School of Built Environment (SBE) Collections

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    Factors influencing the implementation of the Uganda National Land Information System in Kampala and Wakiso Ministry Zonal Offices
    (Makerere University, 2026) Nyangkori, Maurice
    Land information systems are central to land sector reforms worldwide, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, tenure security, and service delivery. In many developing countries, the transition from manual to digital land systems has delivered benefits, yet implementation encounters institutional, financial, technological, and social constraints. In Uganda, the Government has implemented the Uganda National Land Information System as part of land governance reforms to digitize records, streamline services, and reduce fraud. Despite this progress, concerns persist regarding effectiveness in high-demand service environments. The Kampala and Wakiso Ministry Zonal Offices, which handle a large share of land transactions, continue to face challenges related to governance arrangements, sustainability of funding, reliability of information and communications technology infrastructure, and inclusiveness of stakeholder participation. These challenges raise questions about the system’s ability to deliver land administration outcomes. This study examined the factors influencing the implementation of the Uganda National Land Information System in Kampala and Wakiso, with particular focus on governance, budgetary support, information and communications technology infrastructure, and stakeholder involvement. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was adopted. Stratified random sampling ensured representation of key staff categories and external user groups. Purposive sampling targeted respondents with specialized knowledge and experience. The study involved 52 internal staff from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and 170 external users, including surveyors, valuers, lawyers, planners, and landowners. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings indicate that governance structures provide an oversight framework, but centralized decision-making limits responsiveness at ministry zonal offices. Budgetary support remains donor-dependent, information and communications technology infrastructure faces reliability constraints, and stakeholder engagement is uneven. The study concludes that the Uganda National Land Information System has advanced land administration but remains institutionally and financially fragile.
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    A GIS assessment of the effect of uncontrolled urbanisation on ECO system services in Wakiso, Uganda : a case study of Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Sitenda, Nicodemus Magulu
    This study investigated the trend of the LULC and variation of ESV in Kyengera Town Council using remote sensing data for twenty years, from 2000 to 2020. Also, the study clearly states the importance of remote sensing and satellite images in quantifying land cover changes and ecosystem conservation that was covered in the objectives of the study. The study area was centred and rotated on Kyengera Town Council situated along Kampala – Masaka road and its headquarters are located at Nsangi – Mukono in Nsangi parish, approximately 15km from Kampala Capital City Authority. The primary data included GPS coordinates picked to aid in accuracy assessment and field photos and the tools used included, Google Earth Engine, ENVI software, Arc GIS and Microsoft office for the tasks summarized; also, those tools were used to extract urbanization and vegetation cover data. The methodology used mainly included the pre-processing methods that were done to remove flaws and deficiencies in the images due to atmospheric and electric noise and, included operations such as atmospheric and radiometric corrections, tasseled cap and PCA. LULC change was being driven by a combination of factors, including growing urban populations and their livelihoods, unplanned urban settlement, transportation congestion, air pollution, unmanaged solid waste disposal, and global climate change. Also, the findings of this study suggested the current value of ecosystem services; also suggested that policymakers should consider the regional heterogeneity of ES supply and the gradient analysis for a more accurate definition of ES supply. However, the study provided the new insight into variation in ESV in the region over the past 20 years of the study period. In summary, the study recommended the integrating nature-based solutions in urban development plans, policies, and financial support for implementing smart interventions; some of the recommended plans were green roof space, rainwater harvesting, sufficient use of clean and green energy, and plantation in available spaces at large scales with the active participation of communities and coordination with governmental bodies to enhance the ecosystem services by increasing LULC dynamics. The results of this study were useful in land use, and land cover model analysis tests alternate approaches for the determination how they (land use, and land cover model analysis tests) affected the ecosystem. ESV calculation was a conclusive and suitable method for valuing the ecosystem in terms of money, giving the scientific foundation for directing the policies.
