E-learning in universities in Uganda: predictors of successful adoption

Adoption of e-learning technology has been carried out by numerous universities in the developing countries with the aim of advancing the knowledge society and economic development. However, the adoption of e-learning technology in the said universities is fraught with challenges leading to low level use for instructional purposes. The study aims at: (i) identifying the predictors of successful adoption of e-learning, (ii) investigating causes of failures of past e-learning information systems initiatives, and (iii) developing a predictive framework for the advancement of e-learning programmes for universities in Uganda. In order to determine possible predictors of successful adoption, the researcher adopted the configurational (Gestalts) approach. The hypotheses were tested in a survey that involved 73 lecturers and 184 students from Uganda’s Makerere University and Gulu University. The respondents’ opinions are obtained using questionnaires and interviews and analysed using descriptive, clustering and deductive thematic analyses techniques. The research identified four analytical clusters from the target group of the lecturers, while the target group of the students are described by six analytical clusters. Results from cluster 1 among lecturers indicate that successful adoption is dependent on being familiar with the objectives of the university’s e-learning policies, finding time to experiment with ICT, availability of financial support and commitment of university management. However, it should be noted that while the study was conducted within two Universities, the majority of the lecturer respondents were from Makerere University. Therefore, while organisational characteristics contribute to the adoption of e-learning among lecturers, their influence is more pronounced in the established university, that is, Makerere. Both lecturers and students adopt e-learning facilities at later stages of their studies or career which raises great concern. The majority of the lecturers in the lead cluster were male and PhD holders while most of the students in the lead cluster were male and in their second year of study. Lecturers in Cluster 1 are adopters because of the knowledge and long-time experience with e-learning facilities compared to their counterparts in Clusters 2 and 3. Students in Cluster 4 were adopters because they had more knowledge and skills in the use of ICTs than their counterparts in the other clusters. Cluster 3 and 6 among lecturers and students respectively were least adopters of e-learning mainly because they were unfamiliar with the university e-learning policy. The main causes of failure of past e-learning information systems initiatives were lack of structured approach to e-learning and inadequate empowerment. From the cluster findings, a predictive framework for the advancement of e-learning programmes in universities in Uganda was developed. It was recommended that: adoption of e-learning technology should be encouraged during the early school years of the students and earlier career years of the academic if universities are to be competitive

Predictors of Successful Adoption of Technology Supported Learning in Universities in Uganda: A Students’ Perspective

This study identified the predictors of successful adoption of technology supported learning (TSL) among students in universities. Presumably, the perspective of the students in understanding this study is crucial because students are key users of TSL systems and are faced with challenges in the adoption of such systems in learning institutions. We argue in the present study that predictors can be identified using Gestalts approach given the complex interactions between the organizational and individual factors. The extent of interaction between the factors was accomplished using the clustering algorithm. Data was collected from 184 students from Makerere and Gulu universities. Six clusters emerged out of the findings of which Cluster 4 students adopted TSL the most. These students indicated that successful adoption of TSL is best achieved when there is coherence between financial support and when they are in their second year of study

Stereoselective Synthesis of Organoboron Reagents and their Application Toward the Synthesis of Amphidinolides C and F:

Thesis advisor: James P. MorkenThis dissertation details three main projects that focus on stereoselective synthesis of organoboron reagents and their application to total synthesis studies. The first chapter describes the development of an enantioselective palladium-catalyzed conjuntive cross-coupling of bis(alkenyl)borates to access chiral allylboron reagents. These reagents are of high synthetic value that is demonstrated through various applications. The second chapter describes the development of a diastereoselective amine-modified boron-Wittig reaction with ketone electrophiles to access trisubstituted alkenyl boronic esters. The synthetic utility of these trisubstituted alkenyl boronic esters is demonstrated through a novel palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. The third chapter encompassess studies toward the total synthesis of natural products amphidinolides C and F. It highlights the application of methods developed in the Morken laboratory in the context of challenging total synthesis. It also highlights the potential for newly developed conjunctive cross-coupling and boron-Wittig reactions to solve problems in total synthesis.Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020.Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.Discipline: Chemistry

Narrating the Ugandan nation in Mary Okurut’s The Invisible Weevil

This article seeks to study how Mary Okurut narrates the Ugandan nation through her novel The Invisible Weevil while at the same time exploring how the author centers upon women in her imagination of the new nation. The arguments in this article are derived from concepts proposed by Benedict Anderson and Homi Bhabha, among other scholars, on nationalism. These are arguments that explore the question of identity formation in nations and what holds these nations together in terms of their cultural standpoints and even at times a desire for a better nation for future generations. Through a close textual analysis that focuses on elements of narratology, the study explores the issue of nationalism in the novel. Of interest to this study is how Okurut as a contemporary writer engages history in the novel to narrate the nation and the challenges it faces as it evolves through different and tumultuous leaderships. The narration is undertaken through the viewpoint of various characters who describe different periods, thus creating a channel through which knowledge from each epoch is transmitted by the actions of women who attempt to define a new nation of Uganda that would be devoid of pestilence from ‘the invisible weevil’

