Journal Articles

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“When you are alone you have a narrow mind, but when you are with others you think broader into the other aspects”. A qualitative study on the role of sense of belonging and mattering in attempted suicide in Uganda
(International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 2024-11-02) Knizek, Birthe Loa; Mugisha, James; Kinyanda, Eugene; Hagen, Julia; Hjelmeland, Heidi
Introduction: Suicide is globally a severe problem with an estimated 700.000 deaths annually. Six of the 10 countries with the highest suicide rates worldwide are in Africa, though, reliable statistics are scarce. Method: In this qualitative interview study in Uganda, we analysed the stories of 16 people admitted to hospital following a serious suicide attempt. We focussed especially on each person’s decision process towards their resolution to attempt suicide. Findings: Despite the huge heterogeneity of the narratives, we could identify problems regarding the sense of belonging and mattering in all the stories. Both the sense of belonging and mattering have been related to suicidal behaviour in earlier theories, but they were never studied together or under consideration of the influence of this specific cultural context. We found that the participants’ sense of belonging and mattering to a large degree was influenced by their traditional communalistic context with a worldview where the line between the natural and spiritual world was blurry. Conclusion: This kind of knowledge could be a valuable source for health professionals in their treatment of suicidal persons; it could direct their approach to the core of each person’s relational problems and meaning-making, which is crucial for their decisions with regard to suicide.
Loneliness, social isolation, and suicidal ideation and attempt among adolescents living with HIV: a cross-sectional study in masaka, Uganda
(Springer Link- Global Social Welfare, 2024-10-18) Atwebembere, Raymond; Nakasujja, Noeline; Mugisha, James; Ssewamala, Fred; Mckay, Mary
One in six people are aged 10–19 years. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional, and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Protecting adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and psychological well-being, and ensuring access to mental healthcare are critical for their health and well-being during adolescence and adulthood. Globally, it is estimated that 1 in 7 (14%) 10–19 year-olds experience mental health conditions (1), yet these remain largely unrecognized and untreated. Adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviors, physical ill-health, and human rights violations.
Physical Activity and Mental Health: A Little Less Conversation, a Lot More Action
(Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 2024-07-18) Stubbs, Brendon; Ma, Ruimin; Schuch, Felipe; Mugisha, James; Rosenbaum, Simon; Firth, Joseph; Vancampfort, Davy
COVID-19 and the Motorcycle Taxi Sector in Sub-Saharan African Cities: A Key Stakeholders’ Perspective
(Transportation Research Record, 2022-11-28) Peters, Krijn; Jenkins, Jack; Ntramah, Simon; Vincent, James; Hayombe, Patrick; Owino, Fredrick; Opiyo, Paul; Johnson, Ted; Santos, Rosemarie; Mugisha, Marion; Chetto, Reginald
This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the urban motorcycle taxi (MCT) sector in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). MCToperators in SSA provide essential transport services and have shown ingenuity and an ability to adapt and innovate when responding to different challenges, including health challenges. However, policymakers and regulators often remain somewhat hostile toward the sector. The article discusses the measures and restrictions put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and key stakeholders’ perspectives on these and on the sector’s level of compliance. Primary data were collected in six SSA countries during the last quarter of 2020. Between 10 and 15 qualitative interviews with key stakeholders relevant to the urban MCT sector were conducted in each country. These interviews were conducted with stakeholders based in the capital city and a secondary city, to ensure a geographically broader understanding of the measures, restrictions, and perspectives. The impact of COVID-19 measures on the MCT and motor-tricycle taxi sector was significant and overwhelmingly negative. Lockdowns, restrictions on the maximum number of passengers allowed to be carried at once, and more generally, a COVID-19-induced reduction in demand, resulted in a drop in income for operators, according to the key stakeholders. However, some key stakeholders indicated an increase in MCTactivity and income because of the motorcycles’ ability to bypass police and army controls. In most study countries measures were formulated in a non-consultative manner. This, we argue, is symptomatic of governments’ unwillingness to seriously engage with the sector. Keywords motorcycle taxis, COVID-19, Sub-Saharan Africa, informal economy, transportation and society, transportation in developing countries, travel behavior
Research capacity strengthening in Africa: Perspectives from the social sciences, humanities, and arts
(Elsevier, 2023-05) Ogega, Obed M.; Majani, Mary; Hendricks, Cheryl; Adegun, Olumuyiwa; Mbatudde, Maria; Muyanja, Charles; Atekyereza, Peter; Hugue, Ngandeu N.; Gyasi, Razak M.
Global and human development and freedoms increasingly thrive on robust and policyorientated research and related activities. Yet, the African research landscape faces a myriad of challenges which have resulted in a very unequal continent in terms of research and research capacity. The prevailing research inequities and challenges in Africa are even more pronounced in the social sciences, humanities, arts, and related fields (SSHA). Here, the strengths and impact of scholarship in SSHA fields are often overshadowed by deficits and apparent preferential investment in research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-related fields. In response, the African Academy of Sciences commissioned a study in 2020 to generate evidence on the SSHA research support landscape in Africa. This paper summarizes findings from literature review, key informant interviews, a bibliometric analysis, a survey with a sample of 670 respondents from SSHA communities in Africa, and a series of focus group discussions. We highlight key messages and make recommendations focussing on lessons learnt, opportunities, needs, and priorities for intervention to enhance significant SSHA research leadership capacity strengthening and, ultimately, minimize research inequalities in Africa.
The urban motorcycle taxi sector in Sub-Saharan Africa: needs, practices and equity issues
(Urban, Planning and Transport Research, 2024-05-13) Fredrick, Owino; Krijn, Peters; Jack, Jenkins; Paul, Opiyo; Reginald, Chetto; Simon, Ntramah; Mugisha, Marion Mutabazi; ames, Vincent; Ted, P. Johnson; Rosemarie, T. Santos; Patrick, Hayombe
Motorcycle taxis in Sub-Saharan Africa are an essential compo- nent of the urban transport mix, providing vital services - such as access to markets, education and health facilities - to citty dwell- ers across the continent. Transport regulators and policymakers have nonetheless remained reluctant to engage with this expanding sector, which seems to be the prefereed mode of transport. Primary data were collected in five Sub-Saharan African countries during the last quarter of 2020 using qualitative interviews with key stakeholders relevant to the urban motor- cycle taxi sector and quantitative motorcycle taxi operator sur- veys. There is a substantial prospect to come up with best practices within this sector by identifying and learning from the experiences of various stakeholders including motorcycle taxi and motor tricycle taxi operators, unions, institutions, traffic police, and users of these services. In additon, the data shows that there are ample opportunities for increased collaboration between the stakeholders, to ensure the sector’s continuos con- tribution to socio-economic development. Planning for a more sustainable and integrated transport system in Sub-Saharan African cities requires acknowledging the significant position taken up in this by the motorcycle and tricycle taxi.
Efficacy of an 8-hour education intervention on dementia knowledge, attitude and skills in healthcare professionals in regional hospitals: a nation-wide study from Uganda
(Pan African Medical Journal, 2023-04-11) Davy, Vancampfort; James, Mugisha; Samuel, Kimbowa; Hafsa, Lukwata; Tine, Van Damme; Mathieu, Vandenbulcke
Introduction: dementia imposes an enormous burden, mainly in low-income countries (LICs). Due to lack of well-trained healthcare professionals, 70-90% of people with dementia do not receive adequate care in LICs. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a one-day, 8-hour medical education intervention on dementia care improves the knowledge and attitude about and confidence in providing dementia care among healthcare professionals in 8 referral hospitals in Uganda. Methods: in this pre-test/post-test study without a control group, participants completed the Alzheimer´s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS), Dementia Care Attitude Scale (DCAS), and 9 visual analogue scales (VAS) regarding confidence in specific dementia care skills pre- and post-medical education intervention. Results: in one hundred twelve healthcare professionals (age = 41.7±10.2 years; 54.5% women), the ADKS, DCAS, and VAS scores for recognizing and assessing core dementia symptoms, communicating effectively, providing psycho-education, activating patients mentally and physically, managing behavioral and psychological symptoms, and involving carers in the treatment improved significantly (P < 0.001) post-medical education intervention. Conclusion: our study demonstrates that brief educational interventions are efficacious in strengthening the dementia literacy among healthcare professionals in a low- income country. Future research should explore whether such brief educational interventions also result in implementation of efficacious dementia care into routine clinical practice and whether it ultimately may lead to improved health outcomes in patients and formal and informal caregivers
Towards entrapment: an escalating reality for children and adolescents living with HIV/Aids in Uganda
(Towards Evidence Generation and Policy Development, 2022) James, Mugisha; William, Byansi
In 2004, UNAIDS, UNICEF, and USAID collaborated and authored an influential report titled Children in the Brink (UNICEF, 2004). This report is used to set the context of this book chapter. The publication did not only give comprehensive statistics on children orphaned by AIDS and other causes but also gave a framework for understanding the fundamental issues that relate to protection, care, and support for orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) living in a world plagued by HIV and AIDS. In terms of statistics, the report gave a glaring picture. For example, sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) was reported to have 43.4 million orphans (of all causes) in 2003. During this period, more than 12.3 million children had been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The same report labored to provide a framework for the protection, care, and support for OVC. This framework was to be used by national governments to attach resources and also offer both policy and programmatic basis for interventions responding to the growing OVC epidemic. Further, this framework for protection, care, and support of OVC was affirmed by the Global Partners’ Forum, with support from UNICEF and other major donors. The weight and value given to this frame- work raised a lot of hope that children will be removed from what the report referred to as the “brink.” It is now over a decade, since this influential report came out of print.
