from Research Entities (INSPIRE), employs the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) open-source stack of tools and the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM) to harmonize data from African longitudinal population studies. Operating on Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services cloud platforms, and on on-premises servers, the architecture offers adaptability and scalability for other cloud providers and technology infrastructure. The OHDSI-based tools enable a comprehensive suite of services for data pipeline development, profiling, mapping, extraction, transformation, loading, documentation, anonymization, and analysis. Results: The INSPIRE datahub’s “On-ramp” services facilitate the integration of data and metadata from diverse sources into the OMOP CDM. The datahub supports the implementation of OMOP CDM across data producers, harmonizing source data semantically with standard vocabularies and structurally conforming to OMOP table structures. Leveraging OHDSI tools, the datahub performs quality assessment and analysis of the transformed data. It ensures FAIR data by establishing metadata flows, capturing provenance throughout the ETL processes, and providing accessible metadata for potential users. The ETL provenance is documented in a machine- and human-readable Implementation Guide (IG), enhancing transparency and usability.
Open Access
A Call-To-Action: Integrate A Learning Health System Framework into Longitudinal Population Studies to Improve Health Response in Africa.
(Kabale University, 2024) Kadengye, Damazo T.; Kiragga, Agnes N.
Longitudinal population studies (LPSs) in Africa have the potential to become powerful engines of change by adopting a learning health system (LHS) framework. This is a call-to-action opinion and highlights the importance of integrating an LHS approach into LPSs, emphasizing their transformative potential to improve population health response, drive evidence-based decision-making, and enhance community well-being. Operators of LPS platforms, community members, government officials, and funding agencies have a role to contribute to this transformative journey of driving evidence-based interventions, promoting health equity, and fostering long-term public health solutions for African communities.
Open Access
Utilizing A Multi-Stage Transition Model for Analysing Child Stunting in Two Urban Slum Settlements of Nairobi: A Longitudinal Analysis, 2011-2014.
(Kabale University, 2024) Oduro, Michael S.; IddiI, Samuel; Asiedu, Louis; Asiki, Gershim; Kadengye, DamazoT.
Introduction Stunting is common among children in many low and middle-income countries, particularly in rural and urban slum settings. Few studies have described child stunting transitions and the associated factors in urban slum settlements. We describe transitions between stunting states and associated factors among children living in Nairobi slum settlements. Methods This study used data collected between 2010 and 2014 from the Nairobi Urban and Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS) and a vaccination study nested within the surveillance system. A subset of 692 children aged 0 to 3 years, with complete anthropometric data, and household socio-demographic data was used for the analysis. Height-for-age Z- scores (HAZ) were used to define stunting: normal (HAZ � 1), marginally stunted (-2 � HAZ< -1), moderately stunted (-3 � HAZ < -2), and severely stunted (HAZ < -3). Transitions from one stunting level to another and in the reverse direction were computed. The associations between explanatory factors and the transitions between four child stunting states were modeled using a continuous-time multi-state model. Results We observed that 48%, 39%, 41%, and 52% of children remained in the normal, marginally stunted, moderately stunted, and severely stunted states, respectively. About 29% transitioned from a normal to a marginally stunted state, 15% to a moderately stunted state, and 8% to a severely stunted state. Also, 8%, 12%, and 29% back transitioned from severely stunted, moderately stunted, and marginally stunted states, to the normal state, respectively. The shared common factors associated with all transitions to a more severe state include male gender, ethnicity (only for mild and severe transition states), child’s age, and household food insecurity. In Korogocho, children whose parents were married and those whose mothers had attained primary or post-primary education were associated with a transition from a mild state into a moderately stunted state. Children who were breastfed exclusively were less likely to transition from a moderate to severe stunting state. Conclusion These findings reveal a high burden of stunting and transitions in urban slums. Context-specific interventions targeting the groups of children identified by the socio-demographic factors are needed. Improving food security and exclusive breastfeeding could potentially reduce stunting in the slums.
Open Access
Experiences of Mothers and Health Workers With Momcare and Safecare Bundles In Kenya And Tanzania: A Qualitative Evaluation.
