This study examined the relationship between financial management practices and the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Wakiso District, Uganda. The research was motivated by the growing recognition that poor financial management was one of the leading causes of SME failure in Uganda, with many businesses collapsing not due to lack of market demand but due to inadequate budgeting, poor working capital management, and the absence of basic financial record-keeping systems. A cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected from 311 SME owners and managers in Wakiso District. Financial management practices were operationalized through four dimensions: budgeting and financial planning, working capital management, financial record-keeping, and investment appraisal. Financial performance was measured through profitability, liquidity, and revenue growth indicators. The findings revealed that financial management practices had a statistically significant positive effect on financial performance, with working capital management and financial record-keeping emerging as the strongest predictors.

This study examined the relationship between financial risk management and the financial performance of commercial banks in Uganda, with a specific focus on Centenary Bank Mukono Branch. The study was guided by three specific objectives: to assess the credit risk management practices at Centenary Bank Mukono Branch, to evaluate the liquidity risk management strategies employed by the bank, and to determine the effect of operational risk management on the financial performance of the bank. The study employed a cross-sectional research design and used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A sample of 60 respondents was drawn from the bank's staff and customers using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview guides. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that credit risk management had a significant positive effect on financial performance (r = 0.712, p < 0.05). Liquidity risk management was also found to significantly influence financial performance (r = 0.681, p < 0.05). Operational risk management showed a moderate but significant relationship with financial performance (r = 0.598, p < 0.05). The study concluded that sound financial risk management practices were critical determinants of the financial performance of Centenary Bank Mukono Branch. The study recommended that the bank should strengthen its credit appraisal systems, maintain adequate liquidity buffers, and invest in robust internal control mechanisms to mitigate operational risks and enhance overall financial performance.

This study examined the impact of school feeding programs on students’ academic performance in selected government secondary schools in Kawempe Division. The objectives were to assess the effects of meal frequency, meal quality, and program coverage on learning outcomes. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 64 respondents, including students, teachers, and head teachers, achieving a response rate of 97%, using structured questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis to identify key themes. The findings indicated that regular meal frequency improved students’ concentration, attention, and classroom engagement. High-quality, nutritionally balanced meals enhanced cognitive development, reduced fatigue, and promoted positive classroom behavior. Broad program coverage ensured equitable access to meals, reduced hunger-related absenteeism, and supported consistent learning. The study concluded that school feeding programs that combined adequate meal frequency, high-quality nutrition, and inclusive coverage significantly contributed to improved academic performance. Recommendations included prioritizing regular and nutritious meal provision, expanding program coverage, and integrating monitoring and complementary interventions to maximize educational outcomes. The study suggested further research on long-term effects, psychosocial impacts, and the cost-effectiveness of school feeding initiatives. Background to the Study Globally, the history of school feeding programs can be traced back to the early 20th century, primarily in Europe and North America, where industrialization and urban poverty created widespread child malnutrition that affected school attendance and learning outcomes(A. I. Kazaara, 2025). Early initiatives were often charitable, providing

The study investigated the influence of instructional materials on the performance of learners in mathematics at Comboni high school. The specific objectives included identifying the types of instructional materials available for teaching mathematics, examining whether these materials were utilized during instruction, and establishing the impact of their utilization on the development of mathematical competencies among students. Utilizing a survey research design, data were collected from a target population of 190 respondents, including head teachers, teachers, and students. A sample size of 150 participants was determined using Krejcie and Morgan&#039;s formula, employing simple random sampling for students and teachers, while school administrators were selected through criterion-based sampling. Primary data were gathered using structured questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data were sourced from school records. The findings revealed demographic characteristics, including a predominance of younger respondents and a gender distribution skewed toward males. Most respondents possessed only primary education, suggesting that limited educational qualifications may affect their engagement with instructional materials in mathematics. The results indicated the need for effective utilization of instructional materials to enhance mathematical performance among learners. The findings revealed that while textbooks and workbooks were the most accessible resources, the use of digital tools was limited. Although teachers incorporated
various materials into lessons, their effectiveness was inconsistent, with only 51% of respondents strongly agreeing on their effective use. The study also highlighted that instructional materials significantly contributed to students&#039; understanding of mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. However, concerns regarding resource adequacy and the need for professional development were noted.

This study examined the relationship between innovation strategies and the business performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Wakiso District, Uganda. Innovation had been widely recognized as a fundamental driver of business competitiveness and long-term performance, yet its adoption patterns and performance effects among Ugandan SMEs remained poorly documented. The study investigated four innovation strategy dimensions: product/service innovation, process innovation, market innovation, and organizational innovation. A cross-sectional survey of 284 SME owners, managers, and employees in Wakiso District was conducted between February and May 2023. Multiple regression analysis revealed that innovation strategies collectively explained 54.9% of the variance in SME business performance (R² = 0.549), with product/service innovation and market innovation emerging as the most powerful predictors. The study contributed to the innovation-performance literature in the SME context of subSaharan Africa and provided practical recommendations for SME operators, policymakers, and business development support organizations in Uganda.

