Banana is a very important crop in the world including East Africa. Bananas are a staple food to 16 million people in Uganda, and 75% of all farmers in Uganda grow bananas. The main objective of the study was to carry out value chain analysis of cooking bananas in Wakiso district. The specific objectives were; 1) to identify the main players in the banana value chain, 2) to identify the challenges faced by value chain actors involved in cooking banana, 3) to determine the profitability of marketing cooking type bananas. Data were collected from 60 respondents who were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics and gross margins analysis were used in analyzing the data, Using SPSS and EXCEL programs. The results indicated that the major players in the banana value chain are wholesalers, processors, bicycle hawkers, brokers, lorry traders and retailers being the majority. The study showed that value chain actors faced several challenges which included low banana prices, perishability of bananas, high competition from other food crops, fluctuating banana prices, poor climatic conditions, long distance to the market, low demand of bananas, unfavorable season, long distance to the farmers, high taxes and lack of proper means to transport bananas to the market. Results indicated that on average, famers earn a gross margin of 3000 shillings per bunch, retailers receive 5000 shillings per bunch, processor receive 2000 shillings per bunch, bicycle hawkers receive 4000 shillings per bunch, brokers and lorry traders receive 3000 shillings per bunch as their gross margins per bunch. The overall marketing margin was 22000 shillings per bunch. The study recommends that the government subsidizes farmers to reduce the cost of inputs thus reducing the cost of production. In addition, value addition should be encouraged among farmers to reduce on the bananas lost due to perishability. Infrastructural development to ease movement of bananas from farmers to the market is also key. Farmer associations should lobby for their respective member farmers and jointly procure inputs and materials to share the costs thus improve the profitability of the business.

There is vast academic literature on the determinants of out of pocket health care expenditure focusing on developed and low developed countries, however little is known about these factors in Uganda’s perspective and much worse, how these determinants vary across areas of residence, that is; among individuals living in rural versus those residing in urban areas of Uganda. This study attempts to fill this gap in literature by using a random effects model as an estimation strategy to analyze data from the Uganda National Panel Surveys of 2011/2012; 2013/2014 and 2015/2016. These panels are merged to cover a sample of 2,130 households that incurred out of pocket health care expenditure. The study examines socio-economic determinants of out of pocket health care expenditure in Uganda. Furthermore, it explorers whether and to what extent these determinants vary across areas of residence (that is: among rural versus urban residents). Findings indicate that: age, level of education (that is, those with some secondary, completed secondary and post-secondary or degree as their highest level of education), distance to the nearest health facility, gender (being female), household size and area of residence (that is, urban) had a positive and statistically significant effect on out of pocket health care expenditure in Uganda. On the other hand, marital status (that is, never married); and the region (that is eastern and Northern) had a negative and statistically significant relationship with out of pocket health care expenditure. Differences between rural versus urban residents are noted with regard to the effect of age and the level of education on out of pocket health care expenditure where these factors were found to affect only rural resident but not those in the urban settings. The following policy recommendations can be drawn from the finding. a) the need to develop innovative ways to reduce the financial burden on households, particularly for those in rural areas, to improve equity in access to health care services and improve financial protection; b) households having elderly members and those large in size should be exempted from paying some of the healthcare expenditures; c) policies that ensure that households have access to health care at subsidized cost or at no costs at all, these should particularly cover female headed households.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of exchange rate volatility on export trade in Uganda. The data used was annual secondary time series obtained from World Bank website (development indicators) The dependent variable of the study was Export Trade whereas Exchange rate, inflation, Exchange rate Volatility, GDP and investment were the independent variables. Analytically, the study generated an Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Model after testing for unit root using the two tests; Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Philips Perron (PP) unit root tests. The results from the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Model did not suffer from the problems of spurious regression, heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation based on the post-estimation tests carried out which included Breusch-Godfrey Serial Correlation LM Test and Durbin Watson Test for serial correlation and Ramsey RESET test for Omitted variables The findings of the study indicate that Exchange rate volatility was found to a significant negative effect on exports in Uganda. It was also found out that though the appreciation of the exchange rate was observed to have a positive effect on export trade which could be attributed to gains accrued by exporters who strive to take advantage of the higher prices offered by the market The implication of these findings is that government of Uganda should invest in hedging facilities and institutions so as to protect the risk averse export traders from the market uncertainties. Furthermore, the government should create incentives such as export subsidies in order to promote export trade

