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Physicochemical characterization of sugar syrup and ethanol from starch of selected Ugandan-grown cassava and maize varieties
(Food and Humanity, 2026-01-19) Mugampoza, Ediriisa; Bwamiki, Lydia; Gafuma, Samuel; Mukama, Matia
This study investigated the influence of variety and extraction method, on the yield and characteristics of starch, sugar syrup and alcohol from selected maize and cassava varieties grown in Uganda. Starch was extracted from four cassava and maize varieties using wet alkaline method, saccharified to sugar syrup using acid and enzyme methods and then fermented to alcohol. Maize varieties yielded close to twice as much starch as cassava varieties with no significant difference between the local and improved varieties. The most starch yielding maize variety was ‘Hybrid 2115’ (50.83 %) and cassava variety was ‘Mwezi mukaaga’ (29.17 %). Cassava starches had higher amylose content compared to maize starches with all starches classifying as normal starches with 15 – 24 % amylose content. Acid hydrolysis produced averagely higher sugar concentration (20.08 ◦Brix) compared to enzyme hydrolysis (15.21◦Brix). Enzyme hydrolysis gave distillates with comparatively higher ethanol content, in tandem with the observed higher alcohol by volume and fermentation efficiency. The highest ethanol content was from maize ‘Hybrid 2115’ distillate at 40.95 %. Maize varieties ‘Hybrid 2115’ and ‘Longe 4H’ performed best and ‘Mwezi mukaaga’ and ‘Mukumba’ among the cassava varieties. These can be commercialised for hydrolysis and fermentation. While acid hydrolysis produced sugar syrups with the highest sugar concentration, enzyme hydrolysed syrups performed best for fermentation to alcohol.
Scholarly communication training and writing self-efficacy of master’s degree students moderated by technology applications in Kyambogo university
(Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-07) Zawedde, Stella
This study investigated the influence of scholarly communication training and technology applications on writing self-efficacy of master’s degree students in Kyambogo University. The objectives of the study were; to examine the influence of scholarly communication training, and assess the influence of technology applications on writing self-efficacy of master’s degree students in Kyambogo University. Further, the objective sought to test the moderating effect of technology applications on the influence scholarly writing on writing self-efficacy of master’s degree students in Kyambogo University. Using the quantitative approach, the study adopted the correlational survey research design. Data were collected from a sample of 250 students using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive analysis that involved calculating of frequencies, percentages, and means, and inferential analysis using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PL-SEM). The study revealed that scholarly communication training in terms of training content and strategies had a positive and significant influence on writing self-efficacy of master’s degree students, technology applications in terms of applications use and ease of use had a positive and significant influence on writing self-efficacy of master’s degree students, and technology applications partially moderated the influence of scholarly communication training on writing self-efficacy. It was concluded that scholarly communication training is essential in enhancing the writing self-efficacy of students, technology applications play a vital role in enhancing writing self-efficacy of students, but combining scholarly communication and technology applications does not boost students' writing self-efficacy.
Therefore, the recommendations of the study are that the university curriculum should emphasise scholarly communication training to enhance the writing self-efficacy of students, and universities should access students’ technology applications that support the development of writing self-efficacy. However, university scholarly communication courses should not over integrate technology applications.
Perceived school support, interpersonal relationship and teachers sense of community in government-aided secondary schools in Bukwo district, Uganda
(Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-09) Yeko, Elizabeth
This study investigated the influence of perceived school support on teachers’ sense of community moderated by interpersonal relationship in government-aided secondary schools in Bukwo district, Uganda. Specifically, the study assessed the influence of perceived school support on sense of community, examined the influence of interpersonal relationship on sense of community and tested the moderating effect of interpersonal relationship in the influence of perceived school support on teachers’ sense of community in government-aided secondary schools in Bukwo District. Employing a quantitative approach, this study utilised a correlational research design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 240 secondary school teachers, selected through simple random sampling. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Descriptive statistics revealed that teachers' sense of community and perceived school support were moderate but interpersonal relationship was high. The SEM findings revealed that perceived school support had a positive and significant influence on sense of community; interpersonal relationship had a negative insignificant influence on sense of community while perceived school support moderated by interpersonal relationship had a positive but insignificant influence on sense of community. The findings led to the conclusion that school support is crucial for teachers’ sense of community; interpersonal relationship is not crucial for the teachers’ sense of community, and equal emphasis on perceived school support and interpersonal relationship does not necessarily lead to teachers’ sense of community. The study recommends that education stakeholders should provide sufficient support to teachers in terms of fairness, supervisor support, rewards, good job conditions and school participation to enhance their sense of community; mutual acceptance and uplifting should be promoted among teachers and greater emphasis should be laid on school support compared to interpersonal relationship in fostering teachers’ sense of community.
