Projects In Uganda Research Articles

Sustainable bridge engineering: Cost reduction and durability enhancement in developing nations

This paper explores innovative approaches to sustainable bridge engineering, focusing on cost reduction and durability enhancement in developing nations. Drawing from my successful projects in Uganda and Guinea, where I reduced construction costs by 30% without compromising structural integrity, I will present detailed case studies that highlight the effective application of sustainable materials and techniques. In Uganda, through the use of locally sourced materials and optimized construction processes, I achieved significant cost savings while ensuring long-term durability in rural infrastructure. Similarly, in Guinea, I implemented advanced engineering practices that prioritized resource efficiency, leading to a reduction in project expenses and a strengthened bridge lifespan. The case studies demonstrate how sustainable engineering practices can be tailored to local conditions and still meet global standards for resilient infrastructure. By emphasizing cost-effective materials such as recycled aggregates and low-carbon concrete, and employing techniques such as modular construction and innovative foundation designs, my work offers a blueprint for reducing expenses while enhancing the longevity of infrastructure. The strategies I employed in Uganda and Guinea are adaptable to other developing nations and can be applied globally, including in the U.S., to build durable and sustainable bridges that address both budgetary constraints and environmental considerations. This paper aligns with the broader goals of sustainable infrastructure development by contributing to the global discourse on resource-efficient engineering solutions. The findings support national and international objectives to enhance infrastructure resilience while minimizing environmental impact and construction costs.

Critical success factors for public-private partnership projects in Uganda

Critical success factors for public-private partnership projects in Uganda

Opportunities and challenges of a community-based bull breeding programme: a case of the regional pastoral livelihood resilience project in Uganda

The Regional Pastoral Livelihood Resilience Project Community-Based Breeding Programme (CBBP) was designed with the objective of increasing production and productivity of local Zebu cattle by introducing Sahiwal bulls among sedentary and agro-pastoral livestock farmers. This study mapped out actors, their roles and level of influence in the CBBP as well as the opportunities and challenges encountered during its implementation using the Process Net-Map tool. The results revealed that there were differences in number and type of influential actors between sedentary and agro-pastoral livestock farmers. The bull host and subcounty veterinary officer were the most influential actors among the sedentary livestock farmers whereas it was the herdsman, bull host, and Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) among the agro-pastoral farmers. The CBBP was associated with benefits such as increased market value for cattle, reduced chances for cattle rustling, increased cattle productivity in terms of milk and beef production volumes and ease of access to veterinary services. In contrast, the challenges encountered were related to both governance (limited availability of veterinarians, cattle rustling, exclusion of farmers in the planning phase of the CBBP, political interference and failure of collective action) and bull management (high costs of keeping and maintaining the bulls in terms of feeding, housing, watering and veterinary care, heavy bulls injuring or breaking the small cows, sexually transmitted reproductive diseases among others). Lastly, this paper recommends adoption of a combination of well-organized and facilitated Artificial Insemination (AI) programmes alongside the improved bull service scheme as each has capacity to address the challenges of another.

Telehealth Intervention for Social Behavioral Change Communication Toward Enhanced Partner Conversations on Family Planning Among Men: A Qualitative Analysis of a Pilot Project in Uganda.

Background: Lack of credible sexual partner dialog and support regarding family planning (FP) and other sexual reproductive health issues is a major impediment to contraception service uptake and utilization. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of attitudes toward using telehealth for remote education of couples through behavioral, motivational, and informational messaging on FP methods and its eventual impact on partner conversations around FP. Methods: The study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda, and involved recruiting 450 men from diverse settings. These men received regular SMS content on FP and sexual and reproductive health for a duration of 6 months. The content aimed to provide information and motivation while serving as a resource for discussions with their spouses. Following the main quantitative study, a qualitative follow-up study was conducted with a subset of 15 randomly selected men. In-depth interviews were conducted with these men to gain deeper insights into their experiences and perspectives. Results: The study revealed positive outcomes where men reported improved knowledge of FP methods such as child spacing, and types of contraception. The messaging prompted discussions with spouses on family size and spousal support. Couples reported a shift toward viewing FP as a joint responsibility, with some couples even taking concrete actions. The findings suggested that telehealth interventions can promote social and behavioral change and can improve couple communication and male involvement in FP decisions in Uganda. Conclusion: The study found that using telehealth messaging to educate men about FP in Uganda successfully improved communication between couples on the topic.

