Assoc Prof. Francis Akena Adyanga

Associate Professor of Education

Francis Akena Adyanga (PhD.) is an Associate Professor at Kabale University and also the Dean Faculty of Education. Francis obtained his PhD. from the University of Toronto in 2014. In 2015, he taught at the University of Toronto and was later a postdoctoral fellow at the College of Education, University of South Africa (UNISA) Pretoria in 2016/2017. He has been a teacher with the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) in Ontario, Canada, from 2010 to 2016. He is an external examiner at Flinders University, Kyambogo University, Makerere University, and the University of Johannesburg. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the College of Education, University of South Africa (UNISA). He is a member of the International Science Council (ISC) and the Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa (SASA).

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Qualifications

Research Interests

Indigenous Knowledge, Social and Environmental Justice Education, Equity and Diversity in Education, Education in Emergencies and Post Emergencies Contexts and Global Citizenship Education.

Publications

Norma NRA Romm . (2024) . ). Effect of Education Investment on Citizen Democratic Satisfaction and Living Conditions in Africa: A national survey for Uganda . Asian Journal of Social Science and Management Technology, 6(5), pp. 116-129
ak . (2024) . Theoretical Review of Pay Restructuring in Uganda’s Public Service Health Sector . International Journal of Advanced Research , 7(1), pp. 35-54
Nathan Otutu . (2023) . Boosting Service Delivery through Strengthened Local Government Assessments: Insights from Uganda’s LGMSD Framework . East African Journal of Business and Economics , 6(2), pp. 164-180
Rugambwa N.O, Akena F.A, Nabutto C.L, & Bugembe G.K . (2023) . Enhancing African Indigenous Knowledge Collection Management in Ugandan Public University Libraries: Lived Experiences of Senior Library Staff . In: Tlou Maggie Masenya , Digital Preservation and Documentation of Global Indigenous Knowledge Systems , pp. 178-195. Available at: https://www.igi-global.com/book/digital-preservation-documentation-global-indigenous/305792
Akena FA; Norma RA Romm . (2022) . Collective Action for Regeneration of the Web of Life in the Face of Disruptive Injustice . In: McIntyre-Mills, J.J., Corcoran-Nantes,, Transformative Education for Regeneration and Wellbeing. Contemporary Systems Thinking., pp. 93 - 115
Johnson Ocan 1*, & Akena Francis Adyanga 2 . (2022) . Depictions Of Environmental Destruction By British Colonizers In Ole Kulets “The Hunter” and “Vanishing Herds” . American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Science (ARJHSS), 05(08). USA, Philadelphia : Open Access. , pp. 21-30
Francis Akena Adyanga & Norma RA Romm . (2022) . Reflections Upon our Way of Invoking an Indigenous Paradigm to Co-Explore Community Mobilization against Irresponsible Practices of Foreign-Owned Companies in Nwoya District, Uganda . The Qualitative Report, [online] Volume 27(7), pp. 1359-1389. Available at: https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5147
Francis Akena Adyanga, Denis Sekiwu and Grace Ankunda . (2022) . Integration of Quality into University Academic Programs for National Development in Uganda . In: Olivia Adwoa Tiwaah Frimpong Kwapong, John Kwame Boateng and David Addae, Reimagining Development Education in Africa . Switzerland: Springer Nature , pp. 209 - 228
Francis Adyanga Akena . (2022) . Education transformation (post) COVID-19: Significance for indigenous knowledge in Uganda — The conversational approach . In: Fymat, N. R.A. Romm & Kapalanga J. , Covid-19 pandemic: Perspectives across Africa. , pp. 315 - 333
Francis Adyanga Akena, Norma R.A. Romm and Johnson Ocan . (2022) . Economic development for holistic wellbeing in the (post) COVID-19 Era . In: A. Fymat, N. R.A. Romm & Kapalanga J., Covid-19 pandemic: Perspectives across Africa. , pp. 333 - 351
Sekiwu, Denis., Francis Akena Adyanga and Nina Rugambwa . (2022) . Decolonizing the African University Pedagogy Through Integrating African Indigenous Knowledge and Information Systems . In: Jared Keengwe, Handbook of Research on Transformative and Innovative Pedagogies in Education, pp. . 171-188
Ochieng A., Bonabaana B, and Akena F. A . (2021) . Nyege Nyege music festival in Uganda: a growing leisure activity with a moral dilemma , pp. 42 - 63
Francis Akena Adyanga, Marus Eton and Ayiga Natal . (2021) . The Discourse Of Non-citizens Expulsion Reinvigorated: Examination Of Racial Undertones In Asians Expulsion From Uganda In 1972 . African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research, [online] Volume 4(1), pp. 87 - 102. Available at: https://abjournals.org/ajsshr/?s=The+Discourse+of+Non-Citizens+Expulsion+Reinvigorated:+Examination+of+Racial+Undertones+in+Asians+Expulsion+from+Uganda+in+1972
Dr. Marus Eton, Dr. Sammy Godfrey Poro, Dr. Denis Sekiwu, Fabian Mwosi, Dr. Francis Akena Adyanga . (2020) . Financial Inclusion and Access to Higher Education An Empirical Study of Selected Districts in Eastern Uganda . European Journal of Business and Management , [online] Volume 12(17), pp. 93-104. Available at: http://idr.kab.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12493/450
F. A. Akena . (2020) . The “Miss Curvy Uganda” pageant: representation, commodification and exploitation of women’s bodies . SOCIAL SEMIOTICS , 31(2), pp. 224 – 239
Njoki Wane and Francis Akena Adyanga . (2019) . Historical and Contemporary Pan-Africanism and the Quest for African Renaissance
Francis Akena Adyanga . (2019) . Ancient Governance in Africa . In: Wane N, Gender, Democracy and Institutional Development in Africa, pp. 37 - 65
Francis Akena Adyanga . (2019) . Theoretical Analysis of Women’s Involvement in Insurgent Movements: Implications for Society’s Transformation in Africa . In: Wane N and Akena FA, Historical and Contemporary Pan-Africanism and the Quest for African Renaissance, 1st Edition
Francis Akena Adyanga . (2019) . The Kabake Programme: Popular Education to Address Community Challenges in Acholiland, Northern Uganda . In: Akwasi Arko -Achemfour, Kofi Poku Quan-Baffour and David Addae, Adult, Community and Lifelong Education and Development in Africa. New York : Nova Science Publishers Inc. , pp. 229 - 254
Francis Akena Adyanga . (2016) . Traditional knowledge in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention program in northern Uganda . Family Medicine and Community Health, 4(1), pp. 46–52
Francis Akena Adyanga and Norma Ruth Arlene Romm . (2016) . Researching Indigenous science knowledge integration in formal education : interpreting some perspectives from the field . International Journal of Educational Development in Africa, 3(1)
Njoki Nathani Wane, Francis Akena Adyanga and Ahmed Ali Ilmi . (2014) . Spiritual Discourse in the Academy: A Globalised Indigenous Perspective . New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.
Francis Akena Adyanga . (2012) . Critical Analysis of the Production of Western Knowledge and Its implication for Indigenous Knowledge and Decolonization . Journal of Black Studies, 43(6), pp. 599–619

