Building Blocks to Effective and Sustainable University Governance in Uganda

The issue of university governance has become the subject of intense debate globally, triggering a contest for governance systems that are responsive to the changing demands of university stakeholders. This article focuses on building blocks for effective and sustainable university governance in Uganda and reflects on a section of a doctoral thesis on developing and sustaining effective governance of universities in Uganda. The study utilised a mixed method research approach and investigated governance practices at both public and private universities. It consisted of two phases. Phase 1 was a quantitative design and phase 2 was a qualitative research design. The study explored how universities can build and sustain effective governance. It was concluded that to build and sustain effective university governance, the following building blocks are critical: professional competence of members of the university board, quality governance structures, a participatory planning process and board participation in management. For effective university governance, the study recommended the following: (1) university boards should be composed of members with an appropriate level of professional competence related to university governance (2) universities should create appropriate governance structures where roles are segregated among the various committees to create the necessary checks and balances (3) ownership of plans, accountability and transparency should be ensured (4) the planning process should be participative and a maximum level of board participation in management affairs should be stipulated.Educational Leadership and Managemen

Weekend admission and mortality from acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in winter

Historically, acute medical staffing numbers have been lower on weekends and in winter numbers of medical admissions rise. An analysis of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) admissions to Portsmouth Hospitals over a seven-year period was undertaken to examine the effects of admission on a weekend, of winter, and with the opening of a medical admissions unit (MAU). In total, 9,915 admissions with AECOPD were identified. Weekend admissions accounted for 2,071 (20.9%) of cases, winter accounted for 3,026 (30.5%) admissions, and 522 (34.4%) deaths. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for death on day 1 after winter weekend admission was 2.89 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.035 to 8.076). After opening the MAU, the OR for death day 1 after weekend winter admission fell from 3.63 (95% CI 1.15 to 11.5) to 1.65 (95% CI 0.14 to 19.01). AECOPD patients have an increased risk of death after admission over a weekend in winter and this effect was reduced by opening a MAU. These findings have implications for the planning of acute care provision in different seasons. © Royal College of Physicians, 2011. All rights reserved

EFFECT OF MAIZE INTERCROP PLANT DENSITIES ON YIELD AND \u3b2-CAROTENE CONTENTS OF ORANGE-FLESHED SWEETPOTATOES

Despite efforts to demonstrate the value of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) ( Ipomoea batatas L.) and quality protein maize ( Zea mays L.) in combating vitamin A and protein malnutrition, small land holdings by rural poor farmers still limit the crops\u2019 overall production in Africa. As such, intercropping and optimum plant density in cropping systems will help farmers to improve productivity of the crop, and hence, improve household food and nutrition security. This study determined the effect of maize plant population, in a sweetpotato-maize intercrop, on yields and \u3b2-carotene content of two popular OFSP cultivars, Ejumula and NASPOT 9 O (Kabode). Each variety was intercropped with maize variety Longe 5, at three plant densities (i.e. 41,666, 55,555 and 88,888 plants ha-1), at Ngetta Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute in Uganda. While 55,555 plants of each OFSP cultivar were used for both sole and intercrops, the sole maize plot was 44,444 plants ha-1. Maize and sweetpotato were harvested at 120 and 135 days after planting, respectively. \u3b2-carotene content and yield in sweetpotato roots were significantly (P<0.05) reduced by high maize density. Irrespective of maize density, NASPOT 9 O produced more root yields than Ejumula. Land Equivalent Ratios of >1.2 were obtained at maize intercrop densities of 41,666 and 55,555 plants ha-1.Malgr\ue9 les efforts visant \ue0 d\ue9montrer la valeur nutritionnelle en combinaison de la patate douce \ue0 chaire orange (OFSP) ( Ipomoea batatas L.) et du ma\uefs \ue0 grande valeur proteique ( Zea mays L.) dans la lutte contre la malnutrition li\ue9e au manque de la vitamine A et de proteine, les petits producteurs Africains continuent de limiter les rendements de leur cultures. A cet effet, l\u2019association des cultures doubl\ue9e d\u2019une densit\ue9 optimale des plants dans les systems de cultures, aiderait les producteurs \ue0 am\ue9liorer les rendements de leurs cultures et par consequent am\ue9liorer la qualit\ue9 de vie dans les m\ue9nages et assurer la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire. La pr\ue9sente \ue9tude a d\ue9t\ue9rmin\ue9 l\u2019effet de la densit\ue9 des plants de ma\uefs, dans une culture associ\ue9e avec la patate douce sur le rendements et la teneur en \u3b2-carotene de deux vari\ue9t\ue9s populaires de patate douce OFSP, Ejumula et NASPOT 9 O (Kabode). Chaque vari\ue9t\ue9 a \ue9t\ue9 plant\ue9e en association avec la vari\ue9t\ue9 de ma\uefs Longe 5, \ue0 trois diff\ue9rentes densit\ue9s (i.e. 41,666, 55,555 et 88,888 plants ha-1), et ceci \ue0 l\u2019Institut Zonale de Developpement et de Recherche en Agriculture de Ngetta en Ouganda. Pendant que la densit\ue9 55,555 plants de chaque vari\ue9t\ue9 de OFSP a \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9 dans la culture solitaire et en association, la culture solitaire de ma\uefs \ue9tait \ue0 44,444 plants ha-1. Ma\uefs et patate douce ont \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9colt\ue9s respectivement \ue0 120 et 135 jours apr\ue8s. La teneur en \u3b2-carotene et le rendement en tubercules de patate douce ont \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9duits de fa\ue7on significative (P<0.05) par une densit\ue9 forte de ma\uefs. Quelle que soit la densit\ue9 de ma\uefs, NASPOT 9 O a produit plus de tubercules qu\u2019Ejumula. Le ratio \ue9quivalent \ue9tait >1.2 pour une densit\ue9 de ma\uefs de 41,666 et 55,555 plants ha-1, en culture d\u2019association

