Title: Beyond Laziness: A Multidimensional Analysis of Delayed Completion in Ugandan Terminal Degree Programs
Authors: Dr. Arinaitwe Julius, Ahumuza Audrey
Volume: 9
Issue: 10
Pages: 202-210
Publication Date: 2025/10/28
Abstract:
Background: Terminal degree completion rates in Ugandan universities remain persistently low, with delayed completion rates exceeding 60% in many programs. Traditional explanations have focused on individual student deficiencies, overlooking potential institutional and systemic barriers that may impede timely graduation. Main Objective: To conduct a multidimensional analysis of factors contributing to delayed comple tion in Ugandan terminal degree programs, moving beyond individual blame narratives to identify institutional and systemic barriers to timely graduation. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted across five public universities in Uganda, involving 384 terminal degree students and 96 academic supervisors recruited through stratified random sampling (power = 80%, ? = 0.05). Analysis proceeded through univariate descriptive statistics), bivariate (chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation analyses), and multivariate phases (hierarchical logistic regression and structural equation modeling). Model assumptions including multicollinearity (VIF < 5) and adequate sample size were tested and satisfied. Key Results: Significant differences emerged between on-time (n=142, 37.0%) and delayed (n=242, 63.0%) completers across all domains examined. Supervision quality demonstrated the largest effect size (Cohen's d = 1.78, p < 0.001), with on-time students rating supervision at 4.2 compared to 2.8 for delayed students and attending nearly twice as many supervision meetings monthly (3.8 vs. 1.6). Financial barriers were pervasive, with 81.8% of delayed students reporting inadequate research funding compared to 29.6% of on-time completers (OR = 10.64, 95% CI: 6.84-16.54, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Delayed completion in Ugandan terminal degree programs resulted primarily from institutional and systemic deficiencies rather than individual student inadequacies. Inadequate supervision, insufficient financial support, and deficient research infrastructure created compound barriers that systematically impeded timely graduation. Universities should implement mandatory supervision standards with accountability mechanisms, governments and institutions should expand comprehensive scholarship programs covering all research-related costs, and substantial investment in research infrastructure and support services is essential to create enabling environments for timely degree completion.