Social impacts arising from road infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa: better management of social issues is needed in road construction, upgrading and rehabilitation

ABSTRACT Despite the use of environmental and social impact assessments for road projects, severe social impacts continue to occur. We discuss the social impacts associated with the construction, upgrading, widening and/or rehabilitation of roads in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to a literature review, we analysed 10 road projects in Uganda by examining project planning documents, and undertaking in-depth interviews, group interviews and field visits. While there were some benefits from these road projects, especially dust reduction where roads became sealed, the significant land acquisition necessary for these linear projects has led to physical displacement, economic displacement, and disruption to the livelihoods of local people. Other issues included: inadequate community engagement; delayed payment of compensation and inadequate compensation; gender-based violence; poor road construction practice causing community safety concerns; project-induced in-migration or influx; sexual harassment; impacts on children; and issues around sex work. The lack of local community acceptance (social licence to operate) of the projects resulted in construction delays and increased costs. For more acceptable road projects, better community engagement, improved planning and management, and adequate funding for resettlement and compensation are essential.

LLIN Evaluation in Uganda Project (LLINEUP)–effects of a vector control trial on Plasmodium infection prevalence and genotypic markers of insecticide resistance in Anopheles vectors from 48 districts of Uganda

Pyrethroid bednets treated with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) offer the possibility of improved vector control in mosquito populations with metabolic resistance. In 2017–2019, we conducted a large-scale, cluster-randomised trial (LLINEUP) to evaluate long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) treated with a pyrethroid insecticide plus PBO (PBO LLINs), as compared to conventional, pyrethroid-only LLINs across 104 health sub-districts (HSDs) in Uganda. In LLINEUP, and similar trials in Tanzania, PBO LLINs were found to provide greater protection against malaria than conventional LLINs, reducing parasitaemia and vector density. In the LLINEUP trial, we conducted cross-sectional household entomological surveys at baseline and then every 6 months for two years, which we use here to investigate longitudinal changes in mosquito infection rate and genetic markers of resistance. Overall, 5395 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from 5046 households. The proportion of mosquitoes infected (PCR-positive) with Plasmodium falciparum did not change significantly over time, while infection with non-falciparum malaria decreased in An. gambiae s.s., but not An. funestus. The frequency of genetic markers associated with pyrethroid resistance increased significantly over time, but the rate of change was not different between the two LLIN types. The knock-down resistance (kdr) mutation Vgsc-995S declined over time as Vgsc-995F, the alternative resistance mutation at this codon, increased. Vgsc-995F appears to be spreading into Uganda. Distribution of LLINs in Uganda was previously found to be associated with reductions in parasite prevalence and vector density, but here we show that the proportion of infective mosquitoes remained stable across both PBO and non-PBO LLINs, suggesting that the potential for transmission persisted. The increased frequency of markers of pyrethroid resistance indicates that LLIN distribution favoured the evolution of resistance within local vectors and highlights the potential benefits of resistance management strategies.Trial registration: This study is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN17516395. Registered 14 February 2017, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17516395.

