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ItemLived experiences of parish development model beneficiaries in Buteraniro-Nyeihanga Town Council, Rwampara District(Makerere University, 2026)Despite decades of government interventions aimed at reducing poverty, poverty has remained a major challenge in Uganda. In response, the government introduced the Parish Development Model (PDM) in 2022 as a decentralized, community-driven strategy to help subsistence households join the monetized economy. Unlike earlier programs such as NAADS, YLP, and OWC, which were often criticized for centralized planning, elite capture, and limited sustainability, PDM emphasizes bottom-up planning, parish-level SACCOs, and revolving funds that target vulnerable groups, including women, youth and persons with disabilities. However, there is still limited evidence on how beneficiaries at the parish level experience, access and perceive the socio-economic effects of PDM, especially under the financial inclusion pillar. The main objective of this study was to explore the lived experiences of PDM beneficiaries in Buteraniro-Nyeihanga Town Council, Rwampara District. The specific objectives were to establish beneficiaries’ perceptions and attitudes towards PDM, examine the challenges in accessing and utilizing PDM resources and services, and assess the socioeconomic effects of the program on their lives. Guided by Empowerment Theory, the study used a qualitative case study design. Data were collected from 34 purposively selected participants through 10 in-depth interviews, 2 focus group discussions and six key informant interviews, and were analyzed thematically. The findings show that many beneficiaries have positive perceptions of PDM and appreciate its participatory and inclusive approach, although some regarded the funds as a political gift rather than a revolving loan. Challenges operated at the individual level (limited financial literacy and misuse of funds), the interpersonal and group level (spousal consent and weak SACCO governance), the cultural level (gender norms and political patronage) and the structural level (bureaucratic delays, high transaction costs, poorly timed disbursement, climate shocks and inadequate monitoring). Beneficiaries who invested productively reported improved income, food security, payment of school fees and social capital, but outcomes were uneven. In conclusion, PDM has produced partial empowerment at individual, organizational and community levels, which is limited by structural, institutional and gender constraints. The study recommends depoliticized sensitization, financial literacy and mentoring, simplified and seasonally timed disbursement, stronger and gender-responsive SACCO governance, better facilitation of parish-level implementers, and climate resilience and market linkages, with clearly assigned implementing actors.
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ItemWater access, hygiene and sanitation among refugee households in Kyangwali Settlement, Kikuube District(Makerere University, 2026)This study investigated how access to water affects the hygiene and sanitation of refugees in the Kyangwali settlement, Kikuube District. It examined the social factors that influence access to water; documented the current state of water access in terms of availability, functionality, and accessibility for refugees; explored how refugees’ perceptions of water quality influence utilization patterns; and analyzed the effect of water access on refugees’ hygiene and sanitation. The study was guided by social capital theory and the theory of access. The research employed a mixed-methods approach with an explanatory sequential design. Quantitative data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires from 377 respondents, while qualitative data were obtained from nine key informants and three focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, whereas qualitative data were analyzed manually using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that boreholes (41.9%) and public yard taps (34.7%) were the primary sources of water. Distance, congestion, and unreliable maintenance emerged as significant constraints to water access, in some areas, three villages relied on a single borehole. Coping strategies for water challenges were widespread, including rationing, borrowing, reliance on unsafe alternatives, and advance storage, reflecting constrained access to materials and use. Perceptions of water quality were largely positive but based on sensory judgments such as taste, color, and smell, which fluctuated seasonally. While 62% reported treating water before use, this was undermined by fuel costs, beliefs, and taste concerns, and unsafe storage posed a risk of recontamination. Social factors also mediated access: women and girls bore over 90% of the collection burden, exposing them to strain and harassment. Leadership and community initiatives helped regulate access. The findings indicate that limited and unreliable access to water constrained household hygiene and sanitation practices, including reduced bathing, inconsistent handwashing, and difficulties maintaining clean sanitation facilities; in this context, water-related illness, predominantly diarrhea, was commonly reported. The study recommends training and sensitizing refugees on water treatment methods and safe storage practices. Furthermore, appointing refugees to water management committees can help sustainably maintain water points.
