Different techniques to monitor the air quality have been undertaken in Uganda. These include air visual monitors, air quality phone application, etc. The existing real time station for air quality monitoring involves the use of large, fixed monitoring stations which are very costly to set up (over $150,000). High operating and maintenance costs result as well. In addition, this station only monitors air quality for Kampala neglecting other parts of the country. In the recent development of the Unmanned Ariel Vehicle (UAV), a multirotor UAV suitable for air quality monitoring due to a much better spatial resolution of the air quality index, and variation of the pollutant heights was achieved. The project aimed mainly at developing the mechanical design of the UAV. The specific objectives of the project were to design the different mechanical components of the UAV, simulate and optimize the design under different conditions, construct the prototype of the UAV and lastly evaluating the performance of the constructed prototype. In the methodology, a chronological approach to the theoretical analysis of the methods applied to achieve the design was followed. Typically, it encompassed concepts such as paradigm, theoretical model, phases and quantitative or qualitative techniques. Four steps were followed to achieve the methodology chapter and these included; explaining the methodology approach, introducing the overall approach to the design process, describe the methods of data collection, describe the methods of analysis, evaluate and justify the methodological choices. This report presents the Design and Construction of Unmanned Ariel Vehicle for urban air quality monitoring in Uganda. The developed quadcopter UAV has an Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene frame (ABS), with a payload of 1.1Kg and powered by a battery with 5000mA hours. The UAV is equipped with a Nova (Particulate Matter) PM sensor, a microprocessor, and the flight controllers that are a suitable for autonomous flights. The UAV was tested by flying it in an open environment with normal atmospheric conditions. The UAV was laid on an open ground, powered using the power button on the joy stick, then it was given a throttle force to lift it up vertically to a certain altitude of about 8m, and here the PM nova sensor and the microprocessor were active and connected to the online database. The PM sensor measured the levels of PM and the raw data per second was sent directly to the database in form of graphs which was later converted into air quality indices.

Road transport is the dominant mode of transport in Uganda and accounts for over 90% of cargo freight and passenger movement. In the last decade, greater Kampala metropolitan area has contributed to half of all road crashes in Uganda, with 22% of fatal crashes occurring in the city. However, in 2016 this figure fell to 44% of all crashes and to 19% of all fatalities occurring in the city. The police report attributes this high crash rate mainly to reckless driving and congestion. (United Nations, 2018). Accidents in Uganda have claimed a great number of people’s lives, left others helpless and disabled with severe injuries. According to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda has about 600,000 registered vehicles 60% of which ply the roads in Kampala alone. The high number of vehicles coupled with the annual average population growth rate of 3% (UBOS, 2018) has led to the sprouting of Trading Centers along the roads in Kampala. This has led to an increase in the number of accidents as cited in a World Health Organisation report on road safety in 2018 that listed Uganda as one of the countries with the highest traffic death rates estimated at 29 car deaths per 100,000 population (WHO, 2018). This research was conducted to assess the impact of speed reduction measures on improving road safety at Trading Centers in Kampala. An observation schedule was used to establish the extent to which these speed reduction measures exist along Trading Centers in Kampala and 44% was representative of the extent to which these measures exist. Estimating the level of compliance to these measures was done by analyzing speeds for 100 vehicles at each of the trading centers where the speed reduction measures were present. The Accident Severity Index was then calculated and compared to the percentage adherence and it was noted that in places where the adherence was high, the number of vehicle accidents recorded was lower than that recorded at those trading centers with low adherence or compliance to speed reduction measures. The frequency of accidents with and without these measures was done by collecting secondary data from police stations across Kampala. This data showed that trading centers without speed reduction measures have a higher number of accidents than those where these measures are present. Key Words: Speed Reduction measures, Trading Centers, Accidents, Road Safety

Back in the 1980s there was calamity with more than 30% of Ugandans had contracted the HIV virus. About 2012 with the presence of ARVs, the Uganda `AIDS Commission observed a reduction in the number of HIV positive Ugandans from 1.4 million to 1.3 million. The study conducted a cross-sectional, observational study of 118 HIV-infected patients who were receiving antiretroviral therapy at TASO Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (Jinja). The intervention measured the prevalence of viral suppression during an open prospective HIV Rural Clinical Cohort (RCC) in Busoga region. Chi-square tests (2) were used to compare categorical data, and Student’s t test was used to compare continuous variables. P values of .05 were considered to be statistically significant. Logistic regression models assessed variables associated with undetectable viral load (1400 copies/ mL). The study revealed that access to the ARVs in the rural areas of the country is still a problem, most of the people succumb to death simply because they are out of reach, the insufficient ARVs are found at government national and regional referrals yet most people far away from town find it difficult to acquire them. Fear of disclosure and stress with the associated nutrition related effects of lack of balanced diet, having multiple sexual partners, unprotected sex, language barriers during counseling session were found to be common among the youths.

The Batwa in Uganda are an indigenous population who are extremely vulnerable to food insecurity, induced by among others low crop production, following their displacement from their native homeland. While much is known about the influence of socio-economic factors on Batwa crop production, little is known about the biophysical land attributes. The aim of this study was to contribute to this knowledge gap. The study examined the role of selected biophysical factors on crop production in the Batwa settlements. Primary data was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, and supplemented with secondary data from digital thematic maps, satellite imagery and statistics from relevant institutions. Findings revealed the biophysical factors considered in the study to contribute significantly to crop production (p=0.0129, Adjusted R2 = 0.9372). The study offers a starting point to understand the influence of biophysical factors on crop production and consequently food security in the Batwa settlements. In order to enhance crop production in the settlements, further research on the impact on production of more variables, in addition to those considered in this study, will be essential. Keywords: Batwa, biophysical land quality, crop production, GIS and remote sensing

Diarrhea is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five following acute respiratory infection and is also an important cause of malnutrition. Diarrheal diseases can be caused by numerous pathogens and transmitted through multiple vehicles due to poor hygiene practices. Persons living in developing countries with poor access to safe water, sanitation or hygiene infrastructure have increased risk of exposure to viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens that can cause diarrheal diseases. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices towards prevention and management of malnutrition due to diarrhea in children 0 to 59 months in Kibisi village, Luwero district. The study focused on the prevention and management of diarrhea as a measure for malnutrition. The study was a cross sectional study design by knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) questionnaire involving 200 mothers /caregivers. Data was collected by employing pre-tested interviewer administered knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire. Interviews were done with randomly selected mothers /caregivers. Important findings of this study included the following; health centers were the main source of information about diarrheal management and prevention, more than half of respondents (78%) believed that diarrhea is caused by teething, only 57.5% respondents knew the right dilution of 1 sachet of ORS in 1 liter of safe water and only 36 % of the caregivers sought for medical attention whenever their children had diarrhea. The study recommends more funding to be provided to health centers to improve patient education and counselling programs through purchasing of materials needed, employing more health workers and facilitating outreaches. The study further recommends that more research should be conducted to discover the barriers faced by caregivers in the management and prevention of diarrhea as caregivers were knowledgeable and had good attitudes towards use of Oral Rehydration Solution but its use was still poor.

Objectives: This study aimed at exploring the perspectives of people living with HIV at Masaka regional referral hospital considering the factors that facilitate adherence, hindrances to adherence and the coping strategies adopted to improve adherence to ART among HIV patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design utilizing in-depth personal interviews as well as focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Respondents were selected purposively and sample size determined following the principle of data saturation. Individual face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with twentythree people living with HIV, key informant interviews with two health workers, and two focus group discussions with people living with HIV/AIDS. Data were analyzed and presented into themes. Separation from spouse, inability to accept the results, side effects and disconnection from family members were the experiences of people living with HIV six months after initiation on ART. Findings: Factors such as education level, the kind of job they did, support from the social networks, the amount of money they received monthly and their interaction with the healthy workers enabled them to adhere on ART. However, lack of food, access to transport, drug related side effects, stigma and discrimination had a negative impact on their adherence. Encouraging clients to engage in income generating activities, social support system empowerment, engagement in adherence counseling and improvement in the working relationship with the clients were some of the coping mechanisms adopted to promote and improve adherence among patients at the hospital. Conclusion: More emphasis should be put on deriving ways to promote sustained adherence on ART among people living with HIV with social support prioritized.

Introduction: There is low contraceptive use in Africa at 33% inspite of the fact that about 214 million women who are not using contraception want to avoid pregnancy. In Uganda, modern contraceptive uptake is at 35% resulting in unwanted or unplanned pregnancies that are closely spaced which increases morbidity and mortality among children and mothers. Contraceptive uptake at 6 weeks postpartum is encouraged but it is not very effective since there is low attendance of this visit. Additionally, some women may have become sexually active by the 6th week visit leading to early conception. Objectives: This study sought to determine contraceptive uptake in the immediate postpartum period and the associated factors among women delivering at Kawempe Hospital. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional study design where 397 women aged 18 to 49 years were recruited using systematic random sampling. The women who were discharged within 72 hours after delivery were considered. Data collection was done using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was double entered into EpiData version 4.2 and analyzed using STATA version 13. Results: We enrolled 397 participants. Their mean age range was 18-45 years and a median of 25 years (IQR 22, 30). Majority of the participants, 333(83.88%), were married and 177 (44.58%) were housewives or unemployed. Contraceptive uptake in the immediate postpartum period among these participants was 15.4% (61/397). The factors independently associated with immediate postpartum contraceptive uptake were grand multiparity (aOR=2.57; 95% CI: 1.11 – 5.95; p=0.028), cesarean delivery (aOR=2.63; 95% CI: 1.24 – 5.57; p=0.011), and prior contraceptive counseling during Antenatal (aOR=9.05; 95% CI: 2.65 – 30.93; p=<0.001). Conclusion: There was a 15.4% contraceptive uptake among immediate postpartum women which is very low. The factors independently associated with immediate postpartum contraceptive uptake were grand multiparity, caesarean section and prior contraceptive counseling during antenatal care. Efforts need to be made to improve contraceptive uptake among immediate postpartum mothers such that the high unmet need for contraception is reduced and short inter- pregnancy intervals are controlled.

