INVITATION: NEAR-ER Early Career Researchers and Graduate Students Dialogue
2025-06-16 | Makerere University Main Hall, Makerere University, KAMPALA, KAMPALA, +2560414, Uganda
INVITATION: NEAR-ER Early Career Researchers and Graduate Students Dialogue
DATE: Monday 16th June 2025, 2:00pm to 5:00pm, Makerere University Main Hall
PARTNERS: 20 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from Europe (7) and Africa (13)
TARGET PARTICIPANTS: The Dialogue is open to Early Career Researchers, Academics, Graduate Students and Members of Staff interested in EU-Africa partnerships
NEAR-ER is a Jean Monnet Policy Network that brings together 20 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from Europe (7) and Africa (13). The network operates with the shared goal of advancing a broad and well-informed conversation on EU-Africa relations through collecting, reviewing, debating, and disseminating innovative research and education materials. NEAR-ER benefits from a multi-layer and integrated approach for data collection and peer review, a multi-disciplinary group of scholars with expertise in critical thematic areas, and mutual capacity building with a long-term legacy for higher education in both continents.
INVITATION: Dear member of staff, Early Career Researcher/Academics, Graduate Students, you are cordially invited to the NEAR-ER dialogue on 16th June 2025 starting at 2:00pm at Makerere University to:
i. Engage with leading scholars in Europe-Africa relations
ii. Network with academics from 20 institutions across two continents
iii. Explore research and career opportunities in EU-Africa partnerships
iv. Contribute to meaningful discussions on contemporary challenges affecting both continents
v. Gain insights into current trends and future directions in Europe-Africa cooperation
Your participation in this dialogue will significantly benefit the discourse by enhancing their understanding of international relations, providing networking opportunities, and potentially opening doors for future collaborations and research partnerships.
CONTACT PERSON: Dr. John A. Mushomi, Consortium Coordinator/Lecturer, Makerere University Network on Europe-Africa Relations-Education and Research (NEAR-ER), +256772047326.
WE BUILD FOR THE FUTURE
—
Ritah Namisango
Principal Communication Officer
Makerere University
E-mail: pr.bams@mak.ac.ug
Website: www.bams.mak.ac.ug

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Musa Sennanda
2025-08-20 09:00 - 17:00 UTC | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
The Dean, School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences cordially invites you to a PhD Defense.
PhD Candidate: Mr. Musa Sennanda
Thesis Title: Islamic Finance, Transparency, Access to Finance and Poverty Mitigation in Countries Financed by Islam Development Bank
Date and Time: 20th August 2025, starting at 9:00 am
Venue: College of Business and Management Sciences Conference Hall
Dean: Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng
Supervisors:

Dr. Ahmed Mutunzi Kitunzi
Dr. Gerald Kasigwa
Dr. Ismail Kintu

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Maxwell Clovice Kamanyire
2025-08-25 09:00 - 13:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
The Dean, School of Economics, College of Business and Management Sciences cordially invites you to a PhD Defense.
PhD Candidate: Mr. Maxwell Clovice Kamanyire
Thesis Title: Rural Electrification and Household Socio-Economic
Date and Time: 25th August 2025, starting at 9:00 am
Venue: College of Business and Management Sciences Conference Hall
Dean: Associate Professor Ibrahim Mike Okumu
Supervisors:

Prof. Associate Professor Fred Matovu
Dr. Paul Wabiga

Abstract:
Access to electricity is vital for a country’s socioeconomic transformation and social well-being. However, evidence on this topic is limited, especially in developing economies, hindering effective policy and investment. Uganda has increased electricity access from 10% in 2010 to 47.1% in 2022, but connections remain low at 24%, far below the Vision 2040 target of 80%. This raises questions about the factors influencing household demand for electricity connections. Even in rural areas that were once marginalised but are now connected, the transformative effects are not well-documented.
This study aimed to achieve three specific objectives:

Identify the determinants of demand for rural grid electricity connections;
Examine the impact of rural electrification on household business startups;
Assess the impact of rural electrification on women’s economic empowerment.

