Theses and Dissertations

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A spartial framework for managing sewer and water networks using sensor networks: a case of the university of Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Chibuye, Gabriel
Public institutions generally have a lot of facilities and infrastructure catering for the population of the institution. Some important infrastructure such utilities which include water, sewer, electricity, and telecommunications require constant maintenance, management, and adequate monitoring for them to function effectively. This study aimed to build a framework for Managing Sewer and Water Networks Using Sensor Networks at the University of Zambia. The methodology involved understating the existing operations of the Resident engineer’s office to ascertain the user needs. These needs formed the basis of the study, the development and design of the prototype of the Web based Framework. Data Collection was done using various methods. A presurvey (Reconnaissance Survey) was done to have an idea of the existing infrastructure and a more accurate survey was done using GPS GNSS equipment GIS software was used to process data and create shapefiles. A 15-digit coding system was created and was used to assign unique identification numbers and extra attribute information to the water and sewer network shapefiles. A QR code was generated for each node and the serial number recorded. Tagging was done using the QR code for each structure. All the shapefiles were loaded into a PostGreSQL spatial database and were used as input in the Web GIS application. The web application had some tools imbedded in it which were mainly for monitoring and management of the structures. Using internet of things (IOT) technology, water level sensors were placed in a prototype to mimic some critical manholes to help with the monitoring of the sewerage network. The system could therefore be used for identification of any infrastructure by scanning the QR code and a map showing the structure would be seen online by the field technicians. Students could also be able to send out notifications to the resident engineer in case there was a damaged or malfunctioning structure. Monitoring of the sewer system could be done using the sensors and ultimately the framework would ease the management of the water and sewer systems at the University of Zambia.
A cadaveric study on variations of the cystic artery in the department of pathology, at the university teaching hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia., 2019) Sing`ombe, Isaac
The main source of blood supply to the gall bladder is the cystic artery which is a branch of the right hepatic artery. Anatomical variations of the cystic artery are frequent. Thus, careful dissection of the Calot`s triangle is necessary for conventional and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The knowledge of variations of the origin, course, and length of the cystic artery is important for the surgeon as bleeding from the cystic artery during cholecystectomy can lead to death. The objectives of the study were; 1. To establish the origin of the cystic artery. 2. To determine the length of the cystic artery. 3. To establish the course of the cystic artery. 4. To establish the relationship of the cystic artery to the cystic duct. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study design in which 32 post-mortem human cadavers at the University Teaching Hospitals, Pathology Department, Lusaka were dissected and examined over a period of five weeks. A data collection form was used as a tool to gather the data and sample selection was done through systematic sampling. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Statistics, version 22.0 (SPSS). A Chi-square and Fisher`s test was used to test association between variables. The cadavers dissected were aged between 22 and 66 years (mean 36.06±11.992) and of the 32, 27 were males and 5 females. Out of the 32 human cadavers, the cystic artery was found to be originating from the right hepatic artery in twenty-eight (87.5%), from hepatic artery proper in three (9.4%) and from the left hepatic artery in one (3.1%). In the twenty-nine (90.6%) cadavers dissected only one cystic artery was identified and in three (9.4%) others there were two arteries detected. The cystic artery length ranged from 2 – 6 cm (mean 3.56±1.0285 cm). The cystic artery was found to be inside Calot`s triangle in twenty-seven (84.3%) while in three (9.4%) it was outside the Calot`s triangle. The cystic artery was found to be passing supero-medial to the cystic duct in thirty (93.8%) while in two (6.3%) the cystic artery was passing anterior to the cystic duct. Demographic characteristic (gender and age) had no statistically significant association to variations of cystic artery (p>0.005). Five (18.5%) of males had variants of cystic artery and no females had variants of the cystic artery. Variations of the cystic artery origin, length, its course through the Calot`s triangle and its relation to the cystic duct are common. Knowledge of these variations is important and helpful in preventing and controlling haemorrhage or avoiding other complications during conventional and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
A comparative analysis of the relationship between nature and humans in chinua achebe’s things fall apart and dominic mulaisho’s tongue of the dumb.