Anemia remains a public health problem globally and most especially in developing countries. Iron and folic acid supplementation is recommended by the Ministry of Health, Uganda as a preventative measure against anemia among pregnant women. However despite such efforts to control anemia especially during pregnancy, this public health problem has continued to persist leading to increased morbidity and mortality. There has been limited study on the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding Iron and Folic acid Supplementation among pregnant women in the study area. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding Iron and Folic acid Supplementation among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Kira Municipality health centers. A health facility based cross sectional study was carried out in three different health centers in Kira Municipality. A total of 105 pregnant women seeking Antenatal Care were selected by systematic random sampling and data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding IFAS was collected using an interviewer administered and structured questionnaire. Qualitative data was collected by conducting in-depth key informant interviews with the health workers. Quantitative data was then entered into SPSS (statistical package of social science) version 26 and analyzed. Results: of the 105 pregnant women that were interviewed, majority(58.1%) were between 18-25 years. 82.9% of them reported having heard about iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy with health workers being the main source of information for 60% of the women, 56.2% reported having heard about anemia and 58.1% knew that they were at a risk of anemia. Most of them (90.5%) agreed to take iron and folic acid supplements for their future pregnancies. 61.9% of them were taking these supplements for their current pregnancy. Major constraints that were faced by the pregnant women included forgetfulness and stock-outs at the health facility. Conclusion and recommendations: This study found that majority of the women had heard about IFAS during pregnancy, however half of the women started taking these supplements after the first month of pregnancy yet supplementation is supposed to begin prior to conception as per the MoH, Uganda guidelines. There is need to increase awareness and positive perception about the importance of these supplements to the mother and her child and counsel women about the urgent need to start supplementation as early as possible. Gestational age of current pregnancy was significantly associated with intake of these supplements hence there is need to counsel encourage women to continue taking these supplements regardless of gestational age.

Yaka metering system includes a Customer interface unit (CIU) that is easily accessible on the user premises. Upon any payment, a 20-digit token MUST be entered to have units loaded into the meter. The process of entering a 20-digit token number is a challenge to users as it requires their physical presence to enter the 20-digits. Where one requires remote entry of the tokens to activate the units bought, it is currently impossible as tokens require physical presence at the CIU. To bring convenience to the users, we have developed a GSM based a Yaka-meter activation system that doesn‟t require user to input the 20-digit token number on CIUs. The meter ensures that upon any payment, the 20 digit token is automatically loaded into the meter through a mobile platform.

Cloud radio access network (CRAN) architecture has emerged as a transformative ar-chitecture for the next generation of mobile cellular networks. Unlike in traditional radio access networks (RANs) where baseband units (BBUs) are distributed in base station (BS) sites, in CRANs they are centralized at a single shared site known as the BBU pool leaving only remote radio heads (RRH) at the BS sites. Centralizing BBUs in CRAN is associated with advantages like reduced interference between BS sites, improved spectral e ciency and it requires less set up time. However, the fronthaul link between the RRHs and the BBU pool is usually long such that signals moving between the BBU pool and the RRHs experience high fronthaul link latencies. The fronthaul links in CRAN there-fore need to be made shorter by bringing BBUs closer to the RRHs in order to reduce the time signals spend while moving between the RRHs and the BBU pool. This can be achieved by deploying edge clouds in cloud radio access networks. Edge clouds are distributed within the radio access network, therefore placing the BBUs in edge clouds can reduce the length of the fronthaul links thus reducing on the fronthaul link latencies. This thesis aims at developing an algorithm that is capable of optimizing location of edge clouds with BBUs in cloud radio access network so as to lower the fronthaul link latencies. Furthermore, this thesis investigates how the optimally placed edge clouds with BBUs are utilized. Moreover, power consumed by BBUs in edge clouds and cost of setting up the CRAN with edge clouds were also investigated. Particularly, a nonlinear edge cloud location optimization problem was formulated and solved by fuzzy c-means and heuristic genetic based algorithms. Simulation results show that with planned and optimal placement of BBU in CRAN, the overall fronthaul link length, latencies and cost of ownership are desirably lower than those experienced when the BBUs are placed at a centralized location. Results also show that there is an optimal number of edge clouds required for every size of CRAN depending on the capacity of the edge clouds used and the remote radio head density. In this thesis, results also show that response time ex-perienced by user equipment nearer to the baseband units in edge clouds, is less than that experienced by user equipment far away from the baseband units. Simulation results further reveal that baseband units placed in edge clouds are more e ciently utilized than those placed at a centralized location.