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Access and utilization of maternal healthcare services among pregnant women in Yei Sub County, Central Equatoria State South Sudan: a case study of Jigomoni and Aleru Health Centres

(Makerere University, 2023-11) Bida, Emmanuel Francis

The study set out to assess accessibility and utilization of maternal and child healthcare services in Sub County, central equatorial province South Sudan. This was in light of the view that despite massive investment of resources and attention to the different health facilities in the country by the government, there seems little progress registered in terms of reduction of maternal and child mortality rates. The study specifically sought to establish the nature of maternal and child health care services, explore factors that influence access and utilization of healthcare services and propose institutional level strategies to improve healthcare service delivery in Yei sub county. The study adopted descriptive research design so as to capture the historical and prevailing circumstance on the ground. To avoid unrealistic results, both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Qualitative data was collected using in-depth interviews, focus group discussion, and non-participant observation since it involves respondents‟ experiences, beliefs and attitudes while quantitative method was used to establish percentage of respondents by sex, name and others. Data was entered into the SPSS (version 23) computer programme and analyzed with descriptive statistical tools. The study established that are quite a number of MHCS offered to women by various health providers these include; Antenatal care, family planning services and immunization of their children among others. There is high level of awareness among women for the different MHCS provided in the different facilities but this is not matched with access and utilization due to long distances that have to be travelled by women to access care, the backward cultural norms and orientations which deter women from using facilities for fear of shame and loss of dignity, hostility displayed by health workers towards patients which scare off many women hence resort to use TBAs, the high transport costs which affect women especially in remote areas however, pregnancies perceived as risky make women by all means to seek care from experienced and trained physicians. It was recommended that Ministry of Health in South Sudan should increase the number of Community Health Centers in south Sudan for easy accessibility, adequate staff especially nurses should be appointed at the existing Health centers to reduce on the long waiting time, improve physical infrastructure, essential drugs supplies, equipment to improve the extremely difficult working conditions for staff and enable providers to offer quality care, education programmes to women of Christian, Islamic and traditionalist beliefs on the importance of Maternal Health and Childcare Service utilization which can be routed through religious and community leaders.
Access to childcare services among children living with imprisoned mothers in Masaka Women Prison

(Makerere University, 2022) Mutiti, Stella

In different parts of the globe, the number of children incarcerated with their mothers in prisons has greatly increased. Growing up in a prison environment is identified with several implications for the growth of children. Like children in home and community settings, children incarcerated with their mothers in prison are entitled to childcare services. However, information on the access of childcare services by children incarcerated with their mothers is scanty. Upon this background therefore, the study sought to examine access to childcare services among children living with their imprisoned mothers in Masaka Women Prison. A cross sectional case study design was adopted utilizing qualitative approaches. 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers living with their children in Masaka Women Prison. Four Key informant interviews with Prison officials were also conducted. Non-probability sampling techniques were used to identify mothers imprisoned with their children. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data where key concepts, ideas and themes were identified, coded and patterns in the data categorized. Study findings reveal although the Prison Act stipulates the circumstances under which a child can be incarcerated with the mother, the act is not much followed when deciding whether the child should be incarcerated with the mother or not. Most of the mothers who were incarcerated with their children argued that they wouldn’t have wished to be imprisoned with their children if there was an alternative. While study results indicate that the need for childcare services for children incarcerated with their mothers, most of these services are not partially accessed. In situations where childcare services are provided to the children, they are either inadequate or occasionally provided. In addition, most of the childcare services are provided through donations either from religious institutions or other well-wishers. However, these have to provide the services within the existing prison policies and laws. Nonetheless, the study identifies open partnership policy, availability of human resources and the good relationship with the donor/well wishers as opportunities to strengthen access to childcare services. In conclusion, Children incarcerated with their mothers in prison require a serious childcare service intervention if a holistic growth and development of these children is something to think about. While there is access to some childcare services for these children, it is still early for the prison authority to jubilate success in the provision of childcare services. This is because a number of inhibiting factors were reported by the study findings ranging from poor quality of the services, inadequacy of the services provided and the procedural tendencies associated with access to the services. It is therefore recommended that more resources be committed to the childcare services for children living with their imprisoned mothers or else the poor care environments in prisons these children are exposed to, mean that they face even a harsher sentence than their parents do.
Access to educational services for the physically impaired pupils under the universal primary education in Uganda: A case study of Kampala District

