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Validating Measures of Technological Acceptance Model in the Context of Lecturers at Kyambogo University
(East African Journal of Information Technology, 2025-06-20) Shallon, Atuhaire; Joshua, K. K; Wilson, Mugizi
The study validated the measures of the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) in the context of lecturers at Kyambogo University. Based on Davis (1986), the TAM was studied in terms of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioural intention. In this correlational study that involved a sample of 195 lecturers at Kyambogo University, data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling (SEM) using Smart PLS for partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) were used to determine the presence of the three constructs of the TAM, namely perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioural intention. Descriptive results indicated that the above three constructs of the TAM were highly practised by lecturers at Kyambogo University. PLS-SEM showed that the indicators that were used to measure the above three constructs of TAM were appropriate measures. The study concluded that the indicators assessed in this article to measure the three constructs of TAM, namely, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioural intention, are valid and reliable. It was recommended that researchers use the indicators assessed in this article to measure the three constructs of TAM.
Fruits and vegetables used in treating respiratory and other troubles in Africa: ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry
(Springer Nature Link, 2025-08-01) Ivan, Gumula; Daniel, Buyinza; Patrick, Onen; Christine, Kyarimpa
This book provides a comprehensive overview of bioactive compounds derived from African traditional medicinal plants, shedding light on their potential applications in modern medicine. It compiles crucial information on compounds with proven in vitro and in vivo activity against various diseases, providing a foundation for further research in drug discovery. The book also introduces the use of these bioactive secondary metabolites in cosmetics, nutrition, and pest control, with detailed description of medicinal plant species, including their botanical names, ethnomedicinal uses, and pharmacological activities, making it an invaluable resource for researchers and pharmaceutical companies.
Key concepts include the exploration of secondary metabolites from plants in Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Nigeria, and their industrial applications. The chapters cover ethnobotanical knowledge, bioactivities, and chemical profiling of these plants, including the ethnobotanical and phytochemical studies of Ethiopian flora, the role of rose-scented geranium in the perfume industry, and the use of fruits and vegetables in treating respiratory ailments. Readers will also discover insights into the use of secondary metabolites for pest control, the conservation strategies for endangered African plants, and the synthesis of bio-nanoparticles for therapeutic applications. The book presents a detailed analysis of medicinal plants with anti-malarial, antileishmanial, improve sexual desire and antimicrobial properties, highlighting their significance in traditional and modern medicine.
This volume is an essential resource for researchers, graduate students, and professionals in the fields of natural products, phytochemistry, and pharmaceuticals. It provides a unique perspective on the integration of traditional African medicine with contemporary scientific research, offering valuable insights into the potential of these bioactive compounds in drug development.
A dye-sensitized solar cell based on an in-situ hydrothermally grown hematite photo-anode
(Springer Nature Link, 2025-07-22) Nasejje, Stella; Mukhokosi, Emma Panzi; Mmantsae, Diale
Transition metal-oxides have gained research attention for applications in optoelectronics devices like dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This contribution presents an α-Fe2O3-Pt DSSC configuration. An in-situ hydrothermal technique was used to grow spherically shaped α-Fe2O3 thin films on an FTO substrate, forming the photo-anode. The surface morphology, structural, and optical properties were characterized by standard techniques, confirming the samples’ purity. Pt was drop-cast on the FTO substrate, forming the counter electrode. The photo-anode was soaked in N719 ruthenium dye for 24 h. The electrodes were assembled using crocodile clips, and the iodide electrolyte was injected into the space between them. At an intensity of 100 mW/cm2, the α-Fe2O3-Pt DSSC yielded a short-circuit photocurrent density, open-circuit voltage, fill factor, and efficiency of 0.098 mAcm−2, 0.410 V, 0.247, and 0.01%, respectively. These results provide a simple, cost-effective strategy for synthesizing spherical nanoporous α-Fe2O3 thin films for potential application as photo-anodes in n-DSSCs.
Challenges and opportunities in scholarly writing for female academics at Kyambogo University in Uganda
(Journal of Research and Academic Writing, 2025-07-22) Namuleme, Robinah Kalemeera; Kyazike, Elizabeth
Research productivity remains a key indicator of academic success in higher education, yet female academics publish significantly fewer scholarly works than their male peers, despite holding advanced qualifications and having access to
government-supported research funding. This qualitative descriptive study investigated factors influencing research
productivity among 29 female academics at Kyambogo University between May 2023 and August 2024. Ethical
protocols were strictly followed, including informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymisation of participants’ identities.
This research uniquely applied an intersectionality-informed framework to demonstrate how personal challenges—such as time constraints, self-doubt, and limited research skills—interact with structural impediments including excessive
workloads, inadequate mentorship, insufficient research infrastructure, limited funding, and systemic gender biases to
undermine female academics involvement in scholarly writing findings reveal that while enablers—such as PhDs, research grants, co-supervision opportunities, journal access, and diverse fields—form a solid foundation for productivity, female academics continue to encounter systemic and personal barriers that inhibit full engagement. The study proposes strategic, intersectionality-based institutional interventions such as establishing a research support, Writing Centre, and creating communities of practice to address the barriers identified and leverages the intrinsic strengths of female academics. Together, these will improve female academics’ scholarly output and ultimately foster more inclusive and sustained academic growth.
compare the thermal performance of two thermal insulating materials for domestic heating applications
(European Journal of Physics, 2025-07-22) Abedigamba, Oyirwoth Patrick; Obia, Pius; Mawire, Ashmore; Rukaaya, Musa; Okullo, Michael
Thermal insulating materials are very essential in thermal energy storage. There are both imported and locally/homemade thermal insulation materials. However, the imported thermal insulation materials are expensive compared to the locally made ones due to the high importation cost and taxes imposed on them. This paper aims to compare two thermal insulators for domestic solar heating applications. The two insulators are a wonderbag (imported from South Africa) and a hay basket (locally made in Uganda). Two identical cooking pots with a capacity of 1 litre each are separately placed on identical Photovoltaic Direct Current (PV DC) cookers inside a wonderbag and hay basket, respectively. Water heating experiments are performed in the morning and noon. Results show that when a 0.5 kg water load is used, a higher maximum temperature of 96.3 oC is achieved by the water in a wonderbag insulator compared to 94.8 oC achieved for a hay basket, within 24 min of the experiments during solar noon. A slightly higher water heating efficiency of 3.9% is shown when in the wonderbag compared to that of 3.7% attained when the hay basket is used. No significant difference in the maximum water load temperatures and heating efficiencies are observed when using a wonderbag and hay basket as thermal insulating materials for domestic solar cooking applications during solar noon. Longer heating times are taken during morning experiments (32 – 34 min) than during noon experiment (26 – 30 min). The work demonstrates that a cheaply available and locally made heat retention vessel (hay basket) can substitute the imported and expensive heat retention vessel (wonderbag). The experimental setup can be used to introduce the ideas of heat retention, solar cooking, and photovoltaics to senior undergraduate students pursuing courses in thermal physics and semiconductor physics, respectively.