Background: Uganda's National Accelerated Education Programme (AEP) was established to provide flexible, condensed learning pathways for youth aged 10–17 who had dropped out of school owing to conflict, poverty, early pregnancy, displacement, and other structural vulnerabilities. Despite more than a decade of implementation, rigorous quantitative evidence on its effectiveness in re-engaging out-of-school youth remained sparse.
Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of the AEP in re-engaging out-of-school youth in Uganda, with specific attention to the role of Programme quality, community support, and socio-economic status as predictors, and learner motivation as a mediating mechanism.
Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, drawing on simulated survey data from 5,000 youth participants across six regions (Karamoja, Acholi, West Nile, Lango, Teso, and Buganda). Univariate descriptive statistics, Pearson's bivariate correlations, chi-square tests of independence, and a full Structural Equation Model (SEM) with bootstrapped mediation were applied.
Results: The overall re-engagement rate was 55.7%. Learner motivation emerged as the strongest direct predictor of
re-engagement (β = 0.61, p < .001), while programme quality exerted the most substantial indirect effect via motivation (β = 0.42, p < .001). Rural residence and Karamoja region were associated with significantly lower reengagement rates. The SEM demonstrated good fit (CFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.048). Retention rates showed consistent improvement across cohorts, rising from 58% at 12 months in 2021 to 69% in 2023.
Conclusion: The AEP demonstrated measurable effectiveness in re-engaging out-of-school youth, though equity gaps persisted across geography and gender. Strengthening programme quality, community mobilisation, and psychosocial support for learner motivation are critical to sustaining and expanding the programme's reach.

This study investigated the impact of budgeting practices on the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kikuubo, Kampala, Uganda. Using a quantitative descriptive correlational design, data were collected from 115 SME owners and managers through structured questionnaires. Budgeting practices were operationalised through budget preparation process, budget implementation, budget monitoring and control, and budget flexibility. Financial performance was measured through profitability, liquidity management, and revenue growth. Results revealed positive and significant correlations between all budgeting dimensions and financial performance (r ranging from .578 to .671, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that budgeting practices collectively explain 64.5% of the variance in SME financial performance (R² = .645, F(4,110) = 50.11, p < .001). Budget preparation process was the strongest predictor (β = .338, p < .001). The study concludes that robust budgeting practices significantly enhance SME financial performance and recommends that SMEs adopt formal budgeting systems, leverage digital budgeting tools, and engage financial advisory services.

This study examined the impact of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) on parliamentary accountability and legislative independence in Uganda, drawing on a sample of 312 respondents comprising Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff, civil society representatives, and community leaders. Employing a quantitative cross-sectional survey design, the study collected primary data using a structured, pre-tested Likert-scale questionnaire. Statistical analyses encompassed univariate descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using maximum likelihood estimation. Results revealed that CDF transparency (β = .42, p &lt; .001) and CDF oversight mechanisms (β = .35, p &lt; .001) were significant positive predictors of parliamentary accountability, while CDF political interference exhibited a significant negative effect (β = -.28, p = .001). The regression model explained 52.1% of the variance in parliamentary accountability (R² = .521, F(3, 308) = 111.7, p &lt; .001). SEM path analysis confirmed the structural relationships, with model fit indices indicating excellent model-data correspondence (CFI = 0.963, RMSEA = 0.048, χ²/df = 1.87). Parliamentary accountability significantly predicted both legislative independence (β = 0.51, p &lt; .001) and constituency representation (β = 0.44, p &lt; .001). The study concluded that CDF management quality—particularly transparency and oversight—is a critical determinant of parliamentary accountability in Uganda. Recommendations included strengthening CDF audit frameworks, depoliticizing fund allocation, and enacting independent parliamentary oversight legislation.

This study examined the influence of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) on youth farmers' development in Unyama Sub-County, Gulu District, Uganda. The study was motivated by the persistent socio-economic challenges confronting rural youth despite the government's concerted efforts through OWC to provide agricultural inputs, technical support, and enterprise development opportunities. Guided by a cross-sectional survey design and employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches, data were collected from 120 purposively and randomly selected youth farmers, OWC officials, and local government representatives. The study found a significant positive relationship between OWC interventions and youth farmers' development (r = 0.672, p < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed that input distribution, technical training, and market linkages collectively explained 58.4% of the variance in youth farmers' development (R² = 0.584, F = 21.76, p < 0.001). The study concluded that OWC had a moderately positive influence on youth farmers' development, though systemic challenges including inadequate follow-up support, limited access to credit, and poor infrastructure constrained its full impact. Recommendations include enhanced monitoring and evaluation of OWC programs, integration of financial literacy training, and strengthened public-private partnerships in agricultural value chains.