Effect of scum on the dewaterability of Faecal sludge from septic tanks
(Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-06) Wonaira, Sheila
Understanding the properties of Faecal sludge (FS) is critical for over all faecal sludge management. This study investigated the impact of faecal sludge scum (FSS) on the dewaterability of faecal sludge (FS) from septic tanks. Samples of FS and FSS were collected from 35 septic tanks across Kampala. In-situ measurements and data on demographic, environmental, and technological variables were also recorded. Dewaterability rate (CST) was assessed using the capillary suction time method, while the extent of dewaterability (EXT) was determined through centrifugation.
FSS depth ranged from none to 50 cm, with a median of 0.05 mm. Most scum was black (61%) and solid (77.4%), while 22.3% was foamy and watery. FSS showed high variability in characteristics with statistically significant differences between FSS and FS observed for Chemical Oxygen Demand (p=0.046), Total Solids (p<0.001), density (p=0.032), Oxygen Reduction Potential (p=0.008), Magnesium (p=0.010), Electrical Conductivity (p=0.025), Moisture Content (p<0.001), and Nitrogen (p=0.003).
FSS had higher capillary suction time (CST) values with a mean of 163.5s compared to FS with a mean of 59.5 s, indicating lower dewaterability. Mean cake solids were 12.8% for FSS and 11.4% for FS. In FS samples, TS and OP positively correlated with CST, while MC showed a significant negative correlation (r = –0.532, p = 0.002). Findings showed that the percentage of FSS was positively associated with CST, while total FS volume had a significant negative correlation with CST (r = –0.3245, p = 0.0337). FSS percentage had a weak positive association with cake solids, whereas FS quantity was negatively correlated (r = –0.2142).).
Scum dewaterability was found to be strongly influenced by FS characteristics. COD, ORP, fat, total solids (TS), and orthophosphates (OP) were positively associated with CST with increase in these parameters generally leading to longer dewatering times. In conclusion, the amount of FSS in FS has a greater impact on the time it takes for water to be drawn out from the sample i.e. dewaterability rate. Therefore, more scum in the sludge slows down the dewatering process but does not significantly affect the dryness of the resulting cake.
Access to information and adoption of coffee postharvest management practices among smallholder farmers in Bulambuli district in eastern Uganda
(Kyambogo University(Unpublished work), 2025-10) Wasike, Jeremiah
This study explored the determinants of access to post-harvest management (PHM) information and the adoption of improved PHM practices among smallholder coffee farmers in Bulambuli District, Uganda. Specifically, it examined the influence of socio-demographic characteristics and information sources on information access and adoption. A cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach was employed, focusing on 318 smallholder coffee farmers selected through stratified random sampling from Buginyanya and Namisuni sub-counties. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS Version 20. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the effects of socio-demographic factors and information sources on access to PHM information, as well as the determinants of adoption of improved PHM practices. Findings revealed that conventional information sources, including radio, fellow farmers, print media, extension agents, and Agro-input dealers, significantly influenced farmers’ access to PHM information. Socio-economic characteristics such as education, farming experience, group membership, and garden size also influenced information access. Adoption of improved PHM practices was influenced by access to PHM information, age, gender, and group membership. Recommendations include strengthening rural radio programs, expanding and professionalizing extension services, promoting farmer group participation, facilitating structured peer-to-peer learning, and targeting youth engagement in adoption initiatives.