Background: Clinical decision support tools provide suggestions to support healthcare providers and clinicians, as they attend to patients. Clinicians use these tools to rapidly consult the evidence at the point of ca...Background: Clinical decision support tools provide suggestions to support healthcare providers and clinicians, as they attend to patients. Clinicians use these tools to rapidly consult the evidence at the point of care, a practice which has been found to reduce the time patients spend in hospitals, promote the quality of care and improve healthcare outcomes. Such tools include Medscape, VisualDx, Clinical Key, DynaMed, BMJ Best Practice and UpToDate. However, use of such tools has not yet been fully embraced in low-resource settings such as Uganda. Objective: This paper intends to collate data on the use and uptake of one such tool, UpToDate, which was provided at no cost to five medical schools in Uganda. Methods: Free access to UpToDate was granted through the IP addresses of five medical schools in Uganda in collaboration with Better Evidence at The Global Health Delivery Project at Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Wolters Kluwer Health. Following the donation, medical librarians in the respective institutions conducted training sessions and created awareness of the tool. Usage data was aggregated, based on logins and content views, presented and analyzed using Excel tables and graphs. Results: The data shows similar trends in increased usage over the period of August 2022 to August 2023 across the five medical schools. The most common topics viewed, mode of access (using either the computer or the mobile app), total usage by institution, ratio of uses to eligible users by institution and ratio of uses to students by institution are shared. Conclusion: The study revealed that the tool was used by various user categories across the institutions with similar steady improved usage over the year. These results can inform the librarians as they encourage their respective institutions to continue using the tool to support uptake of point-of-care tools in clinical practice.展开更多
BACKGROUND Transition is a critical period for adolescents as they begin to assume responsibility for their own health.Similarly,the shift from pediatric to adult healthcare represents a vulnerable phase,marked by uni...BACKGROUND Transition is a critical period for adolescents as they begin to assume responsibility for their own health.Similarly,the shift from pediatric to adult healthcare represents a vulnerable phase,marked by unique challenges in adolescent health care.Despite its importance,only a few studies have explored healthcare transition among adolescents in Uganda.AIM To identify factors associated with the transition to adult human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-centered care among adolescents attending HIV/AIDS clinics in Uganda.METHODS A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 265 adolescents,randomly selected from three antiretroviral therapy(ART)clinics,using a structured questionnaire.Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted.Individuals aged 10-20 years who were actively enrolled in the ART program between January 4,2022 and January 30,2023 were recruited.The primary outcome of interest was the transition to adult care.Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed for quantitative data,while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.RESULTS The prevalence of transition to adult care was 40.6%.Most participants were male(53.6%)and fell within the 13-15 age group(35.6%).Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several factors significantly associated with transition to adult care:Age group 10-12 years[prevalence ratio(PR)=2.525,95%CI:2.121-2.944,P=0.002],Age group 13-15 years(PR=1.900,95%CI:1.196-3.416,P=0.001),successful viral load suppression(PR=1.534,95%CI:1.173-1.648,P=0.016),disclosure of HIV status to relatives(PR=5.001,95%CI:3.411-3.611,P=0.000),being prepared for transitioning(PR=5.417,95%CI:3.468-7.135,P=0.041)and having skilled pediatric caregivers(PR=3.724,95%CI:2.084-4.105,P=0.005).CONCLUSION Transition to adult care among adolescents was low.Improving transition outcomes may require strengthening individual support within the family context and integrating transition-focused care into existing specialized clinical settings to enhance the delivery of adolescent-friendly services.展开更多
If there’s one meat dish Ugandan people really enjoy,that’s goat meat.Across the country in restaurants,bars and clubs,the aroma of roasted goat meat wafts enticingly,attracting people at all hours of the day and ni...If there’s one meat dish Ugandan people really enjoy,that’s goat meat.Across the country in restaurants,bars and clubs,the aroma of roasted goat meat wafts enticingly,attracting people at all hours of the day and night.展开更多
Teso subregion in Eastern Uganda is a leading production hub for citrus in Uganda. However, information on fruit quality profile of the three major varieties (Hamlin, Valencia and Washington navel) grown in this regio...Teso subregion in Eastern Uganda is a leading production hub for citrus in Uganda. However, information on fruit quality profile of the three major varieties (Hamlin, Valencia and Washington navel) grown in this region was limited and/or unreported, partly resulting in their limited use for industrial processing. The current study sought to understand the seasonal quality profile of these varieties during the wet and dry seasons for the years 2019, 2022 and 2023. The study was conducted with farmers in the districts of Kumi, Ngora, Soroti and Kalaki. Mature green oranges were periodically harvested and analysed for physical and chemical properties. The results showed that the quality of oranges varied depending on the season at harvest and the variety with significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Mean weight per fruit was highest in wet season Washington navel (277.5 g) and lowest in dry season Hamlin (149.3 g). Similarly, fruit size varied in the wet season where Washington navel (81.2 mm) had the biggest fruits while dry season Hamlin were smallest (66.6 mm). Dry season Washington navel had had the thickest peel (7.9 mm). Valencia from the wet season had the highest juice content (36.9%) compared to Washington navel (26.5%) from the dry season with the lowest. Titratable acidity was higher in the dry season Valencia (0.9%) compared to the wet season Washington navel and Hamlin (0.3%). Similarly, Total soluble solids (TSS) was higher in the dry season (Washington navel, 10.1 ˚Brix) in contrast to the wet season (Hamlin and Valencia, 7.7 ˚Brix). Valencia had the lowest pH (3.1) however, pH did not vary significantly between season for each variety except for Hamlin. Vitamin C content was higher during the dry season led by Valencia (57.6 mg/100g) and Hamlin (57.4 mg/100g). Sugar to acid ratio was highest during the wet season (Washington navel, 41.5) and lowest in the dry season (Valencia, 17.1). Overall, dry season fruits and more especially Valencia showed versatility in meeting most of the quality requirements for both industrial juice processing and the fresh market. However, there is need to improve the available orange varieties with regard to juice content and optimal sugar: acid ratio regardless of season.展开更多
