Gulu University

Hybrid nanofluids have attracted significant attention due to their enhanced thermal performance in engineering applications. This study numerically investigates the effects of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), Joule heating, thermal radiation, heat source, and nanoparticle volume fractions on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of a copper–titanium dioxide/sodium alginate (Cu–TiO₂/SA) hybrid nanofluid over a Darcy–Forchheimer porous shrinking sheet using the non-Newtonian Reiner–Philippoff model. The governing partial differential equations were transformed into ordinary differential equations via similarity transformations and solved using the MATLAB bvp4c solver. Dual solutions were obtained for the shrinking case, and stability analysis confirmed that the first solution is physically stable. The results indicate that increasing nanoparticle concentration enhances fluid viscosity and skin friction while slightly reducing the heat transfer rate due to the dominance of conductive heat transport. The Cu–TiO₂/SA hybrid nanofluid enhances heat transfer by 34.2

Compliance with maize grades and standards remains a significant challenge in Uganda, particularly among smallholder farmers. Despite the guidelines established by the East African Grain Council, adherence within local markets remains limited. Understanding the factors that influence the awareness and adoption of maize grading is crucial for enhancing market quality and improving farmer incomes. This study examined the determinants of smallholder farmers’ awareness, utilization, and intensity of use of recommended maize grades and standards in northern Uganda. Primary data were collected from 270 farmers through a cross-sectional survey using multistage sampling. Probit regression and the Heckman two-stage econometric model were used to identify factors influencing farmers’ awareness, adoption, and degree of compliance with maize grading standards. The results indicated that awareness and utilization of maize grades and standards were generally low, with only 40.4

BACKGROUND:Hunger and malnutrition are major global issues particularly in conflict and disaster-affected areas. Own food production has been considered as effective strategy to improve nutrition outcomes. However, evidence on its contribution to dietary diversity and nutrient intake adequacy, especially in refugee settings with limited access to land remains limited. This study assessed the contribution of own food production to dietary diversity and nutrient intake adequacy among refugees in Palorinya settlement, northwestern Uganda. METHODS:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 316 randomly selected households in Palorinya refugee settlement, northwestern Uganda. Current household dietary diversity score (HDDS) was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall of food groups consumed. Nutrient intake adequacy was estimated using food composition tables based on annual food production and consumption. Poisson regression with robust standard errors and multiple linear regression were employed to identify factors associated with current HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Beta coefficients with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. RESULTS:Own food production greatly contributed to vegetable consumption (85.0%) but was low for animal-sourced foods (3% for milk/dairy products; 7.5% for meat). Own food production contributed minimally to nutrient intake adequacy, with most households falling short of annual recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for calcium (100%), iron (95%), zinc and protein (95.2%), and energy (99%). Education level, access to agricultural land, and kitchen garden were key predictors of both HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Additionally, size of agricultural, household income and occupation also influenced HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. CONCLUSION:Own food production contributes moderately to dietary diversity and minimally to nutrient intake adequacy. Education level, land access, and kitchen gardening play important roles in shaping HDDS and nutrient intake adequacy. Interventions should focus on promoting kitchen gardening, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and improving refugee land policy to enhance nutrient intake in refugee settlements.

There is dual endemicity of malaria and helminthic infections in low- and middle-income countries. Coinfection with both infectious diseases may have compounding negative effects on the health of school-aged children (SAC) in endemic areas. The prevalence of coinfection with malaria and intestinal helminths, including soil-transmitted helminths, Schistosoma mansoni, and Hymenolepis nana, was assessed among SAC in rural northern Uganda. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted at four randomly selected schools from June 2 to June 10, 2025 in Nwoya District, Uganda. Children aged 5-18 years provided stool and blood samples, and were surveyed to assess demographic, environmental, and health-related factors. Intestinal helminth diagnosis was performed using a modified Kato-Katz method (Odongo-Aginya stain); malaria was detected using Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) histidine-rich protein 2 rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and blood smears. Overall, 190 SAC with a median age of 13 years were enrolled. Although 75.3% (n = 143) of SAC tested positive for P. falciparum on an RDT, only 13.2% (n = 25) had microscopically detected parasitemia. Intestinal helminth infections were uncommon and involved Ascaris lumbricoides (0.5%; n = 1), Hymenolepis nana (1.6%; n = 3), and Schistosoma mansoni (1.1%; n = 2). All SAC with intestinal helminth infections (3.2%; n = 6) had positive malaria RDT results. The high rate of malaria RDT positivity with negative blood smears may be due to persistent antigenemia post-treatment or false negative blood smear results due to chronic low-grade parasitemia. The low rate of malaria-helminth coinfection among SAC observed in the present study is supported by other recent studies in Uganda and suggests a high efficacy of national mass drug administration programming for the control of intestinal helminths.

The rise of agricultural financial technology, particularly mobile banking, has effectively improved food security and profits for resource-poor agri-entrepreneurs often ignored by traditional banks. However, in regions like northern Uganda with limited formal banking infrastructure, mobile banking adoption remains low. This study explores how institutional and technological factors influence mobile banking adoption among agri-entrepreneurs in northern Uganda, using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). It addresses research gaps centered on individual behaviors, emphasizing the need to understand the broader contextual factors at play. A cross-sectional study design was employed, collecting primary data through a structured questionnaire from 480 randomly selected agri-entrepreneurs. Data analysis was conducted using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Process Macro regression techniques in SPSS version 25. The findings reveal that awareness is the most significant direct factor influencing mobile banking adoption (c’ = 0.3238). Knowledge dissemination (ab = 0.2514) and sustainability (ab = 0.3324) have indirect effects through perceived usefulness. Key enablers include user protection (ab = 0.3833) and coordination (ab = 0.2910), while training has a smaller but significant indirect effect (ab = 0.1580). Perceived ease of use also shows a strong total effect (c = 0.4413, p < 0.001), primarily mediated by perceived usefulness. To encourage mobile banking adoption, this study emphasizes the importance of investing in awareness campaigns and knowledge-sharing initiatives, as well as implementing reforms to improve coordination, user protection and trust. It recommends policies focused on sustainable infrastructure and customized training programs for agri-entrepreneurs. By integrating institutional and technological factors into TAM, the study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding digital financial adoption in underserved regions. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders are crucial for raising awareness, building trust, and improving technological accessibility for agri-entrepreneurs. This study establishes a foundation for exploring gendered adoption patterns, regional variations, and the long-term effects of these factors.