The lay meaning (s) and understanding of depression among the middle-aged and elderly patients at Butabika Hospital. Implication for formal mental healthcare utilisation in Uganda
(Social Work in Mental Health, 2024-02-26) Sumani, Ganafa
This article explores the lay meaning(s) and understanding of depression among middle-aged and elderly patients in Uganda and its impact on treatment seeking. Through an interpretive phenomenological approach, data was collected using in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings revealed that depression with disruptive behaviors is regarded as “clan illness,” “witchcraft” or “madness” while depression with non – disruptive symptoms is perceived to be a “disease of thoughts” normative to life circumstances and aging. Conclusively, the cultural understanding of depression may imply that the western medical approach would be less recommended compared to traditional healing.
Associations between mild depression and anxiety and physical inactivity among school-going Ugandan adolescents aged 14 to 17 years
(Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 2024-04) James, Mugisha; Tine, Van Damme; Davy, Vancampfort
Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate associations between physical activity levels and emotional and behavioural problems in school-going adolescents aged 14 to 17 years in Uganda. Methods: Two-hundred and five adolescents [median (interquartile range) age = 16.0 (1.0) years; female = 61.9%] completed the interviewer-administered Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) measure. Spearman’s rho correlations and Mann–Whitney U-tests were applied. Results: Among 205 adolescents, 97.1% were physically inactive (PAVS < 420min/week), while 64.4% reported either mild depressive (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) or anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 5) symptoms. Higher PAVS scores correlated significantly with lower SDQ emotional problems (ρ = −0.23, p < 0.001), lower PHQ-9 (ρ = −0.26, p < 0.001), and lower GAD-7 (ρ = −0.22, p < 0.001) scores. Those with emotional problems (SDQ ≥ 5) (n = 86) were significantly less physically active than those without (n = 119) [30.0 (62.5) versus 60.0 (105.0) min/week, p < 0.001]. Those with depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) were significantly less physically active than those without [35.0 (70.0) versus 60.0 (120.0) min/week, p < 0.001]. Conclusion: Physical inactivity and mental health problems are related important public health concerns in school-going adolescents in low-income countries such as Uganda. The efficacy and effectiveness of school-based mental health literacy programs, including physical activity promotion, should be explored in these low-resource settings.
Interrogating police work spillover and intimate partner violence: experiences of female civilian survivors in Uganda
(Journal of Gender Studies, 2022-01) Stedia, Asiimwe; Ruth, Nsibirano; Victoria, Flavia Namuggala
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a symptom of gender inequality. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5), announced the call to achieve gender equality, and to have more vigorous efforts, including legal frameworks to counter deeply rooted gender-based discrimination that have caused increased cases of violence by intimate partners. The police force in Uganda is a government organ, mandated with keeping law and order. However, cases of intimate partner violence are witnessed among police families. A qualitative study was conducted to examine the influence of police work on intimate partner violence (IPV) against female spouses. We employed An Integrated Ecological Framework to interrogate police work spillover and its influence on IPV. Findings confirm that civilian female spouses of police officers experienced IPV resulting from the nature of husbands’ work. Abrupt transfers and work overload while on deployments separated couples for long and resulted into serious but often ignored cracks in family relationships. It is this that triggered IPV. We recommend more staff recruitment to reduce officers’ work overload, review of the police standing orders, construction of more institutional houses, training officers on IPV prevention and introduction of counselling services in police barracks to mitigate of IPV.
Correlates of physical activity stages of change in people living with HIV in a Ugandan community
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2020-05) Vancampfort, Davy; Byansi, Peter Kayiira; Hilda, Namutebi; Lilian, Nalukenge; Eugene, Kinyanda; Bbosa, Richard Serunkuma; Ward, Philip. B.; Hasfa, Lukwata; James, Mugisha
Purpose The transtheoretical model (TTM) of behavioral change posits that individuals move through five stages of change when adopting new behaviors: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with HIV/AIDS within a Ugandan fishing community in the different physical activity (PA) stages. We also explored differences in variables, motives, and barriers for PA across the stages. Methods In total, 256 individuals (77 men, 40.5 ± 10.3 years) completed the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depressive symptoms, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. They were also asked about their most important PA motive and barrier. Results Seventy-five individuals (29%) were in the (pre-)preparatory stages, 140 (55%) in the action and 41 (16%) in the maintenance stage. Those in the (pre-)preparatory stages had higher PHQ-9 total scores (p < 0.001) and were more likely to report barriers than those in the later stages (p < 0.001). Compared with those in the (pre-)preparatory stage, patients in the action stage experienced less body weakness (p = 0.015). Conclusions Depression and barriers to PA should be considered in people with HIV/AIDS in low-resource settings when implementing interventions to assist them to become more active.
A 10-hours workshop improves physical activity prescription for mental illness knowledge and confidence in health care professionals: a nation-wide multicentre study from Uganda
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021-11) Vancampfort, Davy; Samuel, Kimbowa; Ward, Philip. B.; Kenneth, Onekalit; Hasfa, Lukwata; James, Mugisha
Purpose Lack of knowledge about and confidence in physical activity (PA) prescription for people with mental illness are important barriers for clinical practice in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 10-hour workshop improved the knowledge and confidence in PA prescription among health care professionals in 13 regional referral hospitals across Uganda. Material and methods 260 health care professionals (age = 40.4 ± 10.8 years; 48% women; 63.8% nurses, 10% social workers, 8.1% psychologists, 7.3% medical doctors, 5.8% psychiatrists, 5% physical or occupational therapists) completed the Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire – Health Professionals Version (EMIQ-HP) pre- and post-workshop. Results The EMIQ-HP PA knowledge score (3.1 ± 0.7 versus 1.3 ± 1.3, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.28, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.04–1.52, i.e., large effect) and EMIQ-HP confidence in PA prescription score (3.0 ± 0.8 versus 1.2 ± 1.2, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.91–1.36, i.e., large effect) improved significantly following training. Significantly more benefits and fewer barriers to prescribing PA in busy low-resourced settings were reported. Conclusions Training in PA counseling improved the knowledge and confidence in PA prescription in Ugandan health care professionals. Future research should investigate whether PA uptake in people with mental illness can be improved via additional training of health care professionals.
Prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV) during novel Covid-19 lock-down in Uganda
(The Journal of Adult Protection, 2020) Madinah, Nabukeera
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to understand the challenges related to fighting gender-based violence (GBV) victims during the lockdown in Uganda and suggest prevention and response to GBV and domestic violence victims and stakeholders amidst the deadly novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis was used to collect data to answer the objective of the study. Relevant documents that related to prevention and response to GBV amidst the deadly novel coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic were reviewed i.e. both print ((inter)-national newspapers i.e. monitor and newspaper), electronic (television and radio) and social media (Facebook and Twitter) and presidential addresses on Covid-19. Findings – The usual mechanisms that victims go through to report are curtailed and the lockdown and quarantine presented the perpetrators the perfect environment to continue disrespecting victims, as everyone was required to respect the stay at home orders, hence it gave fertile ground for isolation and control of the victims. Originality/value – Proposing prevention and response to GBV during the coronavirus novel Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in Uganda.
Directions in constructing a body of knowledge in eco-social work education and practice in Uganda: Actions, channels, and implications
(African Journal of Social Work, 2023-04) Bhangyi, Venesio Bwambale
In recent times, Uganda has witnessed human suffering resulting from the occurrence of environmental disasters thereby placing social work professionals, particularly those in civic organizations at the forefront of responses. As such, this article argues that the country’s largely agrarian welfare system and its pursuit of sustainable social development urgently necessitate reframing social work scholarship with an emphasis on eco-social theory for professionals to gain relevance and preparedness for actions and interventions that address environment linked problems. Through case analysis, the paper presents four recent cases of environmental natural disasters as a persuasion towards building an eco-social work body of knowledge. It then highlights the education and practice actions towards an eco-social work knowledge. The channels through which this action should take place are discussed and the implications of eco-social work thinking on professional social work education and practice are explored. It concludes by proposing a model for eco-social work education and practice that integrates formal public environmental safeguards and indigenous knowledge systems that champion protective and co-dependence approaches in people-environment interfaces.
