East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS) Collection
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ItemDecentralising Kampala Library and Information Centre services, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025-12-22)Decentralisation has emerged as a governance model aimed at enhancing the provision of quality library services by empowering local authorities to tailor services to community needs. This study investigated the decentralisation of the Kampala Library and Information Centre (KLIC) and its impact on library service delivery in Kampala City. The specific objectives were to: examine the rationale for decentralising services at KLIC; examine the benefits of decentralisation on service delivery; determine the challenges encountered post-decentralisation; and propose strategic interventions for improving library services under a decentralised model. A qualitative case study research design was adopted. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 40 library users and 10 staff members, alongside document reviews, until saturation was reached. Findings indicated that decentralisation was implemented to enhance responsiveness and empower community libraries to address local information needs. Benefits observed included improved accessibility, service design, and community engagement, as well as stronger community relationships. However, challenges such as resource limitations, low community awareness, and service pressure were noted. The study recommends that KLIC’s management: align resources with service needs, strengthen ICT integration, enhance staff capacity, and implement targeted awareness campaigns to improve community engagement. Additionally, a phased implementation plan for operationalizing the six strategic interventions proposed by participants is advised to ensure the intended benefits of decentralisation are fully realized. Keywords: Decentralisation, Library Services, Community Engagement, Service Delivery, Kampala Library and Information Centre, Strategic Interventions
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ItemHealth information seeking practices of sex workers in Kampala City, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025-12-22)Sex workers in Uganda, particularly those operating in Kampala City, face heightened vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to entrenched structural challenges, including systemic stigma, criminalization, social marginalization, and exclusion from formal health services. Although sex workers demonstrate notable resilience through the use of peer networks and community support systems, there remains limited empirical evidence on how they seek, access, evaluate, and use health information within such a hostile and restrictive environment. This study therefore examined the health information-seeking practices of sex workers in Kampala City with the aim of proposing strategic, context-sensitive interventions to enhance equitable access to and utilization of reliable, stigma-free health information. Specifically, the study sought to: examine the health information needs of sex workers; identify the key sources and channels through which sexual and reproductive health information is accessed; determine the challenges affecting access to health information; and propose strategic interventions to improve the health outcomes of sex workers in Kampala City, Uganda. Anchored in the Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS) theory, the study adopted a qualitative case study research design. Data were collected between 2022 and 2025 through focus group discussions involving 18 female sex workers, in-depth interviews with healthcare providers and allied health professionals, and document reviews guided by the READ (Readying, Extracting, Analyzing, and Distilling) approach. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were employed to ensure representation from diverse sex work hotspots across Kampala’s central divisions. The collected data were analyzed thematically in alignment with the study objectives. The findings revealed that sex workers primarily sought health information related to HIV and STI prevention and treatment, family planning, safe sex practices, mental health and psychosocial support, and access to non-discriminatory healthcare services. Peer networks, community-based organizations, pharmacies, drop-in centers, and emerging digital platforms were identified as key sources of health information; however, the reliability, accuracy, and consistency of information varied considerably across these sources. Channels of access included informal word-of-mouth communication, mobile health outreach services, and social media platforms, with anonymity, confidentiality, and trust strongly shaping information-seeking behavior. Nonetheless, significant barriers to health information access were identified, including stigma and discrimination within health facilities, fear of arrest and legal repercussions, financial constraints, low literacy levels, misinformation circulating within peer networks, and limited trust in formal health systems. These barriers often compelled sex workers to rely on informal or unregulated information sources, thereby increasing their vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. The study concludes that while community-based and peer-led initiatives play a critical role in facilitating access to health information among sex workers, persistent structural and systemic barriers continue to undermine their effectiveness. To address these gaps, the study recommends integrated and rights-based interventions, including the decriminalization of sex work, expansion of sex-worker-friendly and confidential health services, strengthening of peer education and outreach programs, strategic use of digital health technologies for discreet information dissemination, and targeted capacity-building and sensitization of healthcare providers. These recommendations align with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and contribute to broader national and global efforts toward health equity, social inclusion, and universal health coverage.
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ItemAssessment of compliance with International Records Management Standard ISO-15489-1:2016: a case of Mpigi District Local Government, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025-12-18)This study assessed the compliance of records management practices at Mpigi District Local Government (MDLG) with ISO 15489-1:2016. A qualitative case study design was employed to provide an in-depth understanding of records management practices at the District. The study objectives were to determine the extent of compliance with ISO 15489-1:2016, identify challenges hindering compliance, and propose strategies to enhance records management practices in linewith the ISO 15489-1:2016. Purposive sampling was used to select participants, including the Chief Administrative Officer, Heads of Departments, Records Officer, and Secretaries, who possessed rich experience and insights into MDLG’s records management practices. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and document analysis, and analyzed thematically and interpretatively. Findings revealed that MDLG maintained records in both paper and electronic formats but lacked a comprehensive records management program, policy, budget, guidelines, and procedures. There was limited senior management support, inadequate storage space, poor storage conditions, and a shortage of professional records management staff. The absence of structured programs and policies hindered decision-making and undermined compliance with ISO 15489-1:2016. The study recommended that MDLG should develop comprehensive records management policies, procedures, and guidelines; allocate a dedicated budget for modern storage facilities and equipment; and recruit professional records managers. Establishing a central registry, acquiring adequate equipment and supplies, and investing in up-to-date hardware and software for digitizing records are also crucial. Continuous training and professional development are key to sustaining an effective records management program complying with ISO 15489-1:2016.