Citrus is an important commercial crop in Uganda, especially the Eastern region. However, in spite of the increasing regional demand, citrus productivity is still low, attributed to pest and diseases, soil moisture st...Citrus is an important commercial crop in Uganda, especially the Eastern region. However, in spite of the increasing regional demand, citrus productivity is still low, attributed to pest and diseases, soil moisture stress, and low soil fertility, among others. Efforts to improve soil fertility are limited by inadequate supply of organic fertilizers due to competing demands. In addition, there is inadequate information on inorganic fertilizer requirements for citrus production in Uganda. The objective of this study was to develop optimum fertilizer recommendations for citrus production for Eastern Uganda. The study was conducted in Teso region, Eastern Uganda. Fertilizer (NPK, 17:17:17) was randomly applied to Hamlin, Valencia and Washington varieties with fertilizer and variety factorially arranged for each farm and citrus age range, replicated three times. Fertilizer rates were 0, 139, 278 and 556 kg NPK/ha for the 4 - 7-year old trees, and 0, 278, 556 and 1111 kg NPK/ha for the mature (8 years and above) trees. For a given variety, each fertilizer rate was applied onto three representative trees per farmer, six farmers per district. Results showed that yields and net profits were highest for variety Hamlin, and nearly the same for varieties Washington and Valencia. Fertilizer application increased fruit yield and profits for both the 4 to 7-year and 8 and above-year-old trees, with highest yield and profitability values observed at 556 kg NPK/ha. These results suggest applying 556 kg NPK/ha to citrus per year as an optimum fertilizer rate for citrus production in Teso region. The fertilizer should be applied in smaller splits of 800, 600, and 600 grams per tree, applied in April, June, and August.展开更多
Collaborative forest management (CFM) is a form of forest governance in which local communities are involved in the management and decision-making processes related to forest resources. It is believed that forests und...Collaborative forest management (CFM) is a form of forest governance in which local communities are involved in the management and decision-making processes related to forest resources. It is believed that forests under such management are better in tree diversity and conservation status and thus hold more carbon stocks. The study assessed the impact of CFM on carbon stocks, tree species diversity & tree species density in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Data were collected from plots that were systematically laid in the different purposively selected forest areas. The study findings show that there is no difference in stem density and carbon stocks between CFM and non-CFM areas. CFM areas had lower species richness compared to non-CFM areas. CFM areas, however, exhibited more species diversity than non-CFM areas. Climax colonization may favor a few dominant species over others, hence lowering species diversity despite the number of species being many in the understory, hence at the same time increasing species richness. Likewise, disturbance in CFM area may affect natural colonization and favor the emergency of many species either naturally or through assisted regeneration by reforestation, hence increasing diversity, whereas artificial selection of preferred species through harvesting may lower species richness, as observed. Recommendations for improving collaborative forest management (CFM) areas include implementing targeted interventions to enhance carbon sequestration, such as promoting reforestation and afforestation with high-carbon-storing species and strengthening monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess carbon stock changes over time. Additionally, efforts should focus on enhancing biodiversity conservation by implementing more stringent protection measures and reducing human disturbance while encouraging community participation in biodiversity monitoring and conservation education.展开更多
Wetlands play a number of vital roles in the ecosystem, such as serving as nutrient sinks, preventing floods, storing carbon, and filtering water. Encroachment on wetlands has led to substantial economic and environme...Wetlands play a number of vital roles in the ecosystem, such as serving as nutrient sinks, preventing floods, storing carbon, and filtering water. Encroachment on wetlands has led to substantial economic and environmental losses, including water quality degradation, loss of biodiversity and natural habitats, reduced climate mitigation as well as social and health risks. This study evaluated the effect of different land use types on nutrient stock distribution across varying soil depths in Busega wetland. The soil samples were collected in three different land uses (annually cultivated areas, perennially cultivated areas, and the undisturbed wetland area) at three different depths (0 - 10 cm, 10 - 20 cm, and 20 - 30 cm) in 2021. The soil samples were analyzed for physicochemical soil properties including soil texture and nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium concentrations. The interaction between land use type and soil depth did not have a significant effect on nutrient distribution. However, our results showed that the main effects of land use type and soil depth influenced nutrient stock distribution across the wetland. Higher nutrient concentrations were observed under perennial cropping system than in both annual cropping system and the undisturbed wetland area. Soils under perennial cropping systems had the highest soil organic matter (1.45%), calcium (2.06 Cmol/Kg) and potassium (0.091 Cmol/Kg) levels. Higher soil organic matter (1.40%), nitrogen (0.22%), calcium (1.74 Cmol/Kg), and potassium (0.07 Cmol/Kg) were found at the mid-soil depth of 10 - 20 cm. Our results show substantial nutrient changes due to agricultural activities in the Busega wetland, suggesting further research is urgently needed to determine if these changes have adverse effects on biodiversity and water quality of the wetland and nearby water resources.展开更多
Osyris lanceolata is heavily and illegally exploited in East Africa for its essential oils, yet little is known about its population status and ecological requirements. This study examined its population structure and...Osyris lanceolata is heavily and illegally exploited in East Africa for its essential oils, yet little is known about its population status and ecological requirements. This study examined its population structure and environmental factors influencing its distribution in the semi-arid Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. We surveyed 388 plots (5 m radius) at different altitudes, recording life stages, stem diameters, and regeneration patterns, and analyzed soil samples. Multivariate analyses, including Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), and Multiple Regression Modeling (MRM), identified key environmental factors affecting its distribution. Findings show that O. lanceolata populations in Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat districts are severely degraded due to overexploitation. The species is primarily regenerating through coppicing rather than seedlings, with an exploitation intensity of 56.6%. Population densities are low, distribution is irregular, and sustainable harvesting is not viable. Soil properties, particularly Ca2+, N, P, K+, Na+, and organic matter, significantly influence its abundance. Conservation efforts should focus on identifying suitable provenances for genetic preservation and plantation establishment. Areas with at least 9 trees per hectare in Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat could serve as potential sites for ex-situ plantations. Further research should explore how biotic interactions, genetic diversity, and morphology affect oil yield and quality to support restoration, breeding, and domestication initiatives.展开更多
The increasing cost of infrastructure development risks stifling national investment plans.Many projects in Uganda have suffered because of the frequency and magnitude of claims made by parties involved especially the...The increasing cost of infrastructure development risks stifling national investment plans.Many projects in Uganda have suffered because of the frequency and magnitude of claims made by parties involved especially the contractors.As a result,the construction industry is plagued with claims which quite often lead to adversarial relationships.The major grounds for claims were identified through studying the contract documents where claims had been made.Increase in scope;change orders;errors in contract documents;inclement weather;inflation;delay in possessing the site;and change in the tax policy were the most prevalent grounds for making claims.Problems identified in claiming process include delays in getting approval;information on claims not reliable;hostility from the parties involved;pricing of claims;delays in effecting payment when approved;and overzealous contract interpretation leading to misunderstanding and delays Using a survey on project managers for 64 contractors and their corresponding clients or their representatives,the major ways in which it can be reduced were identified as being thoroughness during the design phase;providing for inflation;proper planning of works;using prequalified contractors;and proper documentation of records.Clients have a big role to play in reducing claims.展开更多