Access to Antenatal care (ANC) reduces maternal mortality and improves health outcomes. Developing countries like Uganda follow the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of four ANC visits within the first four months of pregnancy and at least four or more ANC visits during the course of an uncomplicated pregnancy. The study aimed at; a) Examining factors that determine access of ANC services in Uganda, b) Investigating the significant predictors of accessing ANC services four or more times during pregnancy. The 2016 UDHS data was analyzed using STATA 13.0 for 10,156 women, with significant predictors of women accessing ANC services four or more times defined by socio-economic factors such as; age, highest education level, type of place of residence, marital status, wealth index, and parity. Cross tabulations were used to investigate variations in ANC access across socio-economic groups, while the in-depth multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine socio-economic factors which influence access to ANC services. The socio-economic factors significantly associated to accessing ANC services four or more times, were; younger women, the highly educated, living in urban areas, being married, from a household belonging to the highest wealth quintile and women who had had four or fewer children in the past. The results of this study suggest that; interventions to increase accessibility and availability of maternal health services are important, particularly for women from rural communities and hard to reach areas, improving the quality and capacity of the health care providers, as well as extending financial support to enable women in the lowest wealth quintile access and use health care services. Maternal health promotion programs targeting mothers with low education are important in increasing awareness about the importance of accessing ANC services.

In spite of the wave of liberalization and trade reforms undertaken during the last two decades, the debate, among economists, assessing the impact of trade openness on economic growth is still open. Some economists argue that a higher degree of trade openness induces economic growth, while others argue that protectionism rather than openness leads to increased economic growth. However, there is a general consensus that the impact of trade openness varies by country, region, size and level of development. Over the past two decades, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries have increasingly integrated in World trade. However, this hasn’t translated into high levels of economic growth. The aim of this paper is to contribute to this debate by proposing a more elaborated way of investigating the impact of trade openness on economic growth taking into account additional dimensions of SSA countries. This study used the Generalized Methods of Moments (GMM) technique to analyze panel data of 20 SSA countries as most explanatory variables are likely to be jointly endogenous with economic growth, our results confirm that SSA countries are highly integrated in world trade indicated by a high trade openness index of the magnitude 67.8. The maximum trade openness index is 152.6 while the minimum is 19.2. This implies that in some cases, there is a big gap between trade openness of some countries compared to others. Trade openness, physical capital, and human capital were found to have a positive significant effect on economic growth, while population growth and inflation had a negative significant effect on growth. Thus there is need to facilitate access to the export market for new exporters, through export promotion agencies for example as aid for trade to increase on investments and savings hence capital formation which stimulates economic growth, and in particular aid for building productive capacity, and capital formation intends to focus on these matters, therefore, there is need to diversify on exports to increase the volume of trade. Governments of SSA countries should strengthen their macroeconomic management.

This study examined the effectiveness of Uganda’s Anti-Terrorism legal regime in providing adequate remedies to victims of terrorism in Uganda. The study was specifically guided by three objectives namely: to explore the legal and policy frame work for combating terrorism and protection of the rights of victims of terrorism; to appraise the adequacy of remedies provided under the law for victims of terrorism in Uganda; and to recommend a victim centered approach in addressing terrorism cases. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey design. The study employed only qualitative methods of data collection. Data was collected using interview guides through in-depth interviews with 22 highly placed and experienced respondents that included: members of the Uganda Police Force; members of the Directorate of Public Prosecution; the Victims’ counsel at the International Crimes Division of the High Court; members of the bench comprising the judges who participated in the 2010 bombing case in different capacities (one of them being the current Chief Justice); the victims of the 2010 Kampala-Uganda twin bombing case; members of the Academia; and Human Rights defenders. Documentary analysis of the Anti-Terrorism laws was done to examine the adequacy of legal provisions relating to provision of remedies to victims of terrorism in Uganda. The study findings reveal that at the international level there is an aggressive fight against terrorism marked by the passing of numerous binding International Conventions and UN Resolutions proscribing various acts of terrorism. However, none of them specifically provides for remedies to victims of the terrorist acts that they prohibit except the meagre provision under the Hostage Taking Convention which only imposes an obligation on a State in whose territory a hostage is held to take all appropriate measures to secure the release of the hostage and to facilitate his or her departure. In the same vein, it is revealed that the fight against terrorism in Uganda is dominated by the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002 (as amended) but the remedies to victims of terrorism are limited to arrest, prosecution and punishment of offenders which cannot be considered as adequate in a modern society. The study concludes that the fight against terrorism both internationally and in Uganda is good as it is grounded on a very strong legal regime. However, victims of terrorism are still defenseless because the legal regime does not provide them with protection and remedies that can be considered as adequate in mitigating the grave impact that terror attacks always impose on them. In response therefore, the study recommends in the first category, the enactment of a Witness Protection Law; the strengthening of the Witness Protection Unit of the UPF; and amendment of the International Criminal Court Act, 2010 to include terrorism among the crimes thereunder in order to improve the protection of victims of terrorism in the criminal justice system. Secondly, in order to improve the provision of remedies to victims of terrorism, the study recommends the strengthening of restitution laws; and the establishment of a Victim Assistance and Rehabilitation Fund.

