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MAKERERE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (CAES) BOOK OF ABSTRACTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT THESES 66 TH GRADUATION, JANUARY 2016
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i
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(CAES)
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT THESES
66TH
GRADUATION, JANUARY 2016
ii
i
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (CAES)
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENT THESES
66TH
GRADUATION, JANUARY 2016
ii
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means- electronic, mechanical, photocopy,
recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Principal‟s Office CAES.
Copyright@ 2016 Principal‟s Office, CAES
Concept: Prof. Bernard Bashaasha, Principal
Editors: Jane Anyango, Communication Officer
Writers: Doreen Nambi, Records Officer
Hilda Makune Eve, Assistant Registrar
Layout and design: Jane Anyango, Communication Officer
James Kisoro, Web Administrator
i
Foreword
A warm welcome to this new edition of the CAES
publication titled, “CAES Book of Abstracts for Graduate
Thesis for January, 2016 Graduation”. This is part of the
effort to enhance the visibility of the college research
outputs and respond to increased volume of research in the
East African region. This is in line with one of Makerere
University‟s core function, which is Research and
Innovations. Makerere University aims at consolidating
and enhancing its research profile. The University also
aspires to enhance transformation and utilization of knowledge, research and
innovations.
Dedicated to Makerere University's motto, (We Build for the Future) the CAES takes a
hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing students to be leaders in their fields
and communities. The college is multi-disciplinary in nature offering programs ranging
from agriculture, forestry, environment, geography, food and nutrition aspects. The
programs are designed to provide all-round training, including orientation seminars,
lectures, in-semester practicals, field attachments for skills development and enhancement,
and a recess term dedicated to practical training.
Currently there are 16 Undergraduate and 28 Graduate programs. The student
population is about 2,500 (1240 in SAS, 932 in SFEGS and about 300 in SFTNB). Total
staffing is at 470, of these 204 are academic staff (21 full professors (10%) supported by
part time staff in areas where there is no in house capacity; eight (08) are administrative
staff and 258 are support staff.
During the Makerere University 66th Graduation ceremony that kicked off on Tuesday
19th January 2016 at the University‟s Freedom Square, a total of 14,318 graduands were
awarded degrees and diplomas. Of these, about 700 students were from the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
The college had 12 PhD candidates- one of the highest outputs in the university. Among
these were four members of staff. 125 Graduands were also presented for the award of
the Degree of Masters. Among these, two were members of staff. A total of 560
candidates got the first Degree of Bachelors in varying disciplines. The University recorded
286 first class degrees. Of these 23 were from CAES.
I congratulate the candidates and staff upon this academic achievement. I also wish to
extend our gratitude to Makerere University Management, development patners, parents
among others for the support towards the realization of of the 2016 milestones.
Prof. Bernard Bashaasha
PRINCIPAL
ii
Contents
Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................ i
Pictorial .......................................................................................................................................................... 1
PhD CANDIDATES ...................................................................................................................................... 2
ABSTRACT 01: GENETIC DIVERSITY AND FARMERS’ INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF SWEET
SORGHUM (SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH) IN KENYA ................................................................. 2
ABSTRACT 02: WATER DYNAMICS AND CROP PERFOMANCE UNDER WOODLOTS ON TERRACES
IN SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA ................................................................................................................. 4
ABSTRACT 03: ENHANCEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION THROUGH SOIL
AND WATER CONSERVATION IN UGANDA ............................................................................................... 7
ABSTRACT 04: BIOCHEMICAL AND PHENOTYPIC RESPONSES TO .................................................... 8
HYDROTHERMAL STRESS IN CASSAVA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ) VARIETIES IN UGANDA ... 8
ABSTRACT 05: BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE TO STEM RUST IN BREAD WHEAT ............................ 10
ABSTRACT 06: FISH MIGRATIONS IN LAKE EDWARD-ISHASHA RIVER WATER SYSTEMS IN
VIRUNGA AND QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARKS: A CASE STUDY OF clariasgarieptins
(BURCHELL, 1822): IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION ................................................................ 11
ABSTRACT 07: POPULATION STRUCTURE, PHENOLOGY AND FRUITYIELD OF VITELLARIA
PARADOXA C.F GAERTN. AND WOOD SPECIES DIVERSITY IN THE VITELLARIA
(BUTYROSPERMUM) SAVANNA OF UGANDA. ....................................................................................... 13
ABSTRACT 08: FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL IN EASTERN
AFRICA APPLICATION OF SOLID PHASE BLOCKING ELISAs FOR SEROTYPING CATTLE FMD
OUTBREAKS IN UGANDA ........................................................................................................................ 14
ABSTRACT 09: SYNTHESIZING INDIGENOUS AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE FOR CONSERVATION
AND CO-MANAGEMENT OF SMALL SCALE FISHERIES IN UGANDA (KALANGALA AND WAKISO
DISTRICTS) ............................................................................................................................................. 16
ABSTRACT 10: POTENTIAL FOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF SELECTED UNDERUTILIZED PLANTS
FOR LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT IN UGANDA. ................................................................................... 17
ABSTRACT 11: DESTINATION IMAGE FORMULATION OF PLACES WITH DIFFICULT HERITAGE: A
CASE OF UGANDA. .................................................................................................................................. 19
ABSTRACT 12: INTEGRATION OF BIO-PHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DRIVERS FOR SOIL LOSS
PREDICTION IN A BANANA-COFFEE CROPPING SYSTEMS IN THE LAKE VICTORIA OF UGANDA .... 20
MASTERS CANDIDATES ........................................................................................................................... 22
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN LAND USE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT ..................... 22
ABSTRACT 13: ASSESSMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES OF MEDIUM AND SMALL SCALE TREE
FARMERS TO ACCESS CARBON CREDIT MARKETS IN UGANDA. ....................................................... 22
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL ................................... 23
RESOURCES ........................................................................................................................................... 23
ABSTRACT 14: APPLICATION OF GUIDELINES FOR SMALLHOLDER PADDY RICE CULTIVATION IN
SEASONAL WETLANDS IN KUMI AND BUKEDEA DISTRICTS. ............................................................. 23
iii
ABSTRACT 15: HOUSEHOLD PREFERENCES FOR ON-FARM TREE PLANTING & MANAGEMENT IN
HOIMA DISTRICT, UGANDA. .................................................................................................................. 24
ABSTRACT 16: AN ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ ADAPTIVE CAPACITY TO CLIMAE CHANGE RISKS
IN BULAMBULI DISTRICT, MT. ELGON UGANDA .................................................................................. 25
ABSTRACT 17: AGRO-DIVERSITY AND AVIFAUNA DIVERSITY IN A COMMERCIAL SUGARCANE
CULTIVATION LAND MATRIX: A CASE OF JINJA AND MAYUGE DISTRICTS ........................................ 26
ABSTRACT 18: INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN THE CATTLE CORRIDOR, UGANDA ............................................ 27
ABSTRACT 19: CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE OF AYAGO RIVER BASIN IN MURCHISON FALLS
NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA ..................................................................................................................... 28
ABSTRACT 20: DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF CROCODYLUS SUCHUS IN AND AROUND KIDEPO
VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, NORTH-EASTERN UGANDA ......................................................................... 29
ABSTRACT 21: RESTORATION STATUS OF NAKAYIBA WETLAND, MASAKA-UGANDA ...................... 30
ABSTRACT 22: FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN NEBBI
DISTRICT, UGANDA ................................................................................................................................ 31
ABSTRACT 23: EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING IN MAKERERE
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ HALLS –KAMPALA ........................................................................................ 32
ABSTRACT 24: SANITATION, HYGIENE AND MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION OF VENDED
MEATS AT SELECTED HIGHWAY MARKETS IN UGANDA ...................................................................... 33
ABSTRACT 25: PERFORMANCE OF PAPYRUS BASED BATCH LOADED VERTICAL SUBSURFACE
FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND MESOCOSMS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA ............................................ 34
ABSTRACT 26: EFFECTS OF RESTORATION ON SOIL, PLANTS AND WATER QUALITY IN
NAKYESANJA WETLAND, WAKISO DISTRICT, UGANDA ....................................................................... 35
ABSTRACT 27: EFFECT OF KIZITO RANCH ON WATER QUALITY OF RIVER KAFU, NAKASONGOLA
DISTRICT, UGANDA ................................................................................................................................ 36
ABSTRACT 28: ASSESSMENT OF WATER TREATMENT SLUDGE REUSE IN IMPROVEMENT OF THE
EFFLUENT QUALITY OF BUGOLOBI SEWAGE TREATMENT WORK ...................................................... 37
ABSTRACT 29: A GEOSPATIAL AND PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON
SELECTED CEREALS IN KASESE DISTRICT, RWENZORI HIGHLANDS ............................................... 38
ABSTRACT 30: BIODIVERSITY DIFFERENCES IN AGRICULTURAL LAND USES, USING
BUTTERFLIES AS BIO- INDICATORS: A CASE STUDY OF GOMBA DISTRICT, CENTRAL UGANDA. .. 39
ABSTRACT 31: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SAVANNAH LARGE MAMMALS IN RELATION TO OIL
EXPLORATION DRILLING IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK UGANDA .................................... 40
ABSTRACT 32: MICROBIAL SAFETY OF LAKE NABUGABO WATER FOR RECREATION .................. 41
ABSTRACT 33: EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL
TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITES) IN UGANDA ...................................................................... 42
ABSTRACT 34: ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITY TO WATER STRESS AMONG COMMUNITIES IN
SELECTED DISTRICTS OF THE CATTLE CORRIDOR IN UGANDA ....................................................... 43
ABSTRACT 35: TREE FRUITING PHENOLOGY VARIATIONS UNDER CHANGING CLIMATE:
IMPLICATIONS ON PRIMATEFORAGING PATTERNS IN AND AROUND BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE,
UGANDA ................................................................................................................................................... 44
iv
ABSTRACT 36: IMPACT OF PASTORAL LAND USE CHANGE ON SURFACE WATER QUALITY IN
KAGERA SUB-BASIN ............................................................................................................................... 45
ABSTRACT 37: HUMAN POPULATION DYNAMICS AND LAND ABANDONMENT AROUND BWINDI
IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK: IMPLICATIONS FOR PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT ............. 46
ABSTRACT 38: DEVELOPMENT OF EMISSION RECOVERY HOUSEHOLD BACKYARD KILN FOR
CHARCOAL PRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 47
ABSTRACT 39: UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN IKUMBYA SUB-COUNTY, LUUKA
DISTRICT, UGANDA ................................................................................................................................ 48
ABSTRACT 40: AMPHIBIAN DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND PREVALENCE OF CHYTRID FUNGUS
(BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS) IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK ............... 49
ABSTRACT 41: UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN IKUMBYA SUB-COUNTY, LUUKA
DISTRICT, UGANDA ................................................................................................................................ 50
ABSTRACT 42: UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN IKUMBYA SUB-COUNTY, LUUKA
DISTRICT, UGANDA ................................................................................................................................ 51
ABSTRACT 43: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL: A
CASE STUDY OF KAKIRI TOWN COUNCIL, WAKISO DISTRICT ........................................................ 52
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FORESTRY ............................................................................... 53
ABSTRACT 44: QUALITY OF CHARCOAL FROM SELECTED TREE SPECIES AND GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS PRODUCTION .............................................................................. 53
ABSTRACT 45: CONDITIONING AND PRETREATMENT OF CORDIA MILLENII SEED ........................ 54
ABSTRACT 46: CONTRIBUTION OF THE TREES FOR GLOBAL BENEFITS PROJECT TO RURAL
COMMUNITIES IN MASINDI DISTRICT, UGANDA. ................................................................................. 55
ABSTRACT 47: RECRUITMENT AND VOLUME INCREMENT OF SELECTED INDIGENOUS TREE
SPECIES IN MABIRA FOREST RESERVE, CENTRAL UGANDA. ............................................................. 56
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY ................................................................................ 57
ABSTRACT 48: AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES, INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND
HOUSEHOLD FOOD PRODUCTION IN GOMA DIVISION, MUKONO DISTRICT .................................... 57
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ..................................... 58
ABSTRACT 49: PROCESSING OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA LEAVES IN KATAKWI DISTRICT ......... 58
ABSTRCT 50: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, NUTRITIONAL QUALITY AND PROCESSING OF
COMMONLY CONSUMED INSECTS IN THE LANGO SUB-REGION, UGANDA ........................................ 59
ABSTRACT 51: EVALUATION OF SORGHUM MALT AS GROWTH AND CARRIER .............................. 60
MEDIUM FOR LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM MNC 21 BIOMASS ....................................................... 60
ABSTRACT 52: THE PRODUCTION OF FISH SAUCE FROM NILE PERCH PROCESSING WASTE ..... 61
ABSTRACT 53: PHYSICAL MODIFICATION OF STARCHES FROM CASSAVA CULTIVARS GROWN IN
UGANDA FOR FOOD THICKENING ......................................................................................................... 63
ABSTRACT 54: THE MIGRATION OF HEAVY METALS FROM POLYETHYLENE BAGS INTO FOOD
DURING THERMAL PROCESSING .......................................................................................................... 64
v
ABSTRACT 55: DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF AMARANTH BASED INSTANT SOUP AND
PORRIDGE FLOURS ................................................................................................................................ 66
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CROP SCIENCE ...................................................................... 67
ABSTRACT 56: WEEDING AND MULCHING FOR MANAGEMENT OF APHIDS AND ASSOCIATED
VIRAL DISEASES OF PASSION FRUIT IN UGANDA ............................................................................... 67
ABSTRACT 57: EFFECTS OF WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, RICE RESIDUE UTILIZATION AND
RICE GENOTYPES ON FIELD PERFORMANCE OF RICE IN UGANDA ................................................... 69
ABSTRACT 58: DIVERSITY WITHIN XANTHOMONAS ORYZAE PV. ORYZAE POPULATION AND
REACTION OF RICE VARIETIES TO BACTERIAL BLIGHT DISEASE IN RWANDA ................................ 70
ABSTRACT 59: CONTROL OF BLACK SIGATOKA DISEASE IN BANANA BY BOTANICAL EXTRACTS
................................................................................................................................................................. 71
ABSTRACT 60: EFFECT OF SHADING AND DISTANCE FROM ELGON’S ALPINE VEGETATION ON THE
OCCURRENCE OF INSECT PESTS AND NATURAL ENEMIES ON ARABICA COFFEE IN MANAFWA,
UGANDA ................................................................................................................................................... 73
ABSTRACT 61: INFLUENCE OF PLANT DIVERSITY AND INTERCROPPING TO THE PERFORMANCE
OF ELITE COWPEA VARIETIES IN EASTERN UGANDA .......................................................................... 74
ABSTRACT 62: EFFECT OF AGRONOMIC PRACTICES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF YAM BEAN IN
EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO ................................................................................... 75
ABSTRACT 63: EVALUATION OF TRICHODERMA SPP. FUNGI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF
BACTERIAL WILT (RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM) IN TOMATO (LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM). ... 76
ABSTRACT 64: RESISTANCE OF TWO MAIZE POPULATIONS TO TURCICUM LEAF BLIGHT AND
STREAK VIRUS ........................................................................................................................................ 77
ABSTRACT 65: ENHANCEMENT OF GROUNDNUT GRAIN YIELD IN UGANDA THROUGH
INOCULATION WITH RHIZOBIA ............................................................................................................. 79
ABSTRACT 66: INFLUENCE OF AGRO-ECOLOGY AND FARMERS’ PRACTICES ON THE
OCCURRENCE AND SEVERITY OF GROUNDNUT ROSETTE VIRUS DISEASE IN UGANDA .................. 80
ABSTRACT 67: DISTRIBUTION, CULTIVAR PREFERENCE AND TRANSMISSIBILITY OF INSECT
VECTOR(S) OF NAPIER STUNT DISEASE IN UGANDA .......................................................................... 81
ABSTRACT 68: INCIDENCE, YIELD LOSS AND ECONOMIC INJURY LEVELS OF KEY INSECT PESTS
OF HOT PEPPER (SCOTCH BONNET) IN MAJOR GROWING DISTRICTS OF UGANDA. ..................... 83
ABSTRACT 69: THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS APPLICATION AND SPATIAL
ARRANGEMENT OF MAIZE INTERCROP ON OCCURRENCE OFCOMMON BACTERIAL BLIGHT
DISEASEIN BEANS .................................................................................................................................. 85
CANDIDATE: NAKAZIBA DAMALIE ............................................................................................ 85
ABSTRACT 70: GENETIC ANALYSIS ON ROSETTE RESISTANCE IN EXOTIC VALENCIA
GROUNDNUTS AND THE RECOVERY OF VALENCIA TRAITS IN SEGREGATING GENERATIONS ........ 86
ABSTRACT 71: MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND SEED STORAGE PROPERTIES OF
YAM BEAN GERMPLASM IN UGANDA .................................................................................................... 87
ABSTRACT 72: INSECT VECTORS OF XANTHOMONAS CAMPESTRIS PV MUSACEARUM:
DISTRIBUTION ACROSS ALTITUDES, SEASONS AND BANANA CULTIVARS IN RWANDA .................. 89
vi
ABSTRACT 73: EFFECT OF COMMON BEANGENETIC DIVERSITY IN DIFFERENT SPATIAL
ARRANGEMENTS ON BEAN FLY (Ophionyia spp) INFESTATION AND DAMAGE IN UGANDA. ........... 91
ABSTRACT 74: SOYBEAN GENETIC DIVERSITY AND RESISTANCE TO SOYBEAN RUST DISEASE .. 92
ABSTRACT 75: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF STRIGA SPECIES IN MAIZE-
BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS IN KASAÏ ORIENTAL PROVINCE OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
CONGO 93
ABSTRACT 76: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF STRIGA SPECIES IN MAIZE-
BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS IN KASAÏ ORIENTAL PROVINCE OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
CONGO 94
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SOIL SCIENCE ......................................................................... 96
ABSTRACT 77: EFFECT OF TILLAGE, CROP ROTATION AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
STRATEGIES ON SORGHUM YIELD IN EASTERN UGANDA .................................................................. 96
ABSTRACT 78: TRENDS IN RHIZOBIA POPULATIONS AND CROP YIELDS UNDER CONTINUOUS
AND ROTATIONAL SYSTEMS FOLLOWING LEGUME INOCULATION .................................................... 96
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PLANT BREEDING & SEED SYSTEMS .................................. 97
ABSTRACT 79: VARIABILITY IN PHENOTYPIC TRAITS AND RESISTANCE TO BLAST IN
INTERSPECIFIC FINGER MILLET PROGENIES ...................................................................................... 97
ABSTRACT 80: CHARACTERIZING AN F2 BANANA DIPLOID POPULATIONFOR .............................. 99
IDENTIFYING AND VALIDATING MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR WEEVIL RESISTANCE ........................ 99
ABSTARCT 81: INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO COMMON BACTERIAL BLIGHT (XANTHOMONAS
CAMPESTRIS PV. PHASEOLI) DISEASE AND YIELD OF COMMON BEAN. ........................................ 101
ABSTRACT 82: CHARACTERIZING THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF FINGER MILLET IN UGANDA ..... 102
ABSTRACT 83: INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO MAIZE STEM BORER (FUSSEOLA FUSCA) IN
SELECTED LINES RESISTANT TO WEEVIL (SITOPHILUS ZEAMAIS) IN UGANDA ............................. 104
ABSTRACT 84: INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO BROWN SPOT DISEASE IN UPLAND RICE IN
UGANDA ................................................................................................................................................. 106
ABSTRACT 85: RESISTANCE OF SOYBEAN GERMPLASM TO THE GROUNDNUT LEAF MINER
(APROAEREMA MODICELLA ) IN UGANDA......................................................................................... 107
ABSTRACT 86: RICE GERMPLASM DIVERSITY IN UGANDA. ........................................................ 108
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS ......................................... 109
ABSTRACT 87: CHANGES IN COOKING FUEL-USE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR DETERMINANT IN
COMMUNITIES AROUND BUGOMA FOREST ..................................................................................... 109
ABSTRACT 88: DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD STAPLE FOODS CONSUMPTION IN UGANDA .. 110
ABSTRACT 89: ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SOYBEAN GENOTYPES UNDER SOIL FERTILITY
VARIABILITY IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN UGANDA. ....................................................................... 112
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS ......................................... 113
ABSTRACT 90: CONSUMER CHARACTERISTICS AND PREFERENCES FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTS
IN KAMPALA, UGANDA ......................................................................................................................... 113
vii
ABSTRACT 91: CONSUMER CHARACTERISTICS AND PREFERENCES FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTS IN
KAMPALA, UGANDA .............................................................................................................................. 114
ABSTRACT 92: ANALYSING CONSUMER PREFERENCES FOR QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF
SORGHUM GRAIN: A STUDY IN TESO SUB-REGION OF UGANDA. .................................................... 115
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED HUMAN NUTRITION ........................................ 116
ABSTRACT 93: MODIFICATION OF TRADITIONAL PREPARATION AND COOKING METHODS ON
MICRONUTRIENT CONTENT OF GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES ............................................................ 116
ABSTRACT 94: REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD BY OLDER PERSON (60YRS+)
IN NANGABO SUB COUNTY, WAKISO DISTRICT, UGANDA ................................................................ 118
ABSTRACT 95: EFFECT OF VARIOUS POSTHARVEST HANDLING AND STORAGE CONDITIONS ON
AMYLASE ACTIVITY AND CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT OF SELECTED SWEET POTATOES (IPOMOEA
BATATAS) .............................................................................................................................................. 119
ABSTRACT 96: LAND EVICTIONS AND THE REALISATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD IN
WAKISO AND MPIGI DISTRICTS IN CENTRAL UGANDA. .................................................................... 120
ABSTRACT 97: UTILISATION OF TAMARINDUS INDICA SEED AS A NUTRACEUTICAL INGREDIENT
IN SELECTED FOODS ........................................................................................................................... 121
ABSTRACT 98: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SMALL HOLDER COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE AND
THE RIGHT TO FOOD IN UGANDA: A CASE OF OYAM DISTRICT. ..................................................... 122
ABSTRACT 99: DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLOURS FROM IRON-BIO-FORTIFIED
BEANS. ................................................................................................................................................... 123
ABSTRACT 100: FOOD PRICE VOLATILITY AND THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD IN RURAL
UGANDA: A CASE OF KABALE DISTRICT ............................................................................................ 124
ABSTRACT 101: POTENTIAL OF GRAIN AMARANTH (AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS) FOR
MANAGEMENT OF TYPE II DIABETES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS (RATTUS
NORVEGICUS) 125
ABSTRACT 102: DIVERSITY AND COMPLIANCE OF FORTIFIED OILS AND FLOURS WITH
NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS IN UGANDA. ................................................................................... 127
ABSTRACT 103: MICRONUTRIENTS AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STATUS IN HIV– INFECTED ADULTS
AT DIAGNOSIS IN NORTHERN UGANDA .............................................................................................. 128
ABSTRACT 104: QUALITY OF COMMERCIAL INFANT FORMULA ON THE MARKET IN KAMPALA,
UGANDA 129
ABSTRACT 105: INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION EDUCATION ON DIETARY IRON INTAKE OF
ADOLESCENTS IN CENTRAL DIVISION, KAMPALA CITY .................................................................... 131
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION EDUCATION ................... 132
ABSTRACT 106: EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION ...................................... 132
TECHNOLOGIES IN DISSEMINATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION TO .................................. 132
SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KILOSA DISTRICT, TANZANIA ............................................................ 132
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE ................................................................ 133
ABSTRACT 107: EFFECT OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ON PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES OF WATER A CASE OF MPIGI DISTRICT ...................................................................... 133
viii
ABSTRACT 108: POTENTIAL OF ENSILING PINEAPPLE BY-PRODUCTS AS DAIRY CATTLE FEED
ON ORGANIC CERTIFIED FARMS ......................................................................................................... 134
ABSTRACT 109: EFFECT OF CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON FEEDING BEHAVIOR AND
FINISHING PERFORMANCE OF GRAZING MEAT GOATS IN UGANDA ................................................ 135
ABSTRACT 110: UTILISATION OF AVAILABLE FEED RESOURCES FOR IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY
IN URBAN AND PERI-URBAN SMALL HOLDER DAIRY COWS ............................................................ 136
ABSTRACT 111: EFFECT OF FINISHING SYSTEM ON CARCASS AND MEAT QUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF SELECTED BEEF CATTLE GENOTYPES IN UGANDA .................................... 137
DEGREE OF MASTER OF AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT .............................................................. 138
ABSTRACT 112: FARM BREED TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: A CASE OF DAIRY FARMS IN KIBOGA
DISTRICT CATTLE CORRIDOR AREA, UGANDA. ................................................................................. 138
ABSTRACT 113: EVALUATION OF MARKET OPPORTUNITIES OF BEEF IN UGANDA: A CASE OF
TRADERS IN KAMPALA ........................................................................................................................ 139
ABSTRACT 114: DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF EXOTIC GOAT BREEDS IN MBARARA
DISTRICT IN UGANDA .......................................................................................................................... 140
DEGREE OF MASTER OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING ............................................................. 141
ABSTRACT 115: EVALUATION OF LIVESTOCK WATERING INFRASTRUCTURES IN NAKASONGOLA
DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY OF WANZOGI VALLEY TANK..................................................................... 141
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INTERGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT .............. 142
ABSTRACT 116: SOIL, RUNOFF AND NUTRIENT LOSSES UNDER MAIZE AND BANANA CROPPING
SYSTEMS IN THE LWIRO MICROCATCHMENT, DRC .......................................................................... 142
ABSTRACT 117: SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENT LOADING INTO LAKE KIVU: A CASE STUDY LWIRO
MICRO-CATCHMENT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO .............................................................. 143
ABSTRACT 118: PERFORMANCE AND PROFITABILITY OF WATER SAVING TECHNOLOGIES ON
IRRIGATED RICE IN SOUTH-KIVU PROVINCE, DR CONGO ............................................................... 144
ABSTRACT 119: SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT AND PROJECTED IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON
RICE YIELD IN TWO AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES IN SOUTHKIVU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
CONGO ................................................................................................................................................... 145
ABSTRACT 120: CONSERVATION STATUS OF INDIGENOUS WOODY PLANT SPECIES USED BY
PASTORALISTS OF SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA ................................................................................. 146
ABSTRACT 121: DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION: THE OPPORTUNITIES AND
CHALLENGES FOR REDD+ ................................................................................................................... 147
ABSTRACT 122: ASSESSMENT OF THE UTILIZATION OF ELECTRONIC INFORMATION RESOURCES
BY ENTOMOLOGISTS AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY AND NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
ORGANIZATION (NARO) ....................................................................................................................... 148
1
Pictorial
2
PhD CANDIDATES
ABSTRACT 01: GENETIC DIVERSITY AND FARMERS’ INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF
SWEET SORGHUM (SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH) IN KENYA
P. h. D CANDIDATE: CALLEB OLWENY OCHIA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Patrick Rubaihayo.
2. Prof. Mathews Mito Dida.
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Plant Breeding and
Biotechnology).
Sweet sorghum(Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is a cultivated sorghum recognized as
potential alternative source of bio-fuel due to its high fermentable sugar content in the
stalk. Sweet sorghum has elicited the interest of breeders due to its capacity to provide
renewable energy products such as biofuel, industrial commodities, food and animal feed.
The constraints for its large scale cultivation are the limited availability of genotypes
suited to different agro-climatic conditions. There is limited information about the
combining ability, gene action and genetic effects on stem sugar traits which is required in
formulating appropriate strategies for developing super performing sweet sorghum
varieties. Sweet sorghum gene pool creation has also not received much attention mainly
because it is not considered to be among important crops in Kenya, and the pedigree
information is incomplete. Furthermore, there is also lack of information about the
indigenous knowledge of resource-limited, small-scale farmers on the potential of sweet
sorghum and feasibility of its utilization in Kenya. Therefore, the objectives of this study
were to: (i) determine farmers indigenous knowledge on sweet sorghum and potential of
its utilization in Kenya (ii) investigate the influence of genotype by environment
interaction on sugar production of sweet sorghum (iii) assess genetic diversity among a
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collection of sweet sorghum germplasm and (iv) determine mode of gene action in
respect of stem sugar traits in sweet sorghum.
A survey was undertaken in Western and Coastal regions of Kenya to determine farmers‟
indigenous knowledge on sweet sorghum and feasibility of its utilization. Descriptive and
inferential statistical tests were used to analyze the data. It was observed that 40% of the
respondents were aware of existence of sweet sorghum varieties while 50% of them
were aware of sweet sorghum processing technologies. The study revealed that farmers
appreciate the potential of sweet sorghum and existence of capacity for its exploitation.
To assess genetic diversity among a collection of sweet sorghum germplasm, eighty six
sweet sorghum cultivars from Argentina, Brazil, Kenya (ICRISAT and Moi University),
United States of America and Zambia were genotyped with 11 simple sequence repeats
(SSR) markers that generated 86 alleles with an average of 8 alleles per locus. Mean
polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.53 with a range of 0.09–0.89. The
variability among the populations was low at 3 % but amounted to 22% and 75 %
within individual genotypes and among individuals respectively. Clustering analysis based
on the genetic similarity (GS) grouped the 86 sweet sorghum genotypes into 2 distinct
clusters. The study also revealed the genetic relationship of cultivars with unknown
parentage to those with known parentage. Information generated from this study can be
exploited to select parents for hybrid development to maximize sugar content and total
biomass and for development of segregating populations to map genes controlling sugar
content in sweet sorghum.
To investigate the influence of genotype by environment interaction on sugar production
of sweet sorghum, field experiments were conducted to evaluate sweet sorghum
genotypes in Western Kenya during the 2011, 2012 and 2013 rainy season of April to
August at Alupe, Kibos, Hoima Bay and Spectra International farm and the crosses were
evaluated in April to August 2014. The materials used in the study consisted of sixteen
sweet sorghum genotypes and two sorghum genotypes sourced from ICRISAT and KARI.
The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and
replicated three times. Data were collected on sorghum traits in accordance with the
procedure outlined in the ICRISAT sorghum descriptor. The study revealed that genotype
by environment interaction had significant influence on most of the traits. This indicates
that selection for plant height, girth, brix (total dissolved sugars) juice, juice volume and
stalks weigh cannot be carried out across the four environments, suggesting that selection
for these traits have to be carried separately in each of the four environments. High
performance demonstrated by genotypes IESV 93046 and IS2331 for stem brix and stem
biomass shows their potential for exploitation for ethanol production.
On the mode of gene action study, an investigation was carried out to assess the
combining ability of parents in respect of sugar yield in 25 new hybrids of sweet sorghum
developed by crossing five (5) high sugar lines with five (5) low sugar lines in a North
Carolina II mating design and grown in alpha lattice with two replications during long
rains of April to July 2014 in western Kenya. The variance among the lines in respect of
their general combining ability (GCA) was highly significant for Brix and plant height at
90 days. Specific combining ability (SCA) variance was relatively higher in magnitude for
grain weight and plant height indicating predominance of non-additive gene action in the
genetic control of these traits. GADAM, MALON and PAISANO among the females and
IESV93046, IS2331 and NTJ 2 among males were identified as good general combiners
indicating their ability in transmitting additive genes in the desirable direction to their
progenies. The best hybrids for total biomass and total sugar content were
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GADAMxIESV93046, GADAMxIS2331 and MALONxIS2331 and after adequate testing in
many locations across the target production environments, these hybrids can be
recommended for commercial exploitation for ethanol production.
Overall, the study showed that development of sweet sorghum cultivars and hybrids is
feasible and genotypes identified as potential cultivars can be exploited for ethanol
production.
ABSTRACT 02: WATER DYNAMICS AND CROP
PERFOMANCE UNDER WOODLOTS ON TERRACES
IN SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA
P. h. D CANDIDATE: DAVID SIRIRI
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Moses Tenywa.
2. Prof. Mateete A.
Bekunda.
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy (Soil Science).
Appropriate management of available water supplies is essential to prolong the growing
season and optimize the effectiveness with which rainfall is used for agricultural
production. As water becomes an increasingly important constraint for agriculture in the
semi-arid and sub-humid tropics, the success of agroforestry systems will be influenced by
their ability to retain and use water more efficiently. Integration of trees on farms may
exert complementary or competitive effects on crop yield. This five year study (2000-
2005) on a Haplicferralsol in SW Uganda examined novel systems in which
Alnusacuminata (alnus), Calliandracalothyrsus(calliandra), Sesbania sesban (sesbania) or a
mixture of all three were grown on the degraded upper part of bench terraces in Uganda;
beans or maize were grown on the more fertile lower terrace during the short and long
rains. The control constituted sole crop on both upper and lower terrace sections. Three
pruning treatments (shoot, root or shoot+root pruning) were applied to the tree rows
adjacent to the crops; shoot prunings were applied as green manure to the woodlot from
which they came. The study also examined the impact of planting these tree fallows on
water infiltration and subsequent runoff. The effect of trees on soil water storage
(volumetric water content, w) and evaporation (Es) was also investigated. Soil water
storage and evaporation were measured directly using a neutron probe and micro-
lysimeters, respectively. Infiltration measurements were done by a tension infiltrometer.
Runoff from confined plots of agroforestry and sole crop systems were measured by the
tipping bucket method mounted with counters. Water use by the trees was measured
using the sap flow heat pulse method. Finaly a water balance was constructed to
determine the net effect of the water fluxes in the various agroforestry systems.
Maize yield adjacent to unpruned calliandra, alnus and sesbania or a mixture of all three
was reduced by 48, 17, 6 and 24 % relative to the sole crop (control). Shoot pruning
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initially sustained crop performance but shoot+root pruning became necessary when tree
age exceeded two years; shoot+root pruning increased maize yield by 88, 40, 11 and 31
% in the calliandra, alnus, sesbania and tree mixture systems relative to unpruned trees.
Bean yield adjacent to unpruned calliandra, alnus, sesbania and the tree mixture was 44,
31, 33 and 22 % lower than in sole crops and pruning had no significant effect on crop
yield.
Infiltration was invariably higher under agroforestry systems (P<0.001) than sole
cropping, with highest infiltration under Alnus and Calliandra systems. A similar pattern
was observed for saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), which was greater in all tree-
based systems except Sesbania than in the sole crop (P<0.01). Ksat values were 1.3, 2.2,
1.0, and 0.8 cm h-1respectively under Alnus, Calliandra, Sesbania and sole crop systems.
Of even greater significance was the ability of trees to reverse the typical gradient in soil
hydraulic properties observed on sloping terraces. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was
consistently higher on the upper terrace than the lower terrace in the tree-based systems
(P<0.01), whereas the reverse was true for the sole cropping system. During rainfall
events of <10 mm, runoff accounted for only <4% of total rainfall in all treatments.
The reduction in runoff relative to the sole crop control was 64, 84, and 96 in the Alnus,
Calliandra, and Sesbania. During high rainfall events (>10mm) the effect of agroforestry
was more remarkable, reducing runoff relative to the sole crop by 92, 76, and 91,
respectively, under Alnus, Calliandra, and Sesbania systems.
The presence of Alnus and Sesbania trees increased water storage w (P<0.001) while the
contrary was observed under Calliandra system. Alnus increased w relative to the sole
crop by 15% and 9%, respectively under trees and under adjacent cropped plots. The
corresponding increase of w under Sesbania was 14% and 18%. By contrast, Calliandra
systems adversely affected w, as the values were 3-15% lower than in the sole crop
control depending on terrace position. During high rainfall, evaporation Es comprised 53,
38, 37 and 29% of rainfall in the sole crop, Sesbania, Calliandraand Alnussystems,
respectively. As rainfall declined the absolute values for Es decreased sharply but
evaporative losses expressed as percentage of rainfall increased, amounting to 62, 39, 43
and 45%, respectively in the sole crop control, Sesbania, Calliandra and Alnus systems.
Water uptake results show that Alnus was not affected by root pruning but its sap flow
was significantly reduced by shoot pruning. In Calliandra, only root pruning reduced its
water uptake but not shoot pruning.
The results suggested that Sesbania fallows may be used on the upper terrace without
reducing crop yield on the lower terrace, whereas pruning of alnus is needed to sustain
yield. Calliandra woodlots appeared to be unsuitable as crop yield was reduced even
after pruning. The water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity results demonstrated
ability of trees to break loose the hard compacted soils on the upper terrace part, earlier
reported in Siriri 1998, so as to increase infiltration. The resultant increased in infiltration
coupled with physical barriers of ground litter combined to reduce runoff under
agroforestry systems. Whereas Calliandra fallows reduced Es, the water saved was taken
up by its extensive rooting system, thereby depriving the maize crop of vital water for
productivity. On the other hand, Sesbania can be integrated on cropland without
compromising availability of water for crop use.
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This study has established that: (i) contrary to earlier reports which suggested that the
integration of Alnus with crops increases crop performance, a reduction in crop yields in
the presence of Alnus, and that root and shoot pruning are necessary if Alnus is to be
integrated with crops; (ii) planting trees on the upper terrace section altered water flow
pathways by substantially reducing surface runoff and increasing infiltration. The trees
also reduced net radiation at ground level and hence the evaporation of soil water. The
net effect was a temporal increase soil water storage as the majority of the water saved
was subsequently transpired by the trees; (iii) in the absence of trees, the principal loss of
incident rainfall occurred via evaporation from the soil surface (55 %), whereas
transpiration was the major pathway in the tree-based systems, ranging from 50 to 69%
of incident rainfall, resulting mainly from water use by the trees. Thus, the overall water
utilization was greater in the agroforestry treatments than in the sole cropping system but
in favor of trees; (iv) the overall water balance was negative for the sole maize (-9% of
rainfall), calliandra (-13% of rainfall) and alnus land use systems (-5% of rainfall), the
only exception being the sesbania treatment (+14% of rainfall). The water deficit was
particularly high in the calliandra treatment, an observation that raises concerns over
long-term ecological sustainability of this system. These results have been published in
peer reviewed journals as follows:
a. Siriri D., Wilson J., Coe R., Tenywa M.M., Bekunda, M.A., Chin K. Ong., and Black
C.R., 2013. Trees improve water storage and reduce evaporation in agroforestry
systems on bench terraces in SW Uganda. Agroforestry Systems 87: 45-48.
b. Siriri D., Ong C.K., Wilson J., Boffa J.M., and Black C.R. 2010. Tree species and
pruning regime affect crop yield on bench terraces in SW Uganda. Agroforestry
Systems. 78: 65-77.
c. Siriri D., Tenywa M.M., Ong C.K., Black C.R., and Bekunda M.A., 2006. Water
infiltration, conductivity, and runoff under fallow agroforestry on sloping terraces.
Africa Crop Science Journal 14: 59-71.
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ABSTRACT 03: ENHANCEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
THROUGH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION IN UGANDA
P. h. D CANDIDATE: ALICE TURINAWE
SUPERVISORS: 1.Prof. Johnny Mugisha.
2. Prof. Lars Drake.
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Agricultural Economics).
The quality and productivity of the World‟s agricultural land is deteriorating fast due to
increasing population pressure associated with limited adoption of land improvement
technologies. There is urgent need for increasing agricultural production and reducing
poverty while ensuring that the natural resources are being used sustainably.This thesis
uses household and plot-level data from 338 farm households in Kabale district, Uganda,
to help understand why agricultural land continues to deteriorate despite the efforts to
improve it. The thesis analyzes three areas of soil and water conservation (SWC);
adoption, adoption intensity and impact of adoption of SWC technologies on household
welfare. To achieve this objective, the analytical approach uses meta-analysis,
multinomial logit, tobit, and trade-off analysis for multidimensional impact assessment
(TOA-MD) models.
The findings show strong evidence that adoption of SWC technologies is influenced by
farmer and household factors, plot level characteristics, social capital aspects, tenure
security perception, access to market and extension services and institutional support. The
extant literature about these variables is mixed. The meta-analysis however, shows that
the mixed effects can be clear and consistent if uniform standard definitions of variables
and units of measurement are used in adoption studies. Higher proportions of individual
parcels having SWC technologies are associated with factors that are mostly similar to
those that influence the decision to adopt SWCs, including those related to perceived
quality of the target parcels, access to training, possibility of longer periods of access and
risk of crop failure. The importance of each of these aspects varies depending on specific
SWC technologies focused on. Adoption rates of SWC technologies in the study area are
estimated to range between 55 and 85 percent, and similar to adoption-linked positive
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changes in farmers welfare, are positively correlated with household non-farm income
and length of time between adoption and technology evaluation.
The findings of this study inform policy towards successful and sustainable
implementation of agricultural land management/improvement programs, especially
through provision of infrastructure for adoption, and employing complementary means
of improving household welfare.
ABSTRACT 04: BIOCHEMICAL AND PHENOTYPIC RESPONSES TO
HYDROTHERMAL STRESS IN CASSAVA (MANIHOT ESCULENTA CRANTZ) VARIETIES
IN UGANDA
P. h. D CANDIDATE: NUWAMANYA EPHRAIM
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Emeritus. Patrick Rubaihayo
2. Dr. Hawumba Joseph
3. Dr. Yona Baguma
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Agriculture).
Due to changes in climatic patterns, drought (hydrothermal stress) is increasingly frequent
and limiting cassava root yield. Hence there is a need for resistant varieties to counteract
drought effects. These varieties can be obtained by screening of existing germplasm to
select drought resilient varieties. Screening requires a standard test system (selection
criteria), based on correlations of physiological/biochemical parameters and hydrothermal
stress tolerance. To achieve this, cassava varieties were tested in the field, screen house
and in a temperature controlled chamber. The effect of water stress was simulated as
reduced soil moisture/ water deficit and normal air temperature in relation to the control
experiment. In the temperature controlled chamber, thermal stress was simulated as
increased temperature (>400C) and normal soil moisture. The treatments were used to
understand changes in plant growth behavior, biomass accumulation, accumulation of
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primary carbon and nitrogen metabolites, changes in pigment content, secondary
metabolites and the activities of antioxidant enzymes.
To construct a test system for selecting varieties for hydrothermal stress tolerance, cassava
varieties with different hydrothermal stress tolerance characteristics were compared. The
results obtained in the field showed that varieties with high LAI and high leaf numbers
were stay green varieties. On recovery from stress, significant differences in plant height
and harvest index were observed between early recovering and stay green varieties. High
harvest index observed for early recovering varieties described early leaf loss as a stress
avoidance strategy. A comprehensive study of the effect stress on leaf structural and
physiological properties showed that as temperature increases, humidity reduces leading
to loss of leaf biomass. This in turn affected chlorophyll and carotenoid content, which in
turn affected the general trend of radiation absorption and hence the photosynthetic
rates. The rate of change in primary metabolites (carbohydrates and nitrogen) during
hydrothermal stress varied among the varieties used. Most tolerant varieties lost starch
and accumulated soluble sugars and soluble proteins during stress. Stress avoidant
varieties maintained starch content with slight changes in sugars and protein. Stress
avoidant varieties accumulated cyanide too, which was maintained constant in the stress
tolerant varieties. In addition, both variety groups showed increased chla content and
reduced carotenoid content. This pointed to tradeoffs in primary carbon and nitrogen
metabolism to aid secondary metabolic processes like cyanide accumulation, which allow
for essential nitrogen and carbon storage for resilience during stress or recovery after
stress.