Deforestation remains one of the most imminent threats to biodiversity in the tropics.As such,its causes and dynamics need to be studied and understood to put a halt to further forest loss and degradation.In tropical ...Deforestation remains one of the most imminent threats to biodiversity in the tropics.As such,its causes and dynamics need to be studied and understood to put a halt to further forest loss and degradation.In tropical countries such as Uganda,agricultural expansion and wood fuel demand are its leading drivers.While the establishment of protected areas is a key tool in conserving remaining forest biodiversity,results indicate that current management does not sufficiently provide alternatives to forest resources utilised by households and income provided from timber and non-timber forest products.Beyond safeguarding ecosystems,protected areas need to ensure the sustainable socioeconomic development of adjacent communities for effective biodiversity conservation–however,both management and research often neglect to consider all dimensions.In this study,we analysed five decades of forest cover change in the Mount Elgon region,Uganda,by conducting a remote sensing analysis of its protected areas using Landsat MSS and TM data from 1973-2023 in combination with literature and subsequent interview analysis to consider both the ecological and socioeconomic dimension.We applied a random forest approach to differentiate forest and non-forest areas and carried out a pixel-based change detection analysis to differentiate temporal and spatial changes.Throughout the study period of 50 years,forest cover has evolved dynamically within the boundaries of the protected areas of Mount Elgon.A significant decline was observed in both Mount Elgon National Park with a loss of-5.98%(-46.83km²)and Mount Elgon Biosphere Reserve with a loss of-14.96%(-134.33km²).Our results showcase a cycle of deforestation and afforestation that could be tied to a series of development initiatives,re-demarcation of boundaries,changes in management and recurring evictions.Overall,the results lead to the conclusion that the lack of sustainable and efficient management and funding has fostered the rate of deforestation and accelerated ecological degradation in the region,but that existing problems are also rooted in the land tenure history of the region.We recommend the proper implementation of participatory and long-term management approaches on the ground and to address the land rights issue to contribute to both socioeconomic wellbeing and sustainable conservation outcomes.展开更多
Sludge contains organic and inorganic compounds including traces of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and others. These metals restrict the use of sludge in agricult...Sludge contains organic and inorganic compounds including traces of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and others. These metals restrict the use of sludge in agriculture because their accumulation is harmful to the environment and particularly the food chain. Cadmium and lead are among the most common heavy metals found in municipal wastewater treatment plant sludge. They are capable of bioaccumulation in plant tissues like roots and leaves and are non-biodegradable and therefore they remain in the sludge which is disposed on land or used as fertilizers on farms. The presence of heavy metal pollutants serves as a great threat to soils and also makes plants grown on such soils unfit for animal and human consumption as they may have detrimental effects to animal and human life. For instance, Pb and Cd are known to be human carcinogens. This study therefore aimed to investigate the levels of Cd and Pb in the treated dry sludge from Lubigi Feacal Sludge and Wastewater treatment plant located in Kawempe division, Kampala city, Uganda so as to ascertain its safety for use on agricultural lands. Two batches of samples were collected and analyzed at Government Analytical laboratory in Wandegeya, Uganda. The acid digested sludge samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method. The average concentrations of Pb found in collected sludge samples, batch 1 (11.912 mg/kg dm) and batch 2 (5.304 mg/kg dm) were far below the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) maximum permissible concentration (840 mg/kg) for any land application. Cadmium was not detected in all the sludge samples collected;there is an implication that it is either completely absent in the sludge generated by the plant or present but far below detectable levels. The sludge generated from Lubigi fecal sludge and wastewater treatment plant is therefore safe for application on agricultural lands as far as Pb and Cd concentrations are concerned.展开更多
The aim of this study is to estimate and compare soil erosion,in the Mount Elgon region,eastern Uganda,during the last decade.Possible trends and changes in erosion are linked to precipitation/climate change as well a...The aim of this study is to estimate and compare soil erosion,in the Mount Elgon region,eastern Uganda,during the last decade.Possible trends and changes in erosion are linked to precipitation/climate change as well as changes in land cover.Two different versions of the Revised Universal Soil loss Equation(RUSLE)are implemented and compared,one using slope length and the other using flow accumulation to estimate the slope length and steepness factor(LS).Comparisons of the modeled soil erosion vs.field data indicate that RUSLE based on flow accumulation is preferable.The modeling is carried out for the years 2000,2006,and 2012,and is based on ASTER remotely sensed data,digital elevation models,precipitation data from the study area,as well as existing soil maps.No significant trends in estimated soil erosion are found to be present during the last decade.Over exploitation of land is probably compensated by improved agricultural management and no significant increase in precipitation.Even if there are reports of more intense and increasing amounts of rainfall in the area,this could not be verified,neither through the analysis of climate data,nor by trends in the estimated soil loss.展开更多
Water resources of a country constitute one of its vital assets that significantly contribute to the socio-economic development and poverty eradication. However, this resource is unevenly distributed in both time and ...Water resources of a country constitute one of its vital assets that significantly contribute to the socio-economic development and poverty eradication. However, this resource is unevenly distributed in both time and space. The major source of water for these resources is direct rainfall, which is recently experiencing variability that threatens the distribution of resources and water availability in Uganda. The annual rainfall received in Uganda varies from 500 mm to 2800 mm, with an average of 1180 mm received in two main seasons. The spatial distribution of rainfall has resulted into a network of great rivers and lakes that possess big potential for development. These resources are being developed and depleted at a fast rate, a situation that requires assessment to establish present status of water resources in the country. The paper reviews the characteristics, availability, demand and importance of present day water resources in Uganda as well as describing the various issues, challenges and management of water resources of the country.展开更多
