International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 11, No. 2 (2015)

Uncovering reading habits of university students in Uganda: Does ICT matter?

Samali Violet Mlay, Makerere University Business School, Uganda
Humphrey M. Sabi, ICT University, USA
Clive Katiba Tsuma, Walden University, USA
Kehbuma Langmia, Howard University, USA

Abstract
This paper investigates how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can improve reading habits among university students. We also investigated the influence of home culture, school culture and disposable income on reading habit. Our main objective was to assess the effect of ICT on the reading habit of particularly university students in Uganda. We adopted a qualitative phenomenological paradigm for the study in order to get an in-depth understanding of how the ICT phenomenon impacts reading habits. Participants from four universities in Uganda were interviewed. Major findings indicate that most of the students find the use of ICT a necessity that lends a helping hand in accessing reading sources. The school culture, home culture and disposable income also impact the reading habit of students and particularly have an influence on ICT and reading. We also found that most participants were initiated into reading by use of force at home. This study provided a unique contribution through empirical evidence that ICT indeed impacts one’s reading habit and thereafter propose policy implications that may improve the reading habit of students through ICT interventions.

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