Browsing by Author "Lutalo, Bernard"

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Decomposing sand mining complexities to chart ocean sustainability narratives and pathways in the coastal zones of Africa
(Elsevier, 2025-03-08) Matovu, Baker; Bleischwitz, Raimund; Lukambagire, Isaac; Etta, Linda A.; Lutalo, Bernard
Coastal zones/states of Africa are some of the leading sand-mining and exporting spots globally, a conduit for lucrative socioeconomic transformation. Unfortunately, in Africa, as with most emerging economies, sand mining benefits have not yielded comprehensive socioecological benefits. Rather, sand mining and trade have spiraled into negative externalities that cataclysmically scupper socioecological systems and ocean sustainability targets. The lack of coherent sand mining governance mechanisms and increasing natural resource contestations, proliferated by bumper global sand demand, have further created dire sustainability indicators/ramifications. The externalities have explosive negative effects on coastal and marine ecosystems that sustain livelihoods. These have spilled into unsustainable socioecological outcomes,cremating the avenues for realizing Agenda 2063 of Africa’s Ocean Decade and sustainable actions, necessitating urgent redress. This study digs deeper into the literature on sand mining in Africa to kickstart new epochs for sustainable sand mining in Africa that are replicable. A systematic literature review of 2514 peer-reviewed articles and 15 grey literature, including policy documents and reports on sand mining, were explored and analyzed using a bibliometric analysis technique. A bibliometric analysis entailed the uncovering of three key issues (i) sand mining research and policy trends/ directions in Africa, including their complexity in tandem with the sustainability trilogy (ii) ramifications of the current sand mining landscape to/on ocean sustainability pillars (social, economic, institutional, scientific &environmental) and (iii) thematic mapping/analysis to highlight the current governance mechanisms (including sustainability issues/gaps therein). Findings revealed that Africa’s coastal states are some of the leading sand exporters but lose most of their revenue by reimporting sand from middle or high-income states. Research on sand mining has receded. If it exists, it is led by a few countries and western (developed/richer) institutions/scholars. Increasing sand mining is associated with increase in socioecological vulnerabilities. Africa’s coastal regions experiencing unsustainable sand mining are losing critical natural and social livelihood capitals. Governance mechanisms are unsustainable. Few powerful actors (including an emerging network of African oligarchs and foreign companies/individuals), operate or manage the sand-mining value chains. There is limited understanding of the environmental, social, and governance nexus and its relationship to local and global development targets. To chart/regurgitate sustainable narratives for sustainable sand mining, a new pathway called the SSMAP (Sustainable Sand Mining Action Pathway) that has five key interrelated steps has been developed. Localizing the SSMAP and incorporating emerging co-governance pathways in micro-settings could help identify leverage points for collaborative and voluntary engagements/governance on sand mining. Scaling up the SSMAP (micro to macro levels) could help build evidence-based inventories and transformative options to co-design coherent transnational governance mechanisms. Such mechanisms could bolster the monitoring of sand mining, legitimize sustainable sand mining operations and value chains, and lay the foundations for better coastal socioecological livelihood and development indicators.