Potential for soil organic carbon sequestration in grasslands in East African countries: A review

Grasslands occupy almost half of the world's land area. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key indicator of soil fertility and grassland productivity. Increasing SOC stocks (so‐called SOC sequestration) improves soil fertility and contributes to climate change mitigation by binding atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Grasslands constitute about 70% of all agricultural land, but their potential for SOC sequestration is largely unknown. This review paper quantitatively summarizes observation‐based studies on the SOC sequestration potential of grasslands in six East African countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) and seeks to identify knowledge gaps related to SOC sequestration potential in the region. In the studies reviewed, SOC stocks in grasslands range from 3 to 93 Mg C/ha in the upper 0.3 m of the soil profile, while SOC sequestration rate ranges from 0.1 to 3.1 Mg C ha‐1 year‐1 under different management strategies. Grazing management is reported to have a considerable impact on SOC sequestration rates, and grassland regeneration and protection are recommended as options to stimulate SOC sequestration. However, a very limited number of relevant studies are available (n = 23) and there is a need for fundamental information on SOC sequestration potential in the region. The effectiveness of potential incentive mechanisms, such as payments for environmental services, to foster uptake of SOC‐enhancing practices should also be assessed

Overcoming religious and cultural obstacles to organ donation : a rights-based approach

The transplantation of human tissue, cells and organs has saved and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals who suffer from organ failure. Advancements in organ transplant technologies have resulted in an increased demand for viable organs for transplantation - a demand which South Africa is unable to meet. Religious beliefs, cultural practices and the system for organ procurement currently used in South Africa are some of the obstacles to donation. The thesis debunks religious and cultural misconceptions about organ donation and transplantation, basing its arguments in a human rights-based approach. Ways in which human rights norms may be used in the promotion of organ donation, whilst still respecting the cultural and religious beliefs of the individuals involved, are interrogated. It is concluded that religious and cultural norms, in fact, support organ donation. The introduction in South Africa of a mandated choicesystem as an alternative for the procurement and allocation of organs is recommended by the thesis.Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2018.Public LawLLDUnrestricte

Efficacy of COVID-19 macro-economic policy responses in Uganda

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented economic and health shock in Uganda, as has been the case globally. After the World Health Organization announcement that COVID-19 was a global pandemic, the government of Uganda undertook decisive measures to abate the spread of the virus through adopting COVID-19 containment measures. Also, in anticipation of the distortionary effects of COVID-19 on Uganda’s economy through the external and domestic effects channels, the government adopted an expansionary fiscal and monetary policy alongside financial sector interventions

The Potential of Citizen-Driven Monitoring of Freshwater Snails in Schistosomiasis Research

Schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease affecting more than 200 million people worldwide, predominantly in Africa. The World Health Organization recently highlighted the importance of targeted control of the freshwater snails acting as intermediate hosts for the parasites causing schistosomiasis. However, because of a shortage of trained experts and resources, detailed information on spatiotemporal snail distributions, which is needed for targeted control measures, is often missing. We explore the potential of citizen science to build these much-needed datasets through fine-grained, frequent snail sampling. We trained a network of 25 citizen scientists to weekly report on snail host abundances in 77 predefined water contact sites in and around Lake Albert (western Uganda). Snail abundance, together with marked GPS locations, water chemistry parameters, and photographs of the identified snails are recorded and submitted using the freely available mobile phone application KoBoToolbox. Trained researchers then engage in remote, semi-automatic validation of the submissions, after which there is an opportunity to provide targeted feedback to the citizen scientists. Five months after the operationalisation of the network, a total of 570 reports were submitted and personalized feedback was given, resulting in lasting improvements in subsequent reporting and snail genus identification. The preliminary results show the possibility of citizen science to independently obtain reliable data on the presence of schistosome snail hosts. We therefore argue that citizen-driven monitoring on a high spatiotemporal resolution could help to generate the much-needed data to support local targeted snail control measures in remote and/or resource-limited environments

Uganda’s post-COVID recovery strategy & NDC implementation

This paper analyses the climate friendliness of Uganda’s post-COVID-19 recovery strategy and, specifically, its alignment with the country’s targets in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The recovery strategy has the potential to provide effective climate change response and meet the NDCs. However, there are several gaps related to the marginalisation of climate action in the economic recovery resource-allocation process, the ability of macroeconomic recovery strategies to advance a genuinely green and resilient economy, and limited fiscal space to invest in a climate-sensitive recovery. The paper concludes with policy recommendations on encouraging a robust economic recovery through actions that champion Uganda’s NDC commitments