School of Liberal and Performing Arts (SLPA) Collections
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
1 - 5 of 647
-
ItemThe impact of agricultural market liberalisation and commercialisation on gender relations in Uganda’s smallholder crop value chains: a case of white potatoes in Rubanda District(Makerere University, 2025)This study examined the impact of agricultural market liberalisation and the subsequent shift toward more commercially oriented production on gender relations in smallholder crop value chains, focusing on white potatoes in Rubanda District, Southwestern Uganda. It set out to: establish the forms of value chains and gendered practices that have emerged; and analyse the effects of market-oriented reforms on gender roles, and power relations in the access to and management of production resources, and financial benefits. Guided by the Value Chain and outcome-focused Bargaining theories, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design grounded in the pragmatist paradigm. Data were collected through surveys, indepth and key informant interviews, focus group discussions, document analyses, and observations. Quantitative data were analysed using STATA 17 for descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Results revealed that liberalisation reforms and market forces have given rise to two typologies of value chains —digitally-aided and group-led—conceptualised as ‘modern’ value chains. These were, however, fused with traditional physical value chains. The study found no significant changes in most reproductive roles which largely remained women’s domain. In contrast, significant changes were observed in value chain roles; some upstream roles that were more gender-differentiated pre-reform, such as land clearing, planting, and weeding, became jointly undertaken, while midstream roles that were concentrated around women: harvesting, storage, and processing, became male-dominated. Remarkably, women increasingly participated in potato marketing, although the most lucrative long-distance trade remained male-dominated. The reforms further led to the emergence of dichotomous income streams for men and women, increasing women’s decision-making in some household affairs, mostly children’s education. However, the integration of potato farming into the cash economy, coupled with men’s increasing interest in the crop as a source of income, reinforced patriarchal authority at the household level, weakening women’s influence over decisions related to production resources, especially land and family labour. The study concludes that market-oriented reforms and accelerated commercialisation produced not only disempowering outcomes for women but also offered opportunities for increased agency and empowerment, pointing to the reforms’ transformative potential. To harness these opportunities while mitigating the negative effects, the study recommends enforcement of top-down policy interventions with bottom-up approaches focusing on transforming norms and perceptions within households and fostering gender justice. The study also underscores the need for context-specific and targeted strategies aimed at enhancing women’s capacities to participate in downstream segments of white potato value chains.
-
ItemExamining the influence of domestic violence on women’s career development: a case study of Ezer Alumni Women in Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)This study investigates the impact of domestic violence on the career development of Ezer Alumni women in Uganda. Through qualitative interviews with 18 career women, the research reveals that emotional, psychological, and financial abuse are prevalent forms of domestic violence experienced, significantly undermining mental health and professional performance. Financial independence, while empowering, often triggers relational tensions rooted in traditional gender norms, leading to increased conflict and control attempts by partners. Domestic violence adversely affects job productivity, career advancement, and workplace engagement, with limited employer support an inadequate workplace policy exacerbating these challenges. Coping strategies include reliance on faith, social support networks, and community programs like Ezer, which provide critical safe spaces and empowerment. The findings underscore the need for multifaceted interventions involving strengthened legal frameworks, workplace support systems, community awareness, and gender-transformative approaches to foster safer environments that enable women to thrive professionally despite domestic violence.
-
ItemThe role of the laity in evangelisation in Mpala Parish in light of Apostolicam Actuositatem(Makerere University, 2025)The study aimed at assessing the role of the Laity in evangelization in Mpala Parish in light of Apostolicam Actuositatem. The researcher’s target after the study was to bring awareness to the people of Mpala Parish of their role in the evangelization of the Parish and the Church at large. The researcher used both descriptive qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection. Qualitative information was obtained through key informants and conducting interviews. Quantitative data was obtained from respondents who after issuing them with questionnaires, answered and returned them to the researcher. The findings indicate that the Laity have not done much in fostering Evangelization in the Parish and thus an urgent need to re-awaken and re-energize them to take evangelization seriously. Therefore, for the growth of the participation of the Laity in the threefold mission of Christ and the Church as Priests, Prophets and Kings, there is need for proper catechesis for children, youth and adults, training of Laity, motivation from Church leaders, active involvement of the parents, empowering of the youth apostolate, and financial support to Laity among others. The researcher found out that the very best solution to curb the passiveness of the laity as regards their participation in the mission of the Church is their collaboration with each other and the clergy. Journeying together as one Church leads to effectiveness of Church work. There are some challenges faced by the Laity as they try to execute Church work and these include: unemployment, poverty, poor family background, inadequate knowledge about evangelization, lack of proper catechesis, clericalism, misleading social media, mushrooming sects among others. The possible solutions have been given priority to curb such challenges. Conclusively, the concept and meaning of evangelization should be made known to all the Laity of Mpala Parish. Modern means of evangelization like use of modern mass media for communication may be used as a means of fast evangelization. This will help all the Laity by virtue of their baptism to exercise fully their sharing in the three-fold ministry of Christ: priestly, prophetic and kingly office.
