This study examined the relationship between inventory management practices and the operational performance of retail supermarkets in Kampala Central Division, Uganda. Inventory is typically the largest current asset of a retail supermarket, and its management directly shapes costs, product availability, and customer satisfaction. The study investigated how inventory control systems, demand forecasting, stock replenishment, and warehouse management relate to operational performance. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 160 respondents comprising supermarket managers, procurement officers, and store staff using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression-based path analysis were used. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between inventory management practices and operational performance (r = 0.67, p < 0.01), with the practices jointly explaining 65.0% of the variance in operational performance (R² = 0.650). Inventory control systems and demand forecasting emerged as the strongest predictors. The study concludes that sound inventory management practices significantly enhance operational performance and recommends investment in inventory control systems, improved demand forecasting, and efficient replenishment.

This study designed and developed an Online Student Admission and Registration Management System for Metropolitan International University to address the inefficiencies of the university's manual, paper-based admission and registration processes. The manual system was characterized by long queues, lost documents, data-entry errors, duplicated records, and delays that frustrated applicants and overburdened staff. Adopting an object-oriented analysis and design approach within an iterative, prototyping-based software development methodology, the study captured system requirements through interviews, observation, and document review, and modelled the system using use-case, entity–relationship, and data-flow diagrams within a three-tier architecture. The resulting system enables applicants to register accounts, submit applications, upload documents, and track admission status online, while admissions staff review applications, make decisions, and generate reports through a secure dashboard. The system was implemented using a standard web technology stack and tested through unit, integration, and user-acceptance testing. Evaluation indicated that the system substantially reduced processing time, eliminated duplicate records, improved data accuracy, and enhanced applicant convenience. The study concludes that an online admission and registration system significantly improves the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of university admission processes, and recommends full deployment, staff training, and integration with existing university information systems.

This study examined the relationship between social media influencers and the brand image of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), Kampala. As audiences increasingly migrate to digital platforms and place trust in influential online personalities, media organisations have turned to influencer marketing to shape public perception. The study investigated how influencer credibility, content quality, audience engagement, and influencer–brand fit relate to UBC's brand image. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 200 respondents comprising UBC audiences, marketing staff, and social media followers using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression-based path analysis were used. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between social media influencers and brand image (r = 0.65, p < 0.01), with the influencer dimensions jointly explaining 61.0% of the variance in brand image (R² = 0.610). Influencer credibility and content quality emerged as the strongest predictors. The study concludes that social media influencers significantly shape UBC's brand image and recommends strategic selection of credible, well-aligned influencers and investment in high-quality content.

This study examined the relationship between tax administration and tax revenue performance at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Uganda. Local revenue is critical to the capacity of city authorities to deliver services and pursue development, and the effectiveness of tax administration is a principal determinant of how much revenue is actually raised. The study investigated how taxpayer registration, tax assessment, tax collection and enforcement, and taxpayer education relate to tax revenue performance. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 170 respondents comprising KCCA revenue officials, tax collectors, and registered taxpayers using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and structural (path) analysis were used. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between tax administration and tax revenue performance (r = 0.69, p < 0.01), with the tax administration dimensions jointly explaining 67.0% of the variance in revenue performance (R² = 0.670). Tax collection and enforcement (β = 0.33) and tax assessment (β = 0.29) emerged as the strongest path predictors. The study concludes that effective tax administration significantly enhances tax revenue performance and recommends strengthening collection and enforcement, improving assessment, and expanding taxpayer education.

This study examined the relationship between teacher competence in competence-based curriculum (CBC) implementation and students' academic achievement in government secondary schools in Rubanda District, Uganda. Following Uganda's adoption of the competence-based lower secondary curriculum, the quality of implementation— and hence learner achievement—depends heavily on teachers' capacity to deliver learner-centred, competence- oriented instruction. The study investigated how pedagogical competence, assessment competence, content mastery, and ICT and resource competence relate to students' academic achievement. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 190 respondents comprising teachers, head teachers, and students using structured questionnaires, lesson observation, and interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression-based path analysis were used. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between teacher competence and academic achievement (r = 0.66, p < 0.01), with the competence dimensions jointly explaining 63.0% of the variance in achievement (R² = 0.630). Pedagogical competence and assessment competence emerged as the strongest predictors. The study concludes that teacher competence in CBC implementation significantly enhances academic achievement and recommends targeted in- service training in learner-centred pedagogy and competence-based assessment.

