Research

about our research activities

THE ACTIVITIES UNDER OUR RESEARCH COMPONENT CONSIST OF IN-DEPTH EXPLORATIONS OF ONE OF THE TOPICS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE U-LEARN LEARNING AND RESEARCH AGENDA.

These in-depth assessments aim to address knowledge gaps in the response and gather comprehensive data for planning purposes. Topics for research are chosen collaboratively with relevant partners, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, government agencies, and donors. 

 

Relevant stakeholders are consulted throughout the research cycle, including for the design of the research and the validation of collected data.

 

The insights derived from these thorough assessments are then shared and discussed with the identified stakeholders in the response, promoting the integration of the findings and sparking conversations for enhancing future program initiatives.

 

In addition to the large-scale assessments, U-Learn conducts additional data collection and research within this workstream, such as good practice studies and ad-hoc assessments, aligned with the thematic focus areas of the Consortium and developed through consultations with key players in the Ugandan humanitarian landscape.

1. Research Design - Drafting & Validation2. Data Collection & Processing3. Data Analysis & Validation4. Output Drafting5. Output Review & Validation6. Dissemination7. Monitoring & Evaluation / Lessons Learned

1. Research Design - Drafting & Validation

Drafting & Validation

2. Data Collection & Processing

3. Data Analysis & Validation

4. Output Drafting

5. Output Review & Validation

6. Dissemination

7. Monitoring & Evaluation / Lessons Learned

U-Learn reserch cycle

Ongoing Assessments by U-Learn

“Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices on Energy, Environment, and Climate Change in the Ugandan Settlements” (2024)

This research delves into energy access and environmental issues in all 13 Ugandan refugee settlements. It examines both refugees’ and host communities’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding household energy use, particularly focusing on thermal energy and the adoption of sustainable alternatives like Improved Cookstoves (ICS) and alternative fuels. By studying behavior within and around settlements, the aim is to identify reasons for the limited uptake of these alternatives.

 

The study also considers broader environmental and climate change contexts, recognizing external factors influencing individual actions. Ultimately, it seeks to inform humanitarian and development efforts by highlighting barriers and facilitators of behavior change in domestic energy consumption among refugee and host communities amidst environmental degradation and climate change adaptation.

The research findings from this assessment are scheduled to be published on this platform in March 2024.

 

 For more information, please contact Pauline Lietar, Research Lead, on pauline@ulearn-uganda.org

Key Research Data for this Assessment

Geographic scope:
Adjumani, Bidibidi, Imvepi, Kiryandongo, Kyaka II, Kyangwali, Lobule, Nakivale, Oruchinga, Palabek, Palorinya, Rhino, and Rwamwanja

Target population groups:
refugees residing in the settlements; host community members within a 15 km radius of the settlement borders.

Data collection timeframe:
6 September - 24 October, 2023

Representation:

  • A 95% confidence level and 10% margin of error at location and population group level in the settlements in West Nile.
  • A 90% confidence level and 10% margin of error at location and population group level in the settlements in Southwest.
  • A 90% confidence level and 10% margin of error at the national group level.

Data collection methods:

  • 2491 quantitative individual interviews
  • 53 qualitative individual interviews

Previous Assessments by U-Learn

Key Research Data for this Assessment

Geographic scope:
Adjumani, Bidibidi, Imvepi, Kiryandongo, Kyaka II, Kyangwali, Lobule, Nakivale, Oruchinga, Palabek, Palorinya, Rhino, and Rwamwanja

 

Target population groups:
refugees and host communities

 

Data collection timeframe: 6 June - 8 October, 2021

 

Representation:
data gathered is representative at the settlement level for refugees and at district level for refugee hosting communities with a 95% confidence level and 7% margin of error.

 

Data collection methods:

  • 2559 quantitative individual interviews
  • 53 End User exercises
  • 51 Key Informant Interviews
  • 17 Focus Group Discussions
  • 17 In-Depth Interviews

Previous Assessments by U-Learn

"Financial Services in the Uganda Refugee Response: An Assessment of User Perspectives" (2022)

The purpose of this assessment is to collect ground-level insight into user experiences and perspectives of digital financial services and assistance in Uganda’s refugee and host communities, to establish a solid knowledge base to enhance the inclusiveness of cash-based assistance programs. 

 

It therefore provides a robust evidence base on the existing skills and experiences of the surveyed population — as well as their preferences and barriers — to accessing digital financial services.

Read or Donwload the Full Study

"COVID-19 Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Assessment” (2021)

This assessment aims to strengthen the evidence base surrounding risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) approaches in Uganda, in particular in refugee communities during the COVID-19 response, to inform the successful delivery of RCCE. Specifically, the research intends to strengthen the evidence base on whether and how different communities access information about COVID-19, if the modalities through which the information is delivered are appropriate and in line with different community preferences, how this information is interpreted by them and how it shapes the risk perception of COVID-19 across communities of the study.

 

In addition, this assessment aims to build evidence and provide a basis for government and humanitarian actors to explore why risk communication in communities is not always translating into behavior change, and how the current communication strategies could be adapted to enhance the uptake of preventive measures to limit the transmission of COVID-19.

Read or Donwload the Full Study

Key Research Data for this Assessment

Geographic scope:
Adjumani, Bidibidi, Imvepi, Kiryandongo, Kyaka II, Kyangwali, Lobule, Nakivale, Oruchinga, Palabek, Palorinya, Rhino, and Rwamwanja

 

Target population groups: refugees and host communities

 

Data collection timeframe: 10 September - 16 October, 2020

 

Representation:
Due to remote data collection and non-random sampling, findings presented are indicative and not statistically representative.

 

Data collection methods:

  • 1533 remote quantitative individual interviews
  • 66 Focus Group Discussions
  • 51 Key Informant Interviews
All PublicationsLearning Brief

Final Evaluation of BRIDGE intervention, implemented by Mercy Corps in the West Nile. Between May and July U-Learn supported Mercy Corps, an FCDO BRAER partner, in conducting the final evaluation of their BRIDGE intervention. The intervention focused on the implementation of the Market System Development approach and on the Innovation Centers launch in the West-Nile. The evaluation used different criteria to assess the impact, effectiveness and sustainability of the intervention. Although the full results are confidential, lessons learned and recommendations for similar interventions were disseminated at the Livelihoods and Resilience Working Group in August 2021.

Read or Download the Full Study
All PublicationsResearch

The Refugee Engagement Forum (REF) has proven to be a successful model for sustained refugee participation in national decision-making. Whilst it is not yet very well known, its unique structure and demonstrated value have the potential to inspire other countries to adopt a similar approach. As a result, the REF Good Practice Study was instigated to identify key lessons and successes from the REF, and to document the Ugandan experience for the benefit of those in and outside of Uganda.

Read or Download the Full Study