Uganda’s vision 2040 and human needs promotion
(Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, 2015) Balyejjusa, Senkosi Moses
In 2013 the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched Uganda’s Vision 2040, a thirty-year development master plan which has received both praise and criticism from Ugandans. Although Vision 2040 has received both praise and criticism in almost equal measure, in this article I argue that Vision 2040 does not adequately promote the satisfaction of the human needs of Ugandans, yet the satisfaction of these needs is a prerequisite for achieving genuine development. Using a human needs framework in general, and Doyal and Gough’s intermediate needs in particular, I show that the Vision’s strategies adequately promote the satisfaction of only three intermediate needs of Ugandans, partially promote the satisfaction of seven intermediate needs of Ugandans, and that there is no single strategy to promote the satisfaction of one of the intermediate needs. This is because some of the Vision strategies do not adequately tackle the current and likely future challenges and bottlenecks to the satisfaction of the human needs of Ugandans. This is mainly due to the central role placed on the private capital (sector) in Vision 2040. I argue that in order for Vision 2040 to adequately promote the satisfaction of the human needs of Ugandans, all and not just some of the needs must be adequately satisfied since human needs are interrelated and interdependent. In addition, Vision 2040 should also be in position to satisfy the human needs of all Ugandans and not just some.
Police housing: an instigator of sexual violence against women and girls in Uganda
(Journal of Social Development in Africa, 2020-01) Asiimwe, Stedia; Namuggala, Victoria Flavia
The increasing number of recruits into the Uganda police force has not been matched with proportionate housing facilities. Consequently, police officers (including those with families) have to share houses, some of which are single rooms. Drawing on a larger qualitative study which employed case study design to assess female survivors' experiences of intimate partner violence, this paper argues that housing conditions have exacerbated violence within the barracks. Central to us is sexual violence against girls and women who are in relationship with male police officers. Women and girls are vulnerable to rape and defilement respectively from Police officers and their sons due to proximity brought about by sharing houses and rooms. Sexual violence is further interconnected with economic, emotional and physical violence. The paper recommends designing strategies to enhance police officer's knowledge about sexual violence, government to allocate funds for improving housing, and tapping on internal resources of police officers as a source of laborfor constructing more houses in the barracks.
Engaging men in gender transformative work in institutions of higher learning: A case of the men’s hub at Makerere University
(Frontiers in Sociology, 2023-02) Kikooma, Julius; Kyomuhendo, Grace Bantebya; Kyoheirwe, Florence Muhanguzi; Babalanda, Stanley
It was noted that globally, sexual harassment (SH), abuse, and exploitation in higher education institutions (HEIs) remain a problem. In Uganda, it regularly made headlines in the media. Yet, it was only after high-profile cases were reported in the media that a spotlight was put on the problem. Moreover, despite there being policies on sexual harassment, changes in reporting processes, and a roster for the swift investigation of sexual harassment cases, sexual harassment persisted in the respective units of Makerere University. The study reported here was based on a project code-named “Whole University Approach: Kicking Sexual Harassment out of Higher Education Institutions in Uganda” (hereafter referred to as the KISH Project). It was action research intended to move beyond feminizing SH interventions and draw in all the key stakeholders with respectively tailored interventions that were need-based. The project applied multiple interventions targeting different stakeholders (including students, academic and support staff, and administrators) to address gaps, prevention, and support for the survivors of SH in HEIs. One of the project components is a “men’s hub,” which is aimed at providing space for both male staff and male students to hold dialogs on positive masculinity and call them to act as agents of change in a bid to address sexual harassment within higher education institutions (HEIs). As a platform that brings men together to discuss the issues of sexual harassment, the sessions at the men’s hub enhanced their confidence and ability to prevent and respond to sexual harassment as well as their knowledge about the issues of masculinity and how they relate to sexual harassment. It was found to be an empowering platform with opportunities for awareness creation and the potential for amplifying the role of men in influencing change by speaking up and acting on their masculinity to address sexual harassment.
Towards developing ethical capacities in social work practice in Africa: Case study and critical commentary from Uganda
(Sage Journals, 2022-11) Venesio, Bwambale Bhangyi
This article engages with a case study situated in a public social service system in Uganda, Africa. Through case analysis, I highlight the complexities related to professional ethics in social work practice in Africa and argue that efforts to promote ethics, human rights and social justice in this context require creativity, innovation and activism to confront structural conditions that trap people in unjust circumstances. While building ethical capabilities demands grounding practice in the global social work principles, additional infusion of ubuntu ethics and African social work platforms for sharing experiences and actions are needed.
Indigenous social work with older persons: An international perspective
(Sage Journals, 2023-02) Venesio, Bwambale Bhangyi
As social work gains strength as a global profession, indigenous social work has emerged within the growing calls to decolonize the profession and offers an alternative worldview. This article uses a systematic literature review to engage with the application of this indigenous social work paradigm in practice with older persons from an international perspective. Using the knowledge mobilization perspective, it examines the current state of knowledge on indigenous social work and draws implications for practice with older persons. It concludes by advocating for a political stance to practice rooted in indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

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