(The University of Zambia., 2020) Muyumba, Victor
This study was concerned with establishing and investigating the similarities and differences in the relationship between nature and humans in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Dominic Mulaisho’s The Tongue of the Dumb. Further, it was concerned with establishing the significance of such similarities and differences in light of African literature and ecological content. In pursuing this key aim of the study, the researcher adopted a qualitative research design with desk research as the main means of data collection. The main means of analysing the two selected texts were the ecocritical and social constructionist approaches, with the former being the overarching theoretical tool. The findings revealed that, first, the Igbo and Nsenga people as presented in Things Fall Apart and Tongue of the Dumb respectively are both associated with nature-cultures and nature-religions. In their interaction with nature they ensure that there is harmony with nature and their religions are means of establishing an equilibrium in the delicate act of interacting with nature and natural phenomena. In both cases the ancestral spirits and gods are a key bridge between nature and humans. Second, in both texts the people are so close to nature that they personify it. Nature possesses the capacity to express emotions and to speak through various natural phenomena. Third, both texts exhibit an ambivalence, on the part of the people, in their attitude to natural phenomena – sometimes they perceive nature as friendly and at other times as a bitter destructive foe. Fourth, in both texts land is a central aspect of the people’s interaction with nature. Both the Igbo and Nsenga practise a land-based culture. While there are major similarities in the findings from the two texts, the differences are few and minor. One difference is that there is a more explicit portrayal of witchcraft in Tongue of the Dumb than in Things Fall Apart. In the former, witches are believed to have the power to manipulate nature and natural phenomena while in the former such belief is only implied. Further, while in the former destructive floods are among the means by which nature expresses its anger or dissatisfaction with the people, in the latter there are no floods. The findings suggest that the greater number of similarities compared to differences is due mainly to the fact that both texts deal with traditional African societies with similar ecophilosophies. The findings, however, cannot and should be applied to all African traditional societies but specifically to the two texts that were studied.
A comparative study of academic performance of grade 12 pupils in grant aided and army aided secondary schools in Lusaka province.
(The University of Zambia, 2019) Fridah Bobo
Religious bodies make a significant contribution to quality educational provision in Zambia through their Grant Aided Schools. The other set of aided schools include Army Aided in military cantonments whose academic performance for certain schools has been exceptionally very good meeting the set bench mark by Army command. The factors that account for the difference in academic performance between the two sets of schools are unknown. For this reason, the study was carried out to compare the academic performance of learners in Grant Aided and Army Aided Secondary Schools in Lusaka Province. The research design of this study was a quasi-experimental design. The target population for this study was made up of all secondary school Head teachers, Deputy Head teachers, teachers and pupils from the seven selected Grant Aided and Army Aided Schools in Lusaka Province. The sample size for the study was one hundred forty-four (144) respondents consisting of fifty five (55) pupils from grant aided forty five (45) from army aided schools; seven (7) Head teachers, seven (7) Deputy Head teachers, and thirty (30) Class teachers. The study used simple random and purposive sampling procedures to select participants. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used as instruments for data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and qualitative data was analyzed thematically to come up with findings. The findings of the study indicate that granted aided schools performed better than army aided schools. Some of the reasons were that grant aided schools had a smaller number of Grade Twelve (12) pupils per class. Army aided schools had on average of 77.2 pupils while grant aided schools had an average of 37.6 pupils. In terms of the number of teachers teaching grade twelve (12) pupils, it was found that army aided schools had more teachers. Similarly, army aided schools reported to have more grade twelve (12) classes than grant aided schools. The reason for the differences were attributed to better work attitudes by teachers in grant aided school, better attitude towards school by pupils, high level of discipline and morals and better facilities and programmes. Respondents spoken to at both Army Aided and Grant Aided Schools pointed out that motivation for pupils and teachers was an important factor that was put in place to enhance pupil performance. Most Head teachers as well as class teachers were of the view that the type of school affected a pupil’s performance unlike most pupils who said that the type of school does not affect one’s performance. The study concluded that in comparison, academic performance of grade twelve (12) pupils in Grant Aided Schools was better than those in Army Aided Schools in Lusaka Province.
A comparative study of bemba and mambwe at phonological, morphological and lexical levels.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Lumwanga, Chibwe Ronald.
The close proximity of the Bemba and the Mambwe speech communities was the prime motivation of this study. The study sought to compare Bemba and Mambwe at phonological, morphological and lexical levels. The study used qualitative research design because its focus was on words rather than on numbers. The methods were exploratory and descriptive: seeking to find out the opinions, thoughts and feelings of the respondents. In this study, respondents were freely able to disclose their experiences, thoughts and feelings without constraint. Semi-structured interviews and focus-group discussions were the principal methods of collecting data. There was also some participant observation. Through focus-group discussions, the responses given earlier by the key informant were verified. All the informants are proficient in the languages under study. Collaboration of the participants has made this study a success. Two theoretical frameworks informed this study: Lexical phonology theoretical framework which was developed by Kiparsky and others in 1980s. It is an approach to phonology that shows the interaction of morphology and phonology in the word building processes. Comparative Bantu morphology and phonology theoretical framework developed by Malcom Guthrie during the period 1967-1971 was also applied. This theory is viewed from the perspective of historical definition and typological characteristics, but the focus was on the latter to contextualise this study. The typological characteristics are viewed in terms of phonology, morphology and syntax. Bantu languages are known to share these typological chaaracteristics. Anchored on these theories, the study has brought to the fore the differences and similarities between Bemba and Mambwe in phonology, morphology and the lexicon. The findings show that there are more differences than similarities in each of the three levels of linguistic analysis. By implication of the study, something should be indicated with regard to mutual intelligibility between Bemba and Mambwe. Seeing that differences and similarities have emerged, there is some degree of mutual comprehensibility between the languages under study, but this is much lower on the mutual intelligibility continuum than the 63% arrived at in a study done earlier.
