School of Agricultural and Applied Sciences

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    Knowledge Gaps in Taxonomy, Ecology, Population Distribution Drivers and Genetic Diversity of African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.): A Scoping Review for Conservation
    (MDPI, 2021-08) Mugula, Ben et al
    The increasing demand for ornamental, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products is driving exploitation of plant species globally. Sub-Saharan Africa harbours unique and valuable plant resources and is now a target of plant resource depletion. African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata), a multi-purpose and drought-tolerant species, has seen increased exploitation for the last thirty years and is now declared endangered. Initiatives to conserve O. lanceolata are not yet successful in Africa due to poor understanding of the species. This review surveys relevant research on the ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, genetic diversity and ethnobotany of O. lanceolata, and highlights gaps in the literature for further research. A scoping review of grey literature, scholarly papers and reports was applied with pre-determined criteria to screen relevant information. Review findings indicate O. lanceolata is a globally distributed species with no identified center of origin. In Africa, it ranges from Algeria to Ethiopia and south to South Africa; in Europe it occurs in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands; in Asia from India to China, and also on Socotra. The species has a confusing taxonomy, with unresolved issues in nomenclature, country range distribution, extensive synonymisation and variation in growth form (shrub or tree). The species population is reported to be declining in Africa, but information on population dynamics across its entire range of distribution is anecdotal. Additionally, ecological factors influencing spatial distribution and survival of the species remain unknown. A variety of uses are reported for O. lanceolata globally, including: cultural; medicinal and food; dye; perfumery; timber; ethnoveterinary and phytoremediation. Key research areas and implications for conservation of O. lanceolata in Sub-Saharan Africa are proposed Srategies
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    Factors influencing deforestation in Rwamwanja refugee settlement camp, Kamwenge district, Uganda
    (WJAAR, 2022-05-17) E. U, Bigaruka; Paul, Katamba; David R., Mutekanga
    The tropical rain forest is facing increasing destruction and degradation and the ones in Africa much more so. The challenges include establishing the activities and factors which are contributing greatly to this situation. This study therefore critically assessed the influence of arable farming, lumbering and charcoal processing on deforestation in Rwamwanja refugee settlement camp in Kamwenge District, Uganda. This refugee camp is mainly habituated by refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The socio demographic data indicates that most of the refugees interviewed were male (94.3%), most of them (60.3 %) were married and ranged between 35 to 50 years old (62.1%). The results show that all these factors (arable farming, lumbering and charcoal burning) significantly contribute to the high rate of deforestation in this camp. However, the major contributor is lumbering (3.30) closely followed by Charcoal (3.26). The above two factors are mainly fueled by high income from lumbering and lack of energy for domestic use. The results further show that the increasing human population due to increasing number of refugees is resulting in increased settlement which in turn leads to increased deforestation as the above demands grow in this refugee settlement camp. The study recommends that there is need for a more detailed study to identify practical alternatives which would lead to effective protection of the forests around this refugee settlement. It is also further recommended that education and awareness on tree conservation for the local refugee communities becomes part of the settling in program including identifying other income generating activities and other sources of energy for the refugees.
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    Factors affecting adherence to meat hygiene practices of beef butcheries in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, Uganda
    (WJAAR, 2022-05-17) Grace, Lamunu and others
    Poor meat hygiene practices are a major cause of food borne diseases which has led to morbidity and mortality globally. The World Health Organization estimates that over 600 million foodborne illnesses and 420 million deaths worldwide are due to poor hygiene practices in the meat sector, with the developing countries carrying the brunt of this load. The situation in Uganda is not much different from the global statistics and many studies have been undertaken especially in the capital city Kampala on butcher hygiene. What was still unknown is the situation in the many peri urban centers around the country which are having rising population and host many residences. This study was therefore carried out in Kasangati town council, Wakiso district, Uganda, to specifically establish the level of adherence to meat hygiene practices among butcher operators, identify the factors affecting adherence to meat hygiene practices and identify the relationship between these factors in this per-urban center in a developing country. Results of this study show that education level of butcher operators; availability of functional waste disposal tank in a butcher premises; availability and use of hand gloves were significantly associated with adherence to meat hygiene practices among the butcher operators. The study also found out that a large percentage (65.7%) of the butcher operators were not adhering to meat hygiene practices. This low adherence to the above factors which are significantly associated with meat hygiene practices inevitably contributes to contamination of meat and spread of meat borne diseases in this town. The paper concludes by recommending a more effective law enforcement and education and awareness by the public health authorities and making a practical monitoring and evaluation regime to reduce non adherence and increase adherence to meat hygiene practices.