-
ItemFactors leading to marriage instability: a case study of Nsambya Parish(Makerere University, 2025)Globally, we are witnessing an accentuated deterioration of the family and a certain corrosion of the values of marriage. Separation is increasing even during the first years of married life. Pope Francis observed today’s problematic situations of marriage instabilities that lead to separation. Many marriages become fragile and are quickly overwhelmed by difficulties, or break up after a few years. In the course of every marriage, times will arise in which marital communion diminishes and spouses find themselves experiencing periods, at times lengthy, of suffering, fatigue, and misunderstandings, passing through true marital “crisis. “The number of couples separating publicly and silently is escalating and alarming, due to creating unrealistic expectations before marriage, that once these expectations are not fulfilled, then conflicts begin resulting to a number on consequences like: many households with single-parents, and this has greatly impacted the well-being of children, because most of single parents are unemployed living in slum areas of Kirombe, Kataba among others hence incapable of taking care of their families. There is also social stigma for the separated couples, leading to decline in the community engagement and limiting their support networks and in the end, they end up going through depression, anxiety and substance abuse due to emotional constraints. This study then is intended to make people especially the Christians and church leaders become aware of this urgent challenge. The general objective of the study was to explore the problem of marriage instability and how it can be solved. Specifically the study was to establish the factors leading to marriage instabilities, the effects of separation and explore what can be done to curb the problem of marriage instabilities and separation .The Holy Father Francis has on several occasions expressed his desire for the Church to offer a better and more thorough preparation of young couples for marriage, insisting on the need for a relatively broad approach, inspired by the baptismal catechumenate, which would enable them to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage with greater awareness, beginning with an experience of faith and personal encounter with Jesus. Therefore, having been inspired by the document, produced by the former pontifical council for families and Familiaris Consortio he produced catechumenal pathways to marriage preparation and pastoral accompaniment during the first years of married life. These objectives were realized through different scientific research methods and research designs like descriptive research designs, qualitative and quantitative methods and purposive random sampling techniques were made to inform my research, questionnaires and interview guides were also employed. According to the key findings from the study, it was discovered that marriage instabilities are triggered by both major and minor triggers. The major triggers included incompatibility, financial stress and infidelity and the minor triggers included poor communication, unrealistic expectations, lack of intimacy, addiction and substance abuse, physical and verbal abuse, lack of children among others. It was discovered that effects of separation not only affect the spouses but also the children, the society and the church. The probable solution being emphasis more on marriage preparation through making the preparation longer than three weeks and also ongoing catechesis. A number of recommendations were made which included creating catechumenal pathways for married life, with the aim of making the period longer, advocating for pre-catechumenate in primary schools, accompaniment of the couples and vivid implementation of Synodality.
-
ItemMisunderstanding of the catholic teaching about the Blessed Virgin Mary among Christians as an obstacle to ecumenism: a case study of Matale Parish(Makerere University, 2025)The topic of the research is: “Misunderstanding of the Catholic Teaching about the Blessed Virgin Mary among Christians as an obstacle to Ecumenism. A case study of Matale Parish.” Generally, this research is based on the following specific objectives; to determine the knowledge about Mary in the mystery of Christ, knowledge about the place of Mary in the pilgrim church and identifying the gaps contained in understanding the maternal mediation of Mary. The researcher used a descriptive research design. He used interviews, questionnaire and also observing phenomena. Seventy five (75) respondents used questionnaires and sixty one (61) respondents used the interview system. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling methods. The data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques. Qualitative information was obtained through key informants and conducting interviews. Quantitative data was obtained from respondents who after issuing them with questionnaires, answered and returned them to the researcher and also interviews were being carried out and relevant information was attained as presented in chapter four. According to the research findings, the respondents acknowledged the events of incarnation, the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth’s home, Mary and Jesus at the wedding feast at Cana and Mary and John at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ. The only difference among the denominations comes in understanding the place of Mary in the mystery of Jesus Christ. The Catholic and Orthodox Christians note that Mary is blessed and Jesus Christ her son placed her in a special place in her mystery. So her place in the pilgrim Church flows from that very that she is in the mystery of Christ who is the head of the Church. This is the reason why the Council Fathers emphasized her mediatory role as intercessory (John Paul, R.M, no. 21). This can be compared to how a person can ask another person to pray for him or her. But Mary’s intercessory power is higher than our intercessory powers. The Christians from the Anglican, Phaneroo and Born-again churches did not acknowledge the place of Mary in the mystery of Jesus and focused more on Jesus hence acknowledge Mary as a role model of Christian virtues but denied her mediatory role since to them it makes them think that they are two mediators and yet it is supposed to be Jesus Christ only. The researcher noticed that such differences arose due to misunderstanding of Scripture and therefore recommended all church leaders from the different Christians denominations and all Christians to devote more time at doing Bible studies since the Bible needs the literal sense and the spiritual sense in order to understand the message in which God wants to convey to us. The Bible shouldn’t be read as a history book. The researcher also recommended adult catechesis for the Catholic Christians in order to deepen their understanding of the Catholic doctrine especially the one concerning Mary. Dialogue between the Christian denominations especially concerning doctrine is also necessary. On top of that, the government too should come in to look at the coming up of different churches whereby some people do it for the sake of earning money and hence playing with people’s faith.