Under controlled conditions, arrests in growth progression were observed under
hydrothermal stress due to reduced leaf/nodal cell expansion. This was coupled to high
soluble proteins in stay green and early recovering varieties confirming proteins‟ role in
stress tolerance as biomarkers. However there was reduction in pigment content in both
tolerant and avoidant phenotypes. On the other hand, a rapid response of antioxidant
enzymes to stress was observed in early recovering and stay green varieties compared to
susceptible varieties. It was concluded that, selection for drought tolerance in cassava was
possible based on protein, pigments and antioxidants. The key stay green trait was
associated with high chlorophyll content, high carotenoid content, remobilization of basic
primary carbohydrates, increase in metabolisable sugars and improved biomass
allocation. However, it was also related to reduced HI and yield. Stress avoidant early
recovering trait was characterized by leaf loss, high starch contents, moderate pigment
concentrations, high photosynthetic rates and accumulation of cyanide during stress. It
was also characterized by early leaf recovery and growth on removal of stress. Based on
these biomarkers, selected varieties for hydrothermal stress tolerance included the stress
tolerant stay green varieties NASE 3, NASE 2 and Magana while stress avoidant or early
recovering varieties were NASE 16, NASE 19 and NASE 14.
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ABSTRACT 05: BREEDING FOR RESISTANCE TO STEM RUST IN BREAD WHEAT
P. h. D CANDIDATE: FELISTER MBUTE NZUVE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Geoffrey Tusiime.
2. Dr. Sridhar Bhavani.
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy (Plant Breeding
and Biotechnology).
Stem rust disease caused by Pucciniagraminisf. sp. Tritici (Eriks and E. Henn) poses the
greatest threat to global wheat production due to the emergence of a highly virulent race
of the Pucciniagraminisf. sp. Tritici Ug 99 race and its variants. This study was set out to
a) to identify sources of resistance to stem rust in bread wheat b) to determine the
genetics of the stem rust resistance genes in bread wheat and c) to identify molecular
markers and the genomic regions (quantitative trait loci, QTL) harbouring the stem rust
resistance genes in bread wheat.Twenty-five wheat genotypes designated as “KSL”were
evaluated for both field and seedling resistance at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
(KARI), Njoro. The most resistant wheat genotypes KSL-2, KSL-3 and KSL-20 also
exhibited the pseudo black chaff (PBC) trait suggesting presence of the Sr2 gene. The
presence of trace responses in field tests and resistant infection types during the seedling
tests suggested involvement of major genes in conditioning the stem rust resistance. For
the inheritance studies, five promising stem rust resistant parents namely KSL-2, KSL-3,
KSL-5, KSL-12 and KSL-19 were crossed in a partial diallel to the susceptible parent
CACUKE and advanced into F2 derived F3 families. The purpose of the inheritance study
was to establish the number and mode of inheritance of the stem rust resistance genes
among these parents. The Chi square analysis revealed that the segregation data for KSL-2
consistently followed the 1:2:1 genetic ratio in two seasons implying that one dominant
gene conditioned the stem rust resistance in this parent. The parents KSL-3 and KSL-19
consistently followed a 12:3:1 genetic ratio implying that two epistatic genes conditioned
the resistance to stem rust. The knowledge of the nature and the number of genes
revealed among the wheat parents form a core component of the wheat breeding
program in ensuring an efficient breeding strategy. In conclusion, the resistance genes
associated with this resistance could be identified through further dissection of the QTLs
to elucidate the exact gene effects and their chromosomal locations. The population
could also be advanced further into recombinant inbred lines (RILs) for marker assisted
selection (MAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. The QTL mapping of
PBW343/Juchi F6 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population for adult plant resistance to
stem rust involved the use of Diversity Array genotyping Technology (DArTs). The
resistance to stem rust in PBW343/Juchi was conditioned by both epistatic and additive
genes and this could be exploited through MAS, gene pyramiding and other breeding
strategies to transfer these QTLs into elite wheat backgrounds. In this research, three new
DArT markers namely wPt-9493, tPt-9767 and tPt-6872 were identified and these
markers could be used in the co-selection and improvement of important traits through
MAS.The QTL mapping also revealed eight QTLs flanked by different DART markers.
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Positional cloning of genes and QTLs through fine mappingwithin the gene-rich regions of
bread wheat could lead to identification of more Adult plant resistance (APR) QTLs for
better detection, mapping and estimation of gene effects. Also, the QTLs could be used to
develop reliable markers for marker assisted breeding.
ABSTRACT 06: FISH MIGRATIONS IN LAKE EDWARD-ISHASHA RIVER WATER
SYSTEMS IN VIRUNGA AND QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARKS: A CASE STUDY OF
clariasgarieptins (BURCHELL, 1822): IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION
Ph. D CANDIDATE: MBALASSA MULONGAIBALU
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. KateyoEliezer Mujungwa
2. Prof. NshomboMuderhwaVenant
This study investigated the fish migrations in Lake Edward-Ishasha River water systems.
The main objective was to examine the migration patterns of Clarias gariepinus in Lake
Edward and its adjacent water systems. The study intended to identify migratory habitat
and spawning grounds for C. Gariepinus, ascertain the fish migration periods and estimate
the extent of migrations in the water systems. The study took into account the
environmental factors (dry/wet seasons and rainfall) and measured limn logical
parameters to identify the parameters that influence the migration and spawning. The
migration patterns were examined using the mark-recapture techniques. Fish were
sampled twice seasonally with beach-seines in July- August; September-October 2011;
February-March and; April-May 2012. A total of 1,103 C. gariepinus specimens were
tagged with external T-bar Anchor tags and released at four estuarine sites. Fish were
recaptured in different habitats using beach seines, gillnets hooked line, traps (baskets),
spears and machetes. Relocations of 115 C. gariepinus were determined and spawning
condition examined between September 2011 and December 2013 within the lake and its
adjacent water systems.
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The study identified the river channels of Ishasha, Ntungwe, Nchwera, Bizibibo and
Cyahulwa Rivers as migratory routes connecting C. gariepinus that migrate between the
lake and the rivers‟ respective marginal wetlands. Bizibibi and Kayanza-Kyondo littoral
zones, Kihera and Bucunduza river mouths‟ Ntungwe River channel; Cyahulwa, Kinyozo,
Ntungwe and NambaMunana marginal wetlands were identified as the key spawning
grounds of C. gariepinus, in the investigated water systems.
The results revealed two bimodal migration seasons which coincided with the falls and
high rainfall peaks; the first during the period June-July and December in the dry season,
during which C. gariepinus
Undertake upstream seasonal spawning migrations from the lake to the adjacent habitats.
The results revealed also that C. gariepinus covered both short and long
distances(0.43km-51.4km) towards different habitats in search for suitable grounds. The
results clearly revealed that rainfall, the water surface temperature, the content of total
dissolved solids and the level of water electrical conductivity were some of the key
environmental factors and limn logical parameters influencing both the migrations and
spawning of C. gariepinus in Lake Edward- Ishasha River water systems.
The study concludes that, due the dispersal capacity to migrate and spawn into multiple
and independent grounds across the investigated water systems, C. gariepinus can be
considered as vulnerable to habitats, and over fishing, there by vulnerable to the fisheries.
Based on this current knowledge, the study recommended that, management and
conservation strategies of Lake Edward fisheries must include both lake and adjacent
habitats used by C.gariepinus during the migrations and must take into account the
migration periods. I.e. the identified essential habitats should be conserved and protected
from human activities and development programs and; their interconnectivity
maintained. The hydrological cycle and water status of Lake Edward and its adjacent
systems should regularly be monitored and evaluated. Ultimately, there is need for a
integrative approach in the management of Lake Edward fisheries taking into accounts
both ecological aspects and livelihoods of the riverine communities.
Key words: Clarias gariepinus, Ishasha River, Lake Edward, migratory habitats, migration
periods, spawning grounds.
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ABSTRACT 07: POPULATION STRUCTURE, PHENOLOGY AND FRUITYIELD OF
VITELLARIA PARADOXA C.F GAERTN. AND WOOD SPECIES DIVERSITY IN THE
VITELLARIA (BUTYROSPERMUM) SAVANNA OF UGANDA.
P.h. D CANDIDATE: PATRICK BYAKAGABA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Gerald Eilu
2. Assoc. Prof. John Bosco L. Okullo
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry
Butyrospermumsavanna and Vitellariaparadoxa are important to the livelihoods of
millions of people through provision of food, income and ecosystem services.The current
study investigated the role of selected environmental factors and land management
regimes on woody species diversity in Butyrospermumsavanna as well as population
structure, phenology and fruit yield of V. paradoxa. Specifically the study sought to:
determine woody species diversity, richness, evenness and composition along a gradient
of land management regimes in Butyrospermumsavanna; determine the population
structure of V. paradoxa along a gradient of land management regimes; predict the
impact of selected environmental factors on the regeneration of V. paradoxa; examine
the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the phenology of V. paradoxa; and assess
fruit yield of V. paradoxa in relation to dendrometric traits and land management
regimes. The study was carried out in four districts of Uganda i.e. Katakwi, Lira, Moyo
and Nakasongola. Plots were established in old fallow, young fallow and current fields
and all woody plants in each recorded for diversity assessment. The thickness of all
mature V. paradoxa was measured and size class distributions generated. Seedlings of V.
paradoxa were enumerated once every year for a period of two years and phenology of
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all mature ones monitored over a 27-month period. Fruit yield was estimated for two
seasons using Randomised Branch Sampling Technique.
Woody species diversity, richness and evenness were higher in old fallows than young
fallows and current fields respectively. V. paradoxa had the highest contribution to the
overall similarity in species composition.Seedling density of V. paradoxa was highest in
young fallow followed by old fallow and current fields respectively. Regeneration of V.
paradoxa was more likely to increase under young fallow than old fallow and current
fields respectively and was also more likely to increase with increase in soil pH and Ni.
Onset of leafing, flowering and fruiting of V. paradoxa occurred in the dry season.
Edaphic and climatic factors and dendrometric traits of V. paradoxa influence duration to
leaf flush and length of active phase of leafing. There is inter-annual variation of timing
and duration of leafing phenophases of this tree. Edaphic factors are important in
determining leafing and flowering ability but not flowering. Lengths of flowering
phenophases are influenced by land management regime, edaphic and climatic factors
and tree size. Tree stem diameter and crown diameter influence leaf flush and ability to
flower and fruit. Edaphic factors do not influence fruiting ability but have an influence on
leafing and flowering of V. paradoxa.
Fruit yield in V. paradoxa was relatively higher in current fields than fallows and
increased with increase in tree size but reduced with increase in number of branches at
first forking.Land management regimes shape woody plant community of
Butyrospermumsavanna. V. paradoxa in young fallows have a more stable-healthy
population than in old fallows and current fields respectively.Regeneration and
phenology of V. paradoxaare influenced by land management regimes, climatic and
edaphic factors while fruit yield by dendrometric traits and land management regimes.
Key words: Land management regime, Shea butter, fallow, size class distribution,
savanna, edaphic factors, phenophases, fruit yield.
ABSTRACT 08: FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS DIAGNOSIS AND CONTROL IN
EASTERN AFRICA APPLICATION OF SOLID PHASE BLOCKING ELISAs FOR
SEROTYPING CATTLE FMD OUTBREAKS IN UGANDA
P.h. D CANDIDATE: NAMATOVU ALICE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Muwanika Vincent.
2. Dr. Chrisostom Ayebazibwe.
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Foot- and –Mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious transboundary and economically
important disease of cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals is endemic in Eastern
Africa. Several challenges curtail its prevention and control. Among which are gaps in
knowledge of epidemiology of FMDV especially the currently circulating strains, a pre-
requisite for Uganda to advance on the FAO/OIE developed progressive control pathway
for FMD (PCP-FMD) tool. This study determined: the diagnostic capacity of 13 Eastern
15
Africa national reference laboratories (NRLs) for FMD outbreaks were determined using a
cross sectional and retrospective study designs. The casual viruses for Uganda‟s 2011-2013
FMD outbreaks were determined by a cross sectional descriptive study with 452 outbreak
samples, using PrioCHECK FMD-NS ELISA, solid phase blocking ELISAs (SPBEs), virus
Neutralization tests (VNTs) and virological analyses. The SPBEs specificity was improved
using a longitudinal experimental study with 250 post vaccination and infection and 196
negative sera obtained from two international FMD laboratories. Majority (12/13) of the
NRLs used serological techniques and quality management systems (QMS) were deficient
for all NRLs. The SPBEs detected antibody titres > 80 against serotypes 0, SAT I and SAT
3 in 35% of 109 non-structural protein (NSP) positive 2011 outbreaks sera. However,
results of SPBE and VNT (cut-off titre >45) on 72/109 cattle sera showed comparable
results for serotype 0 (p=0.181) and significantly (p<0.001) fewer VNT positive samples
for SAT 1 and SAT 3 than with SPBEs. Three FMDVs (serotypes O, and SAT 2) were
isolated from the 2011-2013 outbreaks with serological evidence for antibodies against
SAT 1. The serotype O viruses belonged to two lineages in East Africa 2 (EA-2) topotype
as opposed to the vaccine strain (EA-1 topotype). The SAT 2 and serotype A FMDVs
belonged to lineage I and genotype Africa (G-I) respectively, similar to the currently used
vaccine strains. Purification of inactivated antigens improved the specificity of the SAT 1
SPBE at screening. In addition, integrin ELISA using inactivated and purified SAT 2
antigens detected more negatives than the old SAT 2-SPBE at screening. The study
recommended a need to implement regional reference laboratory to enforce QMS and
characterize outbreak samples. In Uganda, there is need to : improve the SAT-SPBEs‟
specificity and further optimization of integrin ELISAs, perform vaccine matching and
consider importation of serotype A vaccines.
Key words: Cattle, control, diagnosis, Foot- and- mouth disease, FMDV, outbreaks,
serotypes, SPBEs and Uganda.
