Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research

Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research (MJAAR)

The Metropolitan Journal of Academic and Applied Research (MJAAR) is a peer-reviewed online journal published monthly. The ISSN for the MJAAR Digital Library is ISSN: 3006-6417 (Online). MJAAR is a highly selective journal that covers a wide range of topics, catering to a broad audience interested in academic and applied research across various fields. MJAAR offers numerous advantages designed to enhance research skills and advance academic careers. Publishing in scholarly journals plays a critical role in career progression within academia. Author Benefits Specific to MJAAR Publications: Fast and Efficient Paper Publishing Process: Authors can expect a smooth and timely publication process. Indexing in Prominent Databases: MJAAR is listed in notable platforms such as Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Scirus, get CITED, and others. Expert Peer Review Panel: We are honoured to have a highly respected team of academic reviewers from leading universities around the world. Open Access Journal: This ensures wide visibility and promotion of your published work. MJAAR is managed by a distinguished Board of Editors and is supported by an international review board comprised of prominent academics and professionals from renowned universities, colleges, and institutions across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. To ensure the highest quality standards, all manuscripts submitted to MJAAR undergo a stringent review process, which includes blind reviews by one or more members of the international editorial review board, followed by an in-depth evaluation by MJAAR editors. We are committed to supporting our authors in excelling across all areas of academic and applied research.

Latest Articles

Browse the latest peer-reviewed publications from Metropolitan International University Journals.

Between Faith and Development: Religion, Resource Allocation, and the Postcolonial Dilemma in Africa

Authors: Arinaitwe Julius1 , Musimenta Nancy2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study examined the intricate relationship between religious institutional presence and public resource allocation in postcolonial Africa, with particular reference to Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal over the period 2010– 2024. Drawing on a mixed-methods research design anchored in quantitative analysis, the study investigated how religious affiliation, levels of faith-based institutional density, and postcolonial governance structures jointly influenced the equitable distribution of health, education, and infrastructural resources. A stratified random sample of 1,240 households and 96 community leaders across five countries was analysed using univariate descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation and cross-tabulation, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to establish direct, indirect, and mediated pathways.

Read More

The Burden of Learning: Commercialization, Competition, and the Crippling Cost of Education for Ugandan Households

Authors: Musiimenta Nancy1 , Ahumuza Audrey

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Education is widely recognized as a cornerstone of human development and economic mobility; yet, for millions of Ugandan households, the cost of schooling has become an unbearable financial burden. This study investigated the impact of education commercialization, inter-school competition, and rising tuition and auxiliary fees on the economic wellbeing of Ugandan households, as well as the resultant effects on child school continuation, household financial stress, and overall welfare. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, drawing on a systematically sampled population of 400 household heads across urban and peri-urban districts of Uganda.

Read More

Teaching And Learning With AI: A Critical Assessment Of Uganda's Readiness

Authors: Arinaitwe Julius1 , Musiimenta Nancy2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study critically assessed Uganda's readiness to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning environments across secondary and tertiary educational institutions. Anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM), the study employed a cross-sectional survey design involving 420 teachers and educators drawn from 42 purposively selected schools and universities across five regions of Uganda. Data were collected using structured questionnaires measuring AI readiness, ICT infrastructure, AI awareness, institutional support, and frequency of AI tool usage.

Read More

Beyond Headline Figures: The Qualitative Shift in Foreign Direct Investment and Africa’s Development Trajectory

Authors: Arinaitwe Julius1 , Ahumuza Audrey2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study examined the qualitative dimensions of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows into Sub-Saharan Africa, moving beyond aggregate headline figures to interrogate whether such investment genuinely contributed to structural transformation and sustainable human development. Motivated by persistent divergence between growing FDI inflows and stagnant developmental outcomes across the continent, the research investigated the extent to which FDI quality— measured through technology transfer, employment generation, and institutional alignment—explained variations in development trajectories among a sample of 30 African countries over the period 2010–2022. Employing a mixedmethods research design, the study combined univariate descriptive analysis, bivariate Pearson correlation analysis, and a hierarchical ordinary least squares (OLS) regression framework alongside thematic analysis of qualitative data drawn from key informant interviews and policy document reviews.