(Makerere University, 2008) Nanyonga, Dorothy

Education is one of the basic social services the country can offer its people because it positively affects socio - economic behaviors such as productivity in the workplace, living standards, demographic, reproductive and health behavior. Despite it being one of the basic human rights, children with disabilities have, over the years, persistently faced problems in attaining this social service. They comprise one of the most socially excluded groups in all societies. The World Bank asserts that in developing countries, the vast majority of these children receive no education, are absent in school datasets and are invisible on the national policy agenda. The current NRM Government attaches great importance to the development of education in Uganda for it recognizes the fact that education is a powerful tool for the transformation of society. This is clearly stipulated in its 1995 constitution where Article 30 of the constitution states. “All persons have a right to education”. [the disabled inclusive].This also partly explains why the Government of Uganda launched the free Universal Primary Education in January 1997. Some of its key features was that children with disabilities should have priority over the non – disabled children. However, the program has not effectively catered for the special education needs of children with physical disabilities. Statistics show that actually there is no increased enrollment of the disabled children despite this free government education program. There has actually been a problem in the accessibility to educational services by the physically impaired pupils under Universal Primary Education program and reasons for this have been unknown so this called for a scientific investigation to explore the socio-economic, socio cultural and policy factors that explains this problem; a task this study undertook. The study was carried out in Kampala district, and respondents were selected from at least each division among the five divisions of this district. The sample size was 70 respondents in the categories of head teachers of primary schools, pupils with physical disabilities, able-bodied pupils; officials from the Ministry of Education, officials from the NGO related sector and parents of the disabled children. The findings of the study revealed that actually the issue of accessibility by the physically impaired pupils under the Universal Primary education is affected by many factors which can be categorized under the school related, policies/laws and social-economic/cultural factors. Under the school related factors it was noted that the nature of the schools is not user friendly. Most of them are double storeyed, with no ramps but instead they have steps. Schools have no teachers trained in special needs education, no special curriculum, high teacher pupil ratio and over congestion in the classrooms. Under the policies related factors it was realized that there are a number of good International and local policies that are in place advocating for the education of children with physical disabilities. However, the problem lies in the fact that they are not effectively implemented and enforced hence leaving them good on paper but not serving their major objectives. Socio- cultural/socio-economic factors showed that negative attitudes towards children with disabilities stem right from their homes where they are born and this forces their parents to deny them their basic rights like a right to education. Negative attitudes coupled with the high levels of poverty in Uganda really aggregate the problem of accessibility to education. Education of children with disabilities is very expensive the parent needs to buy assistive devices like wheel chairs, white cane sticks, which the government does not provide through its UPE Program. More to this the community at large also has negative attitudes towards these children so they do not give them enough support when it comes to accessing this social service yet they are also some of the major key players. Negative attitudes then later stretches to the children themselves and they lose their self esteem and some end up performing poorly in class while others drop out of school. The research therefore recommends that if the problem of accessibility to educational services by the physically impaired pupils under the UPE Program is to be solved, there must be an integrated interplay between all these factors and interventions from all the sectors to make their education a reality. However, more emphasis should be laid on the government intervention since all the factors rotate around its support as the founding member of UPE.
Access to information and the right to health: A case of mothers seeking antenatal care services in Mulago Hospital.

(Makerere University, 2012-07) Watera, Josephine

This study investigated the association between access to information and the right to health for mothers seeking Ante-Natal (ANC) services in Mulago Hospital. This was against the background that access to health information is a basic need and right and that, despite this, mothers especially those seeking maternal health services are still lacking effective access to it. The study attempted to; explore the knowledge of mothers on access to information as a right to health; analyse the information needs of mothers seeking antenatal health care; investigate available channels of accessing information for mothers seeking antenatal care; and to discuss the barriers to access of health information by mothers seeking antenatal care services. The study was informed by an important theory in health care delivery, namely, the Health Belief Model. It also borrows concepts from the Human Right Based Approach to health. Using a case study of Mulago Hospital, quantitative and qualitative approaches were engaged to conduct the study. Data was collected through Exit Client Interviews involving 98 mothers seeking ANC services, 2 Focus Group Discussions and 10 Key Informant Interviews and secondary sources. Quantitative–descriptive as well as thematic analysis was undertaken in the process of data analysis and interpretation of findings. The findings indicate that access to information is the one most vital element for one to realize the right to health. The results show that the background characteristics of mothers influenced their knowledge of and desire to claim their right to health. Most mothers reported to have knowledge of the elements of the right to health though they could not clearly relate this to access to information. Many mothers usually have specific information needs as they seek ANC services though some of these miss out on meeting these needs. The mothers reported to have used a number of channels to access information. The study found out that ANC classes and the health provider-client interactions were the commonly used and also most preferred. A number of barriers were noted as mothers struggled to access health information. This included language barriers, outdated information, limited time, difficulty in interpretation among others. The study concludes that access to information is paramount in realizing the right to health and reducing the diseases burden. The health providers and government of Uganda should fight to remove any barriers.
Access to land and reintegration of formerly abducted women in Gulu District, Northern Uganda

