Muni Repository (MR)
This repository contains open access publications of Muni University Library.
Objectives:
- To digitally collect, preserve and provide electronic access to scholarly works and research output of Muni University.
- Increase the visibility and impact of our research, making it easy for researchers, students, policymakers and journalists to reference, replicate, and re-use the work.
- Issue permanent, unique and trustworthy identifiers when creating URLs to access the resource without concern that the location of the resource may change.
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- Contact the library through email: libsupport@muni.ac.ug
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Recent Submissions
A Structural equation model of customer retention in the supermarket industry in Uganda
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2025-12-31) Amandu, Yassin Is’haq; Lubaale, Rashid; Ndagire, Salmah; Eton, Marus; Olema, Hamza
This study examined the challenge of customer retention in Uganda’s supermarket sector, where firms face low customer loyalty, high costs of acquiring new customers, slow growth, and persistent complaints about service quality. Many small supermarkets either relocate or close, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions. The research aimed to identify critical determinants of supermarket operations and propose a Supermarket Customer Retention (SCR) model suited for Uganda’s turbulent business environment. A cross-sectional quantitative survey of 395 shoppers was conducted using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire distributed physically in major supermarkets and online via Google Forms. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied, and five of the eight goodness-of-fit indices were achieved, confirming the model’s validity. Results revealed that service quality, relational norms, switching costs, customer satisfaction, and customer trust are key factors in determining retention. The study provides actionable insights for supermarket management and extends supermarket retention research to the sub-Saharan African context.
Fuzzy-PID control design and performance analysis for PMSM drives in electric vehicles
(Lamintang Education and Training (LET) Centre, 2025-12-28) Kalyankolo, Umaru; Nafuna, Ritah; Mugabe, Rodney; Nansukusa, Yudaya; Asikuru, Salaama; Ochima, Noah; Mutaburura, Pison; Kalyankolo, Zaina
The increasing demand for high performance and energy efficient electric vehicles has driven research into advanced motor control strategies for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors. This study investigates the design and performance evaluation of a Fuzzy PID controller as the speed regulator to address the limitations of the typical PID controllers in EV propulsion and a field-oriented control strategy is used. A conventional PID controller is initially implemented and tuned using the Ziegler-Nichols closed loop method. A Fuzzy Inference System is developed and then integrated with the PID controller to form a hybrid Fuzzy PID controller capable of adjusting the PID gains in real time. The performance of both controllers is evaluated under various test scenarios including speed variations, load disturbances, and parameter changes. Simulation results demonstrate that the Fuzzy PID controller significantly reduced overshoot by 0.5%, reduced rise time by 32.04%, improved settling time by 8.04%, and therefore enhanced system stability and responsiveness compared to the typical PID controller. These improvements validate the effectiveness of fuzzy logic in managing the uncertainties associated with PMSM control in EV applications.
Pathogenic and genetic diversity of sclerotium rolfsii, the causal agent of southern blight of common bean in Uganda
(MDPI, 2025-12-26) Erima, Samuel; Nyine, Moses; Ssemakula, Mildred Ochwo; Tusiime, Geoffrey; Akhunov, Eduard; Akhunova, Alina; Yunusbaev, Ural; Adjei, Emmanuel Amponsah; Mukasa, Settumba B.; Otim, Michael Hilary; Odong, Thomas Lapaka; Nkuboye, Allan; Candiru, Agnes; Paparu, Pamela
Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. is a soil-borne fungus that causes southern blight on many crops in the tropical and subtropical regions. In 2018, southern blight was reported as the most prevalent bean root rot in Uganda. Earlier studies ascertained the morphological and pathogenic diversity of S. rolfsii, but a limited understanding of its genetic diversity exists. Knowledge of S. rolfsii genetic diversity is a critical resource for pathogen surveillance and developing common bean varieties with durable resistance. A total of 188 S. rolfsii strains from infected common bean plants were collected from seven agro-ecological zones of Uganda in 2013, 2020 and 2021, and characterized morphologically and pathogenically. The genetic diversity of the strains was assessed using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from whole-genome sequencing. The growth rate of the strains ranged between 1.1 and 3.6 cm per day, while the number of sclerotia produced ranged from 0 to 543 per strain. The strains had fluffy, fibrous, and compact colony texture. The strains were pathogenic on common bean and caused disease severity indices ranging from 10.1% to 93.3%. Average polymorphic information content across all chromosomes was 0.27. Population structure analysis identified five genetically distinct clusters. The results of analysis of molecular variance revealed that 54% of the variation was between clusters while 46% of variation was within clusters. Pairwise comparison of Wright’s fixation indices between genetic clusters ranged from 0.31 to 0.78. The findings of this study revealed moderate genetic diversity among S. rolfsii strains, which should be taken into consideration when selecting strains for germplasm screening.
