Another Two PhD Honours from BSU

Ms. Alidri Agatha examined the impact of the interface between indigenous and modern law among the Lugbara people of Uganda during the period 1914-2010. The study interrogated Comaroff and Comaroff (2006) assertion that colonialism increased crime in the former colonies. The findings of the study showed that offenses in pre-colonial Lugbara were embedded in religious beliefs and practices, and offenses were considered sin. Pre-colonial Lugbara did not have the concept of crime. The modern law criminalized the indigenous customs, values, practices and beliefs which made it appear that crime had increased in society. The finding of the study further indicate that modern law was a tool for domination, oppression and exploitation, while indigenous customs and values were for promoting harmony and peaceful existence. The interface between the two found a mis-match which is a cause of violence, social disorder and crime. The study calls for the domestication of modern law such that it resonates with the indigenous customs, values and beliefs which will reduce crime. The study was supervised by Dr. Deo Nzarwa Katono and Dr. Simon Peter Rutabajuuka. This study was supported by Gulu University and the Building Stronger Universities (BSU) II Project of Gulu University, a DANIDA Project

Mr. BAGAYA Jerry examined inspection practices in secondary schools in Western Uganda and how they influence lesson planning and instruction. The study found that inspection practices were ineffective and did not influence lesson planning. However, inspection had a moderate influence on instruction, albeit with some unintended negative effects. Despite the value attached to school inspection in the theoretical, political, institutional and policy debates, inspection has only contributed minimally to improving pedagogical practices in secondary schools. Training of inspectors in modern inspection approaches should be undertaken, and inspection resources should be spent on schools that are failing to make substantial improvement while involvement of stakeholders in inspection process is stepped up. This study was funded by Building Stronger Universities (BSU) III Project of Gulu University, and was supervised by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Betty Akullu Ezati and Dr. Wycliffe Scot Wafula.