(Makerere University, 2022-07) Bodi, Suzan

New Wars differ in nature and context from Old Wars. As a result, more civilians, and therefore an increasing number of women and children, suffer the structural damages of this kind of conflict. These range from abduction at a young age and abuse while in captivity. Reintegration of these victims of conflict is thus vital for realizing peace and stability. Despite having come back home over a decade ago and undergone various reintegration programs, many formerly abducted women in Gulu who came back with children born in captivity are faced with various challenges to reintegration. This qualitative study explored the impact of access to land on reintegration of formerly abducted women who came back with children born in captivity; many of whose paternity is not known, with the aim of establishing how access to land would fully reintegrate them. The study examined the nature of these formerly abducted women, the norms regarding access to land for women in Gulu, and the challenges of reintegration. Using a cross-sectional design, the researcher employed various tools for data collection like; Focus group discussions with the formerly abducted mothers, and members of the community. Key informant interviews were held with Local government officials, religious and cultural leaders. Data collected was presented and analyzed into themes in accordance with the specific objectives. The study revealed that perception of society is a defining factor for many of these women and their children and it has resulted in where they live, and what they do to earn a living. Land in Gulu is owned by the clan and the practices of succession and access are gender insensitive and chauvinistic, as land is passed on to male descendants and very little apportioned to women. Government and relevant authorities should come up with strategies to ensure that these women and their children have access to ownership and use of land so as to fully reintegrate them and their children and mitigate the possibility of conflict recurring.
Access to maternal, sexual and reproductive health services by persons with disabilities in the central region of Uganda

(Makerere University, 2024-11) Ndagire, Florence

Persons with disabilities are a marginalised population, and their access to Maternal, Sexual and Reproductive Health (MSRH) has been neglected for decades due to social and cultural myths, beliefs and misconceptions regarding disability. Although there has been a tremendous improvement in access to MSRH services for people without disabilities globally, persons with disabilities in Uganda continue to face significant barriers in access to reproductive health and related services. These include attitudinal, institutional (in the form of policies and laws that discriminate persons with disabilities), environmental and physical barriers, and barriers to functional reproductive related information in accessible formats. It is therefore important to investigate access to MSRH services by persons with disabilities in Uganda, especially in the COVID-19 era where access to the above services has become increasingly difficult. This was a qualitative research methodology. The research design was phenomenological and descriptive (Groenewald, 2004). Phenomenological studies examine human experiences through the descriptions provided by the people involved, in this case persons with disabilities (Parse et al., 1985). The goal of phenomenological research design is to describe the meanings that experiences hold for each subject. I interviewed 40 persons with disabilities as in-depth respondents and 20 key informants from the districts of Kampala, Luwero, Wakiso and Mpigi. Data was analysed using NVivo software that supported the identification of themes presented in these findings. The findings reveal significant higher, institutional, attitudinal and individual barriers to accessing MSRH services for persons with disabilities. Higher level barriers include the lack of a deliberate policy that mainstreams the MSRH needs of persons with disabilities. Institutional barriers include inaccessible health facilities and inaccessible health information. Attitudinal barriers encompass prejudice, discrimination, stigma and stereotyping on the part of health workers. Individual barriers include: the individual’s lack of knowledge of contraceptives; their perceptions about family planning; cultural beliefs and misconceptions surrounding the Person with Disabilities; their distance from home to the hospital; the lack of support from their family; and the lack of their informed consent in the provision of MSRH services. Barriers substantially associated with COVID-19 included the lack of transport to attend MSRH services, the lack of prioritization of MSRH needs (such as converting MSRH centres into COVID-19 treatment centres), and the limiting of the number of times persons with disabilities might attend antenatal and postnatal care. This study reveals significant barriers in access to MSRH services for persons with disabilities, calling for deliberate strategies to promote inclusive MSRH services in line with Article 25 of the Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD) and Goals Three and Five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Access to microfinance services by persons with disabilities in Uganda : the case of BRAC and Pride Microfinance Institutions

