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
Recent Submissions
Utilizing Teacher Education and Curriculum Guidance Materials for Effective Pedagogy in Sub-Saharan Africa
(Journal of Curriculum Development, Evaluation, and Education, 2025) Birabwa, Namazzi Winnifred; Ssempala, Fredrick; Sekiwu, Denis
The quest for effective teaching methodologies remains a global concern, particularly for developing nations striving to optimize learning outcomes. While much of the existing research focuses on factors such as curriculum design and teacher professionalism, less attention has been paid to how curriculum materials and structured teacher training influence pedagogical effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper draws on both Schiro’s Social Efficiency Curriculum theory and Siemens' Connectivist theory as theoretical lenses to investigate how teacher education and curriculum guidance materials can enhance effective pedagogical practices in the region and prepare learners for societal roles. The study analyzed peer-reviewed articles and grey literature, using a systematic literature review and textual narrative synthesis methodology. Findings reveal that effective pedagogy in developing contexts depends not only on what teachers know, but also on how they are trained; the instructional support available through curriculum guidance materials, learning through networks and connections, knowledge sharing, materials that promote reflective teaching, inclusive education, and alignment with local realities. It concludes by recommending policy actions to enhance teacher training and effective pedagogy, including the integration of culturally responsive pedagogy, the promotion of experiential and project-based learning, and the implementation of continuous curriculum evaluation.
TensorFlow-Native Implementation for Crack Detection in Concrete Structures
(Mesopotamian Journal of Civil Engineering, 2025) Ayebare, Memory; Chavula, Petros; Mugisha, Simon; Byamukama, Willbroad
This paper presents a TensorFlow-native implementation for automated crack detection in concrete structures, addressing the critical need for efficient and objective infrastructure monitoring. Leveraging a Convolutional Neural Network architecture with 24.8 million parameters, the model was trained on a large-scale dataset of 40,000 images, each with a 227x227 RGB resolution. The methodology, incorporating specific framework optimizations and a rigorous training configuration, achieved a remarkable overall classification accuracy of 99.375% on the validation dataset. The model demonstrated balanced performance with precision values of 0.993 and 0.994, recall values of 0.994 and 0.993, and F1-scores of 0.994 and 0.994 for both "No Crack" and "Crack" classes. This high accuracy, coupled with balanced metrics, underscores the model's effectiveness and reliability for practical applications. The proposed solution significantly enhances real-time structural health monitoring systems, mitigating the limitations of traditional manual inspections and facilitating proactive maintenance strategies for concrete infrastructure
Yield and Agronomic Performance of CIMMYT Improved Wheat Nurseries in South Western Uganda
(Springer, 2025) Arinaitwe, Ivan Kabiita; Akatwijuka, Rogers; Natukwasa, Dianah; Mucunguzi, Jonasi; Aula, Lawrence; Moyin-Jesu, Emmanuel Ibukunoluwa; Bamwerinde, Wilson Mwetonde
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production levels in Uganda are very low and do not meet the huge national demands. This is partly attributed to the lack of improved and end user acceptable varieties. To meet the demand, most of the wheat is imported, costing Uganda valuable foreign exchange. This import burden could potentially be addressed by increasing access to improved varieties among farmers. This study evaluated the performance of three CIMMYT improved wheat nurseries (18TH STEMRRSN, 15TH HZAN, 41ST SAWSN) alongside two locally grown varieties (Kyehure Mixed and Kacumu) at Kabale University in Southwestern Uganda for three growing seasons between 2024 and 2025. Apart from spike circumference, nurseries had a significant effect on yield and other agronomic traits evaluated (P ≤ 0.05). The nursery 18TH STEMRRSN had the highest yield of 7.9 t/ha. This yield was 64.8% hgiher than the yield of local varieties, but there was no difference among improved nurseries.The nursery 18TH STEMRRSN had the highest 1,000-grain weight, was stable in terms of yield across the three seasons, was resistant to lodging because of their short height, and had mod erate field resistance to wheat stem rust. Therefore, 18TH STEMRRSN has the potential to improve wheat production in Uganda. More studies on improved wheat genotypes across seasons and in different locations in Uganda are necessary before recommendations for widespread adoption are made.
Socioeconomic sustainability of bioenergy exploitation in Uganda: A GBEP-indicator narrative review
(Elsevier, 2025) Sekajja, Robert Kakebe; Nabuuma, Betty; Lubwama, Michael; Kanyamumba, Liberty
The socioeconomic implications of bioenergy exploitation in Uganda have not been sufficiently assessed through comprehensive frameworks, such as the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) sustainability indicators. Existing studies are fragmented and primarily sector-specific, which limits the identification of cross-cutting challenges and constrains evidence-based policymaking. This study applies, for the first time in Uganda, a comprehensive set of GBEP socioeconomic indicators through a structured narrative review organized into seven thematic do-mains. The analysis focused on three dominant bioenergy pathways: firewood, charcoal, and organic residues/ waste, which define Uganda’s bioenergy landscape. Relevant publications were selected based on their alignment with the selected indicators and bioenergy pathways in Uganda. Despite the scarcity of empirical data, partic-ularly in peer-reviewed sources, the review demonstrates clear trends. Traditional bioenergy contributes significantly to employment and national energy access, while also presenting persistent gender disparities and environmental risks. Transitioning to modern bioenergy systems may exacerbate land tenure disputes and food security concerns. However, the sector holds notable untapped potential: bioenergy-based power generation has reached 112 MW, with an estimated capacity of 1.65 GW, and energy from residues and waste remains underutilized at 737.7 PJ/year. Key research priorities emerging from this assessment include cookstove per-formance metrics, the bioenergy–food nexus, human capital development, charcoal substitution strategies, and energy diversification. The findings not only underscore the novelty of applying GBEP comprehensively in Uganda but also provide actionable insights for policy aimed at balancing energy access, livelihoods, and sustainability.
Experimental and analytical study of lightweight foamed concrete reinforced with sugarcane bagasse fiber
(Scientific Reports, 2025) Sattar, Afiya Abdul; Mydin, Md Azree Othuman; Taqieddin, Ziad N.; Jagadesh, P.; Omar, Roshartini; Abdullah, Mohd Mustafa Al Bakri; Awoyera, Paul O.; Fadugba, Olaolu George; Vasić, Milica V.
Growing environmental concerns have intensified research into sustainable construction materials, such as natural fiber-reinforced concrete. Among these, lightweight foamed concrete (LFC) stands out for its reduced material consumption, improved thermal insulation, and lower environmental footprint. The integration of natural fibers, such as sugarcane bagasse fiber (SBF), into LFC has the potential to further enhance its performance. This study investigates the influence of varying SBF weight fractions (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties of LFC with a target density of 1000 kg/m3. The primary objective was to determine the optimal SBF content for achieving superior material characteristics. Experimental results revealed that the inclusion of 4% SBF provided the best overall performance, improving compressive strength by 53%, increasing ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) by 17%, and reducing drying shrinkage by 58% compared to the control mix. Additionally, slump flow decreased progressively with higher fiber content, indicating enhanced cohesion. Water absorption and porosity were significantly reduced with increasing SBF, with the 5% mix showing up to a 19% decrease in water absorption. Thermal conductivity also declined slightly, suggesting improved insulation properties. Microstructural analysis confirmed better fiber-matrix bonding at the optimal fiber content, contributing to the observed improvements in performance. This study offers valuable insights into the mechanical, thermal, and durability characteristics of LFC-SBF composites, highlighting their potential as sustainable construction materials.