This study examined the role of technology in business operations among traders in Namungoona, Kampala, Uganda. Digital technologies are transforming how small traders transact, communicate, keep records, and reach customers, yet the extent and impact of technology adoption among Ugandan urban traders remain under-examined. The study investigated how mobile money and digital payments, digital communication, record-keeping software, and e- commerce platforms relate to business operations. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 175 respondents comprising traders, shop managers, and business assistants using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and structural (path) analysis were used. Factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of the technology dimensions, which loaded onto coherent factors and explained 68.5% of the variance. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between technology use and business operations (r = 0.67, p < 0.01), with the technology dimensions jointly explaining 65.0% of the variance in business operations (R² = 0.650). Mobile money and digital payments (β = 0.33) and digital communication (β = 0.28) emerged as the strongest path predictors. The study concludes that technology significantly enhances business operations and recommends promoting digital payments, communication, and digital-skills development.

This study examined the impact of budgeting practices on the financial performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kikuubo, Kampala's busiest commercial hub. Budgeting is a central instrument of financial planning and control through which enterprises allocate resources, monitor performance, and pursue profitability, yet many SMEs operate with informal or weak budgeting. The study investigated how budget planning, budgetary control, budget participation, and budget monitoring relate to financial performance. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed- methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 175 respondents comprising SME owners, managers, and finance staff using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and structural (path) analysis were used. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between budgeting practices and financial performance (r = 0.68, p < 0.01), with the practices jointly explaining 66.0% of the variance in financial performance (R² = 0.660). Budgetary control (β = 0.33) and budget planning (β = 0.30) emerged as the strongest path predictors. The study concludes that sound budgeting practices significantly enhance SME financial performance and recommends strengthening budgetary control, budget planning, and participation.

This study examined the impact of multi-party politics on democratic governance in Uganda. Since the restoration of multi-party competition in 2005, Uganda has operated a multi-party system whose contribution to the quality of democratic governance remains debated. The study investigated how political competition, citizen participation, accountability and oversight, and the rule of law relate to democratic governance. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 200 respondents comprising political party members, civil society actors, local leaders, and ordinary citizens using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and structural (path) analysis were used. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between multi-party politics and democratic governance (r = 0.66, p < 0.01), with the dimensions jointly explaining 63.0% of the variance in democratic governance (R² = 0.630). Accountability and oversight (β = 0.31) and citizen participation (β = 0.29) emerged as the strongest path predictors. The study concludes that multi-party politics contributes significantly to democratic governance, chiefly through accountability and participation, and recommends strengthening oversight institutions, civic participation, and the rule of law.

This study examined the impact of value addition strategies on smallholder farmers in Bubbeza Sub-County, Sironko District, Uganda. Smallholder farmers, who dominate Ugandan agriculture, frequently sell raw, unprocessed produce at low prices, and value addition is widely promoted as a means of raising their incomes and livelihoods. The study investigated how processing and packaging, grading and quality improvement, storage and preservation, and market linkages relate to farmer livelihood outcomes. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 180 respondents comprising smallholder farmers, farmer-group leaders, and agricultural extension officers using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and structural (path) analysis were used. Factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of the value addition dimensions, which loaded onto coherent factors and explained 67.9% of the variance. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between value addition strategies and farmer livelihood outcomes (r = 0.66, p < 0.01), with the strategies jointly explaining 64.0% of the variance in livelihood outcomes (R² = 0.640). Processing and packaging (β = 0.32) and market linkages (β = 0.30) emerged as the strongest path predictors. The study concludes that value addition significantly improves smallholder livelihoods and recommends strengthening processing, market linkages, and farmer capacity.

This study examined the role of digital media in shaping the international image of Uganda, using the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a case study. In an era of digital diplomacy, states increasingly use digital platforms to project their image, communicate policy, and engage international audiences. The study investigated how content strategy, platform reach, engagement and interaction, and message consistency relate to the country's international image. A cross-sectional survey design with a mixed-methods approach was adopted, and data were collected from 190 respondents comprising ministry communication staff, diplomats, journalists, and informed publics using structured questionnaires and interviews. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression-based path analysis were used. The results revealed a strong positive and significant relationship between digital media and international image (r = 0.66, p < 0.01), with the digital media dimensions jointly explaining 63.0% of the variance in international image (R² = 0.630). Platform reach and content strategy emerged as the strongest predictors. The study concludes that digital media significantly shapes Uganda's international image and recommends a coherent digital diplomacy strategy, expanded platform reach, and consistent messaging.