To address the first objective, a logit model was estimated using cross-sectional survey data from 932 households in central Uganda (Kalungu, Kayunga, Mukono, Mityana, and Wakiso) collected in February and March 2023. Findings show that the likelihood of obtaining an electricity connection increases with shorter distances to the grid, higher economic status of wives, village access to electricity, higher household income, bigger houses, knowledge of electrification, SACCO membership and ownership of electric appliances. Policy recommendations include enhancing household income and expanding the rural electrification program.
The second objective examines the impact of electrification on business startups through three channels: rural electrification, power access from any source, and grid connection using the inverse probability weighted regression adjustment estimation. Results indicate that rural electrification significantly enhances household business startups across all channels and promotes entertainment and other service-related business than manufacturing and processing at household level.Therefore, expanding electrification in villages can promote business creation but, redesigning rural electrification for manufacturing and processing would yield more benefits to the rural economy.
For the third objective propensity score matching is employed on experimental data, revealing that rural electrification significantly boosts women’s economic empowerment by enhancing their bargaining power and control over resources. Policies aimed at empowering women could strategically leverage electrification as a pivotal factor in enhancing household welfare and promoting inclusivity in Uganda.
Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.
Assoc. Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu

CoBAMS PhD Scholars' Meeting 2025
2025-09-24 08:00 - 17:00
Overview
The College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) is pleased to announce the upcoming PhD Scholars’ Meeting. This event, convened by the Principal, is a dedicated forum for all doctoral scholars within the College to engage, share experiences, and discuss initiatives aimed at enhancing the PhD journey.
This meeting underscores our commitment to fostering a supportive academic community and transforming doctoral training into a more seamless and enriching experience for all our candidates.
Date & Time
Wednesday, 24th September 2025
Starting at 8:00 AM
Venue
CoBAMS Conference Hall, Block B, Room 2.2B8
Makerere University
Eligible Participants
All PhD Scholars from the following schools under CoBAMS:
* School of Business
* School of Economics
* School of Statistics and Planning
Contact Information
For further details or inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Sendawula Kasimu
Phone: 0702 073972
Note:
This meeting is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the development of our PhD programs. Your attendance is highly encouraged.

PhD Public Defense by Ms. Tuhaise Betty Tumuhirwe
2025-10-08 09:00 - 13:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
The Dean, School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences cordially invites you to a PhD Defense.
PhD Candidate: Ms. Tuhaise Betty Tumuhirwe

Thesis Title: Bond market Development, Government Effectiveness, Private Sector Participation, and Infrastructure Development in Africa.

Date and Time: 8th October 2025, starting at 9:00 am

Venue: College of Business and Management Sciences Conference Hall

Dean: Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng

Supervisors:

Dr. Eric Nzibonera
Dr. Yusuf Kiwala
Dr. Jude Thaddeo Mugarura

PhD Public Defense by Ms. Apon Linda Ismene
2025-10-14 09:00 - 13:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
The Dean, School of Business, College of Business and Management Sciences cordially invites you to a PhD Defense.
PhD Candidate: Ms. Apon Linda Ismene
Thesis Title: Internal Control Systems, Leadership Style, Cash flow Management Behaviour and Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises in Uganda

Date and Time: 14th October 2025, starting at 9:00 am

Venue: College of Business and Management Sciences Conference Hall

Dean: Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng

Supervisors:

Dr. Ismail Kintu
Dr. Geofrey Nuwagaba

3rd Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and 9th Annual Students’ Expo 2025
2025-10-16 08:00 - 2025-10-17 17:00 | CTF2, Makerere University, Makerere University, Kampala, 256, Uganda
The 3rd Uganda Entrepreneurship Congress and 9th Annual Students’ Expo 2025, themed “Brewing Prosperity: Youth Entrepreneurship in Uganda’s Coffee Value Chain,” aims to empower youth to become innovators and entrepreneurs in the coffee sector.
Its objectives are to:

Equip young people with practical agritech, entrepreneurship, and market-readiness skills.
Strengthen collaboration among youth, cooperatives, government, and investors to create new opportunities.
Showcase youth-led coffee innovations and connect them to partners and investors.
Influence policy to address barriers like access to finance, land, and technology.
Celebrate outstanding youth-led coffee brands that can inspire replication across Africa.

The key focus areas include sustainable and climate-smart coffee farming, technology-driven value addition, branding and marketing of Uganda’s coffee, financial access for youth ventures, and strengthening youth cooperatives.
The target audience spans university students, young coffee entrepreneurs, cooperatives, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), agritech startups, policymakers, private sector leaders, and researchers.
In conclusion, the Congress and Expo seek to drive systemic transformation in Uganda’s coffee economy by positioning youth as owners, innovators, and exporters — unlocking prosperity for the nation and future generations.