(Makerere University, 2020-12) Mukasa, Joseph

The purpose of the current study was to examine the nature and level of access to microfinance services by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Uganda taking BRAC and Pride as case studies. Specifically, the study examined the perception of microfinance providers towards serving PWDs, the categories of PWDs accessing microfinance services and the interventions microfinance services providers have put in place to enhance access to their services by PWDs. The study adopted a qualitative approach and in-depth interviews and observation were the main methods used to collect data from staff of microfinance institutions as the primary participants and their clients with disabilities. A total of nineteen (19) participants were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was thematically analysed and presented descriptively with the support of field voices. Results of the study suggest that, depending on the category and degree of the disability, microfinance providers perceive PWDs as any other client without disability, or as people who deserve charity or as risky clients who lack the ability to effectively run business. Thus, Persons with physical disability are perceived to be like any other persons without disability whereas the deaf, blind and dumb are considered to be risky clients who cannot use services like credit productively and be able to pay back. Such a category of PWDs is not looked at as potential clients of Microfinance institutions and therefore deserve to get charity from voluntary organisations. It is evident from the study findings that only persons with mild physical disability and the partially blind had access to microfinance services. This is attributed to the business management ability envisaged in them by microfinance providers and the ability to meet criteria as opposed to dumb, deaf and totally blind who are looked at as having no ability to effectively run business and also because of communication barriers find it extremely difficult to meet the criteria set by MFIs. The study findings confirm the generality of microfinance institutions’ interventions to serve the poor. Notably: Mobile phone banking, Community Banking and small-size loans which address the general concerns of the poor and not deliberately the special needs of PWDs. This explains the limited participation of PWDs in the microfinance industry in Uganda. Hence MFIs are hereby recommended to formulate and implement policies that accommodate the special needs of PWDs to ensure fair access to microfinance services and to enable them unleash their economic potentials like their counterparts without disabilities.
Access to primary education in refugee settlements: A case of Bidibidi Refugee Settlement in Uganda

(Makerere University, 2019-09) Kagisha, Kellen Karen

Obtaining quality education is not only a fundamental human right but also a tool for recovery in times of emergencies for refugee children. Therefore, providing access to inclusive, safe, protective and child-friendly education for refugee children remains a priority in Uganda. A favorable and legal and policy framework exists protecting the right to education of refugees. Nevertheless, several factors continue to affect refugees from accessing primary education in Bidibidi refugee settlement. Most of these factors are not unique to Bidibidi. These factors include low absorption capacity of government primary schools, shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate sanitary facilities, violence against children in school, the language of instruction, costs of education among others. In addition, under the stress and pressure of displacement, many adolescents and/or families prioritize the short-term benefits of early marriage, domestic labor at home or elsewhere or wage-earning activities. Some interventions have been undertaken by civil society organizations in partnership with the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, these interventions collectively, fall short of ensuring that state responsibility on the right to education under international human rights law for refugees. Therefore, context-specific and sustainable responses based are still required to ensure the fulfillment of refugees’ right to education, responding to the ambition of inclusive and equitable quality education by 2030.
Access to services by children living with their incarcerated mothers in prison: A case study of Luzira women’s prison

(Makerere University, 2016-12) Kiggundu, Juliet Namirimu Kamya

The overall objective of the study was to assess the level of access to services by children living with their incarcerated mothers in Luzira Women’s prison and the coping strategies adopted by the mothers. The specific objectives of the study were; 1). To assess the nature of children incarcerated with their mothers; 2). To assess the level of access to the needs of children living with their incarcerated mothers and their coping mechanisms; 3). To examine constraints affecting access to services by children living with incarcerated mothers in Luzira prison. The study was cross-sectional and employed qualitative research design. Fifty-five key informants were purposively selected from three categories, i.e.; a). 19 mothers living with their children in incarceration, b). 10 pregnant women, c). 20 other women prison inmates, d). Six prison administration staff including, Officer in Charge, Welfare officer, two Prison wardens, prison nurse and day care attendant. Data was solicited from them using semi structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Focus group discussions were also organized with key informants and data obtained using interview guides. Additionally, observation checklists were also used in the investigations. Raw data was edited and coded. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data collected. The findings revealed that the nature of children incarcerated with their mothers are those in the category of one week to four years. Eighty percent (80%) of these children were girls and the rest (20%) were boys. The findings also revealed that the needs required by children of imprisoned mothers such food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, protection were inadequate. It was indicated that as a means to cope up with inadequate services, incarcerated mothers resorted to their relatives for provision of food, others get supplies from well-wishers and charity organizations while others indulge themselves in art and craft activities and in turn sell the products to support themselves. Additionally, others do voluntary work such cooking for fellow inmates who are well off in turn for food. Furthermore, the study revealed that there are a number of constraints affecting access to services by children living with their incarcerated mothers which range from logistical, administrative and budgetary constraints. There are three major conclusions and recommendations of the study. 1) Children imprisoned with their mothers are always very young and vulnerable and need specialized support care services. The study recommends that legal entities should consider a non-custodial sentence as an alternative to imprisonment with the aim of creating a normal environment that promotes and facilitates the physical and emotional development of the child for the period that such a child remains in prison with the mother 2) the level of access to services by children incarcerated with their mother is inadequate and therefore there is need to come up with policy measures to mitigate the problem. 3) Children incarcerated with their mothers are faced with a number of challenged which affect their access to basic necessities. Most of these challenges are financial in nature. It is recommended that government creates a special to cater for such children in prisons.
Accessibility to legal aid services by orphans and other vulnerable children in Kira town council

(Makerere University, 2021) Obongi, Charles

The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing accessibility to legal aid services by orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) in Kira Town Council, Wakiso district in Uganda. The objectives of the study were to identify the legal aid challenges experienced by OVC and their guardians in Kira Town Council; assess the availability of legal aid services to OVC and their guardians in Kira Town Council; assess the level of awareness of legal aid services by OVC and their guardians in Kira Town Council; and determine the level of utilization of and accessibility to legal aid services by OVC and their guardians in Kira Town Council. The study used a descriptive survey design because it helps describe the characteristics of an event and provide data about the population or item being studied. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used. The quantitative approach allows the researcher to solicit information that can be expressed numerically to explain, predict and control phenomena of interest. The qualitative information was derived from key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A sample size of 98 was used out of the total population of 130. The study found that 84.7% of the respondents disagreed that legal aid providers in Kira Town Council were able to solve all legal aid problems of the OVC; that 80.6% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the legal aid services provided to OVC; that 69.4% of the respondents had not heard about legal aid services in Kira Town Council; and, finally, that 67% of the respondents disagreed that legal aid services to OVC in Kira Town Council were given at a financial cost. The study concluded that legal aid providers in Kira Town Council were unable to solve all legal aid problems of the OVC; that the people of Kira Town Council were dissatisfied with the legal aid services provided to OVC; that the OVC and their guardians had not heard about legal aid services in Kira Town Council; and that legal aid services to OVC were given free of charge in Kira Town Council. The study recommended that the Government of Uganda should endeavour to expand the legal aid services to cover both the urban and rural areas so that OVC are able to seek legal redress pertaining to numerous problems experienced in communities, as orphans and vulnerable children are either offenders or victims, all needing legal aid services. The study also recommended that legal aid service providers need to be empowered with finances to be able to make themselves readily available to provide legal aid services to OVC within the urban and rural areas, for example organising radio talk shows to create community awareness about legal aid services. The study recommended that in order to popularize the provision of legal aid services to OVC in Uganda, there is need to create awareness by mobilizing community members to be able to know about the availability of such services. This would then convince OVC and their guardians to be able to access and utilise legal aid services. The government should ensure that legal aid services are accessible to the communities. This will enable orphans and other vulnerable children to get the legal aid services they need when they fall victim to abuse. Accessibility should be made possible through the enhancement of the provision of free legal aid services and to ensure that physical distances to legal aid service providers aid easy access. Government should also come up with livelihood interventions targeting OVC and their guardians so that they are able to generate income to meet part of the cost of legal services.
Adaptation to climate variability among crop farmers in Nakaseke Sub-County, Nakaseke District, Uganda

(Makerere University, 2018-11) Tweshengyereze, Silverno

Climate variability is one of the most serious environmental challenges impacting heavily on agriculture and crop farming in particular. Hence, this study sought to investigate the current nature of climate variability and its effects on crop farming, the various adaptation practices as well as farmers’ adaptive capacity in Nakaseke district. The study employed simple random sampling to select the final households for the study while purposive sampling was used to select Key Informants. Again, the questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 196 randomly selected respondents from the three parishes in the study area. Both the Focus Group Discussion guide and the structured interview guide were used to collect qualitative data during FGD and interviews conducted with key informants respectively. The results of the study suggest that crop farmers are highly aware of the major changes in climate, most notably increase in temperatures, increased occurrence of drought and decrease in the amount of precipitation. The study further identified premature drying of crops in the garden, increased cases of crop pests and diseases, decrease in soil fertility and loss of soil moisture as the most remarkable effects of climate variability on crop farming. In response, crop farmers have taken up a set of thirteen (13) adaptation practices. The three top most practices being; mulching the garden, regular spraying and adjusting planting dates. The study further found that farmers had a low capacity to adapt to the effects of climate variability which is mostly substantiated by inadequate land, insufficient knowledge and information, inadequate financial capacity, low levels of education, limited sources of water for irrigation among other constraints. One of the salient recommendations in this study is that farmers’ adaptive capacity ought to be greatly enhanced through improving access to crop varieties that are; drought resistant, quick maturing and above all, resistant to the major crop pests and diseases. In addition, all farmers ought to be provided with timely and reliable seasonal climate forecasts, improved access to financial services, improving access to water for irrigation, improving the road networks among other relevant and carefully thought facilities.
Adoption of community based health insurance in Luwero District