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ABSTRACT 09: SYNTHESIZING INDIGENOUS AND SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE FOR
CONSERVATION AND CO-MANAGEMENT OF SMALL SCALE FISHERIES IN UGANDA
(KALANGALA AND WAKISO DISTRICTS)
P.h. D CANDIDATE: KAYISO FULGENCIO
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Pantaleo Mukasa Kasoma
2. Prof. Jacobs Godfrey Agea
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
The Lake Victoria Fishery is facing ecological stress with many indigenous species declining
and some close to extinction. Despite the current application of scientific and modern
management options, little has been achieved to address the ecological degradation of
the Lake Victoria fishery and the entire ecosystem. The introduction of Beech
management Units (BMUs) to harness the local fishers‟ in put under a co-managerial
framework has not fully attained its expected outcomes. The present study, therefore,
examines local fishers‟ knowledge on (i) the biology and ecology of the declining
indigenous species; (ii) the role of ethno-cosmology and traditional belief systems to
strengthen the management of the fishery. The study used semi-structured interviews and
case histories to collect data from active and veteran fishers. Results revealed that local
fishers were knowledgeable on the extrinsic aspects of the fish species such as, fish
morphology, habitats, migratory patterns, and feeding and breeding habits. However,
fishers and limited knowledge on the intrinsic variables such as spawning frequency, age
of maturity, diseases and sex differentiation. Further, it was noted that traditional fishing
gears and practices were environmental-sensitive and promoted sustainable fishing and
conservation. Moreover, ethno-cosmologies and traditional beliefs guided sustainable
exploitation and conservation of the fisheries resources. It was concluded that the
integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge lead to the restoration of the
indigenous fish species threatened with depletion. The study recommended the creation
of species-specific local-level conservations schemes under a co-managerial arrangement
between local fisheries managers and scientists. The schemes were considered instrumental
in the restoration of indigenous fish species.
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ABSTRACT 10: POTENTIAL FOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF SELECTED
UNDERUTILIZED PLANTS FOR LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT IN UGANDA.
P.h. D CANDIDATE: AKANKWASAH BARIREGA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Prof. J. R. S. Tabuti
2. Prof. Patrick Van Damme.
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. (Environment)
There are only 150 crops with fully developed value chains on a global scale, yet research
indicates that over 7000 plant species are harvested and utilized across the world for
food alone. Scientists have tended to focus on micronutrient content analysis of food
plants leaving value chains unstudied. In Sub-Saharan Africa, there is paucity of
information regarding commercialization potential of most underutilized plants. In
Uganda, little information existson traded underutilized plants; the nature of their value
chains; and demand, supply and economic potential. This information is, however,
needed to enable promotion of these species so that they can significantly contribute
enhanced livelihoods.The overall aim of this study was to document and characterize the
value chains for a number of underutilized plants for livelihood enhancement in Uganda.
Specific objectives of the study were to: (i) identify and prioritize underutilized plants
with potential forcommercialization; (ii) assess the market demand of the selected
underutilized plants in current trade; (iii) evaluate their supply chain; and (iv) evaluate
their economic potential.This study followed a descriptive sequential design in which a
marketsurvey was used to document and prioritizes underutilized plants sold in the seven
major markets of Kampala City. Data was collected between July 2011 and May 2012
through market surveys, focus group discussions, field observations and key informant
interviews. A total of 474 value chain actors were interviewed and as a result, a total of
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47 species belonging to 29 families were identified in the markets surveyed. Prioritization
based on commercialization potential led to selection of Cape gooseberry
(PhysalisperuvianaL.), sponge gourd (Luffacylindrica) and tree tomato
(CyphomandrabetaceaL.) for further market chain analysis. P. peruvianaL.market chain
had actors ranging from farmers/collectors through retailers, wholesalers, processors,
exporters and consumers. The demand for the plant and its derivative products was
shown to be very high at both local and international levels. Supply of the plant was
relatively sustainable with farmers cultivating the plant. The economic value of the plant
was very high outweighing market values of most conventional crops such as beans,
maize and coffee. Production of the species is profitable with marketing margins of 89%
recorded for Cape gooseberry farmers.The market chain of luffa was found to be fairly
long with farmers, primary processors, transporters, secondary processors, wholesalers,
retailers and consumers being the major actors. The plant was dominantly utilized as a
bathing sponge. The market chain had adequate supply in excess of the current demand.
Tradein luffa sponge contributed 30% to the traders‟ overall cash incomes. C.
betaceaL.Value chain was found to be fairly long with farmers, wholesalers, retailers,
transporters, processors, exporters and consumers being the major actors. Fruits were
domestically the only product with a well-developed market chain but other products
were reported to on demand in European markets. The demand for C. betaceaL.Fruits
was high in Uganda and Europe. Supply, however, was insufficient to meet the current
demand. Trade in tree tomato products contributed 10% to the traders‟ overall cash
income marketing margins for farmers and exporters were high at 69% and 75%
respectively.
Lack of market information, poor infrastructure and fragmentation of production
marketlinkages characterized the market chains of the three species. It is recommended
that Government of Uganda takes on the three plant species for promotion, infrastructure
be improved, market chains be better organized and more research be undertaken to
determine quantities nationally produced and how these flow along the market chains,
the value added at each node of the market chains and segregated profit margins for
different segments of the respective market chains
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ABSTRACT 11: DESTINATION IMAGE FORMULATION OF PLACES WITH DIFFICULT
HERITAGE: A CASE OF UGANDA.
P.h. D CANDIDATE: DEUS KAMUNYU MUHWEZI
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. J.B. Nyakaana
2. Prof. Tom Baum
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. (Geography)
This study explored difficult heritage as an empirical influence of destination image
with respect to Uganda. The aim was to investigate Uganda‟s difficult heritage and
its influence on destination image formation with respect to tourism. A structured
questionnaire was utilized to collect data to test relationships between variables that
can aid to explain the influence that exists between difficult heritage and destination
image formation using Uganda as a case. A Krejcie and Morgan‟s simplified
heuristics was used to arrive at a sample of 384 and questionnaire was administered
to 1000 tourists at a response rate of 49.4%. Data were analyzed using Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that Uganda‟s image as a place with
difficult heritage to tourists at first awareness is negative. It reveals that recent
difficult heritage of a destination has more negative influence on a destination than
its past difficult heritage. This finding contradicts reports with respect to Uganda
Government‟s policy position that brutal past regimes of post independent Uganda
are responsible for its negative image. The study also reveals that Uganda is
negatively symbolized as a country with difficult heritage and this is further
exacerbated by its geographical location in Africa which is considered as one of the
world‟s most risky destinations. The sources of information which shape tourists
20
understanding of Uganda as a tourism destination at first awareness were found to
possess difficult heritage and media reports are the leading sources of such
information. The cognitive and affective evaluation of Uganda as a country with
difficult heritage by tourists at first awareness is negative. It is recommended that
past difficult heritage at destinations should be used to brand them as new
destinations that seek to forget past experiences through commemoration.
Government should establish a strong public relations function to avert the effects of
recent difficult heritage on Uganda‟s image.
Key words: Difficult heritage, tourism, places, image formation, destinations
cognitive and affective.
ABSTRACT 12: INTEGRATION OF BIO-PHYSICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DRIVERS FOR
SOIL LOSS PREDICTION IN A BANANA-COFFEE CROPPING SYSTEMS IN THE LAKE
VICTORIA OF UGANDA
P.h. D CANDIDATE: NADHOMI DANIEL LULIRO
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. John Stephen Tenywa
2. Assoc. Prof. Jackson George Majaliwa Mwanjololo.
PROGRAMME: Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. (Geography)
An over-arching constraint to agricultural production in Uganda is water-induced erosion.
Challenges in containing soil losses arise partly because the soil and water conservation
frameworks that inform policy are inclined to bio-physical understanding of the spatio-
temporal processes of soil erosion. Effective erosion management is anchored on an
integration of the bio-physical and socio-economic drivers of soil erosion. However, there
are no models developed to integrate and simulate impacts of these drivers in time and
space; and provide a coherent erosion management strategy for an eroded watershed.
The objective of this study was to: (a) Improve the performance of existing soil erosion
prediction tools in order to effectively manage soil loss in the Lake Victoria Basin of
21
Uganda; and (b) Develop an integrated bio-physical and socio-economic dynamic soil
erosion (SD) model in the Lake Victoria Basin of Uganda. Results showed that: The P
factor in „traditional‟ RUSLE model can be modified to predict soil loss on whether
farmers are aware of erosion risks or not; which consequently transcends into the choice
of appropriate mitigation measures. The significant (P < 0.05) factors in the choice of soil
and water conservation practices were: age, formal education level, on-farm income,
family size, distance of farm from homestead, and access to agricultural extension services
and training. Infiltration characteristics in the site varied significantly (P < 0.05) with
respect to soil and crop type; with the highest infiltration rate (0.13 cm min-1) being
recorded in sole coffee, and the lowest (0.08 cm min-1) in sole banana. In other crops
such as maize, the infiltration rate was (0.12 cm min-1). Among the tested models, Philip,
Kostiakov and Green Ampt, the best infiltration predictor was Kostiakov, each with a Co-
efficient of Determination (R2) of 0.98, 0.98 and 0.99, for banana, coffee and maize,
respectively. Soil loss predicted by the SD, by „traditional‟ RUSLE, and by SWAT models
was 11-50 t ha-1yr-1, 120-140 t ha-1yr-1, and 100.5-115.5 t ha-1yr-1 on AcricFerralsolsunder
sole banana cropping system, respectively. While, on AcricFerralsolsunder sole coffee, soil
loss varied according to modeling tool as follows: 11-50 t ha-1yr-1, 140-150 t ha-1yr-1 and
120.5-140.5 t ha-1yr-1, respectively. The highest relative changes in surface runoff and
sediment yield under sole banana and sole coffee are recognized when grass barriers and
contour bunds are used, respectively. Besides soil nutrients such as Total Nitrogen (TN)
and Total Phosphorus (TP), in sole banana and sole coffee, are greatly reduced by using
grass barriers and trash lines, respectively. Therefore, a combination of contour bunds,
grass barriers and trash lines as viewed from SWAT and SD modeling approaches, is the
most viable strategy for mitigating soil erosion in Nabajuzi watershed. In conclusion, by
integrating the bio-physical and socio-economic drivers of soil erosion, a realistic and
cost-effective managerial solution to soil loss on agricultural land can be achieved.
22
MASTERS CANDIDATES
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN LAND USE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ABSTRACT 13: ASSESSMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES OF MEDIUM AND SMALL SCALE
TREE FARMERS TO ACCESS CARBON CREDIT MARKETS IN UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: SSEKITTO RASHID
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Shuaib Lwasa
2. Assoc. Prof. Fred Babweteera
The aim of the study was to finding out whether the medium and small scale tree farmers
could offset carbon and access carbon credit markets. Specifically, the study assessed the
changes in land use/cover overtime, determined the eligibility of land to offset carbon
through reforestation and afforestation, estimated carbon stock and revenues and
examined the factors discouraging medium and small scale tree farmers to offset carbon
and access carbon credit markets.
The studies were conducted in CFRs of Kasana-kasambya, Kisombwa, Namavundu and
Nsube. The study found out that there were significant changes in land use/cover change
overtime which guide the identification of eligible lands to offset carbon. The eligible
land in Kasana-kasambya was 2,229ha under the CDM and 1,912ha under the VCS. In
Kisombwa the eligible land was 1,896 under CDM and 2,234 under VCS. In Namavundu
the eligible land was 329ha and in Nsube, 680ha for both the CDM and VCS. The
number of tree farmers with eligible areas was 21 in Kasana-kasambya15 in Kisombwa129
in Namavunduand77 in Nsube.
The estimated net greenhouse gas emission reductions for Kasana-kasambya were
389,364 tCO2e under the CDM and 348,907 tCO2e. In Kisombwa the net GHG emissions
reductions were 261,839 tCO2e under the CDM and 250,658 tCO2e under the VCS. In
Namavundu the net GHG emissions reductions were 46,475 tCO2e and in Nsube
287,336 tCO2e for both the CDM and VCS. Accordingly the computed revenues that
would accrue from the sale of carbon credits were USD 1,713,199 under the CDM and
USD 2,616,801 under VCSin Kasana-kasambya, USD 1,152,090 under the CDM and USD
1,879,933 under the VCSin Kisombwa, USD 204,489 under CDM and USD 348,562
under the VCSin Namanvundu, and USD 1,264,278 under CDM and USD 2,155,020
under the VCSin Nsube.
The study further found out that the factors that were likely to discourage the tree
farmers offsetting carbon and accessing carbon credit markets included, ineligibility of
land allocated to tree farmers, the lack of funds to establish and manage the tree
plantations following the required silvicultural standards, the high transaction cost, limited
23
access to information on carbon offsetting and financing and the fear that the business
would not be viable since it‟s a long term business.
Thestudy recommendations were that information on eligibility of lands should be readily
and freely available to tree farmers at the time of licensing, tree farmers should acquire
basic skills inforest inventory, the NFA should conduct forest inventories on behalf of the
tree farmers, tree farmers should prepare management plans to follow acceptable
minimum silvicultural standards for certification,NFA to regularly update and disseminate
information about carbon credit markets, the bundling approach should be applied to
have tree farmers offsetting as a group, and tree farmers should be sensitized about
sharing the revenues earned from the sale of carbon credits, with forest edge
communities.
Lastly, the research identified areas that needed further research and these included a
comparison ofCDM, VCS standards andother standards, understandinghow climatic
conditions influence accumulation of emissions reductions, investigating the influence of
soil types on emissions reductions, and finally, evaluatingthe impact of existing carbon
offset projects on rural livelihoods.
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL
RESOURCES
ABSTRACT 14: APPLICATION OF GUIDELINES FOR SMALLHOLDER PADDY RICE
CULTIVATION IN SEASONAL WETLANDS IN KUMI AND BUKEDEA DISTRICTS.
CANDIDATE: ROBERT APUNYO
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Kasimbazi Emmanuel
2. Dr. Kateyo Eliezer
The study was conducted to assess application of Guidelines for Smallholder Paddy Rice
Cultivation in Seasonal Wetlands (GSPRCSW) in Ojie Wetland in Kumi District and
Akuworo Wetland in Bukedea District. GSPRSCW were developed in 2005 by the
Ministry of Water Land and Environment (MWLE) to promote wise use of wetlands.
