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Item A contextual framework for bibliometric integrity: synthesizing positivist and rationalist paradigms in the analysis of African LIS research during COVID-19.(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2026) Lugya, Fredrick Kiwuwa; State, Eliz NassaliPurpose This paper aims to examine bibliometric analysis’s role in advancing academic integrity through contextual citation practices. It identifies methodological and conceptual gaps in the literature. The paper proposes a philosophically informed novel framework integrating positivist and rationalist paradigms to address these limitations. Design/methodology/approach A multi-phase mixed-methods design is employed, combining a comprehensive literature review, a diagnostic critique of a prior study, and an illustrative case study. The empirical component reanalyses COVID-19’s impact on African Library and Information Science research via triangulated data from Scopus, Google Scholar, journal metadata and author surveys. Findings The diagnostic critique identifies common shortcomings: temporal oversimplification, contextual blindness, data source bias and overreliance on descriptive statistics. The case study demonstrates that applying the contextual framework yields more nuanced insights. Key results show preexisting publishing infrastructure, not the pandemic, primarily drove output, and citation visibility varied significantly across databases. Research limitations/implications While the illustrative case study validates the framework’s utility, broader application across diverse geographic and disciplinary contexts is needed. Future research should test and refine the framework in varied settings to establish its generalizability. Practical implications Researchers should adopt context-sensitive bibliometric practices, including mixed-methods designs, data source triangulation, and consideration of local scholarly infrastructures to support more equitable and credible research assessment, particularly for underrepresented regions. Originality/value This paper provides a novel, philosophically grounded framework synthesizing positivist and rationalist traditions. It offers a critical diagnostic tool and a constructive methodological model, supported by original empirical evidence from an under-researched regional context. Keywords: Bibliometrics, Academic integrity, Citation analysis, Covid-19, Africa, Contextual, AnalysisItem What India’s small AI could mean for agricultural research at Busitema University.(Busitema University Library, 2026) Kalamya, AaronMore than three million downloads in just a few months have turned an agricultural chatbot in India into an interesting case for researchers looking at how artificial intelligence can move beyond laboratories and into everyday farming. The tool, MahaVISTAAR-AI, allows farmers in Maharashtra to ask agricultural questions by voice or text using their own languages and local dialects. Instead of requiring farmers to search through different websites, offices or technical publications, the system draws from trusted sources, including agricultural research institutions and India’s Department of Agriculture, and returns short responses tailored to the farmer’s locationItem World bank findings highlight emerging employment challenges for Busitema researchers.(Busitema University Library, 2026) Kalamya, AaronUganda’s ambition to create 4.4 million new jobs under NDP IV will naturally draw attention to numbers. But a harder question sits behind that target: what kind of jobs will those be? Employment that provides an income today may still offer little security, limited opportunity for skills growth or few prospects for higher productivity. As artificial intelligence, automation and digital platforms reshape occupations, the difference between simply having work and building a stable livelihood is becoming increasingly important.Item Reliable water, better harvests : why irrigation research matters.(Busitema University Library, 2026) Kalamya, AaronIn Uzbekistan’s Ferghana Valley, the return of reliable irrigation has changed what some families can grow and earn from their land. Fields that had struggled because water could not reach them are producing again. In Usmonobod village, a family growing raspberries has moved from barely one harvest a year to two, with better-quality fruit now reaching the local market. Nearby, an orchard that had been dry is back in production. Behind those changes is a much larger effort to repair an irrigation system that had become increasingly inefficient. The Ferghana Valley is home to about 10 million people and is one of Uzbekistan’s most important agricultural regions. Yet ageing infrastructure, water losses and the effects of climate change were putting growing pressure on farming. At the furthest points of the canal network, water supply could fall about 30 per cent below demand, particularly between April and June when crops needed it most. More than one billion cubic metres of water were being lost each year.Item IFC investment experience offers lessons for taking Busitema research beyond the university.(Busitema University Library, 2026) Kalamya, AaronA promising agricultural innovation can prove itself in a laboratory or field trial and still never reach the farmer who needs it. Moving from research to regular use takes money, production capacity, business skills, strong management and, often, partners willing to invest for the long term. That gap between a good idea and real-world impact is what makes a recent International Finance Corporation (IFC) experience worth examining at Busitema University. IFC, the private-sector arm of the World Bank Group, has spent more than a decade working with Thailand-based private equity fund manager Lakeshore Capital, showing how investment can be used not only to grow companies, but also to strengthen the systems that allow them to create jobs and operate responsibly.Item AgriConnect’s first year offers a wider view of what farmers need to succeed.