(Makerere University, 2022) Nabanoba, Christine

Community-based health-insurance schemes are being advanced as a means to reduce and stabilize the costs of treatment, increase access to health care and to reduce the use of costly risk-coping strategies in the informal sector. The purpose of this study was to examine the adoption of Community Based health insurance in the informal sector in Uganda. Using a case study of Muno Mubulwade Union of Schemes in Luwero district, the study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive research design where both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied. Data was collected through a survey involving 138 household respondents, 12 key informants and four focus group discussions as well as review of relevant secondary data sources. Thematic and content analysis were undertaken, independent t-test, descriptive statistics and chi-square were used for quantitative data. The findings indicate that the rate of adoption of CBHI is still low (13%). The factors that contributed to the low enrolment are; high premium and inadequate information, large family size and lack of trust in the current schemes. The strategies for addressing the challenges faced in the adoption of CBHI included; the need for flexibility in timing of recruitment of new members and premium collection, involvement of more community members in the scheme development and implementation and a need for massive awareness and information campaigns at the community level. The results show that; CBHI schemes have got the potential to enrol people from different socioeconomic groups, contributing to equity in access to health care. There is also significant positive relationship between the level of education of the household head and enrolment in CHBI schemes, with more primary level household heads among non- members (59.3) than among members (40.7%). This case study indicates that rate of adoption of CBHI, amongst the community members in Luwero is modest, it is still moderately young and would need more time to develop. Among others, the study recommends a closer integration of the informal and formal sectors through establishing national health insurance scheme, which acts as the umbrella with collective involvement of beneficiaries in scheme design and management.
Affirmative action for women’s political participation and gender transformation in Uganda

(Makerere Universirty, 2023-11) Mutuuzo, Peace Regis

This study set out to examine the effect of affirmative action for women’s political participation on change in gender transformation in Uganda. Specifically, the study examined the level of awareness of affirmative action policies for women’s political participation, analysed the perception on the effect of affirmative action to changes in gender relations and the status of women in both the political and local community. It also explored the structural barriers that limit women in achieving gender equality in politics. The study employed a mixed method research design using largely qualitative data collection approaches. A sample size of 400 respondents was drawn from four regions, each represented by one district with 100 respondents (that is: Mukono for the Central, Arua for the North, Kasese for the West and Jinja for the East). Structured interviews were supported by 2 FGDs from each district. Key Informants’ interviews were conducted, with 38 Members of Parliament, 80 District Councillors, and technocrats with knowledge on the subject matter were selected purposively for interviews. The second data collection method comprised of document reviews like journals, and policy documents and legal frameworks such as Parliamentary Hansards, Constitution, newspaper articles and Ministerial reports. The study established limited awareness by local community and politicians about the various affirmative action policies that promote women’s participation in politics. It was also established that the local community was willing to vote for a woman on the open seat, for as long as she measured and demonstrated the same political traits and capacity as men. It was also established that women’s political achievements are accepted as long as they did not lose their femininity determined by gender roles to challenge the male leadership position at family level and cultural or religious leaders. The study thus, concludes that while some patriarchal cultural norms have changed and women are accepted as leaders, social transformation is yet to occur with women leaders having to shoulder both their feminine and male gender roles. Arising from the stagnation in growth of numbers of women in politics, affirmative action in its current design will take long to deliver the transformation of gender relations needed to guarantee gender equality in society. The adopted quota design in Uganda does not meet nor mean equitable distribution of power and resources between men and women. I conclude that placement of women in the special interest group (in as much as it was a necessary compromise then) has now turned to be one way the policy sustains the perception of women as vulnerable. To eliminate the structural barriers that limit women from achieving gender equality in politics, the study recommends integration of gender equality in education curriculum at all levels and digital sensitization taking advantage of the young population in Uganda. The study recommends a review of quotas for women from 30% to equal representation of one man-one woman for every elective position in politics at all levels to accredit women as equal to men in their own rights.
African parliaments and democracy

