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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

Leveraging Competitive Strategies to Accelerate Small and Medium Enterprise Growth. Evidence from Service Sector Enterprises Operating in Lira City West Division, Northern Uganda
(East African Journal of Business and Economics, 2026) Okot-Ogwal, Ben; Opio, Peter Paul; Akello, Christine Tina
Purpose: The study examined the effects of competitive strategies on the growth of service sector SMEs in Lira City West Division, Northern Uganda. Anchored on Porter’s generic competitive strategies model and the dynamic capabilities theory, the study offers compelling empirical evidence to advance theory, guide managerial practice and inform policy for accelerating SME growth in emerging economies. Methodology: The study deployed an explanatory quantitative crosssectional survey design, sampling 246 participants from 260 using stratified proportionate and simple random sampling. Research data were collected using piloted questionnaires and analysed using SPSS version 29 software. Descriptive statistics for competitive strategies and SME growth were generated. Model diagnostic tests, including normality, the Shapiro-Wilk W Test, Breusch-Pagan / Cook-Weisberg Test for Heteroscedasticity and the multicollinearity test, were undertaken to ensure data validity. Correlation and regression analysis procedures were undertaken to test the relationship between competitive strategies and SME growth and the effect of competitive strategies on SME growth. Findings: The study reported significant moderate positive associations between competitive strategies and SME growth. Particularly, market focus (r=0.494, p<0.05), service differentiation (r=0.286, p<0.05) and cost leadership (r=0.231, p<0.05) registered significant positive relationships with SME growth. The linear regression results revealed that market focus (β=0.427, p<0.001), service differentiation (β=0.114, p=0.070) and cost leadership (β=0.023, p<0.705) registered a strong significant positive effect, a positive statistically insignificant effect and a weak insignificant effect on SME growth respectively. Peculiar contribution to theory, managerial practice and policy: The study contributes to theory by integrating Porter’s generic competitive strategies with the dynamic capabilities theory, contending that SME growth is contingent on strategic orientation and adaptability alignment. Practically, it guides managers in prioritising market focus, while reinforcing service differentiation and cost leadership strategies. Policy-wise, it advances interventions for fortifying market orientation and adaptive capacity to accelerate service SMEs' growth in emerging economies.
Domestic Violence and Livelihoods of Women in Arocha Division, Apac Municipal Council
(Sciencetific Reserch Publishing, 2026) Apio, Cavin; Apio,Sarah Okite
The study analysed the effects of domestic violence on the livelihoods of women in Arocha Division, and the study findings show 100.0% agreed that domestic violence results in depression and self-destructive behaviours among women. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics report published in 2020, recent statistics in Uganda show that 65% of women or one out of every three women are victims of physical and/or sexual domestic violence at least once in their lifetime. The majority of victims experience multiple assaults rather than just one (UBOS, 2020). The study aimed to analyse the effects of domestic violence on the livelihoods of women in Arocha Division, Apac Municipal Council. A cross-sectional study design was adopted where both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. The target population was 80 participants, and 78 respondents were sampled purposively or randomly to constitute the study samples. Questionnaire and interview methods were used to collect primary and secondary data. Tool validity was ensured through pre-testing. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. A total of 97.1% agreed that alcohol and drug abuse cause domestic violence. 100% agreed that domestic violence causes physical effects such as lacerations, bruises, broken bones and also results in depression and self-destructive behaviours among women. 100% agreed that community awareness-raising on domestic violence solves the vice and strengthening laws and protection against domestic violence solves domestic violence. The study concluded that the Covid-19 Pandemic, cultural factors, men as breadwinners, family issues, mass media activities, poverty, legal factors, political factors, and environmental factors are the causes of domestic violence. Physical effects, depression and self-destructive behaviours, financial insecurity/poverty, stigmatization, pregnancy-related effects/death during pregnancy, hindering participation in socio-economic activities, HIV/AIDS infection, and marginalization and gender inequality were some of the effects of domestic violence on women. Empowerment of women, harsher punishments, capacity building/ training of police and authorities, community awareness-raising, strengthening laws and protection against domestic violence, and improving education opportunities for girls/women can help to solve the problem of domestic violence. The study recommended that the government should initiate income- generating projects that target women at the grassroots level so as to enhance their capacity to provide for their families other than waiting for their husbands.
