School of Social Sciences (SSS) Collections

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 605
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    Assessment of access to safe water among the informal settlement residents of Kisenyi, Kampala District
    (Makerere University, 2026) Nakakande, Salima
    Access to safe and adequate water remains a persistent challenge in informal settlements, despite Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) emphasizing its universal availability and sustainable management. This study examines water access in Kisenyi, an informal settlement in Kampala District, focusing on domestic water sources, determinants of use, and challenges faced by the urban poor. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was employed, the study triangulated quantitative and qualitative data. The Servqual Model (Parasuraman et al., 1988) and resilience theory (Garmezy, 1991) guided the analysis. Findings indicate that token-based systems dominate water access, with 55% of households relying on public standpipes or prepaid meters. Nearly half of participants (48%) rated this water as good. Household size and cost were key determinants of use, with 55% paying 100 –200 Ugandan Shillings per 20-liter jerry can. Access is further constrained by landlord–tenant relations, governance failures, and water quality issues across NWSC and alternative sources. The study highlights the need for bottom-up approaches, community participation, and awareness-raising to ensure sustainable water service delivery in informal settlements. By identifying institutional, social, and infrastructural barriers, the research provides empirical and theoretical insights to support SDG 6 in urban poor contexts
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    Social construction of diarrheal illness among the Sabiny in Kween District, Eastern Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Cherop, Martha
    Globally, diarrhea continues to pose a major public health challenge, persisting despite numerous prevention and control efforts. While inadequate access to clean water, poor sanitation, and limited hygiene practices are widely recognized contributors, most existing interventions tend to largely focus on biomedical interventions while ignoring social and cultural roots of illness experience. Using an exploratory ethnographic design, this study examined the social construction of water-borne illness among the Sabiny in Kween District, Eastern Uganda. Specifically, the study sought to: examine the local conception of water-borne illness among the Sabiny; assess adults’ understanding of diarrheal illness; explore adults’ understanding of diarrheal illness in children; and identify local strategies for its treatment and management. Four complementary qualitative methods, namely In-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Observation and Document review, were used to collect data from 42 participants. Data was thematically analyzed. The findings reveal that diarrheal illness was not seen as a single condition but different syndromes, each associated with specific meanings and attributed to different causes. These syndromes were described as Poortya-moiyet, Kayiinyet, Kabundoiyet, Kaserrik, Chekwalashet, and Sirigtya. The local syndrome Poortya-moiyet referred to a general term for all disturbances experienced in the stomach. Kayiinyet referred to the pain or disturbance felt before passing watery stooling, and was often seen as mild. Siringta described the experience of diarrheal illness among infants, which was associated with suffering indigestion, and sometimes seen as symbolizing disturbance by ancestral spirits. Kabundoiyet and Kaserrik were seen as severe and life-threatening experiences of diarrhea, marked by suffering violent and uncontrolled stooling that resulted in experience of body weakness and dehydration. Chekwalashet, which was defined as ‘rainbow’, described the suffering of diarrheal illness believed to afflict those individuals whose behaviors violated sacred spaces while the rainbow appeared in the skies. Concerning causation, the Sabiny relied on physical, psychosocial, and supernatural explanations of diarrhea illness. The physical explanations linked the suffering of diarrhea to the ingestion of dirty water and spoiled food. The psychosocial causes included having worries, being angry, and feeling aggrieved. The supernatural or spiritual causes included angering ancestors and breaking taboos. Treatment followed a sequence of health-seeking actions involving the use of home remedies such as herbs and charcoal water, the use of traditional medical solutions (rituals and prayers), and seeking biomedical care when illness persisted. As a result, healing was viewed as a restoration of the balance between the body, emotions, and the spirit/soul. Consequently, this study is of critical public health significance. The study not only reveals how the different experiences of diarrheal illness are socially constructed among the Sabiny but also provides important insights that can inform culturally appropriate interventions that can significantly improve the prevention and control of diarrheal illness in this cultural group and similar populations in Uganda.
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    Bureaucracy and health care service delivery in Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Mauso, Brian
    This long essay examines the impact of bureaucracy on the provision of healthcare services in Uganda, particularly how administrative arrangements, processes, and inefficiencies influence access, quality, and responsiveness of health services. Following a case study research design, the study utilized secondary data sources including government reports, academic journals, policy documents, and health sector performance reviews. Data were analyzed qualitatively for patterns, trends, and systemic issues related to bureaucratic processes in the health sector in Uganda. Ethical considerations were observed through proper citation of sources, accuracy, integrity, and responsible use of publicly available data. The study reveals that too many bureaucratic layers, centralized decision-making, low autonomy at local health units, and procedural delays severely hamper effective delivery of health services. Corruption and political interference are also complicating administrative efficacy in the sector. It concludes that while bureaucracy is needed for coordination and regulation, its rigid and hierarchical nature tends to frustrate timely and equitable service delivery. It recommends reforms towards decentralization, streamlining procedures, transparency, and capacity-building of frontline health administrators in a bid to foster a more responsive and effective healthcare system in Uganda.
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    The influence of economic empowerment programs on poverty reduction in Uganda : a case of Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Program in Alebtong District, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2026) Ameto, Jannan
    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.
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    Solid waste management practices and human health in Nakawa Division, Kampala City, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2026) Kabajungu, Enid Sarah
    Solid waste management (SWM) remains a persistent urban challenge in developing countries, where poor practices contribute to health, environmental, and social problems. This study examined levels of awareness of SWM issues, household and community practices, attitudes, perceptions of health risks, and satisfaction with service provision, while identifying enablers and barriers to sustainable practices in Bukoto 1 Parish, Nakawa Division, Kampala City. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys with insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, while qualitative data were coded and thematically analysed to capture community perspectives and contextual dynamics. Although 91 percent of respondents recognised poor waste disposal as a disease cause, practices lagged. Only 16 percent of households sorted waste, while most burnt or dumped it openly. Waste storage (81 percent) was common but often unsafe, exposing children and vulnerable groups to health risks. Ethnicity and occupation were stronger predictors of sorting than age, gender, or education. Awareness of recycling opportunities, perceptions of health risks, and satisfaction with household practices all strongly influenced sorting. Community-level leadership, peer norms, affordability, and infrastructure shaped the solid waste management practices. Qualitative findings revealed widespread frustration among residents over illegal dumping, irregular waste collection, and weak enforcement, despite generally positive attitudes toward proper SWM. While residents acknowledged KCCA’s efforts in sensitisation and waste collection, they emphasised the need for more frequent services, accessible communal containers, and stronger coordination with local leaders and landlords. Grassroots efforts, including community clean-ups and informal monitoring, were emerging as signs of growing collective responsibility. The study concludes that awareness and positive attitudes alone are inadequate without supporting infrastructure and consistent enforcement mechanisms. It recommends that KCCA broadens service coverage, promote recycling and recovery initiatives and enhance collaboration with community leaders, landlords, and private sector partners.