A comparative study of the antimicrobial efficacy of a herbal preparation to synthetic antibiotics for bovine mastitis treatment in Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Ngwisha, Joshua
Mastitis is a universal concern that accounts for reduced milk yield, loss from milk discarding due to antibiotic residues, increased veterinary costs and early culling of cows. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of locally available ethno veterinary herbal (Aloe genus and Curcuma longa) fresh formulations to synthetic antimicrobials on bovine mastitis causing bacteria in-vitro. Herbal formulations for the treatment of mastitis may not have any residual effects in the milk and blood of the treated cows. The plant materials of the genus Aloe and Curcuma longa were sourced within Zambia. The active compounds of these herbs were obtained as crude extracts using the water, ethanol and ethyl acetate solvents. The test microbes comprised of standard controls and field isolates. The agar dilution method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity by observing the susceptibility graded as Susceptible, intermediate or resistant. The synthetic anti-mastitis’ susceptibility was compared to that of the herbal preparations. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of the herbal formulation was also determined using two-fold serial dilutions. On average, the agar dilution trials revealed; 41.8% resistance , 13% intermediate and 45.3% susceptibility for the herbal formulation, while the synthetic antimicrobials produced 23.5% resistance, 5.2% intermediate and 71.3% susceptibility. The gram positive microbes (genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus) when analysed alone for the agar dilution tests indicated; 18.8% resistance, 25.3% intermediate and 56% susceptibility on the herbal treatment, while the synthetic anti-mastitis formulation averaged; 16.8% resistance, 4.75% intermediate and 78.5% susceptibility. The gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were mostly resistant and were absent in the field isolates assessed and therefore did not warrant sole analysis. Mean MIC was 11.5mg/ml at the 5% serial dilution for herbal extract compared to the Cephalexin (semi-synthetic antimicrobial) MIC for S. aureus at 0.5mg/L or 0.0005mg/ml. The Aloe genus and Curcuma longa crude herbal formulation from Zambia has antimicrobial efficacy on bovine mastitis causing microbes in-vitro and may be used as an alternative to synthetic anti-mastitis preparations.
A critical analysis of the independence of the independent broadcasting authority's (IBA) regulation of the private media.
(The University of Zambia, 2022) Chungu, Kapembwa
This study was aimed at examining the ‘independence’ of the regulatory practices of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) towards the private media in Zambia. In order to achieve this, it specifically analyses the IBA practices in regulating the private media; the factors influenced the IBA’s capacity to regulate the private media in Zambia; the operations of the private media in relation to media regulation and the effects of IBA regulation practices on media freedom in the country. Therefore, the study employed qualitative methods and an explorative research design was used. Data was collected through document analysis and in-depth interviews from IBA, news editors and station managers from two television stations and media experts. The data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study found that the process of appointing members of the Board exposes the Authority to political interference because the Board is solely appointed by the Minister of Information and Media without names being scrutinised by Parliament. Due to this appointment procedure, media experts, news editors and station managers feel that the decisions made by these Boards are biased and do not hold the interests of the private media. It was also found that the IBA does not have technologically advanced equipment to monitor the activities of the media institutions that it regulates. The study also found that the practices of the IBA in the past five years also hindered press freedom as media institutions were being closed on political grounds. The study also found that the independence of the IBA was likely to be compromised because its funding mainly came from central government. In line with the findings the study recommended that firstly, in order to safeguard the independence of the practices of the IBA, the IBA Act should be repealed in order to put in place a new Act that will address the issues that compromise the independence of the Authority. Secondly, the Authority should procure technologically advanced equipment and lastly funding to the regulator should be increased so that the can be able to perform their duties.
A framework for an early warning system for the management of the spread of locust invasion based on artificial intelligence technologies.
(The University of Zambia, 2024) Halubanza, Brian
As the global population continues to grow, ensuring food security remains a paramount challenge, especially in light of threats like devastating locust invasions. The agricultural sector in Zambia, particularly in the Sikaunzwe area of Kazungula district, Southern Province, faces unique challenges including inaccurate locust species identification, a lack of field staff, and the inaccessibility of infested areas. Despite advancements in AI and sensor applications for pest management, existing approaches often fail to robustly adapt to varied agronomic conditions or to integrate real-time environmental data effectively. Furthermore, these methods generally lack sufficient engagement of local communities, crucial for the sustained success of locust management strategies. This research addresses these problems by introducing a comprehensive framework that enhances early warning and management of locust invasions. The methodologies employed include Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), semi-structured questionnaires, and field experiments using a Deep Learning model embedded in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Cloud Computing. The research is guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Design Science Research Methodology, facilitating systematic development and evaluation of an AI-based early warning system. The development of mobile applications and SMS services has significantly enhanced the reach and effectiveness of locust management strategies. The research culminated in the creation and implementation of an advanced Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, specifically the MobileNet version 2 quantized model, tailored for automatic identification of locust species. This model achieved an average precision rate of 91% for Locusta migratoria and 85% for Nomadacris septemfasciata using a custom dataset of 1700 images from the study area. Beyond AI-driven identification, the research integrated low-cost IoT devices capable of capturing real-time locust images and uploading them to an online database only if they met an 80% accuracy threshold, while also collecting vital environmental data like temperature and humidity. This integration of AI, IoT, and real-time data collection represents a transformative approach to integrated locust pest management, setting a scalable model for future adoption in similar agricultural contexts. The framework not only addresses immediate locust management challenges but also enhances the broader path of technological progress in agriculture.