In this paper, an examination of the relationship between and economic growth in Uganda over the period of 1990-2015 by using time series data is performed. The study employed the vector error correction model (VECM) and the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) model. An evaluation of the trend of GDP growth rate and inflation showed an inverse volatile relationship between the variable shown by the rate at which they are fluctuating. The results reveal that, inflation (INF) and interest rate (RIR) have a negative impact on economic growth (GDP ) while foreign direct Investment (FDI) and Trade all have appositive impact on Economic Growth (GDP). The Vector Error Correction and the Ordinary Least Square models show the existence of a negative significant relationship between inflation and economic growth in Uganda both in the short and long run. This implies that, a high level of inflation is harmful for the country meaning that inflation does not stimulate economic growth in Uganda. Therefore, co-ordination between macro-economic policy makers is vital and should have to raise their hands and put their eyes on measures that put down inflation in order to have sustainable economic growth in the country. These include;- The negative significant effect of inflation on growth imply that policy should put more focus on interest rate however other variable like Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and trade that have a positive impact on economic growth should be given attention to. This will help to deal with other structural bottlenecks affecting growth as well. The inverse relationship between interest rate and economic growth calls for a need for the Government to focus on ways of reducing the high interest rates charged on borrowing by the commercial banks that have discouraged borrowing and the low interest rate on savings has discouraged savings as well. Since Foreign Direct investment (FDI) and Trade have positive impact on economic Growth the Government should encourage FDI’s that enhance economic growth and should aim at increasing trade especially exports which enhance production and investment in terms of expansion to meet the growing foreign demand hence increasing economic growth. The monetary and fiscal authorities should do all in their abilities to ensure that they come up with sound policies that will help curb any spiraling inflation and uphold the highest degree of confidence within the investing community if it’s to enhance growth. In general, it can be concluded that, growth in Uganda is affected by both inflation and other macro – economic variables. The above finding is almost less in line with the Keynesian and the Neo-Keynesian theoretical framework. Keywords: inflation, economic growth, vector error correction model and least square model.