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    Community Participation and Water Projects Sustainability in Rwamwanja Settlement, Kamwenge District, Uganda
    (IJEEL, 2022-06) Joseline, Aman; Hilary, Magunda; David R., Mutekanga
    Community participation is believed to be central to ensuring project sustainability in the development realm. Project developers, implementers, development partners, government officials and communities need to be aware of the role a community plays in making projects in their environments work better from both the theoretical and practical perspectives. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of community participation on water projects sustainability in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement Camp, Kamwenge District, Uganda. Using a mixed methods sequential explanatory method, the study revealed that the level of community participation in water projects in the studied settlement was low. In addition, water projects sustainability was also low. It was noted that community participation has a weak but positive significant influence on water projects sustainability. Initiating action was the main aspect of community participation that influenced water projects sustainability significantly. Non community participation aspects such as inadequate external funding, use of poor quality materials and corruption affected water projects sustainability. It was recommended that governments, development partners and firms contracted to develop water projects should have a clear water project development protocol that stipulates the steps, structures and processes that build and sustain effective community participation.
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    Could Plant Science Courses in Africa better respond to the Changing World?
    (Hamuk, 2024) Mugula, Ben; Nampala, Michael; Kamari, Tiiti
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    AgrGROW Revision Workbook for PBL based agropreneurship Curricula
    (AgrGrow, 2024) Kämäri, Tiiti; Mugula, Ben; Hjortsø, Carsten Nico
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    Comparative evaluation of rapid diagnostic test and PCR-based diagnostic assay for identification of trypanosomes in cattle of Apac and Kiryandongo districts, Uganda: A cross sectional study
    (BMC Vet Research, 2024) Kizza, Daniel et al
    Diagnostic tests and knowledge of their diagnostic accuracies are important for animal trypanosomosis surveillance and treatment.
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    Perceptions of veterinary extension staff regarding poultry feed and ingredients in selected districts of Uganda: a qualitative study
    (2024-03-19) Kizza, Daniel etal
    Background Feedstuffs and poultry feeds of low quality are major limitations to the growth of the poultry sector. Methods A qualitative study approach using key informant interviews was used to collect information. The thematic analysis method using a prescribed coding frame was used to analyze the data. Three themes emerged from the data: overview and business environment, consequences and propositions, and quality and enforcement. Results The study revealed that poultry feed sub sector is constituted by several players operating at varying scale of business dealing in either imported concentrates, feed stuffs or complete feed. The sector was not well regulated and there was no systematic surveillance done to evaluate the quality of products (feeds and feedstuffs) sold to the farmers. Some regions did not have any feed analytical facilities and therefore farmers mainly depended on subjective judgement using their sense of sight, smell, taste and touch to evaluate the quality of feedstuffs. Regulatory services such as certification of animal feed mills were insufficient not surprising that poultry farmers complained about feed stuff adulteration. The only requirement in place to operate feed and feedstuff business was an annual trade license. The actors/players in poultry feed business operated independently of their formal body or association. Conclusion This study showed that there is legislation gap in the animal feed sector. The players in the sector were at liberty not to follow standards that ensure quality feeds and feedstuffs.
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    Feeds and feeding dynamics among chicken farmers and feed millers: insights into practices, quality, and challenges in selected districts of Uganda
    (Discover Agriculture, 2025) Nampanzira, Dorothy K et al....
    Adequate chicken feed in terms of quantity and quality are foundations of successful chicken production. A cross sectional survey was conducted in 10 districts of Uganda, with a total of 320 poultry farmers and 59 feed millers participating in this study. Data on socio demographic characteristics, feedstuffs used in chicken feed production, seasonal availability of feedstuffs, mixing of feed stuffs, challenges faced in chicken production and perception of chicken producers and feed millers on feeds quality were analyzed. Results revealed that 54.7% of the farmer respondents were females, while 62.7% of the feed miller respondents were males. Broilers followed by layers and kuroiler were the major types of chickens reared by both groups of respondents. White maize and maize bran were the major energy sources while fishmeal was the main protein feedstuff in chicken diets. About 59.7% of the chicken producers used commercial feeds while 71.4% of the feed millers used self-compounded feeds. Gender significantly influenced methods used to check quality, particularly asking fellow farmers (X2 = 4.01, P < 0.0045). Education played a significant role in shaping farmers’ understanding of high quality feed. Farmers with higher levels of education primarily defined good feed quality by the absence of foul smell (X2 = 9.72, P < 0.017). Price fluctuation and low-quality feeds and feed ingredients were identified as their major challenges. Organoleptic tests and farmer-to-farmer information sharing were the major methods used to check the quality of feeds. Quality chicken feed meant different things to chicken producers and feed millers. Both chicken producers and feed millers were aware of feed and feed ingredient adulteration.