Effective use of learning materials and its impact on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Mpigi district, Uganda
(African Quarterly Social Sciences Review, 2025-06-01) Kibirige, Raymond; Lutalo, Bernard; Saabavuma, Christopher
The purpose of the study was to establish the effective use of learning materials and its impact on the students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Mpigi District, Uganda. Based on the systems theory, the study adopted the cross-sectional survey research design. The study involved 72 secondary schools in Mpigi District, whereby 7 secondary schools were purposively sampled to participate in the study because the schools had recommendable learning materials; however, stakeholders complained about their academic performance. The study used purposive sampling technique to select 7 headteachers, 7 directors of studies, 48 teachers, and 66 students to participate in the study. Interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and documentary guides were used for data collection. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found that learning materials are inadequate in Mpigi secondary schools; however, the few resources are effectively used by teachers. Academic performance in Mpigi secondary schools is below the expectations of the stakeholders. This research concluded that learning materials positively impact the academic performance of students in Mpigi District secondary schools. The study recommended that the government of Uganda should support secondary schools with adequate learning materials to improve learners’ academic performance. School administrators should provide teachers with training to enable them to use the available learning materials effectively to help learners achieve better academic performance
Misuse of instructional time and its effect on students' academic achievement in secondary schools in Mpigi district, Uganda
(East African Journal of Education Studies, 2025-07-02) Lutalo, Bernard; Kibirige, Raymond; Namutebi, Edith
The purpose of the study was to examine the misuse of instructional time and its impact on the academic achievement of students in secondary schools in the Mpigi district, central Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The study involved 20 secondary schools in the Mpigi district, where 7 secondary schools were purposively sampled to participate in the study due to their significant role in generating in-depth information on examining the misuse of instructional time and students’ academic achievement. The study used a purposive sampling technique to select 7 headteachers, 7 deputy headteachers, 7 directors of studies, 36 teachers, and 53 students to partake in the study. Interviews, focused group discussions and observation guides were used for information gathering. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The study concluded that teachers and students misuse instructional time in secondary schools of Mpigi. The academic achievement of learners is below the expectations of the stakeholders in secondary schools of the Mpigi district. Misuse of instructional time negatively impacts the academic achievement of students in the Mpigi district secondary schools. The study recommended that school administrators should regularly monitor and supervise both teachers and students in schools to ensure effective use of instructional time. School administrators should also organise seminars for teachers to train them on how to use the instructional time effectively, thereby enhancing the academic achievement of students in secondary schools.
Mobilizing evidence-based knowledge for sustainable wetlands co-management and co-governance amidst increasing anthropogenic and environmental stressors: key lessons from Mityana District, Uganda
(Elsevier - ScienceDirect, 2024-09-23) Matovu, Baker; Lee, Ming-An; Mammel, Mubarak; Lukambagire, Isaac; Lutalo, Bernard; Mwangu, Ronald Alex; Mwabvu, Bridget; Mim, Akther Tahmina; Bbira, Yasin; Lubega, Yasin; Muhoozi, Yosia
Wetlands (covering about 1.5–1.6 billion hectares globally), are critical biodiversity and livelihood hotspots. Wetlands further replenish the global economy with $47.4 trillion/year worth of ecosystem services. By jealously guarding wetlands, progress toward sustainable development goals, and livelihood welfare are possible. Unfortunately, despite the promulgation of wetland governance mechanisms, 35 percent of the global natural wetlands have been lost since the 1970s. This could be worse in undocumented or explored wetland zones situated in remote tropical regions. In this study, we bring to the fore insights from 286 documents sourced from Scopus and engagements from 105 citizens in Mityana, to (i) map wetlands (including the current vulnerabilities and threats), and (ii) co-develop a wetlands management action pathway that could create sustainable co-management possibilities and sustainable livelihood futures. Findings revealed that although research on wetlands has increased for the last 31 years, since 2021, it has plummeted. In Uganda, wetland research and scholarship is predominantly situated around the Lake Victoria region. Most research focuses on natural or biological sciences. Emerging policy themes and trending research topics are shifting from key wetland management paradigms. From a total of 105 sampled wetlands scattered across fourteen (14) sub-counties in the Mityana district, critical wetland issues were unraveled. Mityana is crossed by two wetland systems (Lake Wamala and River Mayanja dominated by permanent papyrus and seasonal swamps respectively. Wetlands offer unique livelihood, cultural assets/capitals, and ecological benefits (including cultural/aesthetics meaning). An unfathomable rate of degradation is evident. Anthropogenic factors are the predominant threat drivers, especially eucalyptus planting. The loss of culturally valuable wetlands has increased socio-cultural-ecological grief, such as around Lake Wamala. Micro-level management actions are increasing, albeit mainly around accessible permanent wetlands. Most riparian wetland sedentary populations expressed willingness and interest in the co-management and governance of community wetlands. More robust actions and pathways are needed to create avenues for community co-management. The co-developed the sustainable wetlands management action pathway (SWeMAP) provides seven (7) coherent steps, including critical social science insights that could aid sustainable wetlands governance and management across geographies. As wetlands in Uganda have been gazetted as critical to sustainable development, the urgent co-development and financing of micro-level wetland action plans, including situational inventories could help create avenues for sustainable wetlands management. Uganda