Three key reasons influenced the choice of these districts for this study. First, the two
districts are categorized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
(MAAIF) to be of high potential for rice cultivation. Second, in 2001 Ojie Wetland in
Kumi district piloted implementation of a Wetland Management Plan while Bukedea
District did not have that experience. This provided opportunity to draw comparisons.
Third, drainage of wetlands for rice cultivation has led to loss of the above ground
biodiversity and sedimentation of water bodies. Data was collected from 40 paddy rice
farmers and their respective 40 rice gardens. The two way Mann - Whitney U Test and
Pearson‟s Correlation Coefficient are they key analysis methods used. The key findings of
the study are as follows: Paddy rice farmers had inadequate awareness about GSPRCSW.
24
Similarly, respondents‟ knowledge about wetland policy and legal framework documents
was considerably low. The inadequacies in awareness and knowledge base of respondents
were majorly due to absence of streamlined awareness and knowledge creation
programmes at community level. Application of GSPRCS was limited and was weakly
correlated with respondents‟ levels of awareness about GSPRCSW and issues of wetland
policy and legal framework. Poor coordination by districts in the management of
transboundary wetlands and assumed ownership of wetlands are some of the key
constraints to application of GSPRCS. Some of the recommendations are: There is need to
implement an awareness and knowledge creation programme in communities adjacent
wetlands. A clear coordination mechanism which promotes coordinated management of
transboundary wetlands is needed. Translation of GSPRCSW into local languages and
dissemination to paddy rice farmers is needed. These recommendations and the findings
are valuable to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) involved in wetland management to
carry out advocacy, policy makers and local governments in planning and allocation of
resources during the budgeting process.
ABSTRACT 15: HOUSEHOLD PREFERENCES FOR ON-FARM TREE PLANTING &
MANAGEMENT IN HOIMA DISTRICT, UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: MULUMBA MATIA AGABA
SUPERVISORS: 1. PROFESSOR JOHN R. S. TABUTI
Many on-farm tree planting projects have been slow and have often collapsed after a
short while. This is mostly because farmers are not involved to a great extent in the tree
planting activities. Yet, for promotion of intensive tree planting and management on-
farm in Uganda, there is need for involving farmers. The effective involvement of farmers
requires that household needs are considered. It is also imperative that preferred tree
species or tree species that can satisfy these household needs are identified. These
household preferences influencing farmer participation in on-farm tree planting at
household level in Hoima district are not known. This study was carried out to 1) Identify
factors influencing farmer participation in on farm tree planting, 2) To identify the
preferred tree species and 3) To determine the extent to which household needs influence
participation in on-farm tree planting. This study was conducted in selected villages of
Hoima district, between December 2013 and February 2014, using social survey and
ecological methods. Results indicate that household participation in on farm-tree planting
is influenced most importantly by land tenure and size, income of household and size of
household. Other factors that positively influence tree planting include access to seedlings,
access to technical skills, access to extension services and income generation. Farmers
value tree products to satisfy household needs of accessing edible fruits, opportunities for
generating income and accessing construction wood. The most preferred species were
Artocarpus heterophyllus, Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus spp., Persea americana and Carica
papaya. The species are multi-purpose and were valued for edible fruits, poles, fuel wood
25
and were also a source of income. Farmers prefer exotic tree species due to their fast
growth rates and envisaged profitability and their ability to address household needs. In
conclusion, household preferences influence adoption of tree planting and Agroforestry
practices.
Keywords: On-farm tree planting, household needs, preferred tree species, Agroforestry,
adoptio
ABSTRACT 16: AN ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ ADAPTIVE CAPACITY TO CLIMAE
CHANGE RISKS IN BULAMBULI DISTRICT, MT. ELGON UGANDA
CANDIDATE: ALUR LILIAN
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Paul Isolo Mukwaya.
2. Dr. Yazhidi Bamutaze
Climate change risks pose a significant threat in the agricultural production domain of
farmers. The threat is relatively higher for farmers in highland and mountainous
landscapes due to the ecological sensitivity. Substantial evidence indicates that although
climate risks affect communities in Uganda, there is limited knowledge on adaptive
capacity of farmers. The thrust of this study was to assess the adaptive capacity of farmers
in Bwikonge sub-county, Bulambuli district. Trends in climate were assessed through
examination of rainfall data from 1956 to 2013 to decipher peaks, and extremities in
climate. A survey was conducted to establish the farmers‟ perceptions on climate
variability, change and adaptive capacities. 246 household respondents were interviewed
from five parishes. In addition to the survey, focused group discussions (FGD‟s) were also
conducted. The results show that the rainfall amount has not significantly (p>0.0055)
changed over the 1965-2013 period and annual rainfall totals show no change in rainfall
amount but rather variation hence exhibiting that rainfall is constant but the coefficient
variation is changing over time. Further results on farmer‟s perception on changing
weather variables indicate significant variability in a range of weather parameters
including rainfall, temperature and sunshine hours. Factor analysis was used to cluster the
adaptive practices and results indicate that adaptation practices clustered around seven
mechanisms including conservation strategies, risk avoidance, risk retention, communal
pooling, diversification enhancing livelihood productivities and storage. Linear regression
analysis revealed access to market centres, change of land acreage, ownership of bicycles,
access to financial services, age of household head, crops harvest, access to health centres,
land size owned, ownership of mobile phone, number of livestock owned and number of
years of residence as major determinants that to enhance the adaptive capacity of
Bwikhonge farmers, there is need for soil and water conservation, enhancement of
livelihood skills, building household and farm assets.
26
ABSTRACT 17: AGRO-DIVERSITY AND AVIFAUNA DIVERSITY IN A COMMERCIAL
SUGARCANE CULTIVATION LAND MATRIX: A CASE OF JINJA AND MAYUGE DISTRICTS
CANDIDATE: ARIANGO ESTHER
SUPERVISORS: 1.DR. EDWARD NECTOR MWAVU
2. DR. DANIEL WAISWA
Understanding the impacts of commercial agriculture on biodiversity in a landscape is
critical for biodiversity sustainability and meeting natural resources dependent households
„needs in the face of increasing human population and climate change. In this study, the
level of agro-diversity and avifauna diversity, and the contribution of agro-diversity to
rural household livelihood strategies within a commercial sugarcane cultivation landscape
was assessed with a view to enhance our understanding of the impacts of commercial
agriculture on biodiversity and livelihood strategies. A total of 68 crop species from 27
families and 46 genera were recorded from 120 home garden patches within a
commercial sugarcane cultivation land matrix. Plant species richness within the home
gardens was low ranging from 6 to19 species. The sampled home gardens featured high
species diversity with Species Alpha diversity based on a Shannon-Weiner diversity Index
(H„) ranged from 0.6 to 2.3 and 104 out of 120 sampled home gardens having a
Shannon„s Index greater than 1. Agro-diversity differed significantly (F11,108=2.165,
P<0.05; Global RANOSIM = 0.153, p<0.001) among / across study villages. A total of
85 bird species from 33 families and 64 genera falling in eight ecological categories were
encountered, with open habitat species being the most dominant ecological category.
Bird species richness varied among the sampling plots ranging between 5 and 22 species
per plot. While Alpha diversity based on Shannon„s Index (H') ranged from 1 to 2.7; and
102 out of 120 sampled home gardens having a (H') greater than 2. However, avifauna
species composition did not differ significantly across villages of the two studied districts
(F11,108= 1.189, P > 0.05) suggesting that they shared a similar suite of bird species.
However, avifauna species composition differed among villages (Global RANOSIM =
0.216, p<0.001. The crops, which are most important and commonly maintained in the
surveyed home gardens, are utilised for food and income generation. Commercial
sugarcane growing is the major factor resulting in reduced land available for food
crop.dThis is a threat to food crop availability and conservation consequently affecting
household food security. Trees that provide fuel wood and food are those that are
commonly maintained in the home gardens. In conclusion, home gardens continue to
maintain crop and avifauna diversity making their management very important for food
security, biodiversity conservation and diversification of rural household livelihoods in the
face of climate change and declining land availability and fragmentation.
Key words: Biodiversity, climate change, commercial agriculture, home gardens, rural
livelihoods.
27
ABSTRACT 18: INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR
CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN THE CATTLE CORRIDOR,
UGANDA
CANDIDATE: JUSTINE ARINEITWE
SUPERVISORS: 1.Dr. David Mfitumukiza
2. Prof. Frank Kansiime
3. Assoc. Prof. Majaliwa Mwanjalolo J.G
Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a considerable potential to
support innovative approaches and influence society to respond, prepare for and adapt
to the extreme incidences ofclimate-induced droughts and water challenges that distress
the quantity and quality of crop and livestock productivity. This study was carried out in
4 districts located in the cattle corridor of Uganda, the second most fragile ecosystem in
Uganda with a high vulnerability to climate variability and change. The study aimed at
assessing existing ICTs and their contribution to climate change adaptation in the cattle
corridor. Household data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 640
respondents using a stratified multi-stage sampling approach. The specific objectives of the
study were to: establish the range of existing ICTs and sources of climate-related
information and how these are associated with climate change adaptation, the current
information needs of households for adaptation to climate change and to assess the
determinants of household level use of ICTs for adaptation to climate change. Results
indicated that climate-related information is majorly generated by the Uganda
Meteorology Department and disseminated primarily through radio (96.5%) broadcast.
Of the respondents who accessed the weather forecast, 60% did not use it to make
adaptation decisions majorly due to its unreliability.Information on early warning about
droughts and floods, coping and recovering from droughts and floods, market for crops
and livestock and termite damage control was the most required by households to
enhance adaptation. Probit regression model results indicated that factors that positively
and significantly drive ICT use at household level are: experience in using ICTs, livestock
keeping as the source of livelihood, larger size of cultivated land managed, frequency of
receiving weather forecast and time taken to reach nearest water source during droughts.
Efforts to respond to climate change in the cattle corridor should invest in mobile phone
ICT infrastructure, extend effective technological access particularly to livestock farmers,
as well as disseminate location-specific weather forecast and advisories.
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ABSTRACT 19: CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE OF AYAGO RIVER BASIN IN
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: JOSEPH ASIIMWE
SUPERVISORS: 1.Prof. John. R.S. Tabuti
2. Dr. James Kalema
Development activities proposed in the Ayago River Basin (ARB) in Murchison Falls
National Park are likely to impact negatively on plant diversity and richness. This study
therefore sought to determine the plant diversity and conservation importance of the
ARB. Specific objectives were; i) determine plant species diversity and distribution; ii)
Assess the conservation importance of ARB and iii) determine woody species association
with selected environmental variables. Two 2 km transects were established in the
different habitat types based on the floristic and landscape features. Along each transect
20 m x 20 m nested plots were laid at intervals of 50m alternating each other on both
sides. Plants were identified and DBH of tree species determined for determination of
population structures. The Species Diversity Richness 4.1.2 software was used to
determine the Shannon Weiner‟s and Margalef D indices and also tested the significant
differences in species diversity in the vegetation types at 5% significance level. Woody
species association with selected environmental variables was determined by ordination
techniques using Canoco version 4.5 software. Results revealed that the ARB has five
vegetation types and 299 species belonging to 62 families. Poaceae family was the most
diverse with 36 species. Plant species were distributed in five growth forms. Combretum
Collinum was abundant in the tree life form while Allophyllus africanus,Urena
lobata,Brachiaria decumbensandMonanthotaxis buchananii were abundant in the Shrub,
Herb, Grass and Climber life form respectively. Evaluation of species Conservation status
indicated that Six (6) species were “Threated” where as IUCN status was not evaluated
for 98% of the plants recorded. Seven (7) invasive species were recorded in the ARB.
Shannon wiener‟s (H1) diversity and Margalef (Dmg) indices‟ results revealed that the Open
savanna grassland (S) was the most diverse (H1= 4.08) whereas species richness was high
in the Riverine (R) vegetation type (Dmg = 19.14). Comparison of diversities in vegetation
types revealed that the Open savanna grassland ˃ Riverine, Wetland ˃ Riverine, Riverine
= Wooded grassland, and Riverine ˃Woodland at 5% significance level (P ˂ 0.05). IVI
ranged from 0.8 to 40.5 with Combretum collinumhaving the highest and Acacia
polyacantha the lowest perhaps due to variations in density and coverage.Presence of
large number of individuals in the lower size classes perhaps indicate that ARB had faced
a huge destruction in the past, and is now regenerating into its natural habitat. The
population structure forBaphiopsis parviflorawas J –shaped indicating low population of
juveniles whereas Acacia hockii and Afzelia africana showed an inverse J – shape
indicating low population of mature individuals.Existence of woody species in the ARB
appears to associate significantly with soil types, slope and type of disturbance (P =
0.002).
29
ABSTRACT 20: DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF CROCODYLUS SUCHUS IN AND
AROUND KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, NORTH-EASTERN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: CAROL BOGEZI
SUPERVISORS: 1.Prof. Majaliwa Mwanjalolo
2. Dr. Robert M. Kityo
Previous and recent research carried out in Uganda‟s National Parks focused mainly on
large mammals and birds with little research directed towards reptiles and amphibians. A
new species of crocodiles, Crocodylus suchus, was recorded in Kidepo Valley National
Park in 2011 raising the total number of crocodile species ever recorded in Uganda to
three. Only Crocodylusniloticus has been widely known in Uganda but as a result of a
2009 crocodile survey in Kidepo, Crocodylus suchus has also been confirmed present.
While C.niloticus is categorized as Low Risk on the IUCN Red List 2011, C.suchus is
uncategorized mainly due to lack information on its distribution and survival. The
distribution and population status of the crocodiles in Kidepo Valley National Park was
studied by searching watercourses that formed the line transect walked. Habitat
information was recorded including presence or absence of water, river substrate, river
bank characteristics and any observable threats. Population structure was studied by
capturing, measuring, weighing and identification of sex for individual crocodiles
recorded. Distribution and abundance data were analysed using occupancy Binomial
Mixture models performed in PRESENCE software to estimate the relative abundance of
crocodiles in and around KVNP. There are approximately 67 to 142 crocodiles in KVNP
of which 70% in the Narus valley, 23% in Kidepo valley and 7% outside of the park.