Read More

Beyond Romantic Ideals: Marriage as a Dyadic Fortress for Containing Distress and Building Resilience

Authors: Musiimenta Nancy1 , Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study examined marriage as a dyadic regulatory system — a shared psychosocial fortress through which couples jointly contain emotional distress and cultivate long-term resilience, moving the scholarly discourse beyond conventional romantic idealism. Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 520 married individuals across urban and peri-urban settings through structured questionnaires measuring dyadic coping, psychological distress, marital satisfaction, resilience outcomes, and sociodemographic characteristics. Univariate analyses revealed that the majority of respondents reported moderate-to-high levels of dyadic coping (Mean = 3.

Read More

The Architecture of Commitment in Marriage: A Multidimensional Analysis of Who Commits and Who Does Not

Authors: Arinaitwe Julius1 , Musiimenta Nancy2

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Marital commitment remains one of the most consequential determinants of relationship longevity, family stability, and individual psychological wellbeing, yet the multidimensional architecture that distinguishes individuals who fully commit to marriage from those who do not remains insufficiently understood across cultural and social contexts. This study examined the sociodemographic, psychosocial, and community-level factors associated with marital commitment among a cross-sectional sample of 1,500 currently married or partnered adults aged 18 years and above, drawn from 30 communities spanning both urban and rural settings. Using a structured questionnaire adapted from validated relationship science instruments, data were collected on key constructs including relationship satisfaction, trust, emotional intimacy, communication quality, conflict resolution, financial stability, religiosity, and fear of alternatives.

Read More

ESG Disclosure, Performance And Competitive Advantage In Financial Service Firms In Nigeria

Authors: Omowunmi Jumoke Ogunleye,Akingbade Abdulbasit Abiola,Ismaila Aderemi Bello

Published on 01 Jan 1970

This study examined the effect of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure on firm performance and competitive advantage among listed financial service firms in Nigeria. Adopting an ex-post facto research design, panel data were collected from 31 firms over the period 2020–2024 and analyzed using fixed and random effects regression models. ESG disclosure was measured using environmental, social, and governance scores, while firm performance and competitive advantage were proxied by Return on Assets (ROA) and finance cost respectively.

Read More

Financial Freedom as a Function of Control: An Imperative for Uganda's Youth

Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara2 1,2 Metropolitan International University

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: Uganda's youth, constituting 78% of the population, face persistent financial insecurity despite expanding economic opportunities and financial inclusion initiatives. While various interventions have targeted youth financial empowerment, limited research has examined how control mechanisms influence the pathway to financial freedom in the Ugandan context. Objective: This study examined the relationship between financial control and financial freedom among Uganda's youth, specifically assessing how financial literacy, access to financial services, and entrepreneurial engagement influenced young people's capacity to achieve financial independence.

Read More

The Master Resource: Cultivating a Productive Mindset as the Foundational Element for Youth Development in Uganda

Authors: Asiimwe Isaac Kazaara1 , Musiimenta Nancy2 1,2 Metropolitan International University

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: Uganda's youth development sector faces a persistent challenge wherein substantial investments in skills training, financial access, and entrepreneurship support yield limited productivity outcomes, with youth unemployment rates around 13. 3% and underemployment affecting 40% despite numerous interventions. This disconnect suggests conventional resource-based approaches may overlook psychological foundations that determine resource utilization effectiveness.

Read More

The Competence-Based Curriculum in Africa: A Critical Analysis of Systemic Failure and Its Socioeconomic Implications

Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius1 , Dr. Ariyo Gracious Kazaara2 1,2 Metropolitan International University

Published on 01 Jan 1970

Background: Between 2000-2024, over 35 African nations implemented competence-based curriculum (CBC) reforms promising enhanced 21st-century skills, employability, and educational quality, investing over $5 billion collectively amid strong advocacy from international development agencies. However, accumulating evidence suggests severe systemic implementation failures with troubling socioeconomic implications. Objective: This study critically analyzed CBC implementation systemic failures across African education systems and assessed socioeconomic implications for learning outcomes, educational equity, and development outcomes.

Read More