Projects

Migration and Displacement Action Plan for Sub-Saharan Africa (MAPS)

Cristina Giudici (scientific Director) Godfrey Sempungu (KAB Team leader/Principal Investigator) Natal Ayiga (KAB Team leader Research) , Francis Akena Adyanga (KAB Team leader Knowledge sharing and dissemination), Jackson Tumwine, Ruth Tibesasa (KAB Team leader Cultural Dialogue and Stakeholders engagement), Ainemani Elvis Herbert, Charlotte Kabaseke December, 2024 → December, 2027

Universal Acceptance (UA) Day 2024

Dr. Francis Akena Adyanga, Murangira Jones, Godfrey Joseph Sempungu, Prof. Sam Lanfranco, Vicent Mabirizi, Collins Nuwagaba, Collins Nowamani, Kyomugisha Patricia and Mutegeki Cliff Agaba May, 2024 → May, 2024

Examining the relocation of the Batwa Indigenous people from the forests and its influence on their Indigenous Education, Customs and Cultures

Dr. Francis Akena Adyanga, Prof. Ayiga Natal, Prof. Sharon Carnahan May, 2023

Blended Learning Solution to Advance Gender Equality in Education in Uganda

Francis Akena Adyanga (PI), Joy Constance Kwesiga (Co-PI), Anny Bwengye (Co-PI), Jones Murangira (Co-PI), Nicholas Nkamwesiga (Co-PI), Conrad Mike Mubaraka (Co-PI), Santosh Shail (Co-PI), Sylvain Rochon (Co-PI), Hawa Keita (Co-PI), Regina Bafaki (Co-PI) November, 2021

Local Community Organizing to confront injustices of Multinational Corporations in Uganda