LLIN evaluation in Uganda project (LLINEUP2): association between housing construction and malaria burden in 32 districts

BackgroundWell-built housing limits mosquito entry and can reduce malaria transmission. The association between community-level housing and malaria burden in Uganda was assessed using data from randomly selected households near 64 health facilities in 32 districts.MethodsHouses were classified as ‘improved’ (synthetic walls and roofs, eaves closed or absent) or ‘less-improved’ (all other construction). Associations between housing and parasitaemia were made using mixed effects logistic regression (individual-level) and multivariable fractional response logistic regression (community-level), and between housing and malaria incidence using multivariable Poisson regression.ResultsBetween November 2021 and March 2022, 4.893 children aged 2–10 years were enrolled from 3.518 houses; of these, 1.389 (39.5%) were classified as improved. Children living in improved houses had 58% lower odds (adjusted odds ratio = 0.42, 95% CI 0.33–0.53, p < 0.0001) of parasitaemia than children living in less-improved houses. Communities with > 67% of houses improved had a 63% lower parasite prevalence (adjusted prevalence ratio 0.37, 95% CI 0.19–0.70, p < 0.0021) and 60% lower malaria incidence (adjusted incidence rate ratio 0.40, 95% CI 0.36–0.44, p < 0.0001) compared to communities with < 39% of houses improved.ConclusionsImproved housing was strongly associated with lower malaria burden across a range of settings in Uganda and should be utilized for malaria control.

LLIN Evaluation in Uganda Project (LLINEUP): modelling the impact of COVID-19-related disruptions on delivery of long-lasting insecticidal nets on malaria indicators in Uganda

BackgroundDisruptions in malaria control due to COVID-19 mitigation measures were predicted to increase malaria morbidity and mortality in Africa substantially. In Uganda, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are distributed nationwide every 3–4 years, but the 2020–2021 campaign was altered because of COVID-19 restrictions so that the timing of delivery of new nets was different from the original plans made by the National Malaria Control Programme.MethodsA transmission dynamics modelling exercise was conducted to explore how the altered delivery of LLINs in 2020–2021 impacted malaria burden in Uganda. Data were available on the planned LLIN distribution schedule for 2020–2021, and the actual delivery. The transmission model was used to simulate 100 health sub-districts, and parameterized to match understanding of local mosquito bionomics, net use estimates, and seasonal patterns based on data collected in 2017–2019 during a cluster-randomized trial (LLINEUP). Two scenarios were compared; simulated LLIN distributions matching the actual delivery schedule, and a comparable scenario simulating LLIN distributions as originally planned. Model parameters were otherwise matched between simulations.ResultsApproximately 70% of the study population received LLINs later than scheduled in 2020–2021, although some areas received LLINs earlier than planned. The model indicates that malaria incidence in 2020 was substantially higher in areas that received LLINs late. In some areas, early distribution of LLINs appeared less effective than the original distribution schedule, possibly due to attrition of LLINs prior to transmission peaks, and waning LLIN efficacy after distribution. On average, the model simulations predicted broadly similar overall mean malaria incidence in 2021 and 2022. After accounting for differences in cluster population size and LLIN distribution dates, no substantial increase in malaria burden was detected.ConclusionsThe model results suggest that the disruptions in the 2020–2021 LLIN distribution campaign in Uganda did not substantially increase malaria burden in the study areas.

Community engagement, commitment and sustainability of public–private partnership projects

PurposeThis study aims to examine the association between community engagement, community commitment and sustainability of public–private partnership (PPP) projects in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a cross-sectional and quantitative approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire from 42 PPP projects in Uganda.FindingsThe study found that community engagement and commitment are all positively and significantly associated with the sustainability of PPP projects in Uganda. Results also show that community commitment mediates community engagement and project sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study results imply that for sustainability to be achieved, communities must be engaged in project activities such as planning, design and implementation to boost their commitment to project sustainability.Originality/valueThe sustainability of PPP projects is an emerging phenomenon. This paper contributes to scanty literature on ensuring the sustainability of PPP projects from a developing country’s perspective.