A grammar of interrogatives in Tonga.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Haamilandu, Habeenzu
This study examined interrogatives in Tonga. In particular, the current study undertook to understand the phonological aspects of interrogative markers, morphological aspects, and their syntactic distributions as well as the role that semantics plays in interrogative constructions within the broader context of the Tonga grammar. The Basic Linguistic Theory is used as a theoretical framework. The Tonga language under scrutiny in this study is a language spoken by a Bantu group of people found mainly in Zambia and some parts of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The variety of Tonga considered in this study is the plateau Tonga as particularly spoken in Choma district of the southern province of Zambia. The researcher identified the key informants for the study who are teachers of the language in secondary schools and subjected them to word and sentence list which they provided data accordingly by transforming declarative sentences into interrogatives in Tonga. The data from the study show that there are three types of interrogatives that exist in Tonga, and these are: polar interrogative, alternative interrogative and constituent interrogatives. With regards to interrogative particles in Tonga, Polar interrogatives use hena, tee, na and tonal particles while Constituent interrogatives use Buti, (Ku)li, (Mu)li, (Aa)li, Cili, Lili, Nkaambo nzi/ kai/nzi, Ni, Nzi and the alternative interrogatives in Tonga engage the following disjunctive particles in their formation: Naanka, Na and Na pe. Interrogative particles in Tonga assume different forms; they are either free or bound morphemes. Syntactically, all the interrogative particles in Tonga occur in-situ except for kuli ‘where’, kai ‘why’ and nkaambo nzi ‘why’ that occupy the initial position only. The coordinating conjunction ‘naanka’ is positioned between two polar interrogatives reduced to one, by ellipsis to form the alternative interrogative. In answering polar interrogatives in Tonga, the data revealed that, an addressee may answer with inzya to mean yes or peepe to mean no when responding to positive polar interrogatives accompanied with culturally appropriate gestures of head nodding. In answering constituent interrogatives in Tonga, a full clause that contains the constituent that fill the information gap the interrogative words seek to link is used or a simple word made up of the constituent being questioned is used. Interrogatives can be studied from different perspectives. The study recommends further studies on constituent interrogatives in Tonga using other theories such as the minimalist program and also to conduct an exhaustive examination of the phonology of the interrogatives in Tonga.
A grammar of negation in Tonga.
(The University of Zambia, 2019) Nkolola, Sheila
The study examined A Grammar of Negation in Tonga. The research was explored in order to investigate the morphological, syntactic and the semantic structure of negation in Tonga. The objectives of the study were; to analyze the morphology of negation in Tonga, to examine the syntactic distribution and some semantic aspects of negation in Tonga. In particular, the study examined incorporation, productivity of negative markers across the noun class system, the necessity of the negative marker ‘ta’ within a statement and the negative concord. Secondary and Primary sources were employed in data collection. The study employed a qualitative approach and the findings were analyzed in line with the objectives. The major negative markers under discussion include: ‘ta’, ‘na’, ‘ni’, ‘ti’, ‘pe’, ‘tu’, ‘li’ and ‘he’ . From the morphological point of view, the study reveals that negation is manifested through prefixation and suffixation. Following the Jespersen’s cycle theory, the negative marker ‘ta’ is considered as an original negator or necessity in the sense that, when it is dropped in a negative expression, the statement loses its grammaticality. The example is illustrated as: Utakkali pe,’ direct translated as ‘you should not sit no’. When the negative marker ‘ta’ is dropped, the statement is presented as: *Ukkali pe ‘you sit not’. From the given illustrations, the second statement is considered ungrammatical because of the absence of the original negative marker ‘ta’. Hence, the negative marker ‘ta’ generates the theme called necessity. Nonetheless, the negative markers ‘li’ and ‘ta’ are considered to be the most productive elements in the noun class system. The marker ‘li’ can be applied in the noun class (1); these are nouns that begin with the morpheme ‘mu’. An example is illustrated as: Tali Muntu ‘it is not a person’, among others. Syntactically, the theory of negation that encompasses sentential and constituent negation played a very important role in this study. With regards to sentential negation, the negative marker scopes over the entire sentence whereas constituent negation focuses on a particular category. Semantically, the study reveals that Tonga is a negative concord language; this is because most of the negative expressions manifest more than one negative marker with a single interpretation. Having achieved the study’s objectives, the study recommends other studies to investigate a comparison of negation between English and Tonga and other Bantu languages.