Etiology, Clinical Presentations, and Short-Term Treatment Outcomes of Extrahepatic Obstructive Jaundice in South-Western Uganda
(Clinical and experimental gastroenterology, 2022) Odongo, Charles Newton; Dreque, Carlos Cabrera; Mutiibwa, David; Bongomin, Felix; Oyania, Felix; Sikhondze, Mvuyo Maqhawe; Acan, Moses; Atwine, Raymond; Kirya, Fred; Situma, Martin
Background: The diagnosis of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice (EHOJ) remains a challenge and is often made late in low-resource settings. Systematic data are limited on the etiology and prognosis of patients with obstructive jaundice in Uganda. The objective of this study was to determine the etiology, clinical presentations, and short-term treatment outcomes of patients managed for EHOJ at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in south-western Uganda. Methods: Between September 2019 and May 2020, we prospectively enrolled a cohort of patients who presented with EHOJ at MRRH. A pretested, semi-structured data collection tool was used to abstract data from both the study participants and their files. Results: A total of 72 patients, 42 (58.3%) of whom were male with a median age of 56 (range of 2 months to 95 years) were studied. Forty-two (58.3%) participants had malignancies: Pancreatic head tumors 20 (27.8%), cholangiocarcinoma 13 (18.1%), duodenal cancers 5 (6.94%), and gall bladder cancer 4 (5.6%). The remaining 30 (41.7%) participants had benign etiologies: choledocholithiasis 10 (13.9%), biliary atresia 7 (9.7%), pancreatic pseudo cyst 6 (8.3%), Mirizzi syndrome 5 (6.9%) and 1 (1.4%) each of chronic pancreatitis and choledochal cyst. Sixty-seven (93.1%) patients presented with right upper quadrant tenderness, 65 (90.3%) abdominal pain and 55 (76.3%) clay-colored stool. Cholecystectomy 11 (25.6%) and cholecystojejunostomy + jejunojejunostomy 8 (18.6%) were the commonest procedures performed. Twelve (17.0%) of cases received chemotherapy (epirubicin/cisplatin/capecitabine) for pancreatic head tumors and (gemcitabine/oxaliplatine) for cholangiocarcinoma. Mortality rate was 29.2% in the study, of which malignancy carried the highest mortality 20 (95.24%). Conclusion: Malignancy was the main cause of EHOJ observed in more than half of the patients. Interventions aimed at early recognition and appropriate referral are key in this population to improve outcomes. Keywords: Uganda, malignant obstructive jaundice, benign obstructive jaundice
Urinary bladder cavernous hemangioma in a 3-year-old: A rare case report
(Clinical Case Reports, 2021) Odongo, Charles Newton; Atwine, Raymond; Kirya, Fred; Okello, Patrick Ambrose; Ogwang, Eugene; Acan, Moses; Bongomin, Felix; Situma, Martin
Cavernous hemangioma (CH) of urinary bladder occurs relatively infrequently, accounting for 0.6% of all bladder tumors. This tumor may occur sporadically or coexist with other benign and malignant vascular lesions. In this report, we present a rare case of CH in a 3-year-old Ugandan girl. A 3-year-old girl was referred to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) for urological evaluation following a 3-year history of intravaginal swelling, dysuria, and heavy hematuria resulting in anemia. Imaging was consistent with polypoid bladder mass arising from the bladdertrigone. Embryonalrhabdomyosarcoma wassuspected based on clinical eyeballing. She was worked up for chemotherapy and received 26 cycles of vincristine sulfate, actinomycin-d, and cyclophosphamide (VAC). Biopsy and fulguration were performed after optimizing the patient. Histopathology confirmed CH. The surgery was uneventful and resulted in complete cure. CH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of childhood genitourinary masses. It is a rare entity in the real-life clinical practice and therefore can be overlooked. Excision biopsy and histology should be performed before initiating the patients to chemotherapy. CH is very insensitive to chemotherapy and therefore surgery maybe adequate in resource-limited settings. KEYWORDS cavernous hemangioma, embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Surgical Characteristics, Treatment Modalities and Short-Term Treatment Outcomes at a Tertiary Hospital in South-Western Uganda
(Open Access Surgery, 2022) Sikhondze, Mvuyo Maqhawe; Twesigye, Deus; Odongo, Charles Newton; Mutiibwa, David; Tayebwa, Edson; Tibaijuka, Leevan; Ayana, Samuel D; Dreque, Carlos Cabrera
Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a prevalent and serious consequence of poorly controlled diabetes. Hospitalizations are frequent among DFU patients, and these patients are at risk of lower extremity amputations (LEA). Uganda has few studies detailing DFUs and their management. We described the surgical characteristics, treatment modalities and short-term treatment outcomes of DFUs at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, in southwestern Uganda. Methods: A prospective cohort study involving 62 patients with DFUs was conducted from February 2021 to September 2021. We captured socio-demographic data, surgical characteristics, treatment and treatment outcomes of DFUs over a 5-week follow-up period, through an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used at analysis. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.0 ± 12.27 years, comprising 35 (56.5%) females. Majority had diabetes mellitus (DM) for more than 10 years, predominantly type 2 (93.5%), and 33.9% with very poor glycaemic control (HBA1c>9.5%). Most ulcers involved the toes (27.4%), with 80.7% being large (>3 cm2 ). Severe DFUs (Wagner grade 3–5) were seen in 66.2% of patients. Clinically infected ulcers mainly had Pseudomonas spp cultured. Arterial occlusion was detected in 35.5% through lower extremity Doppler ultrasonography. Initial surgical interventions were surgical debridement and LEA performed in 50.0% and 46.8%, respectively. Eight (42.1%) patients suffered surgical site infection, while 26.3% had persistent gangrene after initial surgery. Revision surgery was performed in 25.8% of the participants. Mortality rate was 1.6%, and mean length of hospital stay was 17.0 ± 11.1 days. Conclusion: More than half of the patients had advanced DFUs (Wagner grades 3–5). Poor glycemic control and late presentation were common. Lower extremity amputation was a common initial treatment modality for DFUs. Routine lower extremity Doppler ultrasonography is recommended to assess peripheral arterial disease for DFU patients. Wound swabbing for culture and sensitivity testing is encouraged for appropriate antibiotic coverage. Keywords: diabetic foot ulcer, Wagner classification, Uganda