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Perspectives on university library automation and national development in Uganda
(IFLA Journal, 2017-06-05) Buwule, Robert S.; Ponelis, Shana R.
Academic libraries in universities store large volumes of research that can be used for development purposes to support teaching, learning, research, innovation, community outreach and partnerships. Library automation incorporates the adoption of integrated library systems. Effective adoption of an integrated library system enables broad-based access to global and local knowledge sources to solve local, regional and national development challenges. Using a sequential mixed methods approach in a case study of a Ugandan public university, Kyambogo University, this study investigated the perceptions of librarians, information workers and other university stakeholders with respect to library automation and the contribution thereof to national development. The results confirmed that the integrated library system improved library operations and played an important role in supporting national development. This study also highlights the continued challenges of adopting an integrated library system in developing countries such as Uganda, which, if addressed, could further improve information service delivery for a nation’s socio-economic transformation.
Research data management readiness at Uganda cancer institute
(Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)., 2023) Mukiibi, Edward; Bukirwa, Joyce
The study explored research data management readiness at the Uganda Cancer Institute. Its objectives were to; establish the state of research data and the institutional readiness for research data management practices. The case study applied a survey method using a questionnaire modified from the Data Asset Framework and the Community Capability Model Framework. The respondents were 60 staff members at different professional levels purposively selected. The findings show massive data generated from clinical trials, and routine cancer clinics at the institute. The business processes are mainly manual except for the funded research projects which are hybrid. The existing data sets could not be quantified, but all patient-related physical data are permanently archived in the institute’s registry. The electronic research data from funded projects is under the responsibility of the System Administrator and the Data Officers of respective projects. Research data management readiness assessed through collaborations was taking place and beneficial to the institute, and the technical infrastructure was robust. Findings indicate the absence of an institute-wide legal/policy framework and a substantive skills training program for staff research data management competence development. Research data management practices were intuitively executed in funded projects, the ethical requirements were embedded in the research cycle and adhered to. The study recommended emphasizing a written localised Data Management Plan for all projects submitted for approval; initiating a tailor-made RDM training program; a comprehensive RDM policy, and creating RDM awareness and interest among staff at the institute.
Data literacy: a catalyst for improving research publication productivity of kyambogo university academic staff
(Journal of eScience Librarianship (JeSLIB), 2023-11) Robert, Stalone Buwule; State, Eliz Nassali; Edward, Mukiibi
Objective: The aim of this study is to explore how data literacy can influence the research and publications productivity of Kyambogo University academic staff. Methods: The study employed a literature review to collect detailed information. It observed lessons, and studied patterns of the phenomenon to explore data literacy initiatives that can be used by Kyambogo University academic staff to improve their research publications productivity and also to mitigate the accrued challenges. Results: The paper explored eight initiatives through which data literacy skills could enhance the research productivity of Kyambogo University academic staff. These were awareness and promoting freedom of using open data, engaging students in data literacy activities, pedagogical reflection, datafication of single and joint academic staff publications, visualization of data, storytelling, ethical use of data, and preservation of research data. Conclusions: While this paper relies on the context of the Kyambogo University academic staff, the authors posit that these data literacy skills can be embraced by universities in developing economies; especially those struggling with poor research and publications productivity. The paper further identifies areas where universities in developing economies, in conjunction with their libraries, can improve the academic staff pedagogy and compliance to eScience through polishing their data literacies.
Fostering a Culture of Quality Research at a Young Institution: Insights from Kyambogo University.
(Library waves, 2023-12) Mukiibi, Edward; Buwule, Robert Stalone; State, Eliz Nassali
The study explored the trends and quality of research output of academic staff at Kyambogo University, Uganda for the period 2003 to 2020. Using desk research content analysis, the findings showed 199 (47%) out of 425 staff had published 440 articles of which 266 (60%) were credible. The three most productive Faculties were: Science 110, Education, 106, and Arts and Social Sciences with 90 publications. The most prolific author produced 35 articles 6 of which were the first author. This productivity was attributed to factors commended for leveraging the identified niche in science, education, and humanities. The study is instrumental in advancing strategies that could foster a culture of quality research through deliberate policy actions.
The effectiveness of COVID-19 surveillance applications in Uganda: assessment of a medical rapid response system
(ScienceOpen Preprints, 2024-03-06) Goswami, Nandu; Acanit, Mary; Buwule, Robert Stalone; Schmid-Zalaudek, Karin; Brix, Bianca
Different Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) health-based innovations such as cloud computing, web and mobile surveillance applications were used by proactive governments to fight COVID-19. Contact tracing mobile applications were used by more than 100 countries. However, the extent to which these surveillance applications have been used to track Covid-19 in Uganda is not clear. This study aimed to establish the use of COVID-19 surveillance applications in Uganda. This was a purely qualitative study. Health practitioners managing these surveillance applications were interviewed from Kampala City, Mukono and Wakiso districts of Uganda. The assessment of the COVID-19 surveillance applications underscores the relevance of health-based ICTS. The surveillance applications provided accurate, authoritative and timely data. However, there were false alerts as result of inaccurate data supplied by the applications. The study recommends increased facilitation of the surveillance officers, continuous training of surveillance teams and integration of the applications for the management of other non-communicable diseases.