A grammar of negation in Tonga.
(The University of Zambia, 2019) Nkolola, Sheila
The study examined A Grammar of Negation in Tonga. The research was explored in order to investigate the morphological, syntactic and the semantic structure of negation in Tonga. The objectives of the study were; to analyze the morphology of negation in Tonga, to examine the syntactic distribution and some semantic aspects of negation in Tonga. In particular, the study examined incorporation, productivity of negative markers across the noun class system, the necessity of the negative marker ‘ta’ within a statement and the negative concord. Secondary and Primary sources were employed in data collection. The study employed a qualitative approach and the findings were analyzed in line with the objectives. The major negative markers under discussion include: ‘ta’, ‘na’, ‘ni’, ‘ti’, ‘pe’, ‘tu’, ‘li’ and ‘he’ . From the morphological point of view, the study reveals that negation is manifested through prefixation and suffixation. Following the Jespersen’s cycle theory, the negative marker ‘ta’ is considered as an original negator or necessity in the sense that, when it is dropped in a negative expression, the statement loses its grammaticality. The example is illustrated as: Utakkali pe,’ direct translated as ‘you should not sit no’. When the negative marker ‘ta’ is dropped, the statement is presented as: *Ukkali pe ‘you sit no’. From the given illustrations, the second statement is considered ungrammatical because of the absence of the original negative marker ‘ta’. Hence, the negative marker ‘ta’ generates the theme called necessity. Nonetheless, the negative markers ‘li’ and ‘ta’ are considered to be the most productive elements in the noun class system. The marker ‘li’ can be applied in the noun class (1); these are nouns that begin with the morpheme ‘mu’. An example is illustrated as: Tali Muntu ‘it is not a person’, among others. Syntactically, the theory of negation that encompasses sentential and constituent negation played a very important role in this study. With regards to sentential negation, the negative marker scopes over the entire sentence whereas constituent negation focuses on a particular category. Semantically, the study reveals that Tonga is a negative concord language; this is because most of the negative expressions manifest more than one negative marker with a single interpretation. Having achieved the study’s objectives, the study recommends other studies to investigate a comparison of negation between English and Tonga and other Bantu languages. Keywords: Negation, Incorporation, Productivity, Necessity and Negative Concord
A history of Ngoni chiefs of fort Jameson (Chipata) under colonial rule, 1895 - 1964.
(University of Zambia, 2019) Chongo, Chanda Lucky
This study examines the history of the Ngoni chiefs under colonial rule in Northern Rhodesia’s Fort Jameson (Chipata) from 1895 to 1964. It shows the responses and reactions of the chiefs and the people they ruled towards the policies of the British South Africa Company and later of governments under the Colonial Office and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. These policies include land alienation, taxation and labour recruitment. The study shows that the Ngoni were not passive in their reactions. Their rulers, for example, tended to collect taxes less resented by their followers and vehemently opposed land alienation because it compromised the interests of their subjects. The study begins by giving a brief background of how Carl Wiese managed to buy 10,000 square miles of land from Paramount Chief Mpezeni in 1890. It postulates that the purchase of land from the chief marked the beginning of problems for the Ngoni. This was because their means of subsistence production were reduced due to land shortages coupled with the tax policy which was earlier implemented. Land alienation, movement to the reserves, and tax obligations necessitated wage employment among the Ngoni. The study further shows the changing roles of traditional rulers after colonial rule became deeply rooted among the Ngoni people. It argues that as much as Ngoni chiefs were required to carry out certain functions on behalf of the colonial state, they did not neglect their people as they executed chiefly duties. It has been noted, in this study, that even after being conquered by the B.S.A.C, the Ngoni traditional authority managed to carry out their administrative duties as demanded by the colonial state simultaneously with their traditional ones. In cases when the colonial state was in conflict with the local people, the chiefs sided with their local people. This study further attempts to assess colonial impact on Ngoni traditional authorities and their subjects. It argues that the colonial state undermined traditional authorities in various ways. It undermined the authority of chiefs by abolishing tribute and unpaid labour which were earlier given to chiefs by their subjects. The abolition of tribute and unpaid labour interfered with the superior status earlier enjoyed by Ngoni traditional authorities. The situation led to increased friction between the colonial state and the chiefs. Contrally to the underdevelopment theory, the study posits that much as the above colonial policies undermined Ngoni traditional authorities, Ngoni chiefs rose above colonial challenges to take care of their subjects in the expected traditional manner. Key words: Ngoni, Tribute, Chiefs, Colonial-Office
A history of the church of christ in the southern province of Zambia, 1910-2015.
(The University of Zambia, 2020) Daka, Brian
This study is an attempt to reconstruct a history of the Church of Christ in the Southern province of Zambia from 1910 to 2015. In doing so, it examines key aspects of the church’s activities including its contribution to the development of education, health and orphan care provision in Southern province. The study argues that like many other missionary societies, the Church of Christ utilised education and medical outreach programmes to win converts. Unlike other missionary societies, the church continued using education as a major tool of winning converts even after independence. However, the church transformed its strategies, from focusing on the classroom to win converts to using outreach programmes after independence. The study further demonstrates that the church was involved in health care provision since colonial times. However, it did not do much in the colonial era, but after independence, it developed into one of the most important health care providers in Southern province. The church provided health care because it felt it was a responsibility given to it by Jesus. The church did not only provide health care through its clinics but it also conducted medical missions in most parts of Southern province. The study argues that medical missions were accompanied by massive evangelism and church planting. The study further concluded that the church was first involved in orphan care during the colonial period. It argues that orphan care in the colonial period was different from that of the post-colonial period. At inception the church kept orphans through institutionalised orphan care while after independence it transformed to home based care. The study further argues that the Church of Christ and the state collaborated well in education, health and orphan care. For instance, the state exempted the mission from paying taxes on imports.
A linguistic analysis of brand names: a case of radio station names in Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2020) Masule, Benson
Couched within the broader context of social semiotics and morphological theory, the current study is aimed at providing a linguistic analysis of radio station names in Zambia, as well as establishing the social semiotic forces that undergird the naming systems of radio stations. This was born out of the realisation that names are symbols that bring about a variety of feelings depending on the relationship between the name user and the named object or person. Through three specific objectives, the study sought to place radio station names into the possible morphological processes that gave rise to them and to determine the social cultural knowledge and histories that influence the choice of radio station names in Zambia. A descriptive research design, which was largely informed by a qualitative approach in both data collection and analysis, was adopted. Four research sites were used to draw samples in this study namely: Lusaka, Southern, Central and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia. Using purposive sampling, 50 radio stations in the four provinces mentioned were sampled. The study targeted station managers, chief executive officers and/or, proprietors of the radio stations as key respondents in order to gain insight into the naming practices. Data were collected using personal interviews, document study, as well as observations. Radio station names were analysed by grouping them according to their word number and later examined how they are formed. Symbols that accompanied some radio station names were also analysed according to their symbolic significance. Morphologically, the study revealed that most radio station names were single nominals (simplex forms) i.e. Hot, Sky, Joy, Byta, and Sun radio stations. Others were compounded names (complex forms) e.g. Radio Christian Voice, Mumbwa Bluesky. Most of the radio station names were found to be de-verbals, de-nominals and de-adjectivals. Compounding, acronymisation, initialisation, blending and reduplication were found to be the common morphological processes that were typical of radio station names. Religion, modernity, indigenisation, Anglicisation and geographical positioning formed part of the social semiotic forces that influenced the naming systems of radio stations in Zambia. The study concluded that, radio station owners used both linguistic signs and symbols to communicate to their target audience. The study recommends that any further study on ergonyms, should focus on the semantic aspects of radio station names so as to appreciate the semantic values attached to them.
A linguistic analysis of Mbunda.
(The University of Zambia, 2020) Kalyata, Kanyanga
This work provides a linguistic analysis of Mbunda language as spoken by native speakers in Kalabo District of Western Province, Zambia. It describes three levels of linguistic analysis namely Phonology, Morphology and Syntax. Mbunda ya Mathzi dialect is used for this study as it is considered the standard form. In conducting the research, the researcher completed a list of 200 basic vocabulary items (Swadesh list) after which he exposed it to four native speakers of Mbunda for verification and pronunciation. The pronunciations were recorded in order to assist with the sound system of the language (Phonology) and also for use in the other levels of linguistic analysis as some of the terms were eventually used in context of sentences (Syntax). The rest of the information was generated through introspection. Information generated as such was equally verified. With regard to phonology, the study reveals that Mbunda has a five vowel system with twenty one consonants. In order to identify the distinctiveness of consonants and vowels, a minimal pair test is conducted. Arising from the minimal pairs, the study has discovered that Mbunda is one of the few Bantu languages with the voiceless dental fricative /θ/ as in the English word „thing‟. The study also reveals that tone and vowel length can mark distinction in terms of word meaning. The common syllable types in Mbunda are V, CV, CSV and SV. Morphologically, the study shows that Mbunda has eighteen noun classes achieved, mostly, through the addition of a prefix to a stem. The study navigates the semantic role(s) of each noun class. An account of Mbunda Verbal system is provided in which it is evident that the verbal system of the language is heavy with affixes that play different roles as can be observed from verbal extensions present in the language. Syntactically, the basic word order is SVO. It is noted, from the data collected, that Mbunda has a word order that is not restrictive in terms of the position of the main clause; it depends on what one wants to emphasize. Yes/no questions are expressed through intonation (sentence-final rising pitch) and change in word order and through a questioning particle. Data collected shows presence of interrogatives which are used in formation of content questions. The study has addressed some aspects of the three levels of linguistic analysis. It is, therefore, recommended that future linguistic studies on Mbunda address areas absent in this paper and possibly look at the other levels of linguistic analysis as they apply to the concerned language.