(Busitema University Library, 2026) Kalamya, AaronOne year after AgriConnect was launched, its work across Africa is beginning to show that improving agriculture takes more than helping farmers produce more. Roads, storage, finance, reliable markets, extension services, technology and sound policies all influence whether a good harvest eventually improves a household’s income. The World Bank Group and the International Fund for Agricultural Development launched AgriConnect with other development and private sector partners to connect 300 million family and smallholder farmers worldwide to markets, finance and agricultural services by 2030. Half of the first ten AgriConnect country compacts have been launched in Africa, and the two institutions say their targeted investments have already reached at least 10 million farmers on the continent.Item Pioneers of Illinois natural history : Stephen A. Forbes and Charles Robertson.(Biodiversity Heritage Library, 2026) Ssemwogerere, AbubakariStephen A. Forbes and Charles Robertson were pioneering scientists whose groundbreaking research continues to influence our understanding of the natural world. Forbes advanced the fields of biology and ecology, while Robertson explored bees and their relationships with flowers and other insects. Their careful observations and influential publications laid important foundations for modern biological and entomological research. Their enduring insights remain valuable to researchers, students, educators, and nature fans alike, connecting historical discoveries with contemporary scientific knowledge of biodiversity and ecological interactions. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Library’s contributions of rare archival materials and publications by Forbes and Robertson are valuable additions to the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), improving access to these records for scientists and historians alike.Item A vibrant life starts with guaranteed access to quality and affordable healthcare.(Quality Chemical Industries Limited, 2026) Rotary Zone 22 & 23August is Membership and New Club Development Month, and in this edition of Rotary Impact Africa, we turn our attention to one of the most urgent questions facing our organisation: How do we grow Rotary, and how do we ensure that the people who join find compelling reasons to stay? Our lead story takes us to District 9214, where Rotary grew by nearly 900 members. That is not merely an impressive statistic. It is a story of intentional leadership, bold action and a clear understanding that membership growth does not happen by accident. The more important question, however, is what the rest of Africa can learn from it.Item Beyond the MOU : building meaningful partnerships.(The University of Tulsa, 2026) Wang, VivianBeyond the MOU : building meaningful partnerships ---- university prospective.Item Building effective U.S.–Uganda higher education partnerships : understanding institutional differences and creating long-term collaboration.(U.S. Embassy Uganda, 2026) Surface, LanaUniversities are among the few institutions that combine education, research, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and international collaboration under one roof. In almost all contexts, they are among any country’s greatest strategic assets.Item From locked storerooms to learning hubs : reimagining community libraries for self-directed learning in rural Uganda.(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2026) Lugya, Fredrick Kiwuwa; Mukungu, IsaacPurpose – This study aims to explore how primary school learners in rural Uganda can be supported to engage in self-directed learning (SDL) within the competence-based curriculum (CBC), focusing on the potential of community libraries and low tech digital tools as enabling infrastructures. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative dominant mixed-methods design guided by Critical Incident Technique was used, using structured surveys (n = 100 pupils), semi-structured interviews (30 pupils, f ive teachers, five headteachers, one district education officer) and ten focus group discussions (three to five pupils each) across ten primary schools in Busia District, Uganda. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings – While 97% of pupils receive homework, only 37% have textbooks at home; digital tools are absent. Only 16% identify parents as homework helpers; and 29% fail to complete homework due to domestic labour demands. School “libraries” function as locked textbook storerooms − 82% of pupils have visited, but access is teacher mediated and transactional. No facilitative services, diverse collections or conducive learning spaces exist. Research limitations/implications – Findings are context specific to one Ugandan district. Longitudinal and intervention research is needed to test the proposed library reconfiguration model and its impact on SDL competency development over time. Practical implications – This study recommends a multilevel strategy: transforming school book storerooms into curated resource and guidance hubs; adopting a “low tech first” digital approach (solar audio players, offline digital libraries); training community facilitator networks; and integrating library-based SDL support into national curriculum and policy frameworks. Originality – This research addresses a critical gap by centring rural learner perspectives and positioning community libraries as dynamic, facilitative hubs within SDL discourse in a low-resource Sub-Saharan African context. It extends SDL theory by demonstrating that in contexts of extreme scarcity, Garrison’s self- management dimension requires a “foundational” layer of basic resource provision. Keywords Self-directed learning, Rural education, Community libraries, Competence-based curriculum, Digital tools, UgandaItem Individual task tracker & timesheet system : staff training programme.(Busitema University Library, 2026) Kisombo, GeraldTo equip staff with the knowledge and practical skills required to use the Individual Task Tracker & Timesheet System for recording daily activities, monitoring work progress, and generating accurate monthly reportsItem Skills, education and professional development : preparing information workers for the future of work, learning, and knowledge.