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Bashir Rajab Kagere
2025-11-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
INVITATION: PhD Public Defense
The Dean, School of Economics under the College of Business and
Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public
Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Bashir Rajab Kagere
Title of Thesis: Firm Innovation Behaviour and Performance
Date: Wednesday 20th November 2025.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Venue: CoBAMS Conference Hall at Makerere University

Supervisors:
1.Dr. Thomas Mwebaze
2.Dr. Nicholas Kilimani
TITLE: FIRM INNOVATION BEHAVIOUR AND PERFORMANCE
Abstract
Manufacturing firms in developing countries operate under structurally weak conditions, characterized by limited regulatory enforcement, pervasive informality, shallow financial markets, inadequate intellectual property protection, and minimal Research and Development (R&D) investment, all of which constrain innovation and firm performance. In Uganda, the scarcity of locally developed innovations reinforces dependence on imported goods, eroding domestic initiative, undermining value addition, employment creation, and long-term competitiveness. This dissertation examines how Ugandan manufacturing firms address these innovation challenges and whether their innovation behavior translates into performance gains. Specifically, it (1) examines the effects of competition from the informal sector (CIS) and access to finance on firm innovation behaviour, (2) identifies the product innovation strategies employed by manufacturing firms, and (3) analyses the impact of these strategies on firm performance. To guide the analysis, the study draws on five interrelated theoretical frameworks: dual economy, pecking order, institutional theory, and both the resource-based and knowledge-based views. The first objective employs World Bank Enterprise Survey data and a multivariate probit model, revealing that exposure to CIS stimulates product innovation, with financing sources shaping firm innovation choices. The second objective categorizes product innovation strategy into four groups: product innovation is internally developed (Make), sourced externally (Buy), created through collaboration (Ally), or developed by modifying original innovations (Imitate). It utilizes the Uganda National Innovation Survey (NIS) dataset, indicating that product innovation strategies differ according to firm innovation expenditures, obstacles, information sources, and objectives. Firms investing in external R&D and machinery acquisition are more likely to innovate. The third analysis, based on PLS-SEM and using the NIS dataset, reveals that product innovation strategy has no direct effect on firm performance, suggesting mediation by other firm capabilities, including product novelty and, to a lesser extent, internationalization. The study suggests improvements in regulatory enforcement, encouraging formalization of informal businesses, and expanding affordable long-term financing. Additionally, there is need to enhance firm R&D capacity and external technology acquisition, strengthen existing policies such as “Buy Uganda Build Uganda” (BUBU) to promote locally manufactured goods’ consumption, and strengthen the intellectual property rights (IPR) framework to incentivize firms to develop new products. Finally, prioritizing novelty is vital for fostering firm performance.
Keywords: innovation, finance, informality, manufacturing, strategy, & firm performance
Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Faustino Byanyima
2025-11-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
INVITATION: PhD Public Defense
The Dean, School of Economics under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Faustino Byanyima
Title of Thesis:
THE EFFECT OF INTERNET USE ON DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS IN SELECTED SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Date: Wednesday, 20th November 2025.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Venue: CoBAMS Conference Hall at Makerere University
Supervisors:

Associate Professor John Bosco Nyanzi
Professor Bruno Lule Yawe

ABSTRACT
Sub-Saharan Africa has long faced persistently low educational attainment, poor health outcomes, and limited incomes, reflecting a significant development gap. This dissertation examines whether greater internet use can help improve these outcomes. It aims to evaluate the effect of internet use on development indicators by (i) assessing its effect on education attainment, (ii) analyzing its effect on life expectancy, and (iii) examining its effect on income per capita. The dissertation uses panel data from international sources such as UNESCO for literacy rates, ITU for internet use, and World Bank Development indicators for control variables. The first objective utilizes a common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG). The results show significant negative link between internet use and educational attainment, likely due to high disruptive potential. The control variables of institutional quality, pupil-teacher ratio, and the GDP share of agriculture have positive effects. The second objective employs full information maximum likelihood (FIML) and results indicate that internet use has a clear positive effect on life expectancy, likely because better connectivity expands access to health information, telemedicine, and knowledge of healthy practices. Education, institutional quality, and urbanization also have significant positive effects, whereas disease incidence has a significant negative effect. The third objective also adopts FIML and its results reveal that internet use affects income growth indirectly via internet-driven improvements in health. These findings lead to important policy recommendations: governments should promote digital inclusion while investing in complementary sectors like education and healthcare to ensure connectivity translates into higher literacy, longer lives, and economic growth. Initiatives to bridge digital disparities and strengthen institutions are vital so that all communities can share in the benefits of internet-enabled development.