<p align="justify"> <span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Climate change and variability are a reality and have had marked e...<p align="justify"> <span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Climate change and variability are a reality and have had marked effects on both human and ecological systems. Adaptation to such effects either directly or indirectly is viewed as a novel way of reducing the spread of the associated risks. The study was conducted in Rubanda District with a general aim of evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation measures to climate variability used </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">by smallholder Irish potatoes farmers. Specifically, we sought to appraise</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> small</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">holder Irish potato farmers’ perceptions about the effectiveness of climate variability adaptation measures and implications on Irish potato productivity. We undertook a cross-sectional study to collect data from total of 197 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Other participatory methods such as focus group discussions and key informant interview were also used to complement the household survey. Data w</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ere</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:'Minion Pro Capt','serif';"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> analyzed using SPSS Version 23 to generate descriptive statistics as well as relationships between the adaptation measures and the productivity of the Irish potatoes using a Cobb-Douglas production function. The Cobb-Douglas model revealed that the use of fertilizers was significantly and positively associated with productivity of Irish potato (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">P </span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">< 0.001). Furthermore, Smallholder Irish potato farmers perceived the use of technology, terracing, early planting and application of fertilizers as the most effective climate variability adaptation measures. The study recommends that measures that are cost-effective, efficient and coherent should be promoted to offset the impacts of climate variability which would include the adoption of improved potato varieties and use of fertilizers with proper management of erosion. Off-season planting of Irish potatoes in the wetlands should be discouraged by the local administration and the National Environment Management Authority. This calls for a collective action involving the agricultural practitioners and inline civil society organizations to ensure that farmers have access to such inputs.</span></span></span></span> </p>展开更多
An understanding of the influence of contractor monitoring on performance of road infrastructural projects in Uganda provided an impetus for this study. The objectives of the study were to: assess the relationship bet...An understanding of the influence of contractor monitoring on performance of road infrastructural projects in Uganda provided an impetus for this study. The objectives of the study were to: assess the relationship between contractors monitoring and performance of national road infrastructure projects and the relationship between contractor monitoring components and performance of national road infrastructure projects in Uganda. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting the procurement professionals, engineers and simple random sampling was adopted in selecting private consultants, members of parliament and respondents from the civil society organizations. Data for this study were collected using a closed ended questionnaire and interviews. Some of the major finding from this study include: weak procurement rules which lead to awarding road projects to incompetent contractors;contractor monitoring being handled by unqualified, incompetent and inexperienced professionals;lack of contractors and contract supervisors appraisal system;delay of contractors payments which affects timelines in services delivery;lack of a strong internal project monitoring and evaluation mechanism at the Uganda National Roads Agency (UNRA). The research therefore recommends the establishment of an Independent Public Infrastructure Development and Monitoring Unit by government and adoption of systems that appraise both contractors and contract supervisors with clear disciplinary actions for unsatisfactory performance by the UNRA.展开更多
This study investigated how rural households cope with firewood scarcity in dryland areas of Eastern Uganda. A household survey was conducted in December 2008 to January 2009, where 490 respondents were randomly inter...This study investigated how rural households cope with firewood scarcity in dryland areas of Eastern Uganda. A household survey was conducted in December 2008 to January 2009, where 490 respondents were randomly interviewed. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also held with community elders and women. Responses were analyzed both descriptively and qualitatively. Findings indicated that 99% of the households used firewood for cooking with a per capita consumption of 542.32 Kilograms. Commonly used tree species included Combretnum molle (42.7%) and Acacia polyacantha willd (18.2%). Over 78% of the households have a preference for acacia tree species for firewood. In particular, Acacia polyacantha willd (60.3%), Acacia hockii (16.9%) and Combretum collinum (9.6%) were the most preferred tree species. The scarcity of firewood supply was eminent from the average distance (2 ± 7 Km) traveled by collectors in search of them. Firewood collectors spent 1 to 10 hours with an average of 3 hours weekly in firewood collection activities. This resulted in per annum estimated opportunity cost of Shillings 432,000 (US 232 dollars) for those who collected on weekly basis and Shillings 1,080,000 shillings (US 580 dollars) for those who collected on daily basis. The frequency of collection decreased as distance increased among 89% of the households. Minority of households (1%) have resorted to deliberately planting trees on their own farms to ease problems of firewood shortage, and to modification of biomass stove so as to use less firewood. Households in their endeavour to circumvent the problem of continued scarcity have resorted to poorer quality tree/bushes for firewood (71.2%), alongside other coping strategies such as cooking meals once a day, avoidance of cooking some food types (70%), and using crop residues as fuel source (60%). There is a need for scaling-up on-farm tree planting as well as the use of improved biomass cook stoves in the region.展开更多
Integrated Pest Management （IPM） technologies can reduce pest damage to crops by emphasizing non-chemical control methods thereby reducing potential negative effects of chemicals on the environment while preserving ...Integrated Pest Management （IPM） technologies can reduce pest damage to crops by emphasizing non-chemical control methods thereby reducing potential negative effects of chemicals on the environment while preserving profitability. This study investigates the adoption of eight IPM practices including intercropping, crop rotation, two improved varieties, incorporating a ＂striga chaser＂ in sorghum production, changing planting dates, altering planting density and fertilizer use. Explanatory variables include economic factors, social factors, management factors, and institutional factors. Results were consistent across logit and ordered logit analyses. Most factors affecting adoption across all crops and technologies are economic factors, including labor availability, technology resource requirements, technology complexity, and the level of expected benefits. Social factors are generally less associated with IPM technology adoption than either market or institutional factors. Results indicate that the evaluated technologies were scale-neutral and that farmer age and education level did not affect technology adoption.展开更多
This paper examines the factors that Uganda’s households consider when making fuel choices for cooking and investigates the key drivers of fuel choice. The study adopts a quantitative cross sectional research design....This paper examines the factors that Uganda’s households consider when making fuel choices for cooking and investigates the key drivers of fuel choice. The study adopts a quantitative cross sectional research design. The dependent variable of the empirical model is a qualitative response variable which defines three mutually exclusive and highly differentiated discrete choices for cooking fuels, namely: the traditional fuel (firewood), the transitional fuel (charcoal), and the modern (LPG & electricity). Results from the study show that the most important drivers of fuel choice for cooking in Uganda’s households are: household income, age of household head, gender of household head, marital status, education levels of household head and location of a household. Results also reveal high dependency of firewood as cooking energy source among households in Uganda.展开更多
This paper focuses on the relationship between firm risk profile, agency incentives and corporate performance using correlation study and cross-sectional approach. We conceptualise firm risk profile using the balanced...This paper focuses on the relationship between firm risk profile, agency incentives and corporate performance using correlation study and cross-sectional approach. We conceptualise firm risk profile using the balanced score card and differ from previous studies, on the above variables, by capturing the perceptual sets of strategic leadership of Ugandan firms who are members of corporate governance of Uganda. We post a significant negative relationship between firm risk profile and corporate performance, a significant negative relationship between firm risk profile and agency incentives and a positive relationship between agency incentives and corporate performance By employing Joseph and Scott （2006）＇s utilization of the balanced score card to identify the four forms of firm risk （namely, financial, customer, internal and learning and growth risks）, our results support the application of agency theory as a relevant theoretical framework for dealing with managers who are risk averse.展开更多
文摘Background: Clinical decision support tools provide suggestions to support healthcare providers and clinicians, as they attend to patients. Clinicians use these tools to rapidly consult the evidence at the point of care, a practice which has been found to reduce the time patients spend in hospitals, promote the quality of care and improve healthcare outcomes. Such tools include Medscape, VisualDx, Clinical Key, DynaMed, BMJ Best Practice and UpToDate. However, use of such tools has not yet been fully embraced in low-resource settings such as Uganda. Objective: This paper intends to collate data on the use and uptake of one such tool, UpToDate, which was provided at no cost to five medical schools in Uganda. Methods: Free access to UpToDate was granted through the IP addresses of five medical schools in Uganda in collaboration with Better Evidence at The Global Health Delivery Project at Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Wolters Kluwer Health. Following the donation, medical librarians in the respective institutions conducted training sessions and created awareness of the tool. Usage data was aggregated, based on logins and content views, presented and analyzed using Excel tables and graphs. Results: The data shows similar trends in increased usage over the period of August 2022 to August 2023 across the five medical schools. The most common topics viewed, mode of access (using either the computer or the mobile app), total usage by institution, ratio of uses to eligible users by institution and ratio of uses to students by institution are shared. Conclusion: The study revealed that the tool was used by various user categories across the institutions with similar steady improved usage over the year. These results can inform the librarians as they encourage their respective institutions to continue using the tool to support uptake of point-of-care tools in clinical practice.
文摘BACKGROUND Transition is a critical period for adolescents as they begin to assume responsibility for their own health.Similarly,the shift from pediatric to adult healthcare represents a vulnerable phase,marked by unique challenges in adolescent health care.Despite its importance,only a few studies have explored healthcare transition among adolescents in Uganda.AIM To identify factors associated with the transition to adult human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-centered care among adolescents attending HIV/AIDS clinics in Uganda.METHODS A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 265 adolescents,randomly selected from three antiretroviral therapy(ART)clinics,using a structured questionnaire.Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted.Individuals aged 10-20 years who were actively enrolled in the ART program between January 4,2022 and January 30,2023 were recruited.The primary outcome of interest was the transition to adult care.Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed for quantitative data,while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.RESULTS The prevalence of transition to adult care was 40.6%.Most participants were male(53.6%)and fell within the 13-15 age group(35.6%).Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified several factors significantly associated with transition to adult care:Age group 10-12 years[prevalence ratio(PR)=2.525,95%CI:2.121-2.944,P=0.002],Age group 13-15 years(PR=1.900,95%CI:1.196-3.416,P=0.001),successful viral load suppression(PR=1.534,95%CI:1.173-1.648,P=0.016),disclosure of HIV status to relatives(PR=5.001,95%CI:3.411-3.611,P=0.000),being prepared for transitioning(PR=5.417,95%CI:3.468-7.135,P=0.041)and having skilled pediatric caregivers(PR=3.724,95%CI:2.084-4.105,P=0.005).CONCLUSION Transition to adult care among adolescents was low.Improving transition outcomes may require strengthening individual support within the family context and integrating transition-focused care into existing specialized clinical settings to enhance the delivery of adolescent-friendly services.
文摘If there’s one meat dish Ugandan people really enjoy,that’s goat meat.Across the country in restaurants,bars and clubs,the aroma of roasted goat meat wafts enticingly,attracting people at all hours of the day and night.
文摘Teso subregion in Eastern Uganda is a leading production hub for citrus in Uganda. However, information on fruit quality profile of the three major varieties (Hamlin, Valencia and Washington navel) grown in this region was limited and/or unreported, partly resulting in their limited use for industrial processing. The current study sought to understand the seasonal quality profile of these varieties during the wet and dry seasons for the years 2019, 2022 and 2023. The study was conducted with farmers in the districts of Kumi, Ngora, Soroti and Kalaki. Mature green oranges were periodically harvested and analysed for physical and chemical properties. The results showed that the quality of oranges varied depending on the season at harvest and the variety with significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Mean weight per fruit was highest in wet season Washington navel (277.5 g) and lowest in dry season Hamlin (149.3 g). Similarly, fruit size varied in the wet season where Washington navel (81.2 mm) had the biggest fruits while dry season Hamlin were smallest (66.6 mm). Dry season Washington navel had had the thickest peel (7.9 mm). Valencia from the wet season had the highest juice content (36.9%) compared to Washington navel (26.5%) from the dry season with the lowest. Titratable acidity was higher in the dry season Valencia (0.9%) compared to the wet season Washington navel and Hamlin (0.3%). Similarly, Total soluble solids (TSS) was higher in the dry season (Washington navel, 10.1 ˚Brix) in contrast to the wet season (Hamlin and Valencia, 7.7 ˚Brix). Valencia had the lowest pH (3.1) however, pH did not vary significantly between season for each variety except for Hamlin. Vitamin C content was higher during the dry season led by Valencia (57.6 mg/100g) and Hamlin (57.4 mg/100g). Sugar to acid ratio was highest during the wet season (Washington navel, 41.5) and lowest in the dry season (Valencia, 17.1). Overall, dry season fruits and more especially Valencia showed versatility in meeting most of the quality requirements for both industrial juice processing and the fresh market. However, there is need to improve the available orange varieties with regard to juice content and optimal sugar: acid ratio regardless of season.