Anthropogenic footprint and ecological risk assessment of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments from Lake Victoria, East Africa
(Elsevier, 2025-12-15) Kagoya, Afuwa; Arinaitwe, Kenneth; Odongo, Silver; Sifuna, Douglas; Matovu, Henry; Matsiko, Julius; Muhwezi, Godfrey; ˇSp´anik, Ivan; Kato, Charles Drago; Sillanpa, Mika; Ssebugere, Patrick
Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest freshwater lake, continues to face pressure from anthropogenic activities in its catchment area, releasing pollutants, which are ultimately trapped in the sediment core, thereby posing threats to aquatic organisms. This study quantified thirteen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and ten polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments from the Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania sides of Lake Victoria using soxhlet method, fractionation column and GC–MS/MS analysis. Total (∑13) OCPs levels were up to 412, 148, and 522 µg kg-1 dry weight (d.w), and 12.1, 8.69 and 9.87 µg kg-1 dw for total (∑10) PCBs for sediments from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, respectively. Diagnostic ratios suggested past and ongoing use of OCPs while principal component analysis confirmed that OCP profiles were mainly due to their application in controlling pests in agriculture and public health programs, and PCB congeners were largely due to volatilization, degradation of higher PCBs into lighter PCBs, improper waste disposal of old transformers, hydraulic fluids, plasticizers, and capacitors. Ecological risk assessment highlighted that the PCB levels in sediments were below threshold effect and probable effect levels, but p,p′-DDD, and lindane were likely to pose adverse effects to sediment-dwelling organisms in Lake Victoria. These results imply persistent pollutant loads in Lake Victoria, and consequently, a need for its enhanced management.
236 Community engagement in chronic disease research with displaced populations in Uganda
(Oxford University Press, 2025-12-08) Dricile, Ratib; Gyawali, Bishal; Dræbel, Tania Aase; Nakanjako, Rita; Nanfuka, Esther; Skovdal, Morten
Background
Hypertension and type 2 diabetes are growing health concerns among forcibly displaced persons (FDPs). In Uganda, continuity of care is disrupted by mobility, limited resources, and fragmented services. This study explored factors influencing continuity and discontinuity of care for FDPs with these conditions in Northern Uganda.
Methods
The study was conducted in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement (Yumbe District) and Nyumanzi Settlement and Reception Centre (Adjumani District) using a community-based participatory design. Four trained peer researchers (two male, two female), Village Health Teams (VHTs), and health facility staff collaborated in data collection. Methods included surveys, point-of-care testing, interviews, and focus group discussions. An advisory board of district health authorities, humanitarian actors, and community representatives guided recruitment, tool adaptation, and referral pathways.
Results
Community engagement enhanced trust and facilitated culturally relevant tools and participant recruitment. VHTs, following hands-on training, successfully conducted point-of-care testing and data collection. Peer researchers contributed insider perspectives, offering deeper insights into the effects of mobility on care disruption. Key challenges included limited geographic coverage due to financial constraints, language barriers affecting data quality, and the need for extensive training and supervision.
Conclusions
Participatory approaches involving peer researchers and VHTs are feasible and valuable for chronic disease research in humanitarian settings. However, future studies should invest in sustainable capacity building, language mediation, and adequate resources to strengthen data quality and impact. Findings highlight the importance of embedding community engagement in non-communicable disease (NCD) research and practice to improve continuity of care among displaced populations.