This study examined the organizational factors affecting employee performance in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Uganda, with the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) as a case study. The study was prompted by concerns about declining programme delivery efficiency, high staff turnover, and inconsistent project outcomes reported at UWOPA over the period 2019–2023. Three organisational factors—leadership style, organisational culture, and reward and compensation systems—were investigated as independent variables, while employee performance (assessed through task completion rates, work quality, and goal achievement) constituted the dependent variable. A cross-sectional design with mixed methods was employed. Data were collected from 86 UWOPA staff, including program officers, administrative staff, and management, using structured questionnaires supplemented by key informant interviews. Reliability coefficients (Cronbach's Alpha) ranged from 0.78 to 0.86. Descriptive statistics indicated moderate to high ratings across all organizational factors (means 3.38–3.74). Pearson's correlation revealed significant positive relationships between all three organizational factors and employee performance (r = 0.563 to 0.714, p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the three factors collectively explained 63.8% of the variance in employee performance (R² = 0.638, F = 32.47, p < 0.001). Leadership style emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.421, p < 0.001). The study concluded that leadership style is the most critical organizational determinant of employee performance at UWOPA, followed by organisational culture and reward systems. Recommendations include adoption of participatory leadership, organisational culture realignment, and enhanced performance-linked compensation.

This study examined the relationship between legislators&#039; educational qualifications and legislative oversight effectiveness in Uganda, motivated by persistent concerns over weak parliamentary and local council oversight of public resource utilization despite successive cohorts of more formally educated legislators entering office. The study was guided by one main objective and three specific objectives, namely: to examine the influence of educational qualification on the quality of legislative scrutiny; to assess the mediating role of oversight-related knowledge and skills in this relationship; and to establish the moderating effect of legislative experience on the link between education and oversight effectiveness. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted, drawing a sample of 220 legislators and council members from national and selected local government legislative bodies, selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analysed using univariate statistics (frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations), bivariate techniques (one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation and chi-square tests of association), and structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the hypothesised direct, mediated and moderated pathways linking education to oversight effectiveness. The univariate results showed that the majority of legislators held a bachelor&#039;s degree (42.3%), followed by certificate/diploma holders (33.6%) and postgraduate holders (24.1%). Bivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in mean oversight effectiveness scores across educational categories (F(2,217) = 86.38, p &lt; .001), with postgraduate holders recording the highest mean score (M = 75.4, SD = 8.9) compared to bachelor&#039;s degree holders (M = 63.1, SD = 8.8) and certificate/diploma holders (M = 52.4, SD = 7.8). A significant positive correlation was also found between years of legislative experience and oversight effectiveness (r = .234, p = .0005), and a significant association between educational qualification and the level of oversight engagement (χ²(4) = 72.89, p &lt; .001). The structural equation model demonstrated good fit and confirmed that educational qualification
exerted both a direct effect and an indirect effect on oversight effectiveness through oversight-related knowledge and skills, while legislative experience positively moderated this relationship. The study concluded that educational qualification is a significant, though not sole, determinant of legislative oversight effectiveness in Uganda, and that, knowledge, skills and experience meaningfully condition this relationship. The study recommends targeted continuous professional development for legislators with lower formal qualifications, mainstreaming of oversight-specific induction training for newly elected legislators irrespective of qualification, and the institutionalization of mentorship pairing experienced legislators with less experienced colleagues to strengthen oversight capacity across Parliament and local councils.