文摘Citrus is an important commercial crop in Uganda, especially the Eastern region. However, in spite of the increasing regional demand, citrus productivity is still low, attributed to pest and diseases, soil moisture stress, and low soil fertility, among others. Efforts to improve soil fertility are limited by inadequate supply of organic fertilizers due to competing demands. In addition, there is inadequate information on inorganic fertilizer requirements for citrus production in Uganda. The objective of this study was to develop optimum fertilizer recommendations for citrus production for Eastern Uganda. The study was conducted in Teso region, Eastern Uganda. Fertilizer (NPK, 17:17:17) was randomly applied to Hamlin, Valencia and Washington varieties with fertilizer and variety factorially arranged for each farm and citrus age range, replicated three times. Fertilizer rates were 0, 139, 278 and 556 kg NPK/ha for the 4 - 7-year old trees, and 0, 278, 556 and 1111 kg NPK/ha for the mature (8 years and above) trees. For a given variety, each fertilizer rate was applied onto three representative trees per farmer, six farmers per district. Results showed that yields and net profits were highest for variety Hamlin, and nearly the same for varieties Washington and Valencia. Fertilizer application increased fruit yield and profits for both the 4 to 7-year and 8 and above-year-old trees, with highest yield and profitability values observed at 556 kg NPK/ha. These results suggest applying 556 kg NPK/ha to citrus per year as an optimum fertilizer rate for citrus production in Teso region. The fertilizer should be applied in smaller splits of 800, 600, and 600 grams per tree, applied in April, June, and August.
文摘Collaborative forest management (CFM) is a form of forest governance in which local communities are involved in the management and decision-making processes related to forest resources. It is believed that forests under such management are better in tree diversity and conservation status and thus hold more carbon stocks. The study assessed the impact of CFM on carbon stocks, tree species diversity & tree species density in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Data were collected from plots that were systematically laid in the different purposively selected forest areas. The study findings show that there is no difference in stem density and carbon stocks between CFM and non-CFM areas. CFM areas had lower species richness compared to non-CFM areas. CFM areas, however, exhibited more species diversity than non-CFM areas. Climax colonization may favor a few dominant species over others, hence lowering species diversity despite the number of species being many in the understory, hence at the same time increasing species richness. Likewise, disturbance in CFM area may affect natural colonization and favor the emergency of many species either naturally or through assisted regeneration by reforestation, hence increasing diversity, whereas artificial selection of preferred species through harvesting may lower species richness, as observed. Recommendations for improving collaborative forest management (CFM) areas include implementing targeted interventions to enhance carbon sequestration, such as promoting reforestation and afforestation with high-carbon-storing species and strengthening monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess carbon stock changes over time. Additionally, efforts should focus on enhancing biodiversity conservation by implementing more stringent protection measures and reducing human disturbance while encouraging community participation in biodiversity monitoring and conservation education.
文摘Wetlands play a number of vital roles in the ecosystem, such as serving as nutrient sinks, preventing floods, storing carbon, and filtering water. Encroachment on wetlands has led to substantial economic and environmental losses, including water quality degradation, loss of biodiversity and natural habitats, reduced climate mitigation as well as social and health risks. This study evaluated the effect of different land use types on nutrient stock distribution across varying soil depths in Busega wetland. The soil samples were collected in three different land uses (annually cultivated areas, perennially cultivated areas, and the undisturbed wetland area) at three different depths (0 - 10 cm, 10 - 20 cm, and 20 - 30 cm) in 2021. The soil samples were analyzed for physicochemical soil properties including soil texture and nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium concentrations. The interaction between land use type and soil depth did not have a significant effect on nutrient distribution. However, our results showed that the main effects of land use type and soil depth influenced nutrient stock distribution across the wetland. Higher nutrient concentrations were observed under perennial cropping system than in both annual cropping system and the undisturbed wetland area. Soils under perennial cropping systems had the highest soil organic matter (1.45%), calcium (2.06 Cmol/Kg) and potassium (0.091 Cmol/Kg) levels. Higher soil organic matter (1.40%), nitrogen (0.22%), calcium (1.74 Cmol/Kg), and potassium (0.07 Cmol/Kg) were found at the mid-soil depth of 10 - 20 cm. Our results show substantial nutrient changes due to agricultural activities in the Busega wetland, suggesting further research is urgently needed to determine if these changes have adverse effects on biodiversity and water quality of the wetland and nearby water resources.
文摘Osyris lanceolata is heavily and illegally exploited in East Africa for its essential oils, yet little is known about its population status and ecological requirements. This study examined its population structure and environmental factors influencing its distribution in the semi-arid Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. We surveyed 388 plots (5 m radius) at different altitudes, recording life stages, stem diameters, and regeneration patterns, and analyzed soil samples. Multivariate analyses, including Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), and Multiple Regression Modeling (MRM), identified key environmental factors affecting its distribution. Findings show that O. lanceolata populations in Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat districts are severely degraded due to overexploitation. The species is primarily regenerating through coppicing rather than seedlings, with an exploitation intensity of 56.6%. Population densities are low, distribution is irregular, and sustainable harvesting is not viable. Soil properties, particularly Ca2+, N, P, K+, Na+, and organic matter, significantly influence its abundance. Conservation efforts should focus on identifying suitable provenances for genetic preservation and plantation establishment. Areas with at least 9 trees per hectare in Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Amudat could serve as potential sites for ex-situ plantations. Further research should explore how biotic interactions, genetic diversity, and morphology affect oil yield and quality to support restoration, breeding, and domestication initiatives.
