Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 lockdown and formal education system of primary school pupils in Lira city west division. Methodology: The study was guided by a case study research design in which a qualitative approach was employed using key-informant interviews. While the target population was 449, data was collected from 125 study participants with the use of an interview guide. Data was analysed using the recursive abstraction method. Findings: Results revealed that COVID-19 lockdown posed numerous changes in the behaviour of pupils such as moral behavioural changes, substance abuse, indiscipline, mental behavioural changes, etc. Also, few pupils benefited from alternative teaching methods during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since most learners were unable to ask questions, there was lack of commitment among pupils as well as limited knowledge and skills on how to use electronic learning gadgets. Further, the pupils in private schools and pupils from financially stable families utilized alternative teaching methods more than the pupils from public schools or from poor families. Also, COVID-19 policies have led to introduction of new modus operand in schools. These include maintaining the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), inadequate space to accommodate pupils because of spacing requirements, incompleteness of the teaching syllabus, and automatic promotion which have all affected the performance of pupils. Conclusion: A number of pupils experienced behavioural change during the lockdown, new policies were introduced in schools and the alternative teaching methods were introduced although it benefitted the pupils in private schools more than the public schools. Recommendation: The government of Uganda should increase funding opportunities for primary education.

Purpose: Regarding the efficacy of e-governance in a developmental state, the central demand is whether the policy and practice of e-governance has, as espoused and executed, been effective in Uganda? In a bid to address this touchy demand, it would at the outset be indispensable to develop some cognizance of the anatomy and challenges hindering its efficacy in developmental governance. E-governance policy, as a universal idea of modern governments encapsulate a system by facilitating the numerous functions and activities of Ministries, Departments and Agencies. This article wishes to evaluate a selection of functions, in the public sector, that encountered a digital migration to e-governance in terms of their effectiveness as developmental state functions. Methodology: This study was entirely based on a review of literature on e-governance covering specific aspects of policy and practice in Uganda, the region and other places outside the continent. Findings and unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: This study offers the policy context of e-governance along with debates on the effectiveness of selected functions in a developmental state. The article centres on the efficacy of e-governance operation within a rather multifaceted environment. Consequently, the authors suggest that research on e-governance can be embraced as a means, by government, to improve both the policy and practices at both central government and local government levels.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to discuss the quality of local council elections by exploring factors that influence vote buying and vote selling during electoral seasons in Uganda. Methodology: A cross-sectional study aimed at promoting free, fair and credible local council elections in Hoima city. The study was conducted in one city ward that is part of Hoima City Cohort Study (HCCS). The HCCS is a population-based cohort that was identified for purposes of this study. A total of 28 registered voters, resident in four study areas were enrolled into the study. Data were collected on socio-econ-political related characteristics. A regression model was used to generate voting frequency as a measure of association for factors that were associated with voter bribery. Findings: Results suggest that voter bribery was high; higher in men than in women. Less than half had participated in more than two previous local council elections while slightly more than half were taking part in the second election. After adjusting for potential and suspected confounder, the factors that were negatively associated with voter bribery were: greed, poverty, and expectations; political party/candidate influence and lack of self-control were positively associated with voter bribery. Since political party/candidate influence and lack of self-control were positively associated with voter bribery in the area of study, targeting those having exorbitant resources to tempt voters may help reduce voter bribery in this area. Unique Contribution to Policy and Practice: The results of this study may be useful to policy and practice since they can facilitate managers of electoral management bodies as well as political parties to evolve frameworks that can facilitate credible electoral processes.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to investigate the success of one LED intervention – the youth livelihood program from obtainable literature. Methodology: This study adopted a desk review method using secondary data from obtainable policy, theoretical and empirical literature. Findings: Results suggest a recurrent problem in the selection of beneficiaries, inept business management skills of the youth selected and/or administrative incompetence of fund administrators. Consequently, the need to refocus the current training on agricultural value addition training with a view of meeting the credit value criteria of Commercial Banks and relevant agencies tasked with disbursement of Youth Entrepreneurship Funds is key. Recommendations: It is encouraged that training of youth in business development, scaling, marketing, and management be integrated into the BTVET curriculum and supported by mentorship programs upon completion of their formal training. Also, mentorships and business incubators and/or hubs need to be set up and to be accessed by the youth themselves country wide. Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This analysis contributes to the LED policy and YLP practice seeing that it targets household level income generation, creation of prosperity and enhanced sources of revenue, as well as giving support to the active poor to progress basing on the available means.