Community Participation and Sustainability of Youth Livelihood Projects in Uganda: A Case of Northern Uganda Youth Entrepreneurship Project (NUYEP)

Purpose: This study examined the effect of community participation on sustainability of youth livelihood projects in Uganda, using a case of Northern Uganda Youth Entrepreneurship Project (NUYEP). The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effect of community participation in planning, implementation and monitoring on sustainability of NUYEP. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional design with both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data was collected from a sample of 152 project beneficiaries and 10 local leaders using a self-administered questionnaire and interview guide. The data was analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation and regression analysis with the help of SPSS v25. Findings: The study found a significant positive relationship between community participation in planning (rs= 0.406**, p=0.000); participation in implementation (rs= 0.655**, p=0.000); and participation in monitoring (rs= 0.365**, p = 0.000) and project sustainability. Collectively, the predictor variables explain 52.1% of the variation in project sustainability. Conclusion: It is concluded that community participation improves the sustainability of Youth Livelihood projects. Recommendations: It is recommended that future projects do prioritize community participation in project definition, implementation and monitoring. This should be a key aspect of project programming. Contribution: This study contributes to the understanding of how community participation is aiding the sustainability of the NUYEP project. In addition, most studies do explore the aspect of project performance with very few handling the aspect of project sustainability especially involving the youth programmes.

Institutional Factors Influencing Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation in NGOs in Uganda: A Case of TASO Mbarara and Rukungiri Service Centers

The participatory approach to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&amp;E) is considered core to project development and implementation because it seeks to involve people who will be affected by the project throughout its entire process. Over the years, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have played a significant role in implementing community-centered projects in Uganda. However, the level of community participation has been mainly limited to needs assessments, consultative meetings during the design of the project and baseline studies. This has greatly hindered project sustainability and effectiveness in achieving the intended objectives due to less ownership of the interventions by local people, a phenomenon attributed to institutional-based factors. The study examined the influence of institutional factors (leadership styles and staff competencies) on Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&amp;E) and explored how organizational structure influences PM&amp;E and the stakeholder perspectives towards PM&amp;E at The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) in Mbarara and Rukungiri service centers. The researchers adopted a mixed methods approach with a concurrent triangulation model involving a sample of 76 respondents whose views were obtained using questionnaires and 10 participants in key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPPS version 20.0, while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found that leadership styles and staff competencies had a statistically significant relationship with PM&amp;E. Qualitative findings further revealed that organizational structure in terms of policies and roles determines the extent of participation, the frequency, and how stakeholders are engaged. Stakeholder perspectives aligned towards technical skills needed for meaningful participation in M&amp;E, policy limitations, and financial constraints influenced participation at all stages. Rigorous stakeholder mapping and analysis by institutions is key in understanding interests and capacities of stakeholders which can be addressed and aligned to enhance participatory monitoring and evaluation.

Institutional Factors Influencing Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation in NGOs in Uganda: A Case of TASO Mbarara and Rukungiri Service Centers

The participatory approach to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&amp;E) is considered core to project development and implementation because it seeks to involve people who will be affected by the project throughout its entire process. Over the years, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have played a significant role in implementing community-centered projects in Uganda. However, the level of community participation has been mainly limited to needs assessments, consultative meetings during the design of the project and baseline studies. This has greatly hindered project sustainability and effectiveness in achieving the intended objectives due to less ownership of the interventions by local people, a phenomenon attributed to institutional-based factors. The study examined the influence of institutional factors (leadership styles and staff competencies) on Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&amp;E) and explored how organizational structure influences PM&amp;E and the stakeholder perspectives towards PM&amp;E at The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) in Mbarara and Rukungiri service centers. The researchers adopted a mixed methods approach with a concurrent triangulation model involving a sample of 76 respondents whose views were obtained using questionnaires and 10 participants in key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPPS version 20.0, while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found that leadership styles and staff competencies had a statistically significant relationship with PM&amp;E. Qualitative findings further revealed that organizational structure in terms of policies and roles determines the extent of participation, the frequency, and how stakeholders are engaged. Stakeholder perspectives aligned towards technical skills needed for meaningful participation in M&amp;E, policy limitations, and financial constraints influenced participation at all stages. Rigorous stakeholder mapping and analysis by institutions is key in understanding interests and capacities of stakeholders which can be addressed and aligned to enhance participatory monitoring and evaluation.

Impact of Leadership Styles on Government Construction Project Success: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Government construction projects play an important role in both developed and developing countries. They contribute about 80% of total capital assets, 10 % of GDP, and more than 50% of the wealth invested in fixed assets and employment opportunities. As such, several countries like Sweden in Europe, Indonesia in Asia, South Africa and Kenya in East Africa have invested heavily and succeeded in construction projects. Similarly, Uganda has also invested heavily in construction projects; however, most of these projects have been unsuccessful, yet projects contribute to economic development. This study aimed to determine the contribution of leadership styles to the success of government construction projects in Uganda. The study was cross-sectional with a quantitative research design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 100 Kampala Capital City Authority construction projects from a population of 120 projects that were stratified according to the five divisions of Kampala district. Four respondents were selected from each of the 100 projects selected, resulting in a total of 400 respondents for the study. Structural Equation Modelling was conducted using SPSS. Results show that leadership styles, especially communication and participation are positively and significantly associated with government construction project success. Therefore, government project managers should communicate effectively and involve stakeholders at every stage of the project cycle to realise project success. It is recommended that the path-goal theory be adopted for replicating the study. Also, government ministries must adopt the proposed model as it is a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners, especially those involved in government construction projects. Similarly, the government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, should constantly remind government project managers to ensure adequate internal and external communication and allow the participation of stakeholders during the implementation of government projects. Keywords Communication, Government Construction Projects, Leadership styles, Participation, Project Success, Structural Equation Modeling, Uganda

Tensions in Sino-African labour relations: the view from the Karuma hydroelectric dam in Uganda

ABSTRACTOver the last decade China has become a dominant player in Africa's rapidly growing hydropower sector. These mega projects typically employ thousands of Africans yet research on labour relations at these sites remains extremely limited. This article provides a rare systematic analysis of workers’ experiences on a Chinese-financed-and-constructed hydroelectric dam in Africa. We find that chronic verbal abuse of African workers by Chinese managers is a defining feature of labour relations at this project in Uganda. This abuse has tainted many workers’ attitudes towards the Chinese contractor Sinohydro, the Chinese government, and to a lesser extent Chinese people themselves. Workers also perceive Ugandan organisations and the Ugandan government as complicit in these poor labour relations. These findings underscore the limits of accountability to labour standards by Chinese firms operating in Africa, especially in contexts where host organisations and governments fail to advocate aggressively for the rights of African workers.

Project Feasibility Studies and Sustainability of Government Supported Projects in Uganda

The study investigated the impact of project feasibility studies on the sustainability of government-supported projects in Uganda using a case study of Parish Development Model in Kabale District. Project feasibility studies were an independent variable, while sustainability of government-supported projects was a dependent variable. Before the study started, a cross-sectional survey was done. 120 people participated in our survey, and we blended quantitative and qualitative analyses. The analysis was conducted on three separate levels and included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate approaches. Because the descriptive analysis required the presentation of just one variable and its properties, frequency tables were used to illustrate the data. A Pearson correlation matrix was used to analyze the bivariate correlations between the dependent variable and the predictor components. At the multivariate level, the dependent variable was regressed against the updated predictor factors (sustainability of government project). The data were examined using a linear regression model. Regression analysis results show that parish development models in Kabale District are more effective when participatory projects are implemented (coef = -0.715, p-value = 0.000). The main finding of this study is that project feasibility studies have a substantial impact on a parish development model project's sustainability. Parish Development Model initiators should focus more on including project beneficiaries in feasibility studies through project applicability, relevance, reliability, and acceptance to ensure the sustainability of all government-funded projects.

Adaptation strategies and constraints of displaced households by the oil refinery development project in Uganda

Adaptation strategies and constraints of displaced households by the oil refinery development project in Uganda

Geographic distribution and predictors of diagnostic delays among possible TB patients in Uganda.

