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
Factors affecting the implementation of supplementary feeding programme in refugee settlements: a case of Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Terego and Madi-Okollo district
(Muni University, 2025-11-26) Ngongo, Samuel
Background: Despite the implementation of Supplementary Feeding Programmes (SFPs) in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, child malnutrition remains a critical public health emergency, characterized by high rates of stunting, wasting, and anemia. The persistent high burden of malnutrition suggests significant underlying factors are impeding the effectiveness of these interventions, necessitating a systematic investigation.
Methodology: A cross-sectional research design that integrated both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. The study sampled 400 respondents, who were caregivers/guardians/parents, and 25 respondents, these included programme staff, programme managers(WFP) and administrators for Key informant interviews. Data were collected through structured survey questionnaires, focus group discussions (3 Zones)these were selected because of easy proximity to nationals who happen to be beneficiaries of SFPs, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed in Stata version 15 using Pearson correlation and regression analysis, while qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Findings: The study identified two primary categories of influencing factors:
Child-Related Factors: A positive correlation was found between child-related factors (appetite, palatability of supplements, health condition, and discrimination of food types) and SFP implementation success (r = 0.434, p < 0.001). Regression analysis confirmed these factors as significant predictors, accounting for 18.8% of the variance (B = 0.775, p < 0.001). Qualitatively, children readily accepted ready-to-use therapeutic/supplementary foods (RUTF/RUSF) but widely rejected Corn-Soya Blend (CSB++) porridge due to its taste and preparation burden.
Programme Delivery-Related Factors: A strong positive correlation existed between programme delivery factors (accessibility, community sensitization, timing, funding, and human resources) and implementation success (r = 0.426, p < 0.001). These factors were significant predictors, explaining 18.2% of the variance (B = 0.416, p < 0.001). Key implementation challenges included inadequate funding leading to ration cuts and stockouts, long distances to distribution points, high beneficiary-to-staff ratios, and politicization of aid. Critically, insufficient general food rations led to the diversion and sharing of SFP supplements at the household level.
Conclusion: The implementation of SFPs in Rhino Camp is significantly constrained by a complex interplay of child acceptability issues and systemic programme delivery barriers. The inadequacy of general food assistance fundamentally undermines the supplementary nature of the programme.
Recommendations: To enhance programme effectiveness, it is recommended to (1) diversify and improve the palatability of food supplements to meet children's preferences; (2) secure flexible, multi-year funding to prevent stock-outs; (3) decentralize distribution points to improve
accessibility; (4) increase staffing levels and invest in capacity building; and (5) enhance community sensitization and engagement strategies. Addressing these factors is crucial for improving nutritional outcomes among refugee and host community children.
Blockchain and deep Q-learning for trusted cloud-enabled drone network in smart forestry: A Survey
(Imam Ja’afar Al-Sadiq University, 2025-12-14) Ali, Guma; Wamusi, Robert; Mijwil, Maad M.; Al-Hamzawi, Hassan A. Hameed; Al Sailawi, Ali S. Abed; Salau, Ayodeji Olalekan
The convergence of drone technology, cloud computing, and intelligent decision-making is revolutionizing precision forestry. However, deploying large-scale drone networks in smart forestry faces challenges such as trust, security, data integrity, and autonomous coordination. This survey examines how combining Blockchain technology with deep Q-learning (DQL) can address these issues within cloud-enabled drone networks. Drawing on 102 peer-reviewed sources published between 2022 and 2025 from reputable platforms such as ACM Digital Library, Frontiers, Wiley Online Library, PLoS, Nature, Springer, ScienceDirect, MDPI, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, Taylor & Francis, Sage, and Google Scholar, this work highlights recent advancements in secure and intelligent drone ecosystems. Blockchain provides a decentralized, tamper-resistant framework for validating transactions and securing data exchange among autonomous drones, ensuring the integrity, confidentiality, and authenticity of environmental data. This is critical in forestry, where data manipulation and unauthorized access pose significant risks. Complementing this, DQL enables drones to make autonomous decisions by interpreting real-time environmental data and learning from past experiences, allowing drones to adjust their flight paths, optimize resource utilization, and enhance data collection in dynamic forest environments, such as wildfires or illegal logging operations. Together, Blockchain and DQL create a resilient, scalable architecture that supports secure, real-time, and intelligent forest monitoring. This framework lays the groundwork for developing autonomous and trustworthy drone networks that promote sustainable and climate-smart forestry management.