Response to land degradation in Muduuma Sub-County, Mpigi District Uganda
(African Journals Online; G-Card, 2023-02) Lutalo, Bernard
This study dealt with response to land degradation in Muduuma Sub-County, Mpigi District-Uganda. The study employed the cross sectional design due to its ability to collect data on more than one case from different respondents and at a single point in order to receive a body of quantitative data in connection with two or more variables. The target population was all the 9121 farmers of Muduuma Sub- County. However, only 114 of the total population was purposively sampled basing on the researcher’s judgment that only arable farmers were fit for the study. Data was collected through a questionnaire, an interview guide and a Focus Group Discussion Guide and it was analyzed through the descriptive statistics and the thematic approach. The study concludes that the majority of farmers had knowledge of land degradation. This was shown through the various actions taken to address the phenomenon despite having limited formal education. Methods used include organic manure, mulching, trenching, afforestation and fertilizers. Therefore, knowledge about causes and impact of land degradation to households is required. Once the population is more informed about the dangers of land degradation, it is easier to develop suitable soil management practices which in turn promote appropriate resource management practices for sustainable economic growth and development.
Where and how can Africa and Indian leverage the blue economy opportunities of the Indian Ocean region as a driver for sustainable development and partnerships?
(Elsevier, 2025-08-23) Matovu, Baker; Akther, Tahmina Mim; Lutalo, Bernard
Through the blue economy (BE), Africa and India can attain sustainable development, transnational partnerships, and continental engagement targets, never been seen before. However, efforts on how this could be done have been pedestrian and less explored. This review and perspective paper utilizes a bibliometric analysis technique to analyze 1712 documents, systematically sourced from Scopus. Thus, this paper situates itself as one of the first scholarly pieces to comprehensively highlight strategic aspects that could advance sustainable Africa-India regional development partnership. Mixed comparative results are found in the literature. Since 2012, research on the BE in Africa and India has increased. The BE is emphasized as a critical topical issue in Africa, albeit this is mostly led by non-African scholars and institutions. In India, most BE research perspectives target regional issues, e.g., in the Indo-Pacific region. African researchers have published more in high-impact journals compared to their Indian counterparts. The annual growth rate of research on the BE in India is comparatively higher than that of Africa (8.69 to 5.49 percent, respectively). However, the average citations of research in all regions are declining. African authors have higher national and international co-authorship collaborations. Collaborations between Africa and India on the BE are few. Most country-level collaborations are with developed nations. Nevertheless, there is recognition of the increasing vulnerability of Africa’s and India’s coastal communities to megatrends and marine environmental threats. Most documents emphasize that the resource endowments in the Indian Ocean (IO) could mitigate maritime challenges to socioeconomic development and environmental stewardship. Five valuable findings are emphasized: (1) the BE is essential to the prospects of sustainable development, (2) inclusive and sustainable actions are needed to address coastal socioecological shifts, (3) several BE solutions are proposed but not put into practice, and (4) BE partnerships in the IO must include China and other emerging states of the Global South, and (5) the IO is paramount towards sustainable BE between Africa and India. Borrowing from the literature insights, and as a contribution to BE-led sustainable development partnerships between Africa and India, five strategic leverage points are identified and developed: socio-cultural, economic, institutional, environmental, and scientific. As the development of BE engagements and partnership is a new development arena in Africa and India, policymakers and researchers should: (a) initiate the Africa-India BE journal, b) leverage and link Africa’s and India’s existing BE initiatives, visions, and programs, c) reimagine Africa and India’s development connotations, d) start slowly but consistently, and e) recognize existing shared sustainability or sustainable development visions. To achieve this, the IO must be recognized as a shared natural resource that has the potential to compartmentalize and link the proposed leverage points. Thus, policymakers and researchers must work towards rejuvenating shared ties, histories, vulnerabilities, and BE visions. This can help strengthen regional partnerships, trust, and collaborations for a better and sustainable BE.