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense by Ms. Christine Kim Atuhairwe
2025-12-04 14:00 - 17:00 | Conference Hall, Block B, CoBAMS, Conference Room, Block B, CoBAMS, Kampala, Uganda
INVITATION:
The Dean, School of Statistics and Planning under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Christine Kim Atuhairwe
Title of Thesis:
HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE, VIRAL LOAD SUPPRESSION AND SURVIVAL AMONG OLDER PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV IN UGANDA
Date: Wednesday 4th December 2025.
Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Venue: CoBAMS Conference Hall at Makerere University

Abstract

Older persons living with HIV (aged ≥50 years) have increased, a noteworthy public health challenge in low-and middle-income countries. Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) innovations are improving health-related quality of life, viral suppression and survival of persons living with HIV enrolled and retained on ART. The study aimed to determine Health-Related Quality of Life, viral suppression and survival of older persons living with HIV in Uganda.
A cross-sectional survey was carried out to determine the HR-QoL and viral suppression using a semi structured questionnaire. Overall, 439 older persons living with HIV were interviewed about their socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, clinical and no-clinical factors and analyzed using the binary logistic regression model. OPLHIV quality of life was studied using the domains of general health perception, physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, energy/fatigue, health distress and mental health and analyzed using the ordinal regression model. Also, a retrospective longitudinal study analysis of electronic medical records of OPLHIV from TASO centres of excellence was done using the Cox Hazard Regression Model.

The mean age of the participants was 58.0 years (±SD 7.4 years). About 42% of OPLHIV had a good HRQoL. General health perception was associated with multiple sexual partners (p=0.038), advanced HIV disease (p=0.011), and a viral load >200 copies/ml (p=0.003). Physical functioning correlated with tertiary education (p=0.049), being separated (p=0.004), 11-15 years on ART (p=0.027), and WHO clinical stage II (p=0.050). Factors for role functioning included age 60+ (p=0.002), secondary education (p=0.021), unemployment (p=0.001), WHO clinical stage II (p=0.002), and TB history (p=0.037). Social functioning linked to secondary education (p=0.004), being widowed (p<0.001), viral load >200 copies/ml (p=0.008), and WHO clinical stage II (p=0.011). Pain was associated with age 60+ (p=0.014), tertiary education (p=0.004), and unemployment (p=0.005). Energy correlated with secondary education (p=0.062), being separated (p=0.021), viral load >200 copies/ml (p=0.003), and WHO clinical stage II (p=0.028). Health distress was tied to secondary education (p<0.001), tertiary education (p<0.001), unemployment (p=0.033), and WHO stage II (p<0.001). Finally,

mental health was associated with secondary education (p=0.017), being widowed (p=0.043), multiple sexual partners (p=0.015), and WHO stage II (p=0.001). Overall HRQoL specifically correlated with age 60+ (p<0.001), secondary education (p<0.001), and WHO stage II (p=0.008).

About 88% had a viral load of less than 200 copies/µL. The factors associated with viral load less than 200 copies/µL were: being unemployed (aOR=4.1; 95% CI 1.73-9.84), WHO stage II (aOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.04-0.53), good adherence (aOR=16.6; 95% CI 1.91-145.60), having
no recent history of opportunistic infections (aOR=0.28; 95% CI 0.07-1.09), receiving spousal/family support (aOR=2.6; 95% CI 0.98-7.19), and receiving food supplies (aOR=6.0; 95% CI 1.17-31.58). No significant difference could be established with other variables.

A total of 30,758 medical records of OPLHIV from 1987-2023 were identified from TASO medical records. Of these 73% were active on ART, 6% had dead, 15% lost to follow up and 6% had transferred to other health facilities or regions. The survival of OPLHIV was significantly associated with being female (aHR=1.19; 95% CI 1.15-1.22), being married (aHR=0.99; 95% CI 0.77-0.80), separated/divorced persons (aHR=0.85; 95% CI 0.80-0.90), WHO clinical stage II (aHR=1.66; 95% CI 1.62-1.73), viral load >200 copies/µL (aHR=1.49; 95% CI 1.44-0.154) and fair adherence (aHR=0.94; 95% CI 0.74-1.19).
To improve the health-related quality of life, viral suppression and survival of OPLHIV; there is need to increase routine clinical screening of WHO clinical stage, viral load, CD4 count, blood plasma viremia, disease status, tuberculosis and adherence to improve health care providers’ treatment practices.
Supervisors:

Associate Professor L. K Atuhaire
Cyprian Misinde

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Hillary Muhanguzi
2025-12-18 14:00 - 17:00 | School of Statistics BoardRoom, Makerere University
INVITATION:
The Dean, School of Statistics and Planning under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Mr. Hillary Muhanguzi
Title of Thesis:
Methodological aspects in the construction of a composite indicator of service delivery in Uganda
Date: Thursday 18th December 2025.
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Venue: School of Statistics Board Room A16

ABSTRACT
This study elaborates methodological aspects encountered in the building of composite indicators with application to service delivery in Uganda. This study amplified the three main stages, the selection of quality data, the building of the composite indicator itself and statistical approaches that may be utilized to model service delivery composite indicator (CI). This study formulated a data quality assessment framework (DQAF) to enhance the construction of a composite indicator. The DQAF was formulated with a dual orientation that prioritizes two user-oriented data quality components (DQCs) namely; relevance, and interpretability, and three producer-oriented DQCs of methodological soundness, accuracy, and statistical adequacy. The application of the DQAF to service delivery data resulted in the selection of 51 from a pool of 103 potential indicators, reflecting a 48.6% acceptability percentage. The composite indicator for statistical regions, which included five dimensions—education, health, water, agriculture, and roads—was developed utilizing official data from the 2021 National Service Delivery Survey conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, along with various sector performance reports from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water and Environment. Additionally, the study developed an alternative composite indicator for district local governments, concentrating on the education, health, and water dimensions, which was modeled against potential covariates. The composite indicator for statistical regions indicated that Uganda achieved a score of 0.49 (0 ≤ composite indicator score ≤ 1) utilizing equal weighting, minimax transformation, and additive aggregation, whereas the score was 0.45 with equal weighting, distance-to-reference point transformation, and geometric aggregation. Min-max transformation yields higher scores compared to distance-to-reference point, attributable to the exogenously determined goalposts. Weights that are participatory determined were comparable with data-derived weights. Robustness tests demonstrated that the constructed composite indicator exhibited stability and can therefore be utilized. The absolute differences in ranks by region were observed, with Kampala and Lango exhibiting the lowest differences and Karamoja and Kigezi the highest, attributable to the presence of outliers and inequitable performance in the examined variables. The aggregation stage was the most sensitive accounting for nearly 60% of the total variance, primarily due to interaction with mainly the transformation stage; this underscores the necessity to cautiously select an aggregation method, as it greatly influences the robustness of the results.
The absolute rank differences were highest in the education dimension at 2.00 and lowest in the roads and health dimension at 1.33, indicating the varying impact of excluding aspects from the composite index. In assessing the differentials of service delivery at local government level, the composite indicator scores ranged from 0.25 to 0.60, with a substantial portion of the density plot situated below 0.50, indicating inadequate service delivery levels. The scores were negatively influenced by the number of sub-counties and land area, and positively influenced by central government funding, funding from other agencies, number of town councils, and age of the district. While beta regression adeptly models bounded data, random forest regression highlights the relative importance of predictors, and generalized additive model captures non-linear covariate effects. The comparable predictive accuracy of these methods, as evaluated using root mean square error, suggests their applicability to this investigation in accordance with the analytical objectives. A dual orientation of data quality components should be developed collaboratively, ensuring that redundancies and overlaps are recognized and resolved to clarify the intrinsic qualities of data and elementary indicators. Furthermore, it is recommended to investigate penalization methods to manage the substitutability of variables during aggregation due to unequal performance, as well as to employ both parametric and non-parametric techniques to assess differentials in service delivery.
Supervisors:

Yeko Mwanga
James.Wokadala
Francesca Bassi
Muuela Scioni

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense for Ms. Lillian Ayebale
2026-02-11 10:00 - 13:00 | School of Statistics Board Room, Makerere University, KAMPALA, KAMPALA, +2560414, Uganda
INVITATION:
The Dean, School of Statistic and Population Studies under the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:
Name of the Candidate: Ms. Lillian Ayebale
Title of Thesis:
Risky Sexual Behaviours, fertility and coping responses among adolescents in South- central Uganda
Date: Wednesday 11th Februrary 2026.
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Venue:
School of Statistics Board Room
ABSTRACT
Adolescents in Uganda face multiple vulnerabilities and exposures to risks. Approximately 25% of Ugandan teenagers become pregnant by the age of 19 years. This study explored and examined risky sexual behaviors, fertility, and coping responses among adolescents in South-Central Uganda.
This was a mixed-methods study. It involved a systematic review of studies on correlates of fertility among adolescents in SSA, statistical analysis of risky sexual behaviors among adolescents, and qualitative interviews with adolescents and parents from the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS), a population-based HIV surveillance cohort. A systematic review protocol was developed and published in PROSPERO to guide the systematic synthesis of determinants of adolescent fertility in SSA. A negative binomial regression model was used to determine the risky sexual behaviours among adolescents, while the qualitative data analysis adopted an interpretivist approach to understand risky sexual behaviors and how parents influence these adolescent behaviors.
Cultural practices and taboos, child marriages, lack of parent-child communication on sexual matters, socioeconomic factors, and adolescent individual factors were consistently cited as key correlates of adolescent fertility according to the systematic synthesis. Adolescents aged 18-19 exhibited a significantly higher incidence of risky sexual behaviours compared to those aged 15-17 (aIRR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.77-2.28). Living in a single-mother family structure (aIRR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.15-1.60), with other relatives (aIRR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.12-1.60), with non-relatives (aIRR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.21-1.94), or alone (adolescent-headed) (aIRR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.34-2.10) were all associated with higher incidence rates compared to living with both biological parents. Parents acknowledged that talking with adolescents could help reduce risky sexual behaviour. Parental talks on sexual matters were usually unplanned and happened when triggered by specific incidents.
Evidence from the results suggest that adolescents engage in risky sexual behaviours including non-marital sexual partnerships, multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex with a non-marital partner, and transactional sex. Parent-adolescent communication on sexual matters is essential/pertinent approach is needed to reduce/avert the associated risks. There is need for continuous engagement of all different stakeholders involved in adolescents work to have targeted interventions to prevent the risky sexual behaviours among the young people.
Supervisors:

Allen Kabagenyi
Stephen Ojiambo Wandera

Critical Reader:
Dr. John Ssekamate – Ssebuliba
Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.

PhD Public Defense by Mr. Jordan Paul Semwanga
2026-04-07 08:00 - 17:00
INVITATION: The Dean of the School of Economics, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University invites you to a Viva Voce examination for Mr. Jordan Paul Semwanga on Wednesday, 23rd of April 2025, at 2PM in the College Conference Hall, Makerere University.
Date: Tuesday 23rd April 2025.
Time: 2:00 pm
Venue: The Conference Room, Level 2, Block B, College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), Makerere University.
Title: “Crop production and welfare effects of using sludge manure among rural households in selected districts of central Uganda.”
ABSTRACT
The quality of arable soils has continuously deteriorated in Uganda. This has resulted into reduced crop production and constrained household welfare especially among the poor and agro-based households. Many farm households have tried to adapt to the losses in soil fertility through the use of inorganic and organic supplements. Although, a vast body of literature exists that demonstrates the positive impact of either inorganic or organic supplements but one can argue that little evidence exists about the impact of sludge manure on household crop production, household welfare, and the economic viability of its use. Thus, this dissertation examines the impact of sludge manure on rural farm households’ economic outcomes. To elaborate, the dissertation address three key specific objectives which include; (1) examined the impact of sludge manure adoption on household crop production, (2) investigated the welfare effect of sludge manure adoption among rural farm households and (3) evaluated the economic viability of using sludge manure in maize production.
The study employed a quasi-experimental design. Specifically, Propensity score matching, Endogenous switching regression and a partial budgeting analysis framework were employed as tools of analysis. The key results from this dissertation include; (1) sludge manure adoption leads to increased crop yields of say green bananas, maize, coffee and cassava crops (2) the results shows that using sludge manure improve per capita household food expenditure and per capita total household expenditure for adopters compared to non- adopters, (3) applying sludge manure in the production of maize, yields a higher marginal rate of return and this means that it is economically viable for household farmers to use sludge manure other than using inorganic fertilizers. In terms of recommendations, the study recommends promotion of sludge manure as a pathway of increasing crop yields and eventually crop income which facilitates household welfare. Still, since majority of smallholder farmers are financially constrained, the use of sludge manure is recommended because it is cost effective in the production of crops like maize.
Supervisors
Dr Aggrey Niringiye (PhD)
Senior Lecturer, Makerere University, School of Economics.
Dr. John Sseruyange (PhD)
Lecturer, Makerere University, School of Economics
Venue

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.
