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The Lira University Institutional Repository is a digital platform for collecting, preserving, and disseminating the intellectual and scholarly output of the University.

It provides access to theses, dissertations, journal articles, conference papers, learning materials, reports, university publications, and other research outputs produced by the Lira University community.

Through this repository, Lira University strengthens visibility, knowledge sharing, long-term preservation, and worldwide access to its academic contributions.

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Recent Submissions

Design and Implementation of a Road Flood Detection and Alert System for Urban Areas in Uganda
(East African Journal of Engineering, 2026) Xavierr, Mahande; Semwogerere, Twaibu; Rwahwire, Samson; Matovu, Davis; Odongtoo, Godfrey; Asingwire, Barbara; Alunyu, Andrew; Ocen, Gilbert; Bwire, JohnBoscow; Ssemakula, Shawal
In Uganda today, the land use has tremendously changed, especially in the urban areas, which has in turn led to significant changes in the climatic conditions. This has led to an increased frequency of storms and rainfall, leading to an increase in water runoff. As most of the surfaces are mostly impermeable and given the increased occupation of the swamps, most of this water finds its way onto the roads, leading to flooding, which puts the lives of the different road users, especially the motorists, at risk as well as increasing traffic congestion. A flood detection and alert system on roads is a system designed to monitor the state of the roads, especially at well-known flood points and then send out alerts to the different road users based on the data read. The system then notifies the motorists of which alternative route to use in case the particular route is flooded. The system will therefore reduce the fatalities on roads as a result of floods as well as save motorists time as they will be able to know beforehand what lies ahead of them and then act accordingly.
Gender and ICTs: The Emerging Reality and Measures for Achieving Equality in Uganda.
(East African Journal of Information Technology, 2026) Oyo, Benedict; Alunyu, Andrew Egwar; Akello, Christine Kalumera
The gender digital divide remains a challenge in Uganda, where the ICT sector is predominantly male-dominated. This imbalance hinders progress toward gender equality, a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 5. Due to past policy interventions, recent trends suggest shifts in female participation in ICT education and employment. This study examines gender disparities in ICT enrollment and employment, analysing barriers and proposing strategies for inclusivity. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates document analysis, literature review, and consultations with ICT professionals and educators. Student enrollment data from Busitema, Lira and Gulu Universities were analysed to assess gender representation across ICT programs. Findings reveal significant gender imbalances: 83.8% of Computer Science, 79.4% of Computer Engineering, and 62.2% of Information Technology students are male. Additionally, the ICT workforce remains male-dominated (77.9%), particularly in technical and specialised fields. However, a promising trend shows increasing female enrollment in Information Technology education, suggesting a shift in gender participation. The study highlights persistent barriers to gender parity in ICT, such as program design, societal perceptions, and limited female representation in academia. To address these issues, the research proposes targeted interventions, including female-centred ICT curricula, mentorship programs, digital literacy initiatives, and industry-sponsored training opportunities. Hackathon camps and proactive female employment programs are also recommended to enhance career opportunities for women in ICT. Future research should evaluate the long-term impact of these interventions to ensure that increasing female enrollment translates into equitable employment opportunities in Uganda’s digital economy.
Navigating coastal futures: Harnessing GIS and multi-criteria decision analysis for sustainable resilience in Kerala's vulnerable Shores.
(Elsevier, 2026) Acanga, Alfred; Sreekrishnan, Ravi; Sabarinath S.; Maneesha, V. Ramesh; Hariprasad, K. M.
Extreme weather occurrences, particularly in densely populated coastal places like India, cause loss and devastation, hindering disaster preparedness and long-term viability of vulnerable populations. Research shows that hybrid models, such as Bayesian Networks and Coastal Vulnerability frameworks, outperform traditional methods for measuring coastal vulnerability to Sea Level Rise (SLR). However, their extensive geographical coverage has considerable limitations, including data scarcity and challenges in effectively capturing differences in tiny locations. This study uses Geographic Information systems (GIS) and Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to assess coastal vulnerability in two villages in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The parameters used include lithology, elevation, significant wave height, land cover, road network density, and population density. The Coastal Vulnerability Index indicates that site A (27.39/53.7%) is three times more vulnerable than site B (9.13/ 18%). The results show that lithology limits agricultural lifestyles at both locations. Geology, coastal slope elevation, and wave energy all influence risk exposure. Land use and cover changes have had different causes at each site, resulting in varying socioeconomic consequences. The study emphasizes the need for evidence-based methods that include local ecological knowledge and involve communities to improve coastal resilience in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This work contributes to our knowledge of how localized adaptations minimize disaster risk and strengthen resilience in vulnerable coastal communities confronting climate change and socioeconomic pressures.
Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Adding Tuberculosis Household Contact Investigation on Passive Case-finding Strategy in Southwestern Uganda.
(Plos One, 2023) Odongo, Dickens; Omech, Benard; Acanga, Alfred