Health status of individuals of great significance both because of the direct utility that health can provide and the productivity gain as a result of good health. The purpose of the study was to empirically establish the key factors influencing health status in Uganda. Specifically, examining the relationship between health status and socio-demographic, economic, lifestyle and environmental factors. Government of Uganda has been investing in health through acting on key Social Determinants of Health (SDH) such as household income and infrastructure as marked in the HSDP 2015/16-2019/20. However, evidence shows heavy burden of disease. The relationship between health status and the above SDH is not clear. Therefore, this necessitated the need to investigate the SDH. The study used Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) 2016/17 data. The study was based on the SDH framework to examine SDH Status. Four logistic regressions models were estimated i.e. model I, II, III and IV focusing on individuals aged 0-5, 6-14,15-59 and 60+ years respectively. The study used adjusted Wald test to test for individual Statistical significance of the regression coefficients and Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) test, to assess the goodness of fit. In reference to demographic factors the study establishes that Females aged 6-14, 15-59 and 60+ years were 1.29, 1.25, and 1.4 times more likely to be in poor health when compared to the males at P< 0.01 respectively. Individuals aged 6-14 from male headed household were 1.2 times more likely to be in poor health at P< 0.01 when compared to those from female-headed households. Rural residents aged 0-5, 6-14 and 15-59 were 1.5, 1.52, and 1.3 times more likely to be in poor health when compared to urban residents at P< 0.01 respectively. Likewise, the married aged 15-56 and 60+ years were 1.6 and 1.7 times more likely to be in poor health when compared with individuals not married at P< 0.01 respectively. Concerning economic factors, individuals with no formal education aged 6-14 years were 1.2 times more likely to be in poor health at P< 0.01 when compared to individuals with secondary level of education. Similarly, individuals aged 6-14 whose mothers have no formal education were 1.1 times more likely to be in poor when compared to those whose mothers have attained secondary level of education at P< 0.01. At P< 0.05 the unemployed aged 60+ were 1.6 times more likely to be in poor health when compared to those employed. Regarding lifestyle factors, current and past alcohol consumers aged 15-59 were 1.3 and 1.9 times likely to be in poor health at P< 0.01 when compared to individuals that do not consume alcohol respectively. Current smokers above 15-59 and 60+years were 1.8 and 1.4 times more likely to be in poor health when compared to the non-smokers at P< 0.01 respectively. As for environmental factors, individuals aged 0-5- and 6-14 using water from unimproved sources were 1.3 and 1.2 times more likely to be in poor health when compared to those that use water from improved sources at P< 0.01 and P< 0.05 respectively. Individuals aged 0-5 using poor and intermediate quality toilet facilities were 1.7 and 1.5 times more likely to be in poor health when compared to those that use high quality toilet facilities at P< 0.01 and P< 0.05 respectively. Individuals aged 6-14 residing in mad and poles houses and houses whose floor material made of earth were 1.2 and 1.3 times more likely to be in poor health when compared to those that reside in brick houses and houses whose floor material made of cement at P< 0.01 respectively. The study findings show that females above 6 years are more likely to be in poor health when compared the males. Therefore, considerable emphasis should be put on health interventions for women. Education of girls and employment opportunities for women will also promote gender equality and more broadly improve upon their health. Interventions to prevent people from smoking and alcohol consumption must also be undertaken or strengthened. More efforts should also be put in promoting health lifestyles especially among the young people. Also, policies should be aimed at closing the gap in health conditions between urban and rural inhabitants through balanced economic and social development to increase the level of income, education and decreasing unemployment amongst people living in the rural areas. From the results, children aged 6 to 14 years whose mothers have no formal education are more likely to be in poor health. Therefore, education especially for the girls should be a priority to enable mothers gain knowledge and skills to be able to make better healthy choices. To address the health problem among unemployed individuals aged 60+ years, it is necessary to put in place insurance scheme for the elderly to ease their access to health care. Regarding the environmental factors, there should be establishment of clear institutional responsibility and specific budget lines for water & sanitation, and ensuring that public sector agencies working in health, in water resources and other utility services work together better to enhancing quality infrastructure (piped water to homes, toilets connected to sewers or septic tanks). Key Words: Social Determinants of Health, Health Status.

The East African countries have ambitious development strategies to transform their economies to high income levels. In order to realize these high economic growth levels, governments have put in place development strategies to boost public investment in mega infrastructural projects, institutions and various incentives to augment private sector development. Larger percentages of these governments’ budgets are financed by public debt which may impact on Private Investment. Domestic borrowing may crowd out private investors and continued debt accumulation may also result in high taxation rates to service debt. With the increasing public investment, development of institutions, ventures like the structural adjustment programmes, and highly indebted poor countries initiatives, the private investment have not realized much output. Taking into account that there is increasing infrastructural development, then public debt is bound to rise. However, institutions may play a role in the efficient allocation of resources and lowering the cost of doing business. This study, using a panel of four countries for the period between 1992 to 2015, with ARDL Panel Model using data from World Bank and IMF databases, established that Public Debt crowds-out Private Domestic Investment and Foreign Direct Investment in the long run. The magnitude of the impact is greater for Private Domestic Investment compared to Foreign Direct Investment. In order to bring out the importance of institutions in determining Private Investment levels, corruption-control is interacted with public debt. The regressions with the interaction term indicate that both PDI and FDI improve when institutional quality improves. Since corruption control is seen to improve the private investment levels, governments need to enhance efficiency in resource utilization for public programmes that compliment Private Investment.