Understanding the geographic distribution and factors associated with delayed TB diagnosis may help target interventions to reduce delays and improve patient outcomes. We conducted a secondary analysis of adults undergoing TB evaluation within a public health demonstration project in Uganda. Using Global Moran's I (GMI) and Getis-Ord GI* statistics, we evaluated for residential clustering and hotspots associated with patient-related and health system-related delays. We performed multivariate logistic regression to identify individual predictors of both types of delays. Of 996 adults undergoing TB evaluation (median age: 37 years, IQR 28-49), 333 (33%) experienced patient delays, and 568 (57%) experienced health system delays. Participants were clustered (GMI 0.47-0.64, P ⩽ 0.001) at the sub-county level, but there were no statistically significant hotspots for patient or health system delays. Married individuals were less likely to experience patient delays (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.48-0.75; P < 0.001). Those aged 38-57 years (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.07-1.38; P = 0.002) were more likely than those aged ⩾58 years to experience patient delays. Knowledge about TB (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.63-0.98; P = 0.03) protected against health system delays. We did not identify geographic hotspots for TB diagnostic delays. Instead, delays were associated with individual factors such as age, marital status and TB knowledge.

Observational approaches to chimpanzee behavior in an African sanctuary: Implications for research, welfare, and capacity-building.

Research in African ape sanctuaries has emerged as an important context for our understanding of comparative cognition and behavior. While much of this work has focused on experimental studies of cognition, these animals semi-free-range in forest habitats and therefore can also provide important information about the behavior of primates in socioecologically-relevant naturalistic contexts. In this "New Approaches" article, we describe a project where we implemented a synthetic program of observational data collection at Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda, directly modeled after long-term data collection protocols at the Kibale Chimpanzee Project in Uganda, a wild chimpanzee field site. The foundation for this project was a strong partnership between sanctuary staff, field site staff, and external researchers. We describe how we developed a data-collection protocol through discussion and collaboration among these groups, and trained sanctuary caregivers to collect novel observational data using these protocols. We use these data as a case study to examine: (1) how behavioral observations in sanctuaries can inform primate welfare and care practices, such as by understanding aggression within the group; (2) how matched observational protocols across sites can inform our understanding of primate behavior across different contexts, including sex differences in social relationships; and (3) how more robust collaborations between foreign researchers and local partners can support capacity-building in primate range countries, along with mentoring and training students more broadly.

Principal Risks Associated with Public-Private Partnership Projects in Uganda

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been adopted globally to reduce funding gaps amidst an increasing need for public infrastructure. However, they are prone to several risks. Little attention has been paid to this crucial phenomenon in Uganda, despite the rising interest in the use of the PPP model. Through a questionnaire survey with PPP experts in Uganda, 34 principal risks were identified of which the top 10 are construction completion, government corruption, construction cost overrun, land acquisition, delay in project approval and permits, high financing cost, operation cost overrun, inadequate tender competition, procurement risk, and inability to service debt risk. Most of these were found to arise from inadequate experience in PPPs, the complexity of the PPP model, high levels of corruption and the immature domestic financial market. The knowledge of these risks can guide PPP contract negotiations and potential investors in their investment decisions, especially the objective assessment of PPP projects.

English

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of participatory project design on project success in a government-funded project in Uganda, a case study of Parish Development in Kabale District. A cross-sectional survey was done. 75 respondents provided information, and we integrated quantitative and qualitative analysis. The analysis was conducted on three separate levels and included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate approaches. The bivariate correlations between the dependent variable and the predictor components were examined using a Pearson correlation matrix. The dependent variable was regressed against the revised predictor factors at the multivariate level (project success). An analysis of the data was done using a linear regression model. Results of the regression analysis demonstrate that participatory project design has a beneficial effect on the effectiveness of parish development models in the Kabale District (coef = -0.780, p-value = 0.000). The main conclusion of this study is that parish development model project success in Kabale district is significantly influenced by participatory project design. In order to guarantee the sustainability of the project success of the parish development model, the study suggests that more emphasis should be placed on adopting participatory project design through defining project goals, determining results, identifying risks and constraints, and refining project strategy. &nbsp; Key words: Project design, project success and parish development model.