Francis Akena Adyanga (PI), Norma Romm (Co-PI) November, 2021

Nomadic Pastoralism, Food security and social unrest in northern Uganda

Francis Akena Adyanga, Norma NRA Romm November, 2021 → October, 2022

Supervision

  1. Kanyesigye Bens Rodgers. Youth involvement in pornography and academic engagement in selected secondary schools in Kabale Municipality (graduated with an MA in Education in 2024).
  2. Babiriisa Enos. Parental roles in the management of pupils’ discipline in selected Batwa community primary schools, Kanungu district (graduated with an MA in Education in 2023).
  3. Nyinamasiko Agnes. Teacher Rewards and their Performance: A Case Study of Selected Secondary Schools in Southern Division, Kabale Municipality (Graduated with an MA in Education in 2023).
  4. Kanyesigye Paul. Influence of communication on inclusive education provision to learners with special needs in selected secondary schools in Kamwenge district (graduated with an MA in Education in 2023).
  5. Hadijah Nalule. Examining the Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Female Students’ Education in Secondary Schools in Kisoro Municipality, Uganda (graduated with an MA in Education in 2022).
  6. BYARUHANGA ALEX MUGANDA. Influence of Head Teachers’ Administrative Practices on Students’ Discipline in Selected Secondary Schools in Ntungamo District (graduated with an MA in Education in 2021).
  7. NABAASA WILBERFORCE. Influence of Parents’ Socio-Economic Status on Pupils’ Academic Performance in Primary Schools in Kabale Municipality, Kabale District (graduated with an MA in Education in 2021).
  8. TUHIRIIRWE HELLEN. The Influence of Reproductive Health Experiences on Job Performance Among Female Teachers in Selected Secondary Schools in Kabale Municipality (graduated with an MA in Education in 2021).
  9. ASIIMWE IVAN BAGAMBA. Integration of Action-Oriented Research in Teaching Among Lecturers at National Teachers’ College-Kabale (graduated with an MA in Education in 2021).
  10. AMOS MUSIMENTA. A Comparative Study of Performance in Male and Female Students in Secondary Schools in Kamuganguzi Subcounty, Kabale District (graduated with MA Education in 2019).
  11. CHRISTOPHER NDYANABO. The Relationship Between Meal Provision and Students’ Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Kambuga Town Council in Kanungu District (graduated with MA Education in 2019).
  12. VHAHANGWELE PAT. LETHOLE. UNISA E-tutors’ experiences and views of active learning, University of South Africa (graduated with an MA in Education in 2017).

Presentations

2023: International Science Council (ISC) consultative side event and plenary session convened by Future Africa from 4-8 December 2023 in Pretoria, South Africa.

2023: Capitalizing on Synergies in Science: International Science Council (ISC) mid-term review conference. May 9 – 12 in Paris, France

2022: Ongoing Dialogues: Relational Resources for Global Good. At The Taos Institute 2022 online gathering. Conference theme “Creating Promising Futures Through Social Construction: Research in Multiple Worlds.” Paper presented: Conducting research in a low-resourced setting: Challenges & possibilities.

2022: Title: Dialoguing the discourse of Development from non-Western lens: Interpolating the lived Experiences of the Batwa Indigenous People of Uganda in development. Conference theme “Aurora: Redefining Progress and Navigating Transition”.  Oxford Forum for International Development Conference March 2022.

2021: Title: Collective action for regeneration of the chain of life in the face of disruptive injustice: The case of a Ugandan community – Alternative Futures & Popular Protest Conference. University of Manchester, June 2021.

2021: Title: Education Transformation Post Covid-19 in Africa: Implications for Indigenous Education & Knowledge System. A Seminar of Department of Adult Education & Youth Development University of South Africa (UNISA), November 2021.

2021 (November): Keynote address @ the Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa virtual Conference. Topic: Post Covid-19 Education Reform: The Implications for Indigenous Knowledge in Africa.

2021: University of Manchester Alternative Futures & Popular Protest Conference, June 2021 Conference. Paper presented: Collective action for regeneration of the chain of life in the face of disruptive injustice: The case of a Ugandan community –

2020:  Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa 7th International Scientific Conference, December 2020. Paper presented: Examining Students Perceptions on Covid 19: Implications for Safe Schools Reopening.

2019: Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa 6th International Scientific Conference at the University of Toronto, Canada. Paper presented: Transcending the Threshold of Transformative Research: Cogenerating Knowledge to Cogenerate New Practices.

2016: 4th Annual Symposium Community Engagement Conference. Engaging Diversity, Expanding Engagement and Utilizing Technology. Northwest University, South Africa. Paper presented: Theorizing Research in Community Engagement: Cogenerating Knowledge to Cogenerate New Practices.

2016: International conference on adult and continuing education (ICACE) in Pretoria South Africa. Paper presented: The Kabake program: popular education for self-reliance in Acholiland, northern Uganda.

2014: Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa 3rd International Scientific Conference in Kampala, Uganda. Paper presented: Methodological Discussions on the Integration of African Indigenous Science in Higher Education in Uganda.

2013: Society for the Advancement of Science in Africa International Conference, Polokwane, South Africa. Paper presented: Integration of Indigenous Science in Formal Education Curriculum in Uganda.