Nigeria has faced several challenges such as poor decision-making processes and limited use of data analytics, which has constrained the sustainability of hi-tech ventures. Nigeria initiated innovation-supported data-driven decision-making strategies to address these challenges. This study examines whether these strategies have successfully addressed the challenges. The study examined the effect of innovation-supported data-driven decision-making on the sustainability of hi-tech ventures in Southwest Nigeria. The study adopted the Dynamic Capabilities Theory as a theoretical framework. This study adopted survey and interview research designs. The target population are founders, data analysts, and operations managers in Southwest Nigeria. The total population of the study is 570. A sample size of 230 was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan formula. Primary data were sourced from questionnaire responses while secondary data were sourced from NBS, NITDA, and academic journals. The primary method of data collection used the instrument of questionnaire, while the secondary method used documentary review and interviews to obtain qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data, while multiple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses at p

This study investigated the relationship between leadership styles and business sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nakawa Division, Kampala District, Uganda. Leadership had been widely recognized as a pivotal determinant of organizational outcomes, yet its specific effects on the sustainability of SMEs in Uganda&#039;s urban business environment had received limited scholarly attention. The study examined three dominant leadership styles transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and servant leadership and their effects on the economic, social, and environmental sustainability dimensions of SMEs. A cross-sectional survey of 306 SME owners, managers, and senior employees in Nakawa Division was conducted, and multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationships of interest. The findings revealed that leadership styles had a statistically significant positive effect on business sustainability, collectively explaining 57.3% of the variance in sustainability outcomes. Transformational leadership emerged as the strongest predictor of sustainability, followed by servant leadership and transactional leadership. The study offered important theoretical contributions and practical recommendations for SME leaders, business support organizations, and policymakers in Uganda.

The study examined the relationship between microfinance loans and women's empowerment in Mityana Municipality, Uganda. The study was necessitated by the growing recognition of microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation and gender empowerment, alongside persistent concerns about its actual impact on women's lives in Ugandan peri-urban settings. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from 168 women who had accessed microfinance loans in Mityana Municipality. Women's empowerment was operationalized across three dimensions: economic empowerment, social empowerment, and decision-making empowerment. The results indicated that microfinance loan access had a significant positive effect on economic empowerment (β=0.431, p<0.001), social empowerment (β=0.312, p<0.01), and decision-making empowerment (β=0.289, p<0.01) of women in Mityana Municipality. The regression model explained 53.8% of the variance in overall women's empowerment. The study concluded that microfinance loans were significant positive contributors to women's empowerment but that outcomes were conditioned by loan management practices, group dynamics, and the broader socioeconomic environment. Recommendations were made for improving microfinance product design and delivery to maximize women's empowerment outcomes.

The study topic was outsourcing and organizational performance in parastatal organizations in Uganda: a case study of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)”. Outsourcing was the independent variable, organizational performance was the dependent variable and procurement legal framework was the moderating variable. The study was conducted because despite CAA’s outsourcing, its performance had not scaled up. Thus, the general objective was to assess the effect of outsourcing on organizational performance in CAA. The specific objectives were to: assess the effect of outsourcing planning and decision making on organizational performance, find out the effect of outsourcing process on organizational performance, and establish the moderator effect of procurement legal framework on the relationship between outsourcing and organizational performance. A case study design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. The target population was 38 and a sample size of 36 respondents was selected using simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Secondary data was gathered by reviewing documents. Frequencies and percentages and Spearman rank order correlation were used to analyze quantitative data. Qualitative data was sorted and classified into themes and categories to support the quantitative data. It was established that outsourcing planning and decision-making accounted for 31.7% change in the performance of the CAA and outsourcing processes accounted for 51.6% change in the performance of the CAA. However, procurement legal framework moderated the relationship between outsourcing and performance by weakening the strength of the relationships. It is recommended that CAA should improve its planning and decision-making, outsourcing process and procurement legal framework to improve its performance.

This article provides a comparative analysis of state repression during Uganda’s 2016, 2021, and 2026 general elections. Utilizing a qualitative review of secondary data including human rights reports, judicial records, and legislative texts the study investigated how the Ugandan state has evolved its tactical response to political dissent.
While the 2016 cycle was defined by overt, physical coercion, the 2021 and 2026 cycles revealed a transition toward “smart” repression, characterized by digital surveillance, legislative weaponization, and clandestine extrajudicial operations. This paper argues that these shifts represent a calculated move toward institutionalized authoritarianism, which fundamentally undermines democratic consolidation and constitutionalism in Uganda.