Introduction: The standard passive case-finding strategy implemented by most developing countries is inadequate to detect new of Tuberculosis. A household contact investigation is an alternative approach. However, there is limited cost-effectiveness data to support planning and implementation in low and middle-income countries. The study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding household contact investigation (HCI) to the passive case-finding (PCF) strategy in the Tuberculosis control program in Southwestern Uganda. Methods: We conducted an economic evaluation using a retrospective study approach and bottom-up costing (ingredients) techniques. It was a synthesis-based evaluation of existing data extracted from the District Health Information System (DHIS 2), TB registers, and a primary cost survey. The study compared two methods of Tuberculosis (TB) case finding (PCF and HCI) strategies. Regarding PCF, patients either self-reported their signs and symptoms or were prompted by healthcare workers. At the same time, HCI was done by home visiting and screening contacts of TB patients. Patients and household contacts presumed to have Tuberculosis were requested to produce samples for analysis. We applied a static decision- analytic modeling framework to examine both strategies’ costs and effectiveness. The study relied on cost and probability estimates from National Tuberculosis (TB) program data, activity costs, and published literature. It was performed from the societal and provider perspectives over 1.5 years across 12 facilities in Ntungamo, Sheema, and Rwampara Districts. The primary effectiveness measure was the number of TB cases detected (yield) and the number needed to screen (NNS). The TB yield was calculated from the number of patients screened during the period under study. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was expressed as cost in 2021 US$ per additional TB case detected. We did not apply a discount rate because of the short analytic time horizon. Results: The unit costs of detecting a Tuberculosis case were US$ (United States dollar) 204.22 for PCF and US$ 315.07 for HCI. Patient and caregiver costs are five times more in PCF than in HCI [US$26.37 Vs. US$ 5.42]. The ICER was US$ 3,596.94 per additional TB case detected. The TB screening yields were 0.52% (1496/289140) for passive case finding and 5.8% (197/3414) for household contact investigation. Household contact investigation yield among children 0–14 Vs. 15+ years [6.2% Vs.5.4%] P = 0.04. The Yield among People living with HIV (PLHIV) Vs. HIV-negative [15.8% Vs.5.3%] P = 0.03 in HHCI. The PCF yield in men Vs. Women [1.12% Vs.0.28%] P<0.01. The NNS in PCF was 193 [95% CI: 186–294] and 17 [95% CI: 14–22] in HCI. Conclusion: Our baseline assumptions and the specific implementations of adding HCI to existing PCF programs in the context of rural African settings prove to be not cost-effective, rather than HCI as a strategy. HCI effectively identifies children and PLHIV with TB and should be prioritized. Meanwhile, the Passive case-finding strategy effectively finds men with TB and costs lower than household contact investigation.
Uptake of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine and associated factors among children eligible for vaccination in Kole and Kwania districts, Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study
(BMC Public Health, 2026) Puleh, Sean Steven; Nankabirwa, Joaniter I.; Kalyango, Joan N.; Ocan, Moses; Siu, Godfrey; Idro, Richard; Akech, Stella Immaculate; Acen, Joy; Ejalu, David L; Nankinga, Ziadah; Afayo, Robert; Ocen, Francis; Opio, Bosco; Yeka, Adoke
Background The introduction of R21/Matrix-M (R21) vaccine as a malaria control strategy provides an oppor¬tunity to reduce the disease burden. However, there is limited evidence on its uptake and what affects the uptake, information that is important for the successful implementation of the vaccine. We assessed the level of uptake and associated factors among caregivers of children eligible for malaria vaccination in northern Uganda. Methods Between September and October 2025, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 557 caregiv¬ers of children eligible for malaria vaccination. Data were collected using pretested structured questionnaires in KoboCollect and exported into Stata version 18 for analysis. Child health cards were used to verify vaccine sta¬tus. Uptake was defined as the proportion of caregivers whose eligible children received at least one dose of the vaccine. Factors associated with vaccine uptake were determined using modified Poisson regression, adjusting for village level clustering and reported as adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) with their 95% confidence intervals. Results Of the 557 caregivers interviewed, 269 reported that their children had received the first dose of the malaria vaccine, putting uptake at 48.3% (95% confidence interval CI: 44.0% − 52.0%). Vaccine uptake was positively associated with exposure to community-based health campaigns (aPR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.01–1.72); caregivers’ receiving advice from healthcare workers about the vaccine (aPR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.55–4.40); per¬ceived increased susceptibility of the child to malaria (aPR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.67–3.04); ease of accessing the vaccine (aPR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.25–1.73); and trust in government programs (aPR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.43–2.25). Negative interaction effects were observed between health-worker advice combined with perceived malaria sus¬ceptibility (aPR = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.29–0.66) and long queues combined with poor information (aPR = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02–0.89). Conclusion The level of R21 malaria vaccine uptake was sub optimal, with less than half of eligible children receiving their first dose. Multiple factors influenced uptake, including those affecting caregiver knowledge and vaccine access. The Ministry of Health should strengthen factors improving uptake including, caregiver educa¬tion on benefits of the vaccine and expanding access through different channels including campaigns