文摘The increasing cost of infrastructure development risks stifling national investment plans.Many projects in Uganda have suffered because of the frequency and magnitude of claims made by parties involved especially the contractors.As a result,the construction industry is plagued with claims which quite often lead to adversarial relationships.The major grounds for claims were identified through studying the contract documents where claims had been made.Increase in scope;change orders;errors in contract documents;inclement weather;inflation;delay in possessing the site;and change in the tax policy were the most prevalent grounds for making claims.Problems identified in claiming process include delays in getting approval;information on claims not reliable;hostility from the parties involved;pricing of claims;delays in effecting payment when approved;and overzealous contract interpretation leading to misunderstanding and delays Using a survey on project managers for 64 contractors and their corresponding clients or their representatives,the major ways in which it can be reduced were identified as being thoroughness during the design phase;providing for inflation;proper planning of works;using prequalified contractors;and proper documentation of records.Clients have a big role to play in reducing claims.
基金The financial support by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
文摘Deforestation remains one of the most imminent threats to biodiversity in the tropics.As such,its causes and dynamics need to be studied and understood to put a halt to further forest loss and degradation.In tropical countries such as Uganda,agricultural expansion and wood fuel demand are its leading drivers.While the establishment of protected areas is a key tool in conserving remaining forest biodiversity,results indicate that current management does not sufficiently provide alternatives to forest resources utilised by households and income provided from timber and non-timber forest products.Beyond safeguarding ecosystems,protected areas need to ensure the sustainable socioeconomic development of adjacent communities for effective biodiversity conservation–however,both management and research often neglect to consider all dimensions.In this study,we analysed five decades of forest cover change in the Mount Elgon region,Uganda,by conducting a remote sensing analysis of its protected areas using Landsat MSS and TM data from 1973-2023 in combination with literature and subsequent interview analysis to consider both the ecological and socioeconomic dimension.We applied a random forest approach to differentiate forest and non-forest areas and carried out a pixel-based change detection analysis to differentiate temporal and spatial changes.Throughout the study period of 50 years,forest cover has evolved dynamically within the boundaries of the protected areas of Mount Elgon.A significant decline was observed in both Mount Elgon National Park with a loss of-5.98%(-46.83km²)and Mount Elgon Biosphere Reserve with a loss of-14.96%(-134.33km²).Our results showcase a cycle of deforestation and afforestation that could be tied to a series of development initiatives,re-demarcation of boundaries,changes in management and recurring evictions.Overall,the results lead to the conclusion that the lack of sustainable and efficient management and funding has fostered the rate of deforestation and accelerated ecological degradation in the region,but that existing problems are also rooted in the land tenure history of the region.We recommend the proper implementation of participatory and long-term management approaches on the ground and to address the land rights issue to contribute to both socioeconomic wellbeing and sustainable conservation outcomes.
文摘Sludge contains organic and inorganic compounds including traces of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and others. These metals restrict the use of sludge in agriculture because their accumulation is harmful to the environment and particularly the food chain. Cadmium and lead are among the most common heavy metals found in municipal wastewater treatment plant sludge. They are capable of bioaccumulation in plant tissues like roots and leaves and are non-biodegradable and therefore they remain in the sludge which is disposed on land or used as fertilizers on farms. The presence of heavy metal pollutants serves as a great threat to soils and also makes plants grown on such soils unfit for animal and human consumption as they may have detrimental effects to animal and human life. For instance, Pb and Cd are known to be human carcinogens. This study therefore aimed to investigate the levels of Cd and Pb in the treated dry sludge from Lubigi Feacal Sludge and Wastewater treatment plant located in Kawempe division, Kampala city, Uganda so as to ascertain its safety for use on agricultural lands. Two batches of samples were collected and analyzed at Government Analytical laboratory in Wandegeya, Uganda. The acid digested sludge samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method. The average concentrations of Pb found in collected sludge samples, batch 1 (11.912 mg/kg dm) and batch 2 (5.304 mg/kg dm) were far below the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) maximum permissible concentration (840 mg/kg) for any land application. Cadmium was not detected in all the sludge samples collected;there is an implication that it is either completely absent in the sludge generated by the plant or present but far below detectable levels. The sludge generated from Lubigi fecal sludge and wastewater treatment plant is therefore safe for application on agricultural lands as far as Pb and Cd concentrations are concerned.
文摘The aim of this study is to estimate and compare soil erosion,in the Mount Elgon region,eastern Uganda,during the last decade.Possible trends and changes in erosion are linked to precipitation/climate change as well as changes in land cover.Two different versions of the Revised Universal Soil loss Equation(RUSLE)are implemented and compared,one using slope length and the other using flow accumulation to estimate the slope length and steepness factor(LS).Comparisons of the modeled soil erosion vs.field data indicate that RUSLE based on flow accumulation is preferable.The modeling is carried out for the years 2000,2006,and 2012,and is based on ASTER remotely sensed data,digital elevation models,precipitation data from the study area,as well as existing soil maps.No significant trends in estimated soil erosion are found to be present during the last decade.Over exploitation of land is probably compensated by improved agricultural management and no significant increase in precipitation.Even if there are reports of more intense and increasing amounts of rainfall in the area,this could not be verified,neither through the analysis of climate data,nor by trends in the estimated soil loss.
文摘Water resources of a country constitute one of its vital assets that significantly contribute to the socio-economic development and poverty eradication. However, this resource is unevenly distributed in both time and space. The major source of water for these resources is direct rainfall, which is recently experiencing variability that threatens the distribution of resources and water availability in Uganda. The annual rainfall received in Uganda varies from 500 mm to 2800 mm, with an average of 1180 mm received in two main seasons. The spatial distribution of rainfall has resulted into a network of great rivers and lakes that possess big potential for development. These resources are being developed and depleted at a fast rate, a situation that requires assessment to establish present status of water resources in the country. The paper reviews the characteristics, availability, demand and importance of present day water resources in Uganda as well as describing the various issues, challenges and management of water resources of the country.