2012: 6th Annual Decolonizing Conference: Decolonizing the Spirit; Towards a Transgressive Pedagogy, University of Toronto. Paper presented:  Poornography; Western Hegemony and Spirit Injury: The Case of Kony 2012 Video

2012: 36th Annual National Council for Black Studies conference, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, GA. Paper presented: Integrating African Indigenous Science in Faculties of Higher Education in Uganda.

2011: Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA), Nairobi, Kenya. Paper presented: Integration of Indigenous African Science in Uganda’s School Curriculum.

2011: 5th Annual Decolonizing Conference: Land, Citizenship, Belonging and the Place of the Spirit, University of Toronto. Panelist: Forgiveness and Reconciliation through “Mato-Oput” Traditional Justice System.

2011: 35th Annual National Council for Black Studies conference, Cincinnati, Ohio. Paper presented: Analysis of the Production of Western Knowledge and its Implication for Decolonization.

2010: Pan-African Family Strength International Conference, Kenyatta University, Mombasa, Kenya. Paper presented: Public Discourse—The Kabake Program and care for Orphans in Northern Uganda.

More Information

Work Experience

November 2024 to date: Associate Professor of Education/Dean, Faculty of Education, Kabale University.

Senior Lecturer/Dean, Faculty of Education, Kabale University (November 2019 to 2024)
Duties:

  • Responsible to the Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, for the administration of the Faculty of Education in accordance with the policies and regulations.
  • Chairing the faculty meetings in accordance with the powers and duties laid out in the University Act
  • Foster and encourage research within the faculty.
  • Serve on Senate and other University Committees as required and report to the official bodies of the University and to University administrative officers on academic and administrative developments relating to the Faculty.
  • Ensure high standards of teaching, methods of evaluating teaching effectiveness, and grading practices in the faculty.
  • Maintain links between the faculty and other units.
  • Support curriculum development, review, and development of new undergraduate and graduate programs in line with the University’s overall programming objectives.
  • Develop a budget for the administration of the faculty that conforms with university practices and is responsible for ensuring that the budget is spent in keeping with the general objectives towards which the budget was developed.

Lecturer & Head of Department – Foundations of Education (June 2018–Nov. 2019)
Duties: 

  • Planning lectures, preparation, and research
  • Student supervision
  • Setting and assessing students works
  • Invigilation of examination
  • Attending staff meetings

Courses taught

  • Higher Education Teaching Certificate
  • Education Administration and Management
  • Human Resource Management in Education
  • Socio-economic Foundations of Education
  • Academic writing skills
  • Education Technology
  • Sociology of Education

Research Associate– University of Toronto (2017 – 2018)
Duties:

  • Develop and direct research assignments
  • Follow project brief and deliver frequent project updates
  • Document, report, and present research findings to stakeholders
  • Create a plan of action, set project goals, and manage to completion
  • Formulate effective and efficient research processes
  • Utilize various professional sources to find and extract pertinent information

Postdoctoral Fellow – University of South Africa (January 2016 – March 2017)

University of South Africa. I conducted a study on Indigenous Knowledge integration in formal education in a remote Indigenous community located at the confluence of South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. The output from this research in which community leaders, elders and schoolteachers actively participated, was published in November 2017 by the International Journal of Educational Development in Africa.

Further, with my mentor, I co-supervised two graduate students (one Master and one Doctorate) and conducted Mixed Method Research (MMR) workshops for graduate students as part of professional development at UNISA.

Course Instructor – University of Toronto (2014–2015)

University of Toronto 2014. To gain students confidence in a class of 29 with 26 from dominant groups, I shifted the focus of the course syllabus for the first two weeks to the embracement of equity and diversity in society. Students were excited with the commitment to investing in this innovative model of course delivery executed partially online and in class. The course was phenomenally successful.

Additional Work Experiences (before getting a PhD.)

  • Teaching Assistant – University of Toronto (2009 – 2013)
  • Research Assistant – University of Toronto (2008 – 2013)
  • Teaching Assistant – Gulu University, Uganda (2006 – 2007)
  • Program Coordinator – Gulu Development Agency (GDA), Uganda (2006 – 2007)
    At GDA, I initiated a new community-based approach to remedial education program that reintegrated over 400 formerly abducted rebel child soldiers into mainstream formal education in northern Uganda. Most of the students later graduated with High school and college diploma with different life skills.

University Committees Served from 2018 – 2019

  • Faculty of Education Graduate Committee (Chairperson).
  • Committee to implement the Teaching of Higher Education Teaching Certificate at University Lay Apostle of Kigali (Coordinator).
  • Ad Hoc Committee to Assess Facilities at Kisoro Primary Teachers College to Teach the Diploma in Primary Education Programme (Member).
  • Ad Hoc Committee for Cross Cutting Courses (Member).
  • Faculty Committee to shortlist & recommend applicants for job consideration (Member).

 

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