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    An assessment of quality management practices for corrective actions on Uganda’s public construction projects: a case study of Kampala City
    (Makerere University, 2026) Mawanda, Dennis
    Recurring nonconformances and quality deficiencies on public construction projects have been a challenge in developing countries like Uganda. These quality issues adversely affect the projects’ success by leading to cost over runs, delays, increased wastages, reworks, client dissatisfaction as well as health and safety threats towards the users and environment. The recurrence of these quality issues raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of quality management practices for corrective actions. Therefore, this research delved into assessing the quality management practices for corrective actions on public construction projects in Kampala City, Uganda, with the aim of developing a framework for their effective implementation. The research assessed the current quality management practices for corrective actions, the challenges inhibiting their effective implementation, as well as the key performance indicators and critical success factors for their effectiveness on public construction projects. The study mainly employed a quantitative research method using an electronically distributed survey questionnaire as the research instrument. A total of two hundred and nineteen responses were obtained from construction professionals working on public construction projects within Kampala. The respondents were selected mainly using the stratified random sampling technique and supplemented by purposive sampling. The data collected were analysed using mean item score, standard deviation, crosstabulation, analysis of variance, relative importance index, exploratory factor analysis and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the five most significant quality management practices for corrective actions were having mechanisms in place for quick detection of quality deficiencies, conducting root cause analysis for all major quality deficiencies, documentation of quality deficiencies and corrective actions, having clear measures in place to identify and segregate nonconforming items, and issuance and sharing of non-conformance reports with responsible stakeholders. The study further identified challenges inhibiting effective quality management practices for corrective actions, as well as the key performance indicators and the critical success factors for effective quality management practices for corrective actions. The study recommends strengthening independence of quality management teams, adoption of the developed framework, adopting online documentation and reporting platforms, establishing documented timelines and escalation protocols for corrective actions as well as enforcing stringent anti-corruption policies to improve quality performance of public construction projects.
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    Assessing the impact of thermal insulation on gaseous emissions in traditional brick kilns
    (Makerere University, 2025) Kakuru, Esau
    Globally, brick production relies heavily on traditional kiln technologies that depend on biomass and coal as primary fuels. These fuels, mainly composed of cellulose and other carbon compounds, release significant greenhouse gases during combustion. Under sufficient oxygen supply, complete combustion produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) as the primary by-product, but at the expense of increased fuel consumption. Conversely, inadequate oxygen supply reduces CO₂ emissions but increases carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), this trade-off has made thermal insulation an important strategy for moderating oxygen infiltration, improving heat retention, and influencing emission patterns in traditional kilns. This study investigated the impact of thermal insulation on gaseous emissions, focusing on CO₂, CO, NOₓ, nitric oxides, and flue gas temperature. A Quantitative research design was employed with three objectives: (i) to characterize thermal insulation used in traditional brick kilns, (ii) to determine emissions from thermally insulated kilns, (iii) to assess the effect of insulation on emission concentrations and flue gas temperature. From a sample of 73 kilns, 62 kilns with varying insulation thicknesses (10–235 mm) of mud and brick mortared insulation were selected. Emissions were measured using calibrated gas analyzers supported by a one-square-meter flux chamber, while supplementary data were collected through interviews and observations. Statistical analyses were applied to examine relationships between insulation thickness, emission concentrations, and flue gas temperature. The results of this study show a statistically significant negative relationship between insulation thickness and CO₂ emissions, with optimal reduction (86.36%) observed at 150 mm thickness using brick mortared insulation. However, this point also corresponded with increased CO and NOₓ emissions, suggesting incomplete combustion at lower internal temperatures due to cracks and falloffs in the insulating layer. Insulation thickness further showed a significant effect on flue gas temperature, confirming its role in modifying combustion dynamics. The study concludes that thermal insulation, while effective in reducing CO₂ emissions in traditional brick kilns, may inadvertently elevate other pollutant gases. These findings highlight the need for integrated kiln design approaches that balance thermal retention with combustion control. By addressing this trade-off, artisanal brick production can become both more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable.