Uncovering reading habits of university students in Uganda: Does ICT matter?

A journal article by Dr. Clive Tsuma Katiba, an adjunct faculty at USIU-A.This paper investigates how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can improve reading habits among university students. We also investigated the influence of home culture, school culture and disposable income on reading habit. Our main objective was to assess the effect of ICT on the reading habit of particularly university students in Uganda. We adopted a qualitative phenomenological approach for the study in order to get an in-depth understanding of how the ICT phenomenon impacts reading habits. Participants from four universities in Uganda were interviewed. Major findings indicate that most of the students find the use of ICT a necessity that lends a helping hand in accessing reading sources. The school culture, home culture and disposable income also impact the reading habit of students and particularly have an influence on ICT and reading. We also found that most participants were initiated into reading by use of force at home. This study provides a unique contribution through empirical evidence that ICT indeed impacts one’s reading habit and thereafter proposes policy implications that may improve the reading habit of students through ICT interventions

Use of Western Designed Software Packages in Developing Countries: Implications for Their Effectiveness in a Different Context

A paper presented at the 6th Annual International Conference on ICT for Africa 2014, by Dr. Clive Tsuma Katiba, an adjunct fuculty at USIU-AInformation and communication technology (ICT) diffusion in developing counties (DC) has accelerated in the last decade with many organisations investing in ICTs to help improve efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. This study investigated factors impacting adoption and usage of western designed software systems in DC with particular focus on working culture and environment. We used a case study approach focused on the implementation of Oracle FLEXCUBE universal banking software system at the National Financial Credit bank in Cameroon. We investigated the factors that impacted the implementation and explored user attitudes towards western designed software systems. A mixed-method design approach and triangulation of TAM and DOI underpinned the research. Findings revealed significant support for cultural and environmental factors in the implementation of western designed software systems in DC. Results also show significant level of trust for western designed software packages. The findings will have implications for future implementations of western designed software in similar contexts