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ItemThe effect of warehouse receipt system on cashew nuts production in Tanzania(Makerere University, 2026)This study analyzed the effect of warehouse receipt system on cashew nuts production in Tanzania. The study used secondary time series data obtained from UNdata of the United Nations for model one and cross-sectional data was obtained from survey data of 2007/2008 agricultural survey conducted in Tanzania at village level for model two. Specific objectives were to analyze the effect of warehouse-regulated prices on cashew nuts production in Tanzania and to assess the effect of input accessibility under WRS on cashew nuts productivity in Tanzania. Logarithms of the variables were taken in order to determine the percentage rate of change in the dependent variable when one of the independent variables changes. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was used for objective one, and two models were estimated. But the second objective was analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) technique. Prior to the econometric estimation, the study data was subjected to preliminary analysis, which involved presentation of descriptive statistics and normality, heteroscedasticity and serial correlation tests. The ARDL results from the estimation reveal that, cashew nut prices, pesticides, cultivated area and their lagged values were the main significant factors affecting cashew nut production in Tanzania. Likewise, for objective two, fertilizer use, pesticides, herbicides, education of head of household, radio, cellphone, bicycle, and motorcycle ownership positively influenced the cashew nut productivity. While labor force had no significant effect on cashew nuts production, holding other factors constant. Based on the findings of the study, the conclusion is that warehouse-regulated prices positively affect cashew nuts production in Tanzania. Secondly, input accessibility under WRS positively affects cashew nuts productivity in Tanzania. This study recommends that the Tanzanian government should intervene in the cashew nuts sub-sector and provide subsidized inputs for the small farmers to reduce on the costs. Cheap funds should be availed to farmers to enable them pay for other key factors such as labor on their farms. Government should also encourage farmer cooperatives that may be engaged in processing of the crop before export
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ItemDeterminants of antenatal care utilization in Uganda( 2026-01-12)Despite ongoing efforts to improve maternal health in Uganda, antenatal care (ANC) utilization remains suboptimal, particularly among women in rural and low-income settings. With a maternal mortality ratio of 336 deaths per 100,000 live births (UDHS, 2016), Uganda continues to face significant challenges in ensuring safe motherhood. This study examined the determinants of ANC utilization among women of reproductive age using data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). A total of 10,219 women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth in the five years preceding the survey were analysed. Adequate ANC utilization was defined as attending at least four visits during pregnancy, consistent with previous World Health Organization guidelines. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were performed, with a modified Poisson regression model applied to identify independent predictors of adequate ANC attendance. Results showed that 60.1% of women attended at least four ANC visits, while only 1.7% met the newer WHO recommendation of eight visits. Higher education, formal employment, belonging to higher wealth quintiles, and access to health insurance were significantly associated with increased ANC attendance. In contrast, older maternal age, marital instability, and residence in regions such as Bugisu and Bunyoro were associated with lower utilization. The findings highlight persistent socio-economic and geographic inequities in maternal health access particularly ANC utilization. Strengthening women’s education, expanding health insurance access, and addressing regional disparities are essential to improving ANC attendance and achieving equitable maternal health outcomes in Uganda.
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ItemDeterminants of credit access in Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)This study examines the determinants of household credit access in Uganda using nationally representative data from the Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) 2019/2020. A weighted sample of 13,645 households was analyzed using survey-adjusted binary logistic regression to estimate overall credit access and a multinomial logit model to distinguish between formal, informal, and no credit outcomes. Only 22.8% of households accessed credit, with 4.8% borrowing formally and 13.7% informally. Key determinants were education, income, household size, and VSLA/SACCO membership. Post-secondary education increased the probability of access by about 8 percentage points, while VSLA/SACCO membership had the strongest effect, raising access by 17.5 percentage points. Higher household income also increased access (marginal effect: 0.014). In contrast, older age (–0.088) and urban residence (–0.037) reduced the likelihood of borrowing. Regional disparities were significant, with households in Eastern Uganda more likely and those in Northern Uganda less likely to access credit. Robustness checks including alternative model specifications and diagnostic tests confirmed the reliability of the results. Key limitations include the cross-sectional design and limited capture of digital credit. The study recommends strengthening rural financial infrastructure, expanding digital and group-based lending, and promoting financial literacy to improve inclusive access to credit.
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ItemInnovation behaviour and firm performance in Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)Manufacturing firms in many developing countries operate in settings associated with unregulated informal practices, skills and infrastructure constraints, low enforcement of intellectual property rights, and narrow financial markets. In such settings, investment in firm innovation is likely to be constrained. Consequently, firms may invest less in Research and Development (R&D) due to the likelihood of spillovers from introducing an innovation. As a survival strategy, innovating firms may opt to engage in incremental rather than groundbreaking innovation, acquire ready-made innovation, participate in joint endeavors, or imitate existing innovation. The choice of innovation behaviour may limit domestic value addition and is likely to influence the firm’s productivity, long-term competitiveness, international market participation, and performance outcomes. This study examines how Ugandan manufacturing firms address these innovation challenges and whether their innovation behavior explains performance outcomes. Specifically, it (1) examines the effects of competition from the informal sector (CIS) and access to finance on firm innovation behaviour, (2) identifies the determinants of the product innovation strategies manufacturing firms in Uganda adopt, and (3) analyses the effects exerted by the product innovation strategies on firm performance. To guide this analysis, the study draws on five interrelated theoretical frameworks: dual economy, pecking order, institutional theory, and both the resource-based and knowledge-based views. The first objective utilizes World Bank Enterprise Survey data and a multivariate probit model, revealing that exposure to CIS accelerates product innovation and that financing sources shape firm innovation choices. The second objective categorizes product innovation strategy into four groups: product innovation is internally developed “make”, sourced externally “buy”, created through collaboration “ally”, or developed by modifying original innovations “imitate”. It utilizes the Uganda National Innovation Survey (NIS) dataset, and findings show that product innovation strategies are heterogeneous, characterized by the firm's innovation expenditures, innovation obstacles, information sources, as well as short and long-term objectives. Firms that invest in contracted or external R&D and machinery acquisition are more likely to innovate. The analysis of the third objective is based on PLS-SEM. It employs the NIS dataset and reveals that product innovation strategy has no direct effect on firm performance. The results suggest that the firm’s product innovation strategy is mediated by other internal capabilities, including product novelty and internationalization. The study points to the need for improvements in regulatory enforcement, encouraging the formalization of informal businesses while maintaining competition and encouraging product differentiation among formal firms. There is also a need to expand and restructure the sources of financing for firm innovation. Developing affordable, innovation-focused programs and providing low-cost financing options could form part of the solution. Policymakers ought to view external sourcing and product imitation as legitimate early-stage innovation strategies. In the long-run, incremental adaptation of externally sourced technologies and learning through imitation will gradually transform into in-house capabilities for novel product innovation. However, the effectiveness of this initiative relies on having a robust and targeted skills development program for enhancing product design capabilities. Additionally, introducing targeted incentives for exporters to continuously undertake in-house R&D and differentiate their offerings will enhance the firm's international competitiveness. Finally, prioritizing the development of new, differentiated products and providing innovation grants and tax incentives can lead to sustainable business success. Subject key words; Firm performance, Innovation behaviour.
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ItemApplying the epidemiological triad to obesity in Uganda: is it relevant?(Makerere University, 2025)Uganda is grappling with a rising double burden of malnutrition, where obesity coexists with undernutrition, particularly in urban areas. This dissertation examines the relevance of the epidemiological triad model—originally for infectious diseases—to obesity, conceptualizing calorie-dense foods as the "agent," individual characteristics as the "host," and socio-economic contexts as the "environment." The purpose is to provide an evidence-based framework for multi-level interventions by identifying key factors driving obesity among Ugandan adults aged 18 and above. Using a cross-sectional mixed-methods design, the study conducted secondary analysis of data from the 2014 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (N=1,210 adults), supplemented by qualitative review of policy documents and literature. Descriptive statistics, bivariate chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were employed to analyze associations, with diagnostic tests confirming model robustness (e.g., low multicollinearity, correct specification). Findings reveal an overall overweight/obesity prevalence of 25%, with significant host factors including female gender (Adj OR=4.3), middle age (35-54 years; Adj OR=3.1-4.1), and higher socioeconomic status (Adj OR=2.5-2.7). Peri-urban residence, as an environmental proxy, doubled the risk (Adj OR=2.6), inferring agent influences like increased access to processed foods (e.g., sugar-sweetened beverages, refined oils). The triad model proves relevant, highlighting systemic interactions beyond individual behaviors. In conclusion, obesity in Uganda stems from environmental facilitation of obesogenic agents interacting with vulnerable hosts. Recommendations include regulating food marketing, integrating NCD prevention into urban planning, and targeting high-risk groups through gender-specific programs to curb the epidemic effectively