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ItemNew Vision newspaper as a source of information for livestock farming: A content analysis( 2025-12-18)This study analyses livestock farming information within the New Vision newspaper, from 2021 to 2022. The purpose of the study was to assess the coverage of livestock information in the New Vision newspaper using a content analysis. The study was guided by three objectives to establish the types of articles published on livestock farming in the New Vision for the period 2021-2022, to examine how information on livestock farming is presented in the New Vision newspaper and to identify gaps in the presentation of information on livestock farming in the New Vision newspaper. This study adopted a content analysis research design to provide new insights into livestock farming information within a newspaper medium for the period 2021-2022. Results of this study revealed that there were eight different categories of articles on livestock farming that were published: advertisements, features, editorials, letters to the editor(s), hard news, opinions and photographs. The study focused on the prevalent use photographs, revealing photos as the most frequently featured theme of livestock information. Remarkably, these visual elements collectively dominated the landscape with a combined total of 158 articles, constituting 51% percent of the livestock content disseminated in the New Vision newspaper. Over the two-year study period, Feeding received the highest space allocation among livestock related topics as it occupied 1,140.7 column centimeters (col.cm). This portrays a notable editorial prioritization. Conversely, Marketing occupied the least amount of space with only 409 col.cms. When compared to popular topics such as politics, which had 18,866.3 col. cms, space allocated to livestock information (9,698 col. cms) was markedly lower. This raises concerns about the adequate coverage of information pertaining to livestock farming, an essential sector of agriculture. The research findings indicate that, the New Vision featured seven distinct article categories, offering a wide range of content that added diversity and variety to its pages. These categories—news stories, feeding, success stories, breeding, marketing, health, and photographs—were carefully crafted to meet the diverse interests and preferences of the readership. It can be concluded that diversification in content is crucial for maintaining reader engagement and preventing monotony and also livestock farming is not given the coverage it deserves due to how generally it is placed in the New Vision newspaper. To address the problem of underrepresentation of livestock information in New Vision publications, the study recommended that the managing editors of New Vision newspaper should prioritize the dissemination of livestock information by featuring it prominently on the front pages of their respective publications or at least regularly utilize front page teasers. It was also recommended that by dedicating prime space on the front pages to livestock topics, the New Vision can effectively highlight the importance of the livestock sector in driving the economy and ensuring food security.
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ItemInformation Literacy Competencies among Postgraduate Students of Business & Development Studies and Agriculture & Environment Faculties of Gulu University: A Comparative Study(Makerere University, 2025-10-16)Information Literacy Competency (ILC) is fundamental knowledge that makes a learner fitfor-purpose when it comes to accessing, and using information in academic environments. Such competencies are especially useful to the postgraduate level students who undertakeresearch work involving complex information-seeking processes. The aim of this researchwas to examine the Information Literacy Competencies of the postgraduate students in the Faculties of Business & Development Studies and Agriculture & Environment in order to determine the information competencies of individuals during their academic learningprocess. The study was guided by four objectives: to identify postgraduate students’information needs, assess the information literacy programs available, evaluate students information literacy competency and identify obstacles incurred in attaining information literacy competency. The study used a case study research design focusing on postgraduate students from three faculties at Gulu University, namely, Health & Allied Sciences, Business & the Social Sciences and Education & Arts. A total of 188 participants filled questionnaires and 8 library staff were interviewed (qualitative data). The findings revealed that students in both faculties have similar information literacy needs, including conducting legal and ethical research, sources and formulating research on academic databases. There was better understanding of the ILC training among Agriculture & Environment studentsthan among Business & Development Studies students, however the latter group of students appeared to be more skilled in terms of source location, evaluation of sources and information usage. Some of the common challenges towards achieving ILC include; lack of skilled human resource that plays a major role in offering adequate training to the students; slow interconnectivity and scarce e-resources. The study concludes that there is no ILC framework at Gulu University. The researcher therefore, recommends: adoption of the proposed Information literacy Competence framework, Improvement in ICT infrastructure, Continuous Professional Development trainings and embedding IL training as a core unit in the curriculum in the different faculties.