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ItemVoter education and youth political participation among youth leaders at Nantional Council Level in Uganda and Kenya(Makerere University, 2025)In Uganda and Kenya, youth have largely been absent from national political decision-making despite the demographic predominance of young people in East Africa, and youth councils and party structures are often little more than tokenistic rather than substantive. This research investigates the influence of voter education on political participation of youth with the national youth council leaders, with three objectives: ways employed in voter education; youth exposure to youth education methods; and the overall impact of voter education on youth political participation. Drawing upon participatory democracy theories, political efficacy and social capital, the research utilizes a sequential mixed-method approach involving surveys and key informant interviews. Results show that a variety of voter education programs are available, with the digital, and social, media being the best followed by traditional media, civic education and community outreach. Regression results show a positive moderate correlation between voter education strategies and youth participation, with the analysis accounting for 26% of the variance in youth participation, and that availability of voter education correlated positively with high levels of electoral knowledge, registration, and mobilisation of the youth. Bernhard et al.’s (2001) finding suggests that it is still far too weak methods. However, its capacity to generate political accountability among young people is still modest. The regressions additionally indicate that voter education by itself is not significant in terms of its direct effect on participation, implying that larger macro-level elements – political trust, economic resources, and institutional trust – may have a greater influence. In theoretical terms, the results provide partial support for political efficacy and participatory democracy literature in that knowledge and exposure do indeed encourage participation, however they also contradict the hope that civic education can redress deeply entrenched power asymmetries. It is found that voter education is necessary but not a sufficient condition for youth friendly meaningful participation at local level and youth representation in local governance can be transformed into genuine democratic representation by coupling civic empowerment, digital engagement & institutional reforms.
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ItemForeign civil engineering firms and Uganda’s investment policy: a case study of Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO)(Makerere University, 2025)This study explores the relationship between foreign civil engineering firms and Uganda’s investment policy, focusing on Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO) as a case study. It investigates the dynamics of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Uganda’s infrastructure development, assesses the effectiveness of the National Investment Policy in regulating FDI, and identifies the primary actors shaping FDI trends in the country. The research adopts a qualitative approach, the study relies on both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, representatives of CICO, and other relevant actors in Uganda’s investment and infrastructure sectors. Secondary data was drawn from government reports, policy documents, and existing literature on foreign direct investment and infrastructure development in Uganda. Anchored in the theoretical frameworks of economic mercantilism and economic liberalism, the study highlights the dual nature of FDI as both an opportunity for economic growth and a challenge for regulatory governance. The first objective of this study is to identify recent trends in foreign direct investment and their implications on infrastructure development in Uganda. By exploring the specific contributions of firms such as CICO, the study assesses the extent to which foreign investments have contributed to the development of Uganda’s roads, energy, and urban infrastructure, which are critical for economic growth and poverty reduction. This section of the study provides an in-depth analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with foreign investments, including technology transfer, employment creation, and infrastructure development, as well as the challenges related to dependency on foreign firms and potential impacts on local industries. The second objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of Uganda's National Investment Policy in regulating foreign direct investments. The analysis of policy effectiveness also highlights the gaps in the regulatory framework that may hinder Uganda from fully benefiting from foreign investments. The third objective focuses on identifying the main actors that shape foreign direct investment in Uganda. Foreign investments in Uganda are shaped by various local and international actors, including government agencies, international financial institutions, multinational corporations, and local businesses. This section explores the role of each actor in the investment process, their interests, and how their actions influence the flow of foreign capital into Uganda. The research concludes that while Uganda’s investment policy provides a framework for attracting FDI, it requires enhancements in regulatory mechanisms to ensure that foreign investments align with sustainable development objectives. Recommendations include strengthening policy enforcement, fostering partnerships with local firms, and addressing the broader implications of FDI on national economic sovereignty.