(Makerere University, 2023-10) Musa, Yusuf

The study being library-based research adopted a qualitative method of investigation, which used qualitative document review approach by basing on secondary data and this enabled me to review the available literature in order to obtain the necessary information. This enabled the researcher to go to libraries several times reviewing documents related to an examination of African parliaments and Democracy. It was revealed that Parliaments are one of the key state institutions of democracy, playing an important role in terms of legislation, oversight and representation. Their representational role includes ensuring that citizens and other stakeholders have a voice at the national level and are therefore involved in national governance issues. According to UNDP/IPU (2012), in some African countries; parliaments are weak, ineffective and marginalized since there is a continuous minimal representation of the decisions, interests and voices of the people whom legislators represent. The study recommends that parliamentarians should always care about their electorate once elected in order to fulfill their control function vis-à-vis a possibly ill-performing executive. The Parliament of Uganda particularly should promote citizens’ participation in order to improve its image and public trust in its activities. Members of Parliaments should often go to their constituents and collect people voices and opinions to be discussed in parliament which will increase the trust of the institution of parliament to the public.
The African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and conflict resolution in Africa

(Makerere University, 2024-05) Akampwera, Amos

This desktop research delves into the influence of APSA on conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa. APSA, a pivotal structure established by the African Union (AU) to promote peace, security, and stability, embodies the collective endeavor of African states to address and mitigate conflicts and crises within their territories. This study systematically reviews literature, policy documents, and case studies to unpack the mechanisms through which APSA operates, including the African Standby Force, the Panel of the Wise, the Continental Early Warning System, and the Peace Fund. Through qualitative analysis, the research highlights APSA’s significant interventions in conflict zones across Africa, examining the successes and setbacks in its quest to foster lasting peace and security. Furthermore, it scrutinizes the interplay between APSA and other international and regional peacekeeping actors, assessing the extent of synergy or contention in their collaborative efforts. The study identifies critical challenges facing APSA, such as funding constraints, political will, and capacity issues, while also exploring innovative strategies for enhancing its effectiveness in conflict resolution. In doing so, it contributes to the discourse on peacekeeping and conflict management in Africa, offering recommendations for policymakers, the AU, and regional entities to bolster the APSA framework. This research not only sheds light on the instrumental role of APSA in navigating the complex landscape of African conflicts but also underscores the importance of continental and global collaboration in achieving sustainable peace and security.
Agricultural extension service provision and utilisation: the case of aquaculture in Uganda.

(Makerere University, 2021-04) Atukunda, Gertrude

Provision of aquaculture extension services to farmers is fundamental for improvement of fish production and the wellbeing of fish farming households. The study examined the provision of extension services for fish farming, and the adoption of key recommended technologies and practices in the central and northern regions of Uganda. Specifically, the study assessed the characteristics of fish farming households, and extension service provision factors in the adoption of fish farming technologies and practices. Focus was on understanding the actors involved in extension service provision, the services offered, the approaches and methods used, and the level of adoption of key recommended fish farming technologies. The study applied a sequential mixed-methods data collection approach. Quantitative data were collected using a survey questionnaire, while qualitative data were collected using Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The study finds that agricultural research and extension guided the process of introducing aquaculture as a new enterprise since the 1950s. Extension’s focus to improve fish farming has had minimal success due to limited understanding of differences among fish farmers, and how fish farming fits in the overall diversified nature of household agricultural production. The structure and pathways of agricultural extension services were inefficient in methods used, coverage, financial and technical support. The socio-economic characteristics of respondents influenced extension interactions. The adoption of recommended aquaculture technologies was low due to individual-farmer and household-level factors, as well as the nature of extension interactions. Extension service provision for aquaculture is ineffective and alienates fish farmers from essential services needed to increase fish production. The study proposes a farmer-centred, flexible and socially acceptable aquaculture extension model that promotes beneficial extension worker-farmer interactions through strengthening participation, collective decision-making and empowerment. The study proposes a fish farming-tailored extension service cognisant of the practices, actors, as well as fish farmers’ needs and expectations.
Agricultural Extension Services and Food Security in Abim District

( 2015-09) Okengo, Oscar Burton

Agriculture is one of the most important means of livelihood for the majority of the population in developing countries, since it acts as a source of employment to nearly ninety percent of the rural poor. However, in order for agriculture to achieve its desired objective of increasing productivity and hence food security, it needs to be supported by an efficient extension service system. This study aims at examining this relationship between extension services and food security in Abim District, Karamoja region. The study combined ethnographic research design with descriptive surveys to explore the linkage between agricultural extension services (availability of improved husbandry practices, disease and pest management, post harvest handling and marketing of agricultural products) and food security. Random samples of 126 farmers were selected for the interview. In addition, four Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and six Key Informants (KI) interviews were also conducted. A correlation analysis was done to ascertain the level of relationship between availability, access and quality of extension services and food security, in addition, a multi-linear regression was conducted to determine the extent of the relationship. The key findings were, one there was a direct relationship between agricultural extension and food security. Two, incidences of food insecurity were too rampant within the community due to limited access to extension services as only 27.8 percent of the respondents reported having access to extension services, limited livelihoods assets such as livestock holdings, land resources as well as farming implements. The result showed that, most farmers appreciate the importance of extension since most of them indicated interest in embracing the program, except that, there were no personnel providing these services. Finally, there was a clear relationship between agricultural extension services and food security since improvement in the three key aspects of extension (availability, access and quality) would lead to a 75 percent chance improvement in food production. In conclusion, the research confirmed that, food security, though directly linked to agricultural extension, is a multi-dimensional in nature, in that it is affected by both food consumption related factors and non- food related factors. This therefore implies that, for any intervention to succeed there is dire need to integrate all these factors in order to achieve success.
Agriculture and youth employment in Wakiso district

