The influence of facility resources on retention of students in universities in central Uganda

Raymond Kibirige; Lucy Chemutai; Bernard Lutalo; Creatoris  Nayebare; Saabavuma Christopher; Edith Namutebi; Muleke Muleke

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.3.4.1

Authors

Raymond Kibirige Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6347-5782
Lucy Chemutai Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5880-0750
Bernard Lutalo Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8136-9007
Creatoris Nayebare Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8693-9032
Saabavuma Christopher Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4930-122X
Edith Namutebi Mountain of the Moon University Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7858-5805
Paul Muleke Mountain of the Moon University Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5325-6001

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.3.4.1

Keywords:

Facility resources, Retention, Students, Universities, Central Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of facility resources on the retention of students in universities in central Uganda. This study was based on systems theory. It also adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The research included 22 institutions of higher learning in central Uganda whereby 7 were purposively sampled to participate in the study because these universities had favorable learning facilities however, stakeholders complained about their retention of students. The targeted population were 210 including deans, lecturers and students however, only 128 of the total population participated in the study. The study used purposive sampling technique to select 14 deans, 48 lecturers and 66 students to participate in the study. Interviews, focused group discussion and documentary guides were used for data collection. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study concluded that, facility resources like, libraries, laboratories, computer labs and lecture halls are inadequate in universities. Further, the research indicated that, retention of students is poor and a serious challenge in universities. It also emphasized that, adequate and modern facility resources positively impact the retention of students in universities in central region of Uganda. The study recommended that; the government of Uganda through the National Council for Higher Education and Ministry of Education and Sports should strengthen, monitoring and enforcement of minimum stands for university facilities to ensure equity and quality across all the institutions of higher learning. Universities should invest in modern and conducive learning facilities such as libraries, laboratories, computer labs and lecture halls which are vital in enforcing universities to retain leaners. Further study should be conducted on additional factors contributing and determining students’ retention in universities.

References

Anderson, M. E. (2024). Teacher-course assignment patterns: Implications for school leaders [Doctoral dissertation, University of Florida].

Andrade, A. E., Padilla, L., & Carrington, S. J. (2024). Educational spaces: The relation between school infrastructure and learning outcomes. Heliyon, 10(19), Article e38361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38361

Baafi, R. K. A. (2020). School physical environment and student academic performance. Advances in Physical Education, 10(2), 121-137.

https://doi.org/10.4236/ape.2020.102012

Barbara, F. C. (2020). Higher education: Factors and strategies for student retention. HETS Online Journal, 10(2), 82-105.

https://doi.org/10.55420/2693.9193.v10.n2.14

Barrett, P., Treves, A., Shmis, T., Ambasz, D., & Ustinova, M. (2019). The impact of school infrastructure on learning: A synthesis of the evidence. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1378-8

Bertalanffy, L. V. (1956). A biologist looks at human nature. Scientific Monthly, 82(1), 33-41.

Bolatimi, O. S., & Bolatimi, F. E. (2025). Student satisfaction with university facilities and services and its impact on academic performance at Koforidua Technical University, Ghana. Discover Education, 4, Article 92, 2-16.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00913-9

Chemutai, L., Kibirige, R., Lutalo, B., Nayebale, C., & Muleke, P. (2026). Examining the influence of school infrastructure on retention of students in secondary schools in Bukwo District, Eastern Uganda. African Quarterly Social Science Review, 3(3), 458-466.

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.3.3.39

Cheptoyek, I. (2024). Parent activities and student's retention in selected secondary schools in Bukwo District [Bachelor's dissertation, Uganda Christian University].

Christiana, A. (2019). Impact of educational facilities on academic performance of secondary school students in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State [Postgraduate dissertation, Institute of Education, Nasarawa State University, Keffi].

Dhanapola, R. M. (2021). The effect of learning environment on academic performance from students' perspective. Global Scientific Journals, 9(3), 1527-1534.

Evans, W. D., Carrere, C. G., Santiago, J., Yokley, D., Bryant, K., Wolfe, M., Kerstetter, P. P., Bucci, P. T., Oscar, T., & Douglas, A. F. (2025). Enhancing college student retention and graduation rates: Key findings from a five-year comprehensive approach. Cogent Education, 12(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2592388

Fernández, R., Correal, J. F., D'Ayala, D., & Medaglia, A. L. (2025). A decision-making framework for school infrastructure improvement programs. Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, 21(2), 165-184. https://doi.org/10.1080/15732479.2023.2199361

Fullan, M. (2015). The new meaning of educational change. Teachers College Press.

Goncalves, G., Serra, F. A., Storopoli, J. E., Scafuto, I. C., & Rafael, D. N. (2024). Undergraduate student retention activities: Challenges and research agenda. SAGE Open, 14(3), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241249334

Gonzales, S. A., Berrío-Quispe, M. L., Alegria-Donayre, R., & Trujillo-Mariño, N. R. (2021). Management and the promotion of educational quality during the health emergency. Revista Geintec: Gestão, Inovação e Tecnologias, 11(3), 649-660.

https://doi.org/10.47059/revistageintec.v11i3.1965

Hamouda, S., Marshall, L., Sanders, K., Tshukudu, E., Adelakun-Adeyemo, O., Becker, B. A., Dodoo, E. R., Korsah, G. A., Luvhengo, S., Ola, O., & Parkinson, J. (2024). Computing education in African countries: A literature review and contextualized learning materials. 2024 Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1145/3689187.3709606

Hien, B. T. T. (2022). National policy on higher education development and the role of current higher education policies in Vietnam. Synesis, 14(2), 15-29.

Kajoina, O. (2022). The role of student services in student retention: A case study of a Ugandan private university [Doctoral dissertation, University of the Incarnate Word].

Kankpog, E. B., & Wuripe, A. (2024). Influence of physical facilities on students' academic performance in University for Development Studies, Tamale. Journal of Education and Practice, 15(11), 78-86.

Kaziro, N., & Ahumuza, A. (2024). School infrastructure and learning environment: A case study of UPE schools in Masaka. Metropolitan Journal of Social and Educational Research, 3(10), 537-550.

Kibirige, R., & Lutalo, B. (2025a). Assessment of learning environment and its impact on teaching and learning process of students in secondary schools in Mpigi District, Uganda. African Quarterly Social Science Review, 2(4), 262-270.

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.26

Kibirige, R., Lutalo, B., & Namutebi, E. (2025b). Misuse of instructional time and its effect on students' academic achievement in secondary schools in Mpigi District, Uganda. East African Journal of Education Studies, 8(2), 986-997. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.8.2.3250

Kibirige, R., Lutalo, B., & Saabavuma, C. (2025c). Effective use of learning materials and its impact on students' academic performance in secondary schools in Mpigi District, Uganda. African Quarterly Social Science Review, 2(1), 123-132.

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.1.10

Kironde, W., Musa, M., Ssali, M. B., & Nabukeera, M. (2025). School environment and students' retention in private secondary schools in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District, Uganda. International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation, 10(7), 553-567.

https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.47796

Kisiang'ani, E. A., Wamocha, L., & Buhere, P. (2024). Effect of student welfare on academic achievement in secondary schools in Kakamega County, Kenya. African Journal of Empirical Research, 5(4), 1411-1429. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.5.4.119

Kiw-is, K. N. S. (2026). Exploring the experiences and challenges of substitute teachers in La Trinidad: Towards on-boarding program. Journal of Education, Learning, and Management, 3(1), 419-432. https://doi.org/10.69739/jelm.v3i1.1866

Krejcie, R. V., & Morgan, D. W. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30(3), 607-610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308

Marcel, M. C., Diaby, K. A. A., Guennoun, M., Nabifo, B. R., Elattar, M., Rajaonarivelo, A., Pius, P., Kgobathe, M. N., Luis, I., Shilunga, S., & Etteyeb, N. (2024). Pan-African citizen science e-lab: An emerging online platform for astronomy research, education and outreach in Africa. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2408.11059

Modern, T., Madinah, N., Musa, M., & Bisaso, S. M. (2025). Service quality and students' retention among private universities in Uganda: A case of Islamic University in Uganda. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 10(9), 3004-3010.

https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25sep1540

MoES. (2017). Uganda education and statistical abstract. Ministry of Education and Sports.