(ULIA, 2026) Lugya, Kiwuwa FredrickPowerPoint Presentation This 25-slide presentation, created by Dr. Fredrick Kiuwua Lugya for Uganda's Information Futures Series, addresses the critical need to modernize skills and education for information workers. It establishes a "quiet crisis" where information is exploding, but the ability to verify and manage it lags behind. The presentation introduces the ALA's STEEPED framework (Society, Technology, Education, Environment, Politics, Economics, Demographics) as a structured tool for scanning future trends. Drawing from the IFLA Trend Report 2024—which outlines seven major shifts, including AI's impact, evolving trust, and increasing skill complexity—the presentation identifies a significant curriculum gap in Ugandan LIS education. Current programs focus on cataloging and basic ICT, while missing crucial areas like prompt engineering, voice search literacy, and AI verification. The proposed solution involves reimagining the librarian's role from a custodian to a facilitator and trust anchor, and adopting badging and micro-credentials aligned with Uganda's TVET system. Three core competencies for 2030 are highlighted: Digital & AI Literacy, Media & Information Literacy, and Futures Thinking. The presentation calls for collective impact across sectors and ends with a practical activity card for attendees to commit to a single, actionable initiative. Speaker Notes These comprehensive speaker notes provide a complete script for the "Skills, Education & Professional Development" presentation. The notes are structured for a live delivery, spanning approximately 45 minutes of speaking time across 22 slides. Each slide section includes specific content to convey, timing cues, and embedded discussion questions. The speaker begins by questioning whether current training prepares workers for the past or the future, then grounds the discussion in Uganda's unique context: a young population (77% under 25), a mobile-first nation, and libraries as trusted spaces. The notes provide detailed explanations of the STEEPED framework and its seven lenses. Key scenarios from the IFLA report, such as the "AI Scalper" scenario, where automated systems could exploit public services, are used as powerful teaching tools. The speaker explains the curriculum gap and introduces the concept of badges (e.g., "Hybrid Reference - AI + Human"). Detailed examples of a future librarian's day in 2030 are provided to illustrate a practical, achievable vision. The notes emphasize collective impact and cross-sector collaboration with TVET institutions, NGOs, and tech hubs. They close with a guided activity using the commitment card template, asking attendees to write down one specific initiative, a deadline, and an accountability partner. This transforms the presentation from a lecture into a call for personal, professional action. Commitment card This one-page document is a simple, structured commitment card used during the presentation's closing activity. It provides a fill-in-the-blank template: "I, [your name], commit to piloting one trend-based initiative by [deadline]." Options for the initiative include: Unplugged reading hour, Voice-activated library FAQ (WhatsApp voice), Badging program for RDM, AI literacy workshop for staff, Collective impact partnership email, or an "Other" write-in option. The form also includes fields to specify an accountability partner (colleague, supervisor, or friend) and a designated deadline. The card transforms the abstract concepts of the presentation into a concrete, personal, and time-bound commitment to action.Item IFLA Trend Report 2024 : facing the future of information with confidence.(Digital Media Research Centre, 2024) Dezuanni, Michael; Osman, Kim; Heck, Elizabeth; Burton, AlexanderThe IFLA Trend Report 2024 is the first major update of this publication since the 2013 original, and represents a key pillar of our work to support the library field to be ready to face the future. Through building the reflex and ability to integrate the future into our planning today, libraries can be more resilient and so more sustainable. This, in turn, brings benefits to the communities that libraries serve, be they the population of a local area, the students and faculty of a university, or a country as a whole in the case of national libraries. The focus throughout is on the future of the information and knowledge environment, and how this influences – and is influenced by – what happens in other fields, such as civic life, the environment and more. This is broader than looking only at libraries and technology, but narrower than a general exploration of macro trends. In both of these cases, there is already a wide range of publications. The report is made up of two major elements – a set of trends identified on the basis of a comprehensive review of the literature review, and then a set of scenarios which explore the different sorts of future that we could face.Item Positioning Academic Libraries as Catalysts for Open Access in Africa with Dr. Fredrick Lugya (ULIA).(Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa), 2026) Lugya, Frederick Kiwuwa; Owango, JoyThis episode features Dr. Frederick Kiwuwa Lugya, University Librarian at Busitema University and President of the Uganda Library and Information Association (ULIA). Dr. Lugya discusses the transformative power of Open Science and the critical role academic libraries play in bridging the gap between researchers and public access. He shares insights from his 20-year journey in librarianship, the challenges of high-cost academic resources, and his advocacy for a National Open Access Policy in Uganda to ensure that publicly funded research remains accessible to all. Key themes include: the necessity of open access and institutional repositories; policy and sustainability of open science; the evolving roles of librarians in data curation and AI; and disciplinary information literacy integrated into university curricula at Busitema University.Item Protecting traditional cultural expressions: Law, Indigenous protocols, library practices(Sage, 2026) Gosart, Ulia; Toki, Valmaine; Townzen, SusanThis study responds to contemporary international policy developments focused on protecting