ANALYSIS OF ADAPTATION DIVERSITY TO CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE AMONG PASTORAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTH-EASTERN UGANDA

Adaptation framing remains one of the major challenges to achieving greater implementation of adaptation initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using an integrated analytical framework that frames adaptation indicators into three dimensions; adaptive, absorptive and transformative capacities, we analysed the adaptation diversity in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda. We found a strong perception of the existence of climate variability and change manifested through the occurrence of droughts, floods, hailstorms, late onset and early rainfall onset. Absorptive capacity revealed varied status of asset ownership, custodianships, and access to these assets, presence of informal social safety nets, and social cohesion. Adaptive capacity revealed the presence of a diversity of livelihood sources, livelihood assets and associated income, but its human capital indicator revealed considerably high illiteracy levels among respondents. Meanwhile, transformative capacity revealed existence of network structures, governance and institutions, facilitated access to early warning information on pests, diseases and rainfall onset. Traditional institutions and the justice system played a key role in conflict resolution, mediation and negotiation for kraals establishment, grazing, and watering rights. We conclude that pastoral communities in Karamoja have a high inclination to maintenance of stability while their flexibility and ability to change decreases with the intensity of change pro-rata.Le cadrage de l\u2019adaptation reste l\u2019un des d\ue9fis majeurs pour parvenir \ue0 une plus grande mise en \u153uvre des initiatives d\u2019adaptation en Afrique subsaharienne (ASS). En utilisant un cadre analytique int\ue9gr\ue9 qui encadre les indicateurs d\u2019adaptation en trois dimensions; capacit\ue9s d\u2019adaptation, d\u2019absorption et de transformation, nous avons analys\ue9 la diversit\ue9 de l\u2019adaptation dans la sous-r\ue9gion de Karamoja, en Ouganda. Nous avons trouv\ue9 une forte perception de l\u2019existence de la variabilit\ue9 et des changements climatiques qui se manifestent par la survenue de s\ue9cheresses, d\u2019inondations, de temp\ueates de gr\ueale, d\u2019apparition tardive et pr\ue9coce des pr\ue9cipitations. La capacit\ue9 d\u2019absorption a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 des statuts vari\ue9s d\u2018\ua0actifs\ua0de\ua0propri\ue9t\ue9, de la protection de ses actifs et d\u2019acc\ue8s \ue0 ces actifs, la pr\ue9sence des r\ue9seaux de la s\ue9curit\ue9 sociale informels et la coh\ue9sion sociale. La capacit\ue9 d\u2019adaptation a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 la pr\ue9sence d\u2019une diversit\ue9 de sources de subsistance, d\u2019actifs de subsistance et de revenus associ\ue9s, mais son indicateur de capital humain a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 des niveaux d\u2019analphab\ue9tisme consid\ue9rablement \ue9lev\ue9s parmi les r\ue9pondants. Pendant ce temps, la capacit\ue9 de la transformation a r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 l\u2019existence de structures de r\ue9seau, de gouvernance et d\u2019institutions, a facilit\ue9 l\u2019acc\ue8s aux informations d\u2019alerte pr\ue9coce sur les ravageurs, les maladies et l\u2019apparition des pluies. Les institutions traditionnelles et le syst\ue8me judiciaire ont jou\ue9 un r\uf4le cl\ue9 dans la r\ue9solution des conflits, la m\ue9diation et la n\ue9gociation pour l\u2019\ue9tablissement des \ue9tables et les droits de p\ue2turage et d\u2019abreuvement. Nous concluons que les communaut\ue9s pastorales du Karamoja ont une forte tendance au maintien de la stabilit\ue9 tandis que leur flexibilit\ue9 et leur capacit\ue9 \ue0 changer diminuent avec l\u2019intensit\ue9 du changement au prorata

DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative patients in Kampala, Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The identification and differentiation of strains of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>by DNA fingerprinting has provided a better understanding of the epidemiology and tracing the transmission of tuberculosis. We set out to determine if there was a relationship between the risk of belonging to a group of tuberculosis patients with identical mycobacterial DNA fingerprint patterns and the HIV sero-status of the individuals in a high TB incidence peri-urban setting of Kampala, Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred eighty three isolates of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>from 80 HIV seropositive and 103 HIV seronegative patients were fingerprinted by standard IS<it>6110</it>-RFLP. Using the BioNumerics software, strains were considered to be clustered if at least one other patient had an isolate with identical RFLP pattern.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One hundred and eighteen different fingerprint patterns were obtained from the 183 isolates. There were 34 clusters containing 54% (99/183) of the patients (average cluster size of 2.9), and a majority (96.2%) of the strains possessed a high copy number (≥ 5 copies) of the IS<it>6110 </it>element. When strains with <5 bands were excluded from the analysis, 50.3% (92/183) were clustered, and there was no difference in the level of diversity of DNA fingerprints observed in the two sero-groups (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.85, 95%CI 0.46–1.56, <it>P </it>= 0.615), patients aged <40 years (aOR 0.53, 95%CI 0.25–1.12, <it>P </it>= 0.100), and sex (aOR 1.12, 95%CI 0.60–2.06, <it>P </it>= 0.715).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The sample showed evidence of a high prevalence of recent transmission with a high average cluster size, but infection with an isolate with a fingerprint found to be part of a cluster was not associated with any demographic or clinical characteristics, including HIV status.</p

Determination of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and transmission patterns among pulmonary TB patients in Kawempe municipality, Uganda, using MIRU-VNTR

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units - variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) genotyping is a powerful tool for unraveling clonally complex <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>(MTB) strains and detection of transmission patterns. Using MIRU-VNTR, MTB genotypes and their transmission patterns among patients with new and active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Kawempe municipality in Kampala, Uganda was determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MIRU-VNTR genotyping was performed by PCR-amplification of 15 MTB-MIRU loci from 113 cultured specimens from 113 PTB patients (one culture sample per patient). To determine lineages, the genotypes were entered into the MIRU-VNTR<it>plus </it>database [<url>http://www.miru-vntrplus.org/</url>] as numerical codes corresponding to the number of alleles at each locus. Ten different lineages were obtained: Uganda II (40% of specimens), Uganda I (14%), LAM (6%), Delhi/CAS (3%), Haarlem (3%), Beijing (3%), Cameroon (3%), EAI (2%), TUR (2%) and S (1%). Uganda I and Uganda II were the most predominant genotypes. Genotypes for 29 isolates (26%) did not match any strain in the database and were considered unique. There was high diversity of MIRU-VNTR genotypes, with a total of 94 distinct patterns. Thirty four isolates grouped into 15 distinct clusters each with two to four isolates. Eight households had similar MTB strains for both index and contact cases, indicating possible transmission.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MIRU-VNTR genotyping revealed high MTB strain diversity with low clustering in Kawempe municipality. The technique has a high discriminatory power for genotyping MTB strains in Uganda.</p

Nutritional quality, fruit shape and relationships among exotic and local Capsicum pepper genotypes in Uganda.