(Kabale University, 2023) Izudi, Jonathan; Owoko, Henry Odero; Bagayoko, Moussa; Kadengye, Damazo
Between 2019 and 2022, the Digital Dividend Project (DDP), a technology-based intervention that combined care (MomCare) and quality improvement (SafeCare) bundles to empower mothers to access quality care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and postnatally, was implemented in Kenya and Tanzania aiming to improve maternal and newborn health out-comes. We describe the experiences of the mothers in accessing and utilizing health services under the bundles, and the experiences of the health workers in providing the services. Between November and December 2022, we conducted a qualitative evaluation across health facilities in Kenya and Tanzania. We held Interviews with mothers (pregnant and postpartum women who had benefited from the care bundles) and health workers (physicians, nurses, and midwives who provided the care bundles, including health facility In-Charges) at the antenatal care (ANC), skilled birth attendance (SBA), and postnatal care (PNC) service delivery points. We performed content analysis. Findings are reported using themes and quotes from the participants. We included 127 mothers (Kenya = 76, Tanzania = 51) and 119 health workers. Findings revealed that among mothers, the care bundles eased access to health services, ensured easy access and optimal ANC use, provision of respectful care removed financial constraints, and led to the receipt of sufficient health education. Health workers reported that the care bundles offered them a new opportunity to provide quality maternal and newborn care and to adhere to the standard of care besides experiencing a positive and fulfilling practice. Health systems improvements included prompt emergency response and continual care, infrastructural developments, medical sup- plies and logistics, staffing, and increased documentation. Overall, the care bundles led to the strengthening of the healthcare system (staffing, service delivery, financing, supplies/logistics, and information management) to deliver quality maternal and child health services. The bundles should be replicated in settings with similar maternal and child health challenges.
Open Access
Effect of High-Risk Versus Low-Risk Pregnancy at the First Antenatal Care Visit On the Occurrence of Complication During Pregnancy and Labour Or Delivery in Kenya: A Double-Robust Estimation.
(Kabale University, 2024) Kadengye, Damazo T.; Odero, Henry Owoko; Izudi, Jonathan
Objectives We evaluated the causal effects of high-risk versus low-risk pregnancy at the first antenatal care (ANC) visit on the occurrence of complications during pregnancy and labour or delivery among women in Kenya. Methods We designed a quasi-experimental study using observational data from a large mobile health wallet programme, with the exposure as pregnancy risk at the first ANC visit, measured on a binary scale (low vs high). Complications during pregnancy and at labour or delivery were the study outcomes on a binary scale (yes vs no). The causal effects of the exposure were examined using a double-robust estimation, reported as an OR with a 95% CI. Results We studied 4419 women aged 10–49 years (mean, 25.6±6.27 years), with the majority aged 20–29 years (53.4%) and rural residents (87.4%). Of 3271 women with low-risk pregnancies at the first ANC visit, 833 (25.5%) had complications during pregnancy while 1074 (32.8%) had complications at labour/delivery. Conversely, of 1148 women with high-risk pregnancies at the first ANC visit, 343 (29.9%) had complications during pregnancy while 488 (42.5%) had complications at labour delivery. Multivariable adjusted analysis showed that women with high-risk pregnancy at the time of first ANC attendance had a higher occurrence of pregnancy during pregnancy (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.22, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.46) and labour or delivery (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.41). In the double-robust estimation, a high-risk pregnancy at first ANC visit increased the occurrence of complications during pregnancy (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.46) and labour or delivery (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.45). Conclusion Women with a high-risk pregnancy at the first ANC visit have an increased occurrence of complications during pregnancy and labour or delivery. These women should be identified early for close and appropriate obstetric and intrapartum monitoring and care to ensure maternal and neonatal survival.
Open Access
Contribution of Cash Management practices on Performance of Ankole Farmers Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization Rubindi Branch-Mbarara District.
(Kabale University, 2024) Akankwasa, Alex; Akakikunda, Teddy; Ntirandekura, Moses; Masiko, Caroline Murezi; Nyesigire, Jolly
This research carried out was about the Cash Management and Performance of Ankole Farmers Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization Rubindi Branch. The objectives of the research included: analyzing the factors affecting cash Management in Rubindi Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization, examining the challenges facing the organization, and finding out the effect of cash management on the financial performance of SACCO. The study used questionnaires and interviews as the methods for data collection. The study also established that cash management practices increase the flexibility and competitive advantage of an Organization, enabling it to take cash discounts. The findings showed that Cash management practices help SACCO to survive in uncertain environments and also influence forecasting the financial performance of these organizations. The managers of Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations need to introduce better policies about cash management practices with the aim of boosting their liquidity and sustainability. The study recommended; introducing cash ratios, increasing deposits, recruitment of competent staff, maintaining liquidity and adopting a capital structure policy with the aim of facilitating decision-making and overall performance of the Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations. The employees can facilitate further training in customer care management, loan appraisal, monitoring and assessment, and also financial management to assist the Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations in realizing their goals and objectives.