文摘<p align="justify"> <span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Climate change and variability are a reality and have had marked effects on both human and ecological systems. Adaptation to such effects either directly or indirectly is viewed as a novel way of reducing the spread of the associated risks. The study was conducted in Rubanda District with a general aim of evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation measures to climate variability used </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">by smallholder Irish potatoes farmers. Specifically, we sought to appraise</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> small</span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">holder Irish potato farmers’ perceptions about the effectiveness of climate variability adaptation measures and implications on Irish potato productivity. We undertook a cross-sectional study to collect data from total of 197 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Other participatory methods such as focus group discussions and key informant interview were also used to complement the household survey. Data w</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">ere</span></span></span><span><span><span style="font-family:'Minion Pro Capt','serif';"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> analyzed using SPSS Version 23 to generate descriptive statistics as well as relationships between the adaptation measures and the productivity of the Irish potatoes using a Cobb-Douglas production function. The Cobb-Douglas model revealed that the use of fertilizers was significantly and positively associated with productivity of Irish potato (</span><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">P </span></i><span style="font-family:Verdana;">< 0.001). Furthermore, Smallholder Irish potato farmers perceived the use of technology, terracing, early planting and application of fertilizers as the most effective climate variability adaptation measures. The study recommends that measures that are cost-effective, efficient and coherent should be promoted to offset the impacts of climate variability which would include the adoption of improved potato varieties and use of fertilizers with proper management of erosion. Off-season planting of Irish potatoes in the wetlands should be discouraged by the local administration and the National Environment Management Authority. This calls for a collective action involving the agricultural practitioners and inline civil society organizations to ensure that farmers have access to such inputs.</span></span></span></span> </p>
文摘An understanding of the influence of contractor monitoring on performance of road infrastructural projects in Uganda provided an impetus for this study. The objectives of the study were to: assess the relationship between contractors monitoring and performance of national road infrastructure projects and the relationship between contractor monitoring components and performance of national road infrastructure projects in Uganda. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting the procurement professionals, engineers and simple random sampling was adopted in selecting private consultants, members of parliament and respondents from the civil society organizations. Data for this study were collected using a closed ended questionnaire and interviews. Some of the major finding from this study include: weak procurement rules which lead to awarding road projects to incompetent contractors;contractor monitoring being handled by unqualified, incompetent and inexperienced professionals;lack of contractors and contract supervisors appraisal system;delay of contractors payments which affects timelines in services delivery;lack of a strong internal project monitoring and evaluation mechanism at the Uganda National Roads Agency (UNRA). The research therefore recommends the establishment of an Independent Public Infrastructure Development and Monitoring Unit by government and adoption of systems that appraise both contractors and contract supervisors with clear disciplinary actions for unsatisfactory performance by the UNRA.
文摘This study investigated how rural households cope with firewood scarcity in dryland areas of Eastern Uganda. A household survey was conducted in December 2008 to January 2009, where 490 respondents were randomly interviewed. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were also held with community elders and women. Responses were analyzed both descriptively and qualitatively. Findings indicated that 99% of the households used firewood for cooking with a per capita consumption of 542.32 Kilograms. Commonly used tree species included Combretnum molle (42.7%) and Acacia polyacantha willd (18.2%). Over 78% of the households have a preference for acacia tree species for firewood. In particular, Acacia polyacantha willd (60.3%), Acacia hockii (16.9%) and Combretum collinum (9.6%) were the most preferred tree species. The scarcity of firewood supply was eminent from the average distance (2 ± 7 Km) traveled by collectors in search of them. Firewood collectors spent 1 to 10 hours with an average of 3 hours weekly in firewood collection activities. This resulted in per annum estimated opportunity cost of Shillings 432,000 (US 232 dollars) for those who collected on weekly basis and Shillings 1,080,000 shillings (US 580 dollars) for those who collected on daily basis. The frequency of collection decreased as distance increased among 89% of the households. Minority of households (1%) have resorted to deliberately planting trees on their own farms to ease problems of firewood shortage, and to modification of biomass stove so as to use less firewood. Households in their endeavour to circumvent the problem of continued scarcity have resorted to poorer quality tree/bushes for firewood (71.2%), alongside other coping strategies such as cooking meals once a day, avoidance of cooking some food types (70%), and using crop residues as fuel source (60%). There is a need for scaling-up on-farm tree planting as well as the use of improved biomass cook stoves in the region.
文摘Integrated Pest Management （IPM） technologies can reduce pest damage to crops by emphasizing non-chemical control methods thereby reducing potential negative effects of chemicals on the environment while preserving profitability. This study investigates the adoption of eight IPM practices including intercropping, crop rotation, two improved varieties, incorporating a ＂striga chaser＂ in sorghum production, changing planting dates, altering planting density and fertilizer use. Explanatory variables include economic factors, social factors, management factors, and institutional factors. Results were consistent across logit and ordered logit analyses. Most factors affecting adoption across all crops and technologies are economic factors, including labor availability, technology resource requirements, technology complexity, and the level of expected benefits. Social factors are generally less associated with IPM technology adoption than either market or institutional factors. Results indicate that the evaluated technologies were scale-neutral and that farmer age and education level did not affect technology adoption.
文摘This paper examines the factors that Uganda’s households consider when making fuel choices for cooking and investigates the key drivers of fuel choice. The study adopts a quantitative cross sectional research design. The dependent variable of the empirical model is a qualitative response variable which defines three mutually exclusive and highly differentiated discrete choices for cooking fuels, namely: the traditional fuel (firewood), the transitional fuel (charcoal), and the modern (LPG & electricity). Results from the study show that the most important drivers of fuel choice for cooking in Uganda’s households are: household income, age of household head, gender of household head, marital status, education levels of household head and location of a household. Results also reveal high dependency of firewood as cooking energy source among households in Uganda.
文摘This paper focuses on the relationship between firm risk profile, agency incentives and corporate performance using correlation study and cross-sectional approach. We conceptualise firm risk profile using the balanced score card and differ from previous studies, on the above variables, by capturing the perceptual sets of strategic leadership of Ugandan firms who are members of corporate governance of Uganda. We post a significant negative relationship between firm risk profile and corporate performance, a significant negative relationship between firm risk profile and agency incentives and a positive relationship between agency incentives and corporate performance By employing Joseph and Scott （2006）＇s utilization of the balanced score card to identify the four forms of firm risk （namely, financial, customer, internal and learning and growth risks）, our results support the application of agency theory as a relevant theoretical framework for dealing with managers who are risk averse.