Twenty-one hot pepper genotypes comprising of local (15) and exotic (6) types (C. annuum, C. frutescens and C. chinense) were characterized for selected fruit traits after propagation in a glasshouse at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo in Central Uganda using a completely randomized design with three replicates. Ripe fruits were harvested and analyzed; traits evaluated were all significantly different at P<0.05 with variations in quality attributes. The genotype OHA-B305-10 had the highest ascorbic acid content (128.86 mg/100 g) and is recommended for improvement of both local and exotic genotypes targeting the fresh market. Genotypes CAP0408-12 and UG2 WE0511-22, with highest total soluble solids (16.17 ºBrix) and dry matter content (28.59%), respectively should be used in improvements for industrial use or processing to products such as chilli powder or flakes. BRS-M205-04 with highest titratable acidity (1.04%) can be used in enhancing shelf life of genotypes with low titratable acids as well as for the fresh market. In spite of the intraspecific relationships among genotypes, significant differences were observed in their quantitative traits. These genotypes will, therefore, be useful in improving the quality of hot pepper fruit in Ugand

Recruitment and retention of women in fishing communities in HIV prevention research

Introduction: Women in fishing communities in Uganda are more at risk and have higher rates of HIV infection. Socio-cultural gender norms, limited access to health information and services, economic disempowerment, sexual abuse and their biological susceptibility make women more at risk of infection. There is need to design interventions that cater for women’s vulnerability. We explore factors affecting recruitment and retention of women from fishing communities in HIV prevention research. Methods: An HIV incidence cohort screened 2074 volunteers (1057 men and 1017 women) aged 13-49 years from 5 fishing communities along Lake Victoria using demographic, medical history, risk behaviour assessment questionnaires.1000 HIV negative high risk volunteers were enrolled and followed every 6 months for 18 months. Factors associated with completion of study visits among women were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Women constituted 1,017(49%) of those screened, and 449(45%) of those enrolled with a median (IQR) age of 27 (22-33) years. Main reasons for non-enrolment were HIV infection (33.9%) and reported low risk behaviour (37.5%). A total of 382 (74%) women and 332 (69%) men completed all follow up visits. Older women (&gt;24 yrs) and those unemployed, who had lived in the community for 5 years or more, were more likely to complete all study visits. Conclusion: Women had better retention rates than men at 18 months. Strategies for recruiting and retaining younger women and those who have stayed for less than 5 years need to be developed for improved retention of women in fishing communities in HIV prevention and research Programs

Literature review of visual representation of the results of benefit–risk assessments of medicinal products

Background The PROTECT Benefit–Risk group is dedicated to research in methods for continuous benefit–risk monitoring of medicines, including the presentation of the results, with a particular emphasis on graphical methods. Methods A comprehensive review was performed to identify visuals used for medical risk and benefit–risk communication. The identified visual displays were grouped into visual types, and each visual type was appraised based on five criteria: intended audience, intended message, knowledge required to understand the visual, unintentional messages that may be derived from the visual and missing information that may be needed to understand the visual. Results Sixty-six examples of visual formats were identified from the literature and classified into 14 visual types. We found that there is not one single visual format that is consistently superior to others for the communication of benefit–risk information. In addition, we found that most of the drawbacks found in the visual formats could be considered general to visual communication, although some appear more relevant to specific formats and should be considered when creating visuals for different audiences depending on the exact message to be communicated. Conclusion We have arrived at recommendations for the use of visual displays for benefit–risk communication. The recommendation refers to the creation of visuals. We outline four criteria to determine audience–visual compatibility and consider these to be a key task in creating any visual. Next we propose specific visual formats of interest, to be explored further for their ability to address nine different types of benefit–risk analysis information

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda

Introduction: Patients with cancer in Africa embrace the use of herbal medicine more than anywhere else in the world. This study identified and documented medicinal plant species used to manage cancer in ten (10) districts of Uganda. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. In total, 18 (out of 55) traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) having more than 10 years of experience in managing patients with cancer were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The Relative frequency of citation (RFC) and Family importance value (FIV) indices were also computed. Results: We identified 121 plant species, belonging to 55 families, with the most common families being the Fabaceae (20 species, FIV = 0.119), Asteraceae (13 species, FIV = 0.131), and Euphorbiaceae (eight species, FIV = 0.079). The plant parts most commonly used were leaves (39.3%) and roots (12.9%). The most frequently cited plants were: Hoslundia opposita Vahl (RFC = 0.44), followed by Aspilia africana (Pers.) C.D. Adams (RFC = 0.33), Spathodea nilotica Seem (RFC = 0.33), Annona muricata L. (RFC = 0.33, Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman (RFC = 0.28), Acacia hockii De Wild (RFC = 0.28), Bidens pilosa L. (RFC = 0.28), and Carica papaya L (RFC = 0.22). The most common method of plant preparation and administration was the decoction (69.2%) and oral (86.7%) route, respectively. Conclusions: Although most plants used by TMPs have the potential to generate leads for chemo-preventive cancer medicines, they remain unexplored. This study provides a lead to explore the potential of traditionally used plants for the management of cancer through pre-clinical and clinical research