A morphological and social semiotic analysis of Bemba theonyms.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Matukuto, Susan
The study is embedded in onomastics, a study of proper names in all aspects from different typologies. The study aimed at establishing the morphological structure, social semiotic aspects and etymology of the Bemba Christian theonyms. Data were drawn from Kasama and Mungwi districts through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, a questionnaire, and document analysis. The study used descriptive research design informed by qualitative approach to data descriptive and lexical analysis of morphological structures. This was analysed using lexical morphology model by segmenting, identifying and describing morphemes that make up these theonyms. The meanings were interpreted by means of eclectic theories; the social semiotics, phenomenology and thematic analysis in order to establish their social semiotic aspects. The study established that the Bemba Christian theonyms have a noun prefix plus noun stem morphological structure. The theonyms showed a morphological patterning of the prefixes and extensions added to roots or stems with the potential to change the meanings of roots or stems to which they are attached. These theonyms are denominals, deverbals and deadjectivals. At configurational level, the theonyms exhibited short, long, phrasal (compound), sentential and proverbial structures. With regards to the processes which undergirded their formulation, the study noted affixation, compounding, reduplication, conversion, coinage or neologism, borrowing and clipping. Bemba Christian Theonyms are meaningful, as they try to express adoration and praise of the mighty and great powers of God who is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. It was established through interviews that due to God’s social interest in the interests of mankind, he has been given different names. Some names which were previously used before the coming of Christianity to praise their natural environment, phenomena, some extra ordinary chiefs and people have been adopted and transposed as praise names for God. Some Bemba Christian theonyms have been borrowed from other languages and others from the Bible. Etymologically, Bemba Christian Theonyms are derived from verbs and nouns motivated by social semiotic (social interest and religious beliefs) based on humankind, natural environment and phenomena. This study has added some body of knowledge of morphological structure, social semiotic and etymology of proper names as some of the ways of studying onomastics.
A pilot study to identify single nucleotide variants in exon 19 of the braca1 gene in female breast cancer patients at Matero level one hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2022) Shakachite, Lisa
Breast cancer (BC) patients in Zambia more commonly present with advanced-stage disease and often at young ages (≤50 years). Breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) is a tumor suppressor gene in which mutations have been linked to disease presentation at a young age. More than 600 distinct pathogenic (disease causing) single nucleotide variants with the potential for structural and functional effects on BRCA1 have been documented in ClinVar, a major human variation and phenotype database. The BRCA1 C-terminal (BRCT) region is critical for tumor suppression because it acts in DNA damage repair and cell cycle checkpoint protein control. Mutations in this region have been associated to structural effects and loss of function of BRCA1 in many studies. However, BRCT mutations in young female breast cancer patients from Zambia have not been identified to date. The genetic alterations in exon 19 of the BRCA1 gene were assessed here for the first time in a cohort from Zambia. Seventy-three patients diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of ≤50 years were recruited irrespective of family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Genomic DNA was extracted from ten peripheral blood samples and PCR-amplified with exon 19-targeting primers of the BRCA1 gene. Amplicons were sequenced using a Sanger sequencing platform and analyzed using bioinformatics tools at various web-based platforms and ClinVar. Overall, elevensingle nucleotide mutations were identified in three patients, and all known to play a role in determining the structure of BRCA1. Of the identified mutations, one was pathogenic and sevenhad uncertain significances. Six of these mutations were heterozygous and classified in the loss of function category in ClinVar. These variants were specifically associated with Breast-ovarian cancer, familial, susceptibility to, 1 (BROVCA1). Four out of the six heterozygous mutations were missense mutations and two were nonsense mutations. Based on an unpaired two-tailed student’s t-test, the null hypothesis that there was no association between the age of a BC patient and the number of mutations in exon 19 leading to a loss of function of BRCA1, was rejected (P= 0.04). Further studies are clearly necessary to explore how mutations in the entire BRCA1 gene affect disease presentation in the female BC population. The young age (≤50 years) for breast cancer diagnosis in female Zambian patients may be attributed to other factors like other genetic mutation status, epigenetic changes, lifestyle etc. These results will help in decision making with regard to the integration of genomic medicine into breast cancer care in Zambia which has tremendous potential to improve the outcomes and survival of diagnosed patients.
A protocol for secure distributed spatial searching using homomorphic encryption.
