Ester Agasha (Ph.D)

Biography

As a development economist and former academic staff member at Makerere University, I am deeply committed to the practical application of rigorous research in economic development. My expertise lies in blending advanced econometric methods and geospatial data analysis to address critical issues in developing economies. Originally from Uganda and now based in the United States, I have dedicated my career to fostering financial literacy and empowerment, particularly among women, through innovative educational programs and targeted research initiatives.

My current research ventures include a fascinating exploration of the relationship between dietary patterns and environmental factors in Uganda. Utilizing sophisticated geospatial mapping tools, I am investigating how variations in the National Vegetation Index correlate with local food choices. This project not only highlights the intersection of geography and nutrition but also serves as a vital tool for developing targeted interventions that can enhance food security and dietary quality in resource-limited settings.

Research & Publications

Book Chapters

• Rono, L. J., & Agasha, E. (2020). Psychological Determinants of Employees' Intentions to Retire: A Case of Public Universities in Kenya. In A Multidimensional Economic Assessment of Africa (pp. 181-198). Springer, Singapore.
• Agasha. E., Bakunda. B., & Rono, L. J. (2018). Financial Literacy, Financial Attitude and Savings Behavior of Youth in Uganda: In Defining the Frontiers of Global Business Research across Emerging Countries (pp. 155-174). McGraw Hill Education, India.

Published Articles

• Rono, L. J., Agasha, E., & Lagat, C. K. (2021). An assessment of employees' intention to retire in Kenya. Journal for Global Business Advancement, 14(1), 46-69.
• Agasha, E., Rono, L. J., & Nkote, I. N. (2020). Is Financial Inclusion Effective in Eradicating Poverty? The Journal of Development Practice, 6.
• Agasha, E., Monametsi, G., & Feela, T. (2020). Loan Portfolio Quality of Microfinance Institutions in Uganda: A Qualitative Assessment. Journal of Financial Risk Management, 9(02), 155.
• Monametsi, G., Rono, L., and Agasha, E. (2020). Audit Quality and Firm Performance in Botswana, Kenya and Uganda. Open Journal of Accounting. ISSN 2222-1905(Paper), ISSN 2222-2839 (Online) Vol.10, Issue No.24.
• Agasha. E., Kamukama. N., Sserwanga. A., (2021). The mediating role of cost of capital in Uganda's Microfinance Institutions. African Journal of Economic and Management Studies (AJEMS).
• Agasha. E., Frankwick. G. L., Kamukama. N., Sserwanga. A., (2021). The moderating role of employee work experience on the relationship between credit risk assessment and loan performance: A survey of Microfinance institutions in Uganda. Journal of Global Business Advancement.