Moodley, K., Wyk, M. V., Tive, D., Zyl, I. V., & Cronje, J. (2023). Student retention in fully online programmes at two South African universities. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(9), 1372-1382.

https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.9.1940

Mugume, R., & Bulime, E. N. W. (2023). Does institutional quality matter for primary school retention? Lessons from Uganda. International Journal of Educational Development, 104, Article 102640.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102940

Mwenyi, D. C. M., & Buyera, G. (2025). The effect of the provision of instructional materials on students' retention in Bugisu sub-region. East Africa Journal of Education Studies, 8(2), 998-1012. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.8.2.3263

Namutebi, E., & Kibirige, R. (2026). Application of talent skilling and knowledge production as transformative education strategies in higher education: A comparative study of Ugandan private and public universities. East African Journal of Education Studies, 9(3), 347-366.

https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.9.3.5416

National Council for Higher Education. (2024). The Uganda higher education review. Journal of the National Council for Higher Education, 12(1), 1-163.

Ngwama, C. (2024). Effects of community participation on school infrastructure development in rural Uganda. African Journal of Education and Practice, 9(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.47604/ajep.2520

Njikuru, J., Etomaru, I., & Onen, D. (2024). Assessing the effect of rewards on academic staff performance in Uganda's public universities. East African Journal of Education Studies, 7(4), 819-829. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.7.4.2438

Oginga, M. O., & Ayienda, C. (2023). School determinants influencing students' retention rates in public secondary schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, Homabay County. East Africa Journal of Education Studies, 6(2), 205-214. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajes.6.2.1295

Okoed, M., & Bileti, E. A. (2024). Digital literacy training: Its impact on teachers in Busoga region, Eastern Uganda. IJORER: International Journal of Recent Educational Research, 5(3), 612-622. https://doi.org/10.46245/ijorer.v5i3.598

Okwisa, C., Juma, D., & Wekesa, S. (2021). Relationship between supportive learning environment and performance of city public schools in Kenya. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 8(1), 605-617. https://doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v8i1.1936

Olugbenga, M. (2019). Impact of school facilities on the academic performance of secondary school students in Kaduna State, Nigeria. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 7(3), 497-507.

https://doi.org/10.24940/theijhss/2019/v7/i9/HS1909-023

Seherrie, A. C. (2023). Toward an innovative cooperative learning framework to counterbalance the effects of overcrowded classrooms. Axiom Academic Publishers, 1, 119-150. https://doi.org/10.62869/001c.123561

Wang, X., & Cheng, Z. (2020). Cross-sectional studies: Strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations. CHEST, 158(1), S65-S71.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.012

Winter, T. (2024). Parent involvement and pupils' retention in primary schools of Rwamucucu Subcounty, Rukiga District, Uganda. Metropolitan Journal of Academic Pedagogical Research, 3(8), 590-657.

Xueying, L., Xiaoping, K., Chunhua, C., Xicheng, W., Meixia, S., Guopeng, Z., Chang, G., & Zihan, P. (2025). Basics of designing and steps of implementing cross-sectional studies in general practice and primary care. Chinese General Practice Journal, 2(2), 1-9.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgpj.2025.100064

Zhang, Y. (2020). The impact of school facilities on student attendance and achievement. International Journal of Educational Management, 34(4), 492-509.

Zickafoose, A., Ilesanmi, O., Diaz-Manrique, M., Adeyemi, A. E., Walumbe, B., Strong, R., Wingenbach, G., Rodriguez, M. T., & Dooley, K. (2024). Barriers and challenges affecting quality education (Sustainable Development Goal 4) in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Sustainability, 16(7), Article 2657. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072657