(The University of Zambia, 2019) Katambo, Jimmy
Privacy of a person doing a spatial search as well as security of data being provided by a data provider can be of great concern in collecting statistical data. This has led to those who engage in searching for data to ask questions on whether they are anonymous to the one who is providing the data and also whether the one who is providing the data is anonymous to those who are doing the searching. However, such questions have provided an opportunity to the computer science community (researchers) to seek for solutions that can be used to deal with this problem of lack of anonymity of data and confidentiality. This study therefore aimed to propose a protocol by putting into application Homomorphic Encryption and a Distributed Ring Algorithm, to ensure anonymity of data of both parties involved in a spatial search, that is, a data provider and a searcher. To achieve this aim, three objectives were set. The first objective was to identify a Homomorphic Encryption technique that can support a spatial search. This was achieved by reviewing literature on Homomorphic Encryption techniques. Paillier Homomorphic Encryption technique was identified as the best approach that can support a spatial search. The second objective was to develop a protocol for distributed spatial searching based on the best Homomorphic Encryption technique which was identified. After analysing how Pallier Encryption works, a protocol was then designed based on distributed system principles. The third objective was to develop a proof of concept using the proposed protocol. A prototype implemented as distributed application was written in Java using the proposed protocol. The study implemented an application from the protocol developed which proved useful for collecting statistical data with guaranteed confidentiality. It also proved that, by putting into application Homomorphic Encryption, the person who was doing the search became anonymous to the providers of the data and the data provided by the providers became anonymous to the person who was doing the searching.
A review of the successes and challenges of coordination and collaboration in the implementation of e-government programmes: a case of Zambia.
(The University of Zambia., 2021) Chilembo, Zondi
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have significantly changed the way citizens interact across society and how governments operate and deliver services to its citizenry. The concept of e-Government has brought about efficiency and transparency in service delivery by working towards ensuring inter-government coordination and collaboration are attained in the context of New Public Administration. Developing countries, Zambia inclusive, have undergone widespread deployment of e-Government initiatives, but experienced high failure rates because some projects never got implemented. In some cases, projects were abandoned immediately after implementation or never achieved the intended outcomes requirements. One of the major challenges encountered in implementation of e-Government is coordination and collaboration among government agencies due to barriers associated with sharing information and integration across their traditional organisational boundaries, with preference to working in silos resulting in duplication and over investment in implementation. The objective of this study was to review the successes and challenges of coordination and collaboration in the implementation of e-Government programmes – A case of Zambia. The summary of the research findings shows that Zambia has adopted an administrative model for institutional coordination. However, the structure of this model has drawbacks and the study proposes a structural design for e-Government institutional coordination to better coordinate and collaborate e-Government programmes. 75% of the respondent indicated that Zambia does not have an interoperability framework in place while 25% indicated its availability thereby making it difficult for systems to integrate in the absence of standards. Secondary data reviewed in this study shows that Zambia scored 0.2588 in 2020 compared to 0.4792 in 2018 on the Online Service Index, which was far below the global average of 0.5620 and a regional (Africa) average of 0.3704. The study looked at e-Government coordination models, inter-agency collaboration among government agencies in the context of e-services and how other countries have successfully implemented e-Government programmes in a coordinated manner using institutional coordination models In Zambia, several researchers and scholars have reviewed e-Government implementation. However, there has been no study that has sought to review the role of coordination and inter-agency collaboration in implementing e-Government programmes in Zambia. This study therefore was intended to fill that knowledge gap. The results of this study will inform policy makers, ICT heads, and academia to come up with policies, strategies and legislative interventions as well as provoke research that will make e-Government coordination and collaboration of government agencies more effective, efficient, and transparent.
A rhetorical analysis of the 2016 presidential election campaign discourse in Zambia with reference to one opposition candidate.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Mwiinga, Clare
This study investigated the campaign discourse of the 2016 presidential elections in Zambia with a view to showing how rhetorical devices were employed by one Opposition candidate in order to achieve persuasion in his campaign discourse. Specifically, the study focused on the campaign speeches by Mr Hakainde Hichilema in the run up to the August 11, 2016 elections. The investigation was carried out through content analysis of the campaign speeches. The study was informed by the Rhetorical analytical framework. The corpus was obtained by the researcher collecting the recorded campaign speeches in video form from ZNBC and Muvi televisions and transcribed verbatim. By analysing the campaign messages by Mr Hichilema, the study shows that he employed rhetorical devices which include parellism, allusion, use of pronouns, code switching and presupposition in his discourse in order to win support of the electorate. The study reveals through rhetorical analytical framework that rhetoric is the ability of the rhetor to exploit language as an essential instrument to achieving the audience’s adherence to his or her standpoint. The study concludes that the candidate employed various rhetorical devices which include aesthetic expressions, syntactic elements and code switching to woo support of the electorate and that it matters how politicians present what they say when campaigning. Besides, the study has established that the rhetorical theory is specifically interested in the skill employed in communication in order for the rhetor to convince the audience of his or her own standpoint and spells out detailed resources of rhetoric which are ethos, pathos, logos and kairos. In order to achieve persuasion, these different appeals to effective communication, should be exploited in a certain way according to the context, the speaker, type of audience and subject matter as well as its timeliness. In addition, the study has revealed that, when campaigning, politicians make use of the rhetoric of blame and bluster through polarization as a strategy to winning support of the electorate. Further study has shown that the political candidate under examination, through the use of rhetorical devices, leant on the extremely polarized view of us versus them, where himself belonged to the positively represented in-group and the opposing group was firmly placed in the out-group, derisively whenever possible. This polarization gave the political candidate under study an advantage over his opponents.

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