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ItemRefugee protection and refugee-host community relationships in Kyaka II(Makerere University, 2026)This research explored refugee protection as a public policy and administrative process, and how governance arrangements, institutional coordination, and policy implementation shape refugee- host community relationships in Kyaka II in Kyegegwa district. The study was guided by three specific objectives namely; (i) to examine the political (governance and administrative) landscape of refugee protection in Kyaka II, (ii) to investigate existing public policy interventions aimed at improving socio-economic development in the Kyaka II community and, (iii) to examine how refugee policy is perceived by refugees and the citizens in the host community of Kyaka II. Refugee protection was analyzed using elements of the Political Pluralism and Transnationalism theories. The research methodology adopted for the study was qualitative, with a case study research design to attain an in-depth and holistic understanding of the complexity of the phenomena under study in Kyaka II. Findings from the research are discussed in chapter four. The study established that, first; Uganda appears not to be helping refugees in Kyaka II to attract political gains but is rather doing it in solidarity with those who are being affected by war or conflict in their countries of origin. However, this gesture stands on the core values of Pan- Africanism which is a political ideology in the African context. Additionally, because refugee protection in the host community attracts different stakeholders who have individual interests, failure to moderate their operations can jeopardize service delivery. The Government of Uganda (GoU) as the main stakeholder uses a centralization system for refugee protection in Kyaka II. However much as this system coordinates other development partners’ operations in ways mutually beneficial to the state or government, it undermines the capacity of the local authorities or the local government to impact refugee protection in Kyaka II. This study also revealed that organizational politics being exercised by development partners still comes into play in refugee protection in Kyaka II. Secondly, the socio-economic interventions impacted Kyaka II both positively and negatively during its years of hosting refugees. This is despite the settlement no longer receiving refugees as of this year (2024), given the already very high population. This current situation has had a significant impact on people's ability to earn a living and therefore, there has been a rise in conflict in the settlement over vices such as food theft with refugees increasingly stealing from residents. This has as a result harmed relationships between the two groups. Thirdly, the findings also show that many refugees and nationals are either not self-reliant or are unhappy with the refugee policy that has been put in place since many are struggling to meet their basic needs, largely due to funding gaps. However, this study revealed that the hosts also have positive views of refugees being in Kyaka II. The research findings are beneficial for scholars, the state and non-state actors involved in refugee protection and in promoting peaceful coexistence between refugees and host communities. The research ended with suggestions for possible areas of future inquiry that emerged in this study in Chapter Five.
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ItemManagerial performance of Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda, in the lenses of a system's perspective [dataset](Makerere University, 2025)This study was entiled: Managerial Performance of Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda, In the Lenses of a System's Perspective. The main objective of the study was to assess the extent to which managerial contribution on a yardstick of internal organizational factors influences the effective performance of Mulago National Referral Hospital. The specific objectives of the study were as follows: 1. To analyse how managerial innovations determine the effective administration of medical supplies/items used in Mulago National Referral Hospital. 2. To explain how the managerial work methods adopted determine an effective precision of operations at Mulago National Referral Hospital. 3. To analyse how managerial strategies adopted determine the adequacy of resources to service Mulago National Referral Hospital. 4. To explain how managerial decisions determine the effectiveness of Mulago National Referral Hospital policies adopted by the hospital. The hypothesis of the study was "managerial variability on a scale of internal organizational factors influences the effective performance of Mulago National Referral Hospital". There are two dataset files that were collected for this study. The file named "Katumba-CHUSS-PhD-spss-data-2025" opens with SPSS software version 23. The file named "Katumba-CHUSS-PhD-Atlas ti-data-2025" opens with Atlas ti version 9. The data were collected from May 2024 to May 2025. The study entailed the following methods of data collection: Interviews and questionnaire responses which were supplemented with observations and documentary research.
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ItemThe influence of economic empowerment programs on poverty reduction in Uganda: a case study of Uganda women enteroreneurship program in Alebtong District, Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)Economic empowerment programs are essential in promoting social economic transformation. This study investigated how Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program (UWEP) addresses poverty among women in Alebtong District, where approximately 34 percent of women live below the national poverty line (UBOS, 2020). This study employed capability approach and institutionalism theories as its theoretical framework. The study was guided by three key objectives, which included evaluating UWEP's poverty reduction strategies, assessing the effectiveness of UWEP in poverty reduction, and analyzing the evidence-based Practices to improve UWEP implementation. To achieve these objectives, a qualitative research approach was employed, incorporating focus group discussions, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis. The study revealed that UWEP, in Alebtong District, employs multiple strategies to reduce poverty among women. These included: financial support through interest-free credit loans, entrepreneurship development, and enhanced market access. UWEP has demonstrated a generally positive impact by enhancing women’s economic empowerment, increasing household incomes, and supporting self-reliance. However, its effectiveness is partly hindered by delays in fund disbursement, weak governance structures, and inconsistent beneficiary participation in planning and decision-making processes. These issues have collectively undermined the program’s long-term sustainability and its full potential to reduce poverty. The study suggests that while UWEP has contributed to poverty reduction among women in Alebtong District, its long-term impact depends on improved governance, inclusive decision-making, and streamlined financial disbursement systems. Strengthening these areas is essential to enhancing the program’s effectiveness in promoting sustainable women’s poverty reduction in Uganda.