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ItemLife-skills building and exercise of agency: perceptions of female youth under the uydel youth empowerment program in Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Life skills training for young people has gained global attention, as many challenges faced by youths are linked to inadequate development and application of these life skills. Female youths in Uganda have limited access to essential services such as education and employment, which increases their vulnerability to sexual exploitation and unemployment. To ease accessibility of essential services by vulnerable groups, the Youth Empowerment Project at Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) implemented a life skills program among vulnerable slum youth in three divisions in Kampala-Uganda: Rubaga, Nakawa, and Makindye divisions. This study explored how the life skills program builds agency among female youths who participate in the youth empowerment project. The study was conducted in three purposively selected UYDEL drop-in centres in Kampala City, Uganda. A descriptive qualitative multiple-case study design was employed to explore life-skills building and the exercise of agency among 48 purposively sampled female youths aged 14–24 years participating in the Youth Empowerment Project, alongside seven program artisans and social workers. Data were collected through five focus group discussions, eleven in-depth interviews with female youths, and seven key informant interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted, guided by the socio-ecological model, to examine how individual, interpersonal, organisational, and community-level factors interact to shape female youths’ agency in relation to sexual and reproductive health rights and access to employment opportunities. Findings showed that participation in the life-skills program enhanced female youths’ confidence, decision-making abilities, and capacity to act independently in relation to sexual and reproductive health rights and employment. Participants demonstrated increased agency, including initiating HIV testing, choosing contraceptive use, and selecting vocational paths aligned with personal interests. Life-skills training in communication, goal setting, critical thinking, and financial literacy was identified as a key enabler of agency. However, agency was also constrained by interpersonal and structural barriers such as restrictive parental norms, negative past experiences, and community expectations. Life-skills building within the Uganda Youth Development Link Youth Empowerment Project contributed significantly to the development of agency among female youth. Empowerment was most effective when life-skills training was supported by mentorship, psychosocial support, and enabling family and community environments. The study recommends strengthening parental and community engagement, enhancing follow-up support for program graduates, and integrating structural support mechanisms to sustain gains in agency. Key words: Life skills training, Youth agency, Female youth empowerment, Sexual and reproductive health rights, Employment opportunities
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ItemAccess to livelihood assets, adaptive strategies and livelihood outcomes among refugees in Bidibidi Settlement- Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)This study, guided by its objectives and research questions, analysed access to livelihood assets, coping/adaptability strategies, and livelihood outcomes for refugees in in Bidibidi settlement, Yumbe district, Uganda. To address the research objectives and questions, the study adapted mixed methods of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Although the quantitative analysis emphasized the influence of refugee characteristics on the adoption of these strategies, gender does emerge as the primary explanatory factor for refugees in Bidibidi, Yumbe district. Findings further indicate that refugees in Bidibidi settlement face significant challenges in accessing livelihood assets, resources and often resort to severe coping strategies. The choice of coping strategies influenced by the broader context of their displacement and the individual capacities of the refugees are evident. In line with Refugee hosting theoretical models and Amartya Sen’s Capability Theoretical Approach, the research indicates that restricted access to livelihood resources greatly limits the economic prospects and overall well-being of refugees. While adaptive strategies are crucial, they may fall short of ensuring sustainable livelihoods. The interaction between policy, humanitarian assistance, and the local environment influences livelihood results and outcomes. The degree of integration with the host community affects the refugees' capacity to establish a stable livelihood. This research provided empirical evidence regarding the experiences of refugees and their host communities within the transitional model, emphasizing self-reliance and economic inclusion of Refugees. The study recommends durable solution option for to refugee crisis in not only Uganda but also regionally as seeking refugee status is not a choice but only an adoption for survival in a desperate condition beyond ones control. There is a need to advocate with the government and relevant agencies to address administrative barriers that inhibit refugee livelihoods. It is essential to evaluate whether existing aid programs are effective in fostering self-sufficiency. There is need to formalize the existing land policies within the legislated framework that protects land allocated to refugees, including implementing reforms in the refugee land policies, including land tenure lengths that reflects reflect current good practice for all. Key words: Refugees, Livelihood assets, Livelihood barriers, Livelihood outcomes, Adaptive and copying strategies, Resilience and self-sufficiency,
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ItemFactors underlying repayment of Youth livelihood programme funds in Bushenyi District(Makerere University, 2025-12-22)The Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP) is a Government of Uganda initiative aimed at reducing youth unemployment through three main components; Skills Development, Livelihood Support, and Institutional Support. Youth access YLP funds through organized groups, supporting enterprises such as agriculture, trade, and services. Each group can access loans of up to UGX 18 million, which are refundable within a maximum period of three years. Repayments are interest-free if made within the first year; thereafter, a 5% annual surcharge applies. This study explored factors underlying youth repayment of YLP funds in Kyabugimbi Town Council, Bushenyi District. Specifically, the study aimed at exploring individual, group, and institutional factors underlying YLP funds repayment. The study adopted an exploratory comparative case study design using qualitative data collection methods. Further, data was collected using focus group discussions (three in total), key informants (eight participants), and in-depth interviews (eight participants). The study identified factors underlying the repayment of YLP funds at individual, group, and institutional levels. Facilitating factors included effective group leadership with team-building skills, adequate repayment periods, and high personal commitment among group members. Inhibiting factors included limited training and monitoring by programme officials, overly large or unevenly participating groups that reduced accountability, and lack of personal financial management skills among some youth. The study concluded that it is important for the youth to have thorough training and be monitored to achieve better performance in their enterprises, which enables timely repayment of borrowed funds. It recommends that the bottom-up approach be adopted while designing further implementation strategies. Similarly, the number of members per group should be reduced to enable active participation of members and optimum benefit from the programme.