Majority (90%) of the crocodiles recorded were adults, and 80% of the captured
crocodiles were females. Habitat characteristics had an influence on the distribution,
abundance and size of the crocodiles whereby river-streams with sandy beaches were
associated with the highest number of mature crocodiles, and pools of water with
submerged vegetation associated with the yearlings recorded. No anthropogenic threats
towards crocodiles were recorded. The results of this research are in agreement with
earlier studies that noted the total abundance of crocodiles in KVNP to be between 100-
150 crocodiles with 80% crocodiles in Narus and 20% in Kidepo valley. It also agrees
with earlier research on crocodilians which showed that younger crocodiles are more
likely to inhabit slow moving streams or ponds with submerged plants whereas older
ones prefer clearer faster moving waters. Crocodiles in KVNP were observed to dig,
borrow aestivated caves during the dry season, a behavior that has been reported of
other C. suchus in Mauritania.
In conclusion, the crocodiles in KVNP were noted to occur mainly in Narus valley in river
streams and pools of water with submerged vegetation. The results of this study will
highlight the role of this aquatic top predator in their natural habitat. Results will also be
used to plan species-specific conservation and management plans.
30
ABSTRACT 21: RESTORATION STATUS OF NAKAYIBA WETLAND, MASAKA-UGANDA
CANDIDATE: BUNYANGHA JACKSON
SUPERVISORS: 1.Dr. Henry Busulwa
2. Assoc. Prof.Patrick Mucunguzi
Many converted wetlands in Uganda have been identified as vital for their ecosystem
services, but only a few of them have been restored. This research focused on studying
the restoration status of Nakayiba wetland, in Masaka District five years after eviction of
human activities. Vegetation samples were collected along transects from upstream to
downstream of the wetland using quadrats to study their colonization trends. Water
samples were collected to determine the pollution attenuation capacity of the wetland
from the main inflow (confluence) and outflow and analyzed for nitrates, NO3- (mg/L),
orthophosphates, PO4 3-(mg/l), total phosphorus, TP(mg/l), pH, Electrical conductivity,
EC (μS/cm) and faecal coliforms, FC (CFU/100 ml) following standard APHA (1995)
methods. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel software and inferences made at 5%
significance level using t-test. Findings showed that the vegetation of Nakayiba wetland
was generally dominated by Impatiens tinctoria (40.7%) although Cyperus latifolius
dominated upstream (42.8%) and midstream (36.1%) while Impatiens tinctoria
dominated downstream (55.3%) sections. Other major plants present included Cyperus
latifolius (30.8%) mainly upstream (42.8%), Cyperus papyrus (9.7%) mainly
downstream (18.3%) and Typha latifolia (1.8%) found only downstream. Water quality
studies showed that Phosphorus retention was high at 87% Total Phosphorus, TP and
92% Ortho-phosphates, - PO4 3- but low for nitrates, NO3- (24.4%). The recovering
wetland reduced FC from 9160 to 350 CFU/100 ml representing 96.18% retention, pH
varied between 6.43 and 6.0 while EC reduced from 811 to 280 μS/cm. These results
show that wetlands have capacity to recover with no costs.
Results indicate that Nakayiba wetland is in the process of recovering exhibited by the
current trends in vegetation recovery and contribution to removal of nutrients and
coliforms which improves water quality that is used downstream. This implies that the
management should ensure the wetland is not re-encroached to allow full recovery.
Additionally, restoration should be extended to other vital wetlands that have been
degraded in the country.
31
ABSTRACT 22: FACTORS INFLUENCING ADOPTION OF AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES
IN NEBBI DISTRICT, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: EMMY SAVIOUR JAKISA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Professor John R.S. Tabuti
Agroforestry practices are thought to have the potential to enhance farmers‟ resilience to
shocks including climate change. However, farmers are poorly motivated to plant trees and
also face numerous challenges during tree planting. A study was therefore conducted in Nebbi
district, of Uganda with an aim of addressing this information gap to promote tree planting
in agroforestry systems. The objectives of the study were to: 1) determine the most valued
tree species by farmers and 2) determine factors influencing tree planting. A household
questionnaire survey was used to collect data for the study using 120 semi structured
questionnaires, 16 key informant interviews and 4 focus group discussions techniques.
Secondary data were collected from peer reviewed journals, text books and documents from
various government agencies. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to predict the
likely influence of respondent‟s age, sex, education level, tribe, occupation and household
land size on the size of land allocated to tree planting at 5% significance level. Results of the
multiple linear regression analysis revealed that education level and household land size have
a significant influence on the size of land allocated to tree planting (P<0.05). The most
valued tree species identified in this study are Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus spp. and Citrus
sinensis. From this study farmers are benefiting from tree planting on their land with the most
important benefits including income and products like fruits. Farmers‟ land size and education
levels affect their tree planting decisions. Farmers are facing a number of challenges in tree
planting including lack of seedlings and money, limited knowledge in tree planting and lack
of training as the main challenges they are facing. Farmers have their perceived solutions to
the challenges they are facing in tree planting. These solutions include provision of seedlings,
funds and trainings. The recommendations from the study was that focus should be made on
the most important tree species such as Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus spp. and Citrus sinensis
in promoting tree planting in the district and elsewhere. Farmers‟ proposed solutions to
challenges that they face in tree planting should be considered. Seedlings, funding and
trainings should be provided to the farmers.
32
ABSTRACT 23: EVALUATION OF THE POTENTIAL FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING IN
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ HALLS –KAMPALA
CANDIDATE: KAKAIRE SADAT
SUPERVISORS: 1.Assoc. Prof. JAMES OKOT –OKUMU
The research was conducted at Makerere University and it was intended to evaluate rain
water at the students‟ halls of residence. To collect stake holder‟s views on rain water
harvesting, students and key informants from the university were interviewed. The
research was guided by four objectives; to determine the quality of rain water collected
from the roof catchments, to quantify the amount of rain water that could be collected
from the students‟ halls per academic year, to explain the economic value of rain water
harvesting to Makerere University and to identify the advantages of using rain water in
Makerere University.
Rain samples were collected at three intervals which included; “first rain”, “second rain”
(wet season) and “storage” (for two weeks)
Rain water quality parameters determined were; colour, ranged from 80 – 405 PTU,
average (170.6 ± 41.9PTU) first rain, 86 – 475PTU average (183.4 ± 19.7 PTU) and after
storage 43 – 208 (103.1± 19.7 PTU) wet season. Electrical Conductivity15-79μS/cm (36.4
± 6.7 μS/cm) first rain, 14 – 71 μS/cm (34.1± 6.0) storage and 10 - 80 μS/cm (31.9 ± 7.0),
wet season. Total coliforms 3 – 19 CFU (10.0 ±1.9 CFU/100mL), first rain, 1 – 12
CFU/100mL (5.3 ± 3.5) storage and 0 – 4 CFU/100mL (1.3 ± 0.4), wet season. Feacal
coliforms ranged 2 – 3 CFU/100mL (2.25 ± 0.25) first rain, 1-2 (1.38 ± 0.18 CFU/100mL)
storage. However, no feacal coliforms were detected in the wet season. Range in pH was
6.1- 6.6 (6.3 ± 0.1) in the first rain, 5.9 – 6.3 (6.1 ± 0.1) after storage and 6 – 6.5 (6.2 ±
0.1) in the wet season. Total Dissolved Solids ranged from 9 -69 mg/l (30.8 ± 7.8) in the
first season, 11-71 (33.2 ± 7.8 mg/L) storage and 2 – 19 (8.9 ± 1.8) mg/L in the wet
season. Turbidity ranged from 5 – 97.6 NTU (38.0 ± 10.9 NTU) first season, 5 – 96
(36.7 ± 10.7 NTU) after storage and 5 – 29 NTU (11.4 ± 2.7) in the wet season.
Annual rain fall in the study site of MakerereUniversity is 1750mm. The total catchment
area from the halls of residence is 30443m2
and the estimated rain water collection is
42620.2m3. This can serve 4740 students at a rate of 189.6m
3/ day. Catchment captured
rain water will contribute 62% of the students‟ water demand. This will lead to an
annual saving of Ug Shs 57,153,688.2 (Uganda shillings). The estimated investment
capital of Ug Shs 412,901,160 (US$ 113124) will have a payback time of 7.2 years. The
study concluded that the rain water quality required filtration and chlorination to achieve
the acceptable national drinking water standards. Therefore it was a good water source
for supplementing piped water supply to the students‟ halls.
33
ABSTRACT 24: SANITATION, HYGIENE AND MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION OF
VENDED MEATS AT SELECTED HIGHWAY MARKETS IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: KARUMUNA ROLLANDA
SUPERVISORS: 1.Prof. Charles Muyanja
2. Dr. Ananias Bagumire
Sanitation and hygiene of food vending markets has influence on contamination of food
with food-borne hazards which affects food safety leading to out-break of food-borne
illnesses. This study aimed to assess the sanitation and hygiene facilities and practices for
highway vendors of ready-to-eat meat against recommended conditions; and determine
the status of microbiological contamination of vended highway meats against
internationally recommended Microbial Contaminant Limits (MCLs).
The sanitation and hygiene facilities of 41 meat stalls; and practices of 180 meat vendors
selected at two of the highway markets (Lukaya and Najembe) were assessed against
recommended best practices using checklists with scores; and the questionnaires. Sixty
(60) samples of meat products (chicken, beef and goat meat) were taken from Najembe
and Lukaya markets during dry and wet seasons. The bacteria that are used as indicators
for status of sanitation and hygiene were isolated in the meat products. ISO standard
methods were used in the laboratory to test for presence of coliforms, Escherichia Coli
and Staphylococcus aureus. Results were compared with the recommended MCL.
A scale of 0-4 was used to assess the conformity of sanitation and hygiene facilities. On
average the facilities scored below 2, denoting low conformity to recommended
conditions. The overall score of sanitation facilities was 1.51 and hygiene facilities scored
1.36. Chicken facilities had the lowest scores. The scores were not significantly different
for the three products (p>0.05). The facilities at Lukaya market had slightly higher scores
than those at Najembe market because of the recent renovation at Lukaya. Overall,
74.1% of the vendors were not implementing proper sanitation and hygiene practices,
Lukaya being the most affected, which was attributed to low awareness.
Most of the samples tested (68.3%) exceeded the recommended MCLs. Contamination
was mainly from Staphylococcus aureus (81.7%). Escherichia Coli was found in 43% of
the samples. Chicken samples were the most contaminated. Samples obtained from
Lukaya market were more contaminated perhaps due to poor personal hygiene
practices.The meat samples taken during the wet season were slightly more contaminated
(48%) than those taken during the dry season (45%).
The poor sanitary and hygiene conditions were responsible for the contamination of
ready-to-eat meat products. Installation of better sanitation and hygiene facilities, training
and regular monitoring of vendors are required to ensure the safety of highway vended
meat.
34
ABSTRACT 25: PERFORMANCE OF PAPYRUS BASED BATCH LOADED VERTICAL
SUBSURFACE FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND MESOCOSMS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: KAZIBWE ALEX
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. JAMES OKOT-OKUMU
2. Dr. MOHAMMED BABU
The performance of batch loaded vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland mesocosms
planted with Cyperus papyrus, with regard to treatment of secondary pretreated municipal
wastewater in Kampala, Uganda was investigated. The study was aimed at assessing the
performance of these constructed wetland systems with or without papyrus under batch loading
mode, with the specific objectives; 1) to assess the influence of papyrus vegetation on the
hydrology of the VSSF CW system; 2) to determine the organic matter removal efficiency of the
VSSF CWs; 3) to determine the nitrogen and phosphorous removal efficiency of the VSSF CWs.
On site measurements for pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Electrical Conductivity and temperature (using
portable meters) and laboratory analyses were conducted weekly over a fourteen week period
following bio-film establishment and the key parameters investigated were precipitation and
evapo-transpiration, Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5 ), Chemical oxygen demand (COD),
ammonium-nitrogen(NH4-N), nitrite-nitrogen(NO2-N),nitrate-nitrogen,( NO3-N), total-nitrogen(
TN), orthophosphate(PO4-P) and Total phosphorous(TP) removal. The nutrients were all
determined according to standard methods (APHA, 1995).
The mean evapo-transpiration ranged from 16.5-17.8mm/day in the planted mesocosms over
the study period. The results obtained also showed impressive organic matter removal
efficiencies i.e., BOD5: 82.9% (controls) and 83.52% (planted units) and COD: 75.59 %(
controls) and 77.03 %( planted treatments).Average N and P removal efficiencies were also
high with 81.36% and 87% for NH4-N in unplanted and planted units respectively,
TN:70.36%(controls) and 78.43% (planted units), PO4-P: 62.11%(controls) and 78.1%
(planted), TP: 66.3%(controls) and 79% (planted), TSS: 87.62%(controls) and
86.32%(planted). Overall, increased NO2-N and NO3-N concentration values were obtained in
the effluent compared to the influent in all the four CW units and so the percentage removal
efficiencies for these N species were not significant.
It can therefore be concluded, from this study, that batch loaded VSSF CWs are very efficient as
regards removal of organic matter, N and P from secondary pre-treated wastewater and more
research studies are recommended to investigate the performance these CWs with other tropical
macrophytes and under different operational modes.
Key words:
Ammonium –nitrogen (NH4-N), Biochemical oxygen demand(BOD5), Chemical oxygen demand
(COD), Evapotranspiration, Total-nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorous(TP),
35
ABSTRACT 26: EFFECTS OF RESTORATION ON SOIL, PLANTS AND WATER QUALITY
IN NAKYESANJA WETLAND, WAKISO DISTRICT, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: KUNAN BREWER VESSELLY
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Frank Kansiime
2. Assoc. Prof. Majaliwa Mwanjalolo
The ecological performance of Nakyesanja, a restored wetland with Cyperus papyruswas
evaluated by comparing soil quality and plants characteristics with Tugavure, a reference
natural wetland nearby. Assessment was also made of water quality at the inlet and
outlet of the restored wetland. A description of soil profile pits of a degraded site, the
restored wetland and the natural wetland were made and the soil physical and chemical
characteristics namely color, texture, pH, organic matter, organic carbon, nitrogen,
available phosphorus, potassium and calcium were assessed. Plant species were identified
in 1m2 plots along two transects in the restored and natural wetlands. Cyperus papyrus
phytomass density was also determined. Below ground water level was also measured in
ten plots each in the restored and natural wetland. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC),
total dissolved solids (TDS) and temperature of water at the inlet and outlet of the
restored wetland were determined in situ and total nitrogen (TN), nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-
N), ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N), total phosphorus (TP) and soluble reactive phosphorus
(SRP) were analyzed in the laboratory. The efficiency of the restored wetland for nutrient
removal was calculated using the formula: (Load Inlet – Load Outlet) / Load Inlet *
100%.