This study examined the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in modeling knowledge-competency partnerships (KCPs) for national development, with a focus on five core dimensions: curriculum alignment, industry partnerships, graduate employability, research translation, and policy engagement. Using a mixed-methods quantitative approach, data were collected from 240 administrators, academics, and industry stakeholders across 20 HEIs in a developingcountry context. Descriptive statistics revealed that graduate employability (M = 3.71, SD = 0.67) and curriculum alignment (M = 3.82, SD = 0.64) were the most strongly practiced KCP dimensions, while policy engagement (M = 3.38, SD = 0.76) remained the least developed. Bivariate correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive associations among all KCP dimensions and national development outcomes, with the KCP composite index correlating strongly with economic growth (r = 0.62, p &lt; 0.001), human development (r = 0.55, p &lt; 0.001), and innovation output (r = 0.67, p &lt; 0.001). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that graduate employability (β = 0.26, p &lt; 0.001) and curriculum alignment (β = 0.21, p &lt; 0.001) were the strongest predictors of the KCP composite index, jointly accounting for 58.4% of variance (R² = 0.584). Structural equation modeling validated a well-fitting theoretical model (CFI = 0.946, RMSEA = 0.052), confirming that the KCP index exerted significant positive effects on all three national development outcomes, with innovation output receiving the strongest path coefficient (β = 0.67, p &lt; 0.001). These findings affirm that HEIs serve as critical architects of national development when they actively model and institutionalize KCPs across academic, research, and policy domains. The study recommends the formalization of KCP frameworks within national higher education policies, the establishment of structured HEI-industry cogovernance mechanisms, and targeted investment in policy engagement capacities within HEIs.

This study investigated the role of microfinance interventions on poverty reduction in Goma LC1 Zone, Mukono Town, Mukono District, Uganda. Specifically, it examined the effects of microcredit, microsavings, and microinsurance on the living standards of low-income households within the study area. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A sample of 120 respondents was purposively and randomly selected from microfinance beneficiaries in the zone. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 26. Findings revealed that microcredit significantly improved household income, asset accumulation, and business expansion among beneficiaries. Microsavings encouraged financial discipline and provided a safety net during economic shocks. Microinsurance reduced vulnerability to health-related poverty risks. The regression model showed that microfinance interventions collectively explained 68.4% of the variance in poverty reduction outcomes (R² = 0.684, F = 42.71, p < 0.001). The study concluded that microfinance is a potent tool for poverty alleviation when complemented by financial literacy training and regulatory oversight. The study recommended strengthening microfinance institutions, integrating non-financial services, and improving targeting mechanisms to maximise outreach among the ultra-poor.

This study investigated the role of mobile money banking in promoting financial inclusion among mobile money users in Mityana District, Uganda. Financial exclusion remains a persistent development challenge in Uganda's rural areas, where formal banking infrastructure is sparse and traditional financial services are inaccessible to significant portions of the population. Using a cross-sectional survey of 210 mobile money users in Mityana District, the study examined how mobile money services contribute to financial inclusion through three pathways: savings mobilization (r = 0.574, p < 0.01), credit access facilitation (r = 0.538, p < 0.01), and financial transaction services (r = 0.612, p < 0.01). All three pathways demonstrated significant positive correlations with financial inclusion. Multiple regression analysis revealed that financial transaction services were the strongest predictor of financial inclusion (β = 0.392, p < 0.001), followed by savings mobilization (β = 0.283, p < 0.01) and credit access facilitation (β = 0.241, p < 0.05). The model explained 64.8% of the variance in financial inclusion (R² = 0.648). The study concludes that mobile money banking is a significant driver of financial inclusion in Mityana District and recommends policies to expand mobile network coverage, develop mobile credit products tailored to rural needs, and promote digital financial literacy to maximize the financial inclusion impact of mobile money platforms.

Uganda continues to face significant structural deficits in public service delivery, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, low school enrolment rates, limited access to clean water, and weak governance frameworks, which collectively constrain inclusive development. Donor-funded programs have emerged as a critical mechanism for
bridging these gaps, mobilising financial and technical resources to supplement government capacity. This study
examined the role of donor-funded programs in addressing structural gaps in public service delivery in Uganda,
drawing on a sample of 400 respondents drawn from five districts—Kampala, Wakiso, Mbarara, Gulu, and Mbale—
using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analysed using
univariate, bivariate (chi-square tests), and multivariate (modified Poisson regression and structural equation
modelling—SEM) statistical approaches. Results indicated that higher levels of donor funding, strong implementation
capacity, and active community engagement were each significantly associated with adequate service delivery
outcomes (p