(Makerere Universirty, 2023-11) Nakazibwe, Winfred

The focus of this study was agriculture and youth employment in Uganda using Wakiso District as a case study. Specifically, it analysed the factors influencing youth employment in agriculture; perceptions of youth towards agriculture for employment; and examined the contribution of agriculture to improving youth livelihood; and used the study findings to recommend strategies that can promote youth employment in agriculture. The study was informed by two theories; the Lewis model of dual economy and Participation by marginalisation and mobilisation by Anyidoho et al., (2012). The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, which used a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A sample ofsize of 108 of both employed and unemployed youths and 22 key informants were selected to participate in the study. The study findings indicate that there are low levels of youth employment in agriculture. The study found various factors that influence youth employment in agriculture including agricultural knowledge, low profitability of agriculture, land accessibility and access to agricultural financing. The study found out that the there is a positive perception of youth towards agriculture for increased income and employment. However, the youth continue to shun it as a viable sector for employment due to its persistent subsistence in nature. Most of the youth appreciated the potential contribution of agriculture towards improving youth livelihood by ensuring food security, providing employment, improved welfare and poverty reduction. However, most of them were not in agriculture due to its subsistence nature, the sector being labour intensive with unattractive profits. Based on the finding, study recommends first, the inclusion of agriculture in the curriculum of formal education system at all levels to enhance agriculture training, knowledge and skills in agriculture practices; secondly, policy makers should involve the youth in the policy processes of agricultural programmes for their ownership by the youth and programme sustainability; thirdly, government should also allocate land for agricultural production to youth who are in organised in groups/cooperatives; fourth, for the youth to be encouraged to fully get involved in agriculture as their formal employment, there is need for sensitization and awareness programmes on the importance of agriculture to national, community and individual development; sharing of success stories of youth in agriculture; and there is a need for structural changes, away from subsistence farming to the promotion of sustainable agriculture with employment opportunities for the youth.
Alternative Employment and HIV Infection Risk Reduction among Female Sex Workers in Kawempe, Division, Kampala

(Makerere University, 2023-01) AYEBARE, MARGARET

ABSTRACT This study set out to investigate the potential for alternative employment and HIV infection risk reduction among female sex workers (FSW) in Kawempe Division, Kampala. The study was guided by three objective namely: (1) to compare the sexual practices and risk-taking behaviours among FSW who have supplementary employment with those without any alternative employment, (2) to assess the work dynamics and challenges faced by FSW in supplementary or alternative employment, (3) to assess the feasibility of supplementary or alternative employment for FSW as a strategy for reducing HIV infection and other risks involved. This study employed a case study research design, using descriptive strategies that employed qualitative and quantitative techniques which complimented each other in triangulation of field data. Convenient and snowball sampling techniques were used to select 60 FSW participants while purposive sampling strategy was used to select 10 key informants. The quantitative data it was analysed using a computer program, SPSS version 19 while the qualitative data was analysed using a thematic data analysis method. Study findings revealed that women join sex work trade majorly as a means of survival to meet their socioeconomic needs. Drivers of females into sex trade vary from one person to another but majorly they include; peer influence, economic hardships and intimate partner violence. The challenges and risks involved in sex trade exposes FWS to HIV and other STIs. Alternative employment in this case therefore helps sex workers to earn an extra income that empowers women to negotiate for safe sex, reduces on the numbers of men one involve with hence reducing on the risks. Using a multi-sectoral approach, government of Uganda support scaling up of HIV targeted intervention services among sex workers. Additionally, organizations that work with and for sex workers should involve sex workers at all levels when planning for issues that affect them. “Nothing for us without us” as their slogan goes especially the economic empowerment programs.
Alternative livelihood options for female sex workers in border areas: a case study of Busia Town

( 2022-07-08) Warutere, Ruth Wangechi

Many organizations have come up to offer alternative livelihood options to Female Sex workers. This study looks at the different options offered, the effectiveness of the options in meeting the needs of sex workers and the gaps existing within the alternatives.

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