Soil properties in the restored wetland exhibited similar characteristics to the natural
wetland. This was attributed to the planting of papyrus and the colonization of
vegetation that contributed to litter and other organic plant inputs. The decreasing soil
properties in the degraded wetland were attributed to crop cultivation and the dumping
of murram in the area. Plant diversity, phytomass, species richness, and heights in the
restored and natural wetland were not significantly different with their respective p
values being 0.911, 0.202, p = 0.921, p = 0.562. Water level was significantly lower in
the restored wetland (p = 0.001) and showed significant relationship to plant diversity in
the natural wetland (r = 0.69), meaning waterlogging controlled the growth and
distribution of species in the natural wetland. The phytomass density of papyrus recorded
higher values in areas of high water level; 4.9 and 2.5 Kg DW/M2 at 15 and 30 cm water
depth in the natural wetland and 2.8 and 2.4 Kg DW/M2 at 45 and 50 cm water depth in
the restored wetland respectively. Aquatic macrophytes were established in areas of high
water level but areas of low water level like the landward or wetland edges were
colonized by opportunistic plants that could survive better in areas of fluctuating water
conditions. This implies that water level was the main determinant supporting the growth
and distribution of macrophytic vegetation in the restored wetland. The comparison of
wet and dry season‟s pH, discharge, EC, temperature, TDS, TN and NO3-N in the
wetlands were significantly different (p < 0.05). However, TP, SRP and NH4-N were not
significantly different (p > 0.05). The variation of water quality parameters between the
inlet and outlet concentration of the restored wetland demonstrated an insignificant
difference for all seasons. The nutrient removal efficiency of the restored wetland was
higher in the dry than the wet season for all parameters. The lower nutrient removal in
36
the wet season was attributed to the channelization of the water through the system, the
small size of the wetland and the low influent load. The better dry season restored
wetland water quality performance demonstrated a positive influence of macrophytes on
nutrient removal process especially in areas dominated by papyrus.
In order to ensure soil development, successful colonization of aquatic macrophytes and
efficient nutrient removal in a restored wetland, the hydrology of the system should be
designed to distribute water to most sections of the wetland, and not channelized. The
Nakyesanja wetland should serve as a model of wetland restoration for wider
dissemination in Uganda (and maybe beyond) given the simple, inexpensive and yet
seemingly highly effective methodology employed.
ABSTRACT 27: EFFECT OF KIZITO RANCH ON WATER QUALITY OF RIVER KAFU,
NAKASONGOLA DISTRICT, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: KUNOBERE JAMES BOND
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR. JOSEPH KYAMBADDE
2. DR. DENIS MPAIRWE
This study was conducted to assess the effect of Kizito Ranch on water quality of River
Kafu. Water and sediment samples from R. Kafu around Kizito ranch were collected and
analyzed weekly for six months. Grab water and sediment samples were taken from 4
sampling points along the river bordering Kizito ranch while surface runoff samples were
collected from detention ditches dug on Kizito ranch. The river water and surface runoff
samples were analyzed for physico-chemical and microbiological properties whereas
sediment samples were analyzed for macro-invertebrates (Gastropods, Oligochaetes,
Chironomids and Bivalves). The means of River water quality results upstream of Kizito
Ranch were as follows: Temperature, 25.1±0.230C; pH, 7.53±0.23; DO, 1.5±0.22mg/L;
EC, 110±8.38µS/cm; Turbidity, 13.5±2.07NTU; NO3-N, 0.12±0.03mg/L; NH4-N,
0.86±0.34mg/L; TP, 0.62±0.10mg/L; Ortho-p, 0.43±0.16mg/L; COD, 58.0±5.35mg/L;
TC, 1.7x106±0.28x10
6and FC, 2.2x10
5±7.2x10
4 while the means of River water quality
results downstream of Kizito Ranch were as follows: Temperature, 25.5±0.240C; pH,
7.58±0.20; DO, 2.0±0.22mg/L; EC, 113±6.62µS/cm; Turbidity, 20.4±2.92NTU; NO3-
N, 0.1±0.02mg/L; NH4-N, 0.67±0.19mg/L; TP, 0.72±0.13mg/L; Ortho-p,
0.39±0.15mg/L; COD, 53.2±6.09mg/L; TC, 9.9x105±2.7x10
5 CFU/100mL; and FC,
7.4x104±1.6x10
4 CFU/100mL. The total number of macro-invertebrates found in the
sediments during the sampling period was as follows: Gastropods, 1; Oligochaetes, 14;
Chironomids, 11; and Bivalves, 4. Analysis of surface runoff from Kizito ranch showed the
following results:: TP, 4.1±0.3 mg/L; ortho-p, 1.8±0.3 mg/L; NO3-N, 0.14±0.02 mg/L;
NH4-N, 5.3±0.9 mg/L, COD, 279.7±40.1 mg/L; TC, 3.03x106±0.37x10
6 CFU/100mL;
and FC, 6.1x103±1.1x10
3 CFU/100mL while the results for analyses of runoff from the
control area outside the ranch were; TP, 3.4±0.3 mg/L; ortho-p, 1.2±0.14 mg/L; NO3-N,
0.12±0.02 mg/L; NH4-N, 4.1±0.4 mg/L, COD, 70.7±12.2 mg/L; TC, 2.2x105±0.8x10
5;
and FC, 8.2x102±3.5x10
2. The results showed that the nutrient level in the runoff from
both the ranch area and outside the ranch were significantly higher than in the river water
(p<0.05). However, a comparison of water quality parameters upstream and
37
downstream of Kizito ranch along river Kafu showed a significant increase in DO,
Turbidity and TC with a significant decrease in FC while the rest showed no significant
differences (p<0.05). The physico-chemical results however, showed that there is a bigger
source of pollutants upstream of the ranch. Although the feacal coliforms entering R. Kafu
from Kizito ranch did not significantly alter the coliform content of the river, their
presence in the river necessitates sensitizing of the downstream communities to treat the
water from River Kafu before consumption to avoid health problems that may arise.
Key words: Effect of ranching, Ranch, Pollution, River Kafu, Rangeland, Macro
invertebrates
ABSTRACT 28: ASSESSMENT OF WATER TREATMENT SLUDGE REUSE IN
IMPROVEMENT OF THE EFFLUENT QUALITY OF BUGOLOBI SEWAGE TREATMENT
WORK
CANDIDATE: MASABA GODFREY
SUPERVISORS: 1. Associate Prof. James Okot-Okumu
2. Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi
Reuse of spent coagulant (sludge) from a water supply system, in improving the quality
of a primary sedimentation tank effluent of a conventional wastewater treatment plant
(WWTP) in Bugolobi, Kampala (Uganda) was studied for the period of seven months
from January to July 2011. It was found that the sludge had a relatively stable Aluminium
concentration (1.78 ± 0.50 mg/L). The raw sewage quality was characterized by the
following parameters: (TSS), 867mg/L; (COD), 2457mg/L; (BOD), 1460mg/L; and (FC),
583E+06 CFU/100mls as mean values during study period.
An experimental approach of a jar-test apparatus was used to determine the performance
of the sludge in wastewater treatment at different doses (0-150mls of coagulant sludge).
To ascertain the wastewater quality improvement efficiency, selected key physical,
chemical and biological parameters were analysed following the Standard Methods for
Examination of water and Wastewater (APHA, 1998).
The results indicated that addition of an optimum water treatment sludge dose of 80mls
to 920mls of sewage gave a mean (±SE) concentration of 1.78 ± 0.50 mg/l, to the
primary sedimentation tank effluent significantly (p= 0.002, α = 0.05) enhanced the
removal efficiency for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), 81.2%; Chemical Oxygen demand
(COD), 73.9%; Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), 84.5%; and Faecal coliform (FC),
94.3%. Reuse of water treatment sludge had high application potential in wastewater
treatment although other technical and operational aspects such as sludge transportation,
increased wastewater sludge volume and other disposal means have to be explored.
Key words: Water treatment sludge, primary sedimentation tank effluent, domestic wastewater,
Removal efficiency, Total suspended solids
38
ABSTRACT 29: A GEOSPATIAL AND PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
IMPACTS ON SELECTED CEREALS IN KASESE DISTRICT, RWENZORI HIGHLANDS
CANDIDATE: MUGARURA MICHAEL
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Moses Tenywa
2. Prof. Majaliwa Mwanjololo
Agricultural productivity in Kasese district is declining, this trend had been accelerated
in recent years (<30 years) due to rapid changes in climatic conditions. The specific
objectives of the study were to i. To assess the spatio-temporal yield variance of
maize, sorghum and millet in Kasese district and ii. To forecast and predict the likely
future yield outputs for maize, sorghum and millet crops in Kasese district. Two IPCC
SRES Scenario Storylines A2 and B1 were considered. Primary data was collected using
purposive sampling procedures in two counties of the district (Busongola and
Bukonjo). Stochastic geospatial and parametric analysis approach focused on
analyzing and assessing the effects of climate change on the cereals‟ {maize (zea mays),
sorghum (sorghum bicolor), and millet (Eleusine corcana)} spatial, temporal and yield
output varianes in Kaseses district and forecast yield performance for the next five
years. APSIM was used to project future yield at the end of the century. Results
showed that, according to the established temperature-yield relationship over the
baseline period {(ymaize=-44.09x +2564.2, Ymillet=-0.9051x+498.71, Ysorghum=-
0.6655x+279.75), at (p<0.05}, a 2c)increase in temperature leads to decrease in
yield output for all the different cereals. This finding is in direct agreement with the
first set hypothesis whict states that a 2c increase in temperature leads to yield
decrease of 45%, 23% and 32% in maize, millet and sorghum respectively. Model
outputs showed that yields for the three cereals will remain relatively constant over
the next five years, however, by the end of the 21st century (2070-2100), sorghum
will perform better, while maize and millet will suffer a disadvantage albeit millet will
be less affected than maize. This could be directly attributed to the increasing
temperatures, increasing CO2 levels, and the decreasing/erratic rainfall patterns. These
results directly refute the second set hypothesis which states that changes in climatic
parameters will not have a significant influence on future maize, sorghum and millet
yield output with respect to IPCC A2 and B1 climate scenarios
Key words: yield potential, forecast, adaptation, mitigation, parametric analysis,
climate change.
39
ABSTRACT 30: BIODIVERSITY DIFFERENCES IN AGRICULTURAL LAND USES,
USING BUTTERFLIES AS BIO- INDICATORS: A CASE STUDY OF GOMBA DISTRICT,
CENTRAL UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: MUKALAZI FRANK
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Anne M. Akol.
2. Dr. Jeremiah S. Lwanga.
Natural ecosystems are under enormous pressure all over the world from habitat loss
and degradation, including loss of natural cover due to anthropogenic activities,
physical and climatic changes. Like elsewhere in the world, Uganda„s natural
ecosystems are under pressure, driven primarily by degradation of sites and landscape
simplification through changes to the agricultural landscape and increasing
development of the habitat. There is still much debate over the potential value of
agricultural land use system for maintenance of biodiversity. In light of the need to set
biodiversity conservation measures and to aid decision making, this study investigated
biodiversity differences among different agricultural land uses. This study was carried
out to assess the differences in biodiversity among different agricultural land uses using
butterflies as indicators of biodiversity. The study was conducted in Gomba District
during the period of October 2012 to March 2013.The period between October –
December 2012 was wet while February –March 2013 was dry. Butterflies were
sampled in five land uses/vegetation types using Blendon butterfly traps and sweep
nets. Netting included both transect sweep netting and opportunistic netting. A
sampling period consisted of five consecutive days within a month for each study site
and season. Vegetation sampling to determine plant mean height, plant species
richness and diversity was carried out in nested plots along two transects of 25m each.
All the five major families of butterflies were represented in the samples. Family
Nymphalidae was the most species rich. There was a significant difference in butterfly
species richness, butterfly diversity, plant species richness, plant diversity and
vegetation height in all the five vegetation types. Plant species richness, butterfly
species richness and diversity were significantly higher in the fallow site than in the
rest of the land uses. Vegetation height was significantly higher in the annual crop and
coffee-banana intercrop compared to other land uses. Wide spread and Forest
dependent butterfly species were the most abundant in all agricultural land uses.
Butterfly species richness was significantly higher in the wet season than in the dry
season while butterfly diversity was significantly higher in the dry season than in the
wet season. There was a negative correlation which was not significant between mean
vegetation height and butterfly species richness in the agricultural land use. Plant
species richness and plant diversity had a positive relationship which was significant
40
with butterfly species richness. Vegetation height is not a major determinant of
butterfly species richness therefore the vegetation should be kept at diverse heights to
meet the habitat requirements of different butterfly species. Plant species richness and
diversity are major determinants of butterfly species richness therefore farmers should
practice mixed cultivation instead of monoculture. Different agricultural land uses
should be encouraged on the same landscape this will promote a patch work of
vegetation types which will maintain a high butterfly species richness. Butterfly species
richness was significantly higher in the wet season than in dry season therefore
butterfly monitoring should be done in the wet season.
ABSTRACT 31: SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SAVANNAH LARGE MAMMALS IN
RELATION TO OIL EXPLORATION DRILLING IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL
PARK UGANDA
CANDIDATE: NULONDO PAUL
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Christopher Bakuneeta
Oil and gas exploration disturb wildlife habitat. However, little information is known
in regard to large mammal species in Murchison Falls National park. Tis study
monitored spatial distribution of Elephants, Buffalos, Giraffes and Uganda Kobs prior
to drilling, during and post drilling at two selected well pads JOBII EAST 4. The study
aimed to provide information on large mammal species spatial distribution in
response to oil disturbance effects.
Data were collected by walking along 2km transects, counting large mammals with
increasing distance from oil well pad fences. Disturbance from oil activities was
measured by comparing number of people, vehicles and running machines at well
pads in pre, during and post drilling periods. Habitat area was in every 100m multi-
buffer rings at each oil well pad in ARC MAP 10.0. This allowed for analysis of
relationships between wild life response and habitat type around oil well pads.
Trends in large mammal distribution patterns along an increasing distance gradient
from well pads were explored using regression model procedures in R. 10.0 statistical
program. Large mammal response patterns to drilled well pad and one without
differed significantly with varying levels of disturbance. The results show significant
difference in disturbance levels between oil well pads in pre drilling, during and post
drilling survey periods. Elephant and Buffalo abundance increased in areas quite far
away from the disturbance at JOBII EAST 1 (i. e. >