Factors influencing the use of e-library resources by postgraduate engineering students at Kyambogo University in Uganda
(Sage Journals, 2024-10) Acanit, Mary; Ngulube, Patrick; Mojapelo, Samuel Maredi
The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the use of e-library resources among postgraduate engineering students at Kyambogo University in Uganda to make suggestions on how to improve access to and use of e-library resources. The study adopted a survey research design to collect data from postgraduate engineering students. Following a census sampling strategy, data was obtained from 58 out of 80 registered postgraduate engineering students using online self-administered questionnaires. The findings revealed that the use of e-library resources by postgraduate engineering students was influenced by ease of use, convenience, level of awareness, and information search skills. However, access restrictions and high internet costs negatively affected e-library resources usage. It is the conclusion of the study that the use of e-library resources was largely influenced by personal factors. This study has implications on e-library resources collection development, policy development, and service delivery in academic libraries. The study bridges the knowledge gap in the use of e-library resources among postgraduate engineering students.
Use of COVID-19 ICT surveillance applications in Uganda: a case study of Kampala City, Wakiso and Mukono districts
(ScienceOpen Preprints, 2025-03-29) Nandu, Goswami; Robert Stalone Buwule; Mary Acanit; Schmid-Zalaudek; Bianca Brix
Different Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) health-based innovations such as cloud computing, web and mobile surveillance applications were used by proactive governments to fight COVID-19. Contact tracing mobile applications were used by more than 100 countries. However, the extent to which these surveillance applications have been used to track Covid-19 in Uganda is not clear. This study aimed to establish the use of COVID-19 surveillance applications in Uganda. This was a purely qualitative study. Health practitioners managing these surveillance applications were interviewed from Kampala City, Mukono and Wakiso districts of Uganda. The assessment of the COVID-19 surveillance applications underscores the relevance of health-based ICTS. The surveillance applications provided accurate, authoritative and timely data. However, there were false alerts as result of inaccurate data supplied by the applications. The study recommends increased facilitation of the surveillance officers, continuous training of surveillance teams and integration of the applications for the management of other non-communicable diseases.
Online information seeking behaviour of postgraduate engineering students at Kyambogo University in Uganda
(Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies, 2025-06-02) Acanit, Mary; Mojapelo, Samuel; Ngulube, Patrick
This study investigated the online information seeking behaviour of postgraduate engineering students at Kyambogo University in Uganda to determine the extent to which they use electronic (e-) library resources. A convergent mixed methods research approach was used. Quantitative data were collected from 58 out of 80 postgraduate engineering students using an online self-administered questionnaire while qualitative data were collected from interviews with 11 library staff and a focus group discussion with five members of library management. The findings revealed that the most used (M = 4.71) online information sources were Google Scholar, followed by corporate websites (M = 4.0), internet search engines (M = 3.98) and e-library resources (M = 3.62). The online information seeking behaviour of postgraduate engineering students was mainly influenced by their academic needs as students and their profession as engineers. This study, therefore, has implications for collection development in academic libraries to provide access to industry-relevant collections alongside the e-library resources to bridge the information gap between professional engineering practice and academic research. The study recommends that the library promote e-library resources and provide information literacy training to postgraduate engineering students to enhance the use of e-library resources.
Ethos of librarians in academic libraries in Uganda: a study of unethical practices
(University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal, 2025-06-29) Nabbosa, Mary Gorreti; Kaddu, Sarah; Ssekitto, Francis
This paper analyses the ethical practices of Ugandan academic librarians by studying student service experiences at Kyambogo University (KyU) and Uganda Christian University (UCU). Through focus group discussions conducted with twenty-three (23) Library and Information Science (LIS) students (n=14 Kyambogo; n=9 UCU) who served as participants sampled by convenience and purposive strategies, the study analysed the multifaceted aspects related to ethical conduct. The research revealed that students’ perceived expectations of research assistance, ICT, and reference services differed substantially from actual practice. Current unethical conduct includes librarian absence and book restrictions, as well as resource misuse. This ethical deficit arises from three main factors: insufficient and enforceable ethical standards at the national level, inadequate professional oversight systems, and cultural norms within UCU, which exemplify faith-based higher education that sometimes conceals underlying ethical difficulties. This research develops an Ubuntu-based ethical system to supplement the IFLA Code of Ethics tailored to the Ugandan sociocultural setting. The study promotes LIS education that focuses on ethics, along with continuous professional development initiatives, and the development of a code of conduct between libraries and the delivery of psychosocial services to librarians. The study brings sophistication to African library ethics scholarship by supplying ethical recommendations tailored for academic institutions based upon empirical findings.
Research data management at a medical facility in Uganda : practices, awareness, challenges, and recommendation
(Journal of eScience Librarianship, Putting the pieces together: theory and prctice, 2025-07-16) Mukiibi, Edward; Bukirwa, Joyce
The paper explored research data management practices at a medical research facility in Uganda. It focused on the researchers’ perception about research data practices, awareness, and challenges. Mixed methods were applied in which thirty (30) respondents out of a population of sixty (60) research community members. The research community was comprised of both research teams and research support members. Whereas the research team respondents were selected randomly and subjected to the questionnaire, the four key informants were purposively selected from the research support members and subjected to the interview. The findings showed variations in perception, management, and understanding of research data practices. Identified challenges were inadequate legal framework, lack of institutionalised storage facilities, and limited competencies in writing Data Management Plans. The recommendations were: the formation of a unit for the development of research data management policy, support services, and the introduction of formal research data management skills training to equip the research community at the facility.

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