Indigenous creative work classified as Traditional Cultural Expressions. The study claims that states’ interests continue to guide policies in this area, compromising the relationship between regulations and the aspirations and needs of Indigenous communities. The study uses comparative methodology and content analysis to develop this argument. The study also highlights the significance of partnerships between Indigenous communities and cultural institutions that may function as alternative means to protect Indigenous creative works. The study explores cases from Indigenous communities and cultural institutions in New Zealand, the USA, and Mexico to develop this argument. The findings, while limited to the exploratory character of the study, may inform relevant library practices and support further research. Keywords Indigenous traditional knowledge, intellectual property legislation, libraries, museums, Mexico, New Zealand, policy development, USAItem The silences and absences in Botswana’s archives: cross-examining colonial legacy(Sage, 2026) Mosweu, TshephoFocusing on colonial subjugation, this article examines the gaps and silences in the archives concerning Indigenous knowledge stewardship. Colonialism entangled African countries in colonial structures, including the preservation and archiving of Indigenous peoples’ documentary heritage. As a former British colony, Botswana inherited the British method of archiving histories at the time of independence. Consequently, the national repositories do not accurately reflect the population’s diversity and Indigenous knowledge production systems. This article takes a qualitative research approach by using a literature review to examine the silences and absences in the archives of Botswana. The findings indicate that the absences and silences at the national repositories in Botswana are attributed to factors such as foreign archiving methods, the abandonment of traditional and cultural practices, tribal discrimination and language suppression. Inspired by the concept of decoloniality, the article proposes an inclusive archiving practice that considers the country’s diverse population and knowledge production. Keywords Indigenous knowledge, archives, Botswana, colonialism, documentary heritageItem Stewarding Indigenous language data: case studies in CARE.(Sage, 2026) Littletree, Sandra; Guerrero, Nestor; Belarde-Lewis, MirandaStewarding qualitative Indigenous research data in libraries and repositories requires a nuanced, culturally responsive approach that respects Indigenous values and emphasizes relational accountability. This paper, using a case study approach, explores the decisions scholars of Indigenous language and culture face when depositing research data into a university-based special collections. The findings underscore issues of institutional trust and also indicate that providing access to their qualitative research data for future generations and community building is paramount. It also emphasizes the value of collaborative curation involving scholars, Indigenous communities, and the need for coordination between special collections and research data services within libraries. The aim of this research is to support libraries and repositories as they work to implement the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data for qualitative research data in alignment with Indigenous research methods and Indigenous knowledge systems. Keywords CARE, special collections, Indigenous Data, endangered heritage languagesItem Sowing the future: the vision of community libraries at Amawtay Wasi University, Ecuador.(Sage, 2026) Guandinango, AdrianaThe Intercultural University of Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples Amawtay Wasi has established an innovative community library management model based on ancestral wisdom and intercultural dialogue. This model adopts the Andean Chakana as a conceptual framework to guide library services, emphasising cultural preservation, equitable access to resources and sustainable development. These libraries transcend traditional roles and become centres of cultural preservation, intercultural dialogue and community empowerment. Through initiatives such as the digitisation of resources, education in indigenous languages and sustainable projects, they contribute to the revitalisation of indigenous identities and knowledge while promoting social cohesion and economic opportunities. The Intercultural University of Indigenous Nationalities and Peoples Amawtay Wasi’s libraries serve as a compelling example of a transformative approach to higher education that combines ancestral knowledge with modern methodologies. Keywords Community libraries, interculturality, ancestral knowledge, Ecuador, indigenous communities, cultural preservation, Andean ChakanaItem Bibliometric analysis of Indigenous knowledge systems and climate change adaptation literature, 1993–2023.(Sage, 2026) Gondo, RenikoThis article presents a bibliometric analysis of the intersection between Indigenous knowledge systems and climate change adaptation, based on 507 journal articles from 1993 to 2023 sourced from the Web of Science database. Using citation analysis and keyword co-occurrence, the study examines key themes, trends and influential works, shedding light on the evolving discourse surrounding Indigenous knowledge systems in climate adaptation. It identifies regional variations and shifts in research focus, highlighting the growing recognition of the role of Indigenous knowledge systems in climate change adaptation, particularly in Africa. The study finds an increase in scholarly interest and research output, signalling the rising significance of Indigenous knowledge systems in both academic and practical domains. It also reveals diverse approaches to integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into adaptation efforts, including community-based participatory research and policy advocacy. The study recommends an enhanced collaboration and knowledge exchange among traditional knowledge-holders, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to fully leverage Indigenous knowledge systems in addressing climate challenges effectively.