Socioeconomic drivers for uptake of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop intensification innovations in Southwestern Uganda
(Journal Issues, 2026-01-02) Ainebyona, Roland Rwambuka; Sanya, Losira Nasirumbi; Agea, Jacob Godfrey; Karubanga, Gabriel; Mugisha, Johnny
The socioeconomic context of farmers plays a complementary role in determining uptake of agricultural innovations. In Uganda, despite considerable agricultural interventions, farmers’ adoption rates remain low. This study evaluated socioeconomic factors affecting uptake by systematically analyzing cross-sectional survey data of 265 smallholder potato farmers in three districts of southwestern Uganda, under the Community Action Research Programme Plus (CARP+) Project. Findings of the study indicated that farmers travelled nine kilometers to tarmac roads and four kilometers to input shops with access to credit, income, education level, input markets, and location as the most significant factors for uptake of innovative agricultural practices. The study recommended the development of tailored financial products, income enhancement through value-addition, and improved market linkages to increase agricultural productivity and profitability. The findings indicate a need to invest in agricultural education and capacity-building programs, integrate potato intensification modules into adult education and farmer field schools, and establish decentralized input distribution centres in remote farming communities to improve physical access to input markets, thereby reducing travel time and transaction costs. Additionally, the study emphasized the need to promote integrated support systems through coordinated efforts among extension services, financial institutions, and input suppliers to deliver holistic support to farmers.
The role of actors in promoting potato crop intensification innovations among smallholder farmers in southwestern Uganda
(Journal Issues, 2026-01-02) Ainebyona, Roland Rwambuka; Sanya, Losira Nasirumbi; Agea, Jacob Godfrey; Karubanga, Gabriel; Mugisha, Johnny
The limited uptake of innovative agricultural practices, despite their high potential to enhance yield and productivity, has directed attention towards more inclusive innovation processes. This study investigates actors’ roles, interactions, and linkages that facilitate uptake of potato crop intensification innovation practices within the Community Action Research Project Plus (CARP+) Project, a RUFORUM project that was launched by Makerere University in Southwestern Uganda. Data were analyzed using Social Network Analysis (SNA), using UCINET software. Results revealed that potato crop intensification innovation process evolved in five key stages, each involving players from various AIS domains interacting with each other. Thus, a network of multi-domain actors demonstrates the importance of versatile engagement in promoting the uptake of innovative agricultural practices. The innovation network had lower scores of network density and Arch reciprocity (about 21 and 47%). Thus, dominance of unidirectional ties, while other players remained in the periphery indicates potential limited integration and feedback, unidirectional flow of information and other resources within network. Similarly, some players remaining in the periphery of the network implies weak network which cripples innovation uptake. The study recommends for strengthening multi-stakeholder partnerships that foster collaboration among diverse actors who perform diverse roles for effective performance of a network.
Regenerating the food system: A proposed vision and guiding principles for regenerative, inclusive food systems (RIFS)
(Springer Nature, 2025-12-29) O’Keeffe, Sine´ad; Amede, Tewodros Tefera; Bockline, Bebe Omedo; Kajobe, Robert; Reemer, Thies; Haggard, Ben; Froebrich, Jochen; Siegmund-Shultze, Marianna
The aim of this perspective is to further the discussion on regenerating our food system, by describing our future food system (FS) vision to be a regenerative, inclusive food system (RIFS) and providing guiding principles that work within an interactive dynamic framework to achieve this vision. The five RIFS principles outlined in this paper are intended to support and guide place-based processes for regenerating our FS. These are: (1) sense of place and purpose; (2) socio-ecological design for innovation; (3) building connections; (4) fair, just and inclusive transitions; and (5) design for renewal (it is a living process). The use of the five principles are at the heart of RIFS, supporting transformative, experiential learning and guiding the actions and responsibility of all actors involved in FS transformation towards RIFS. We argue that when all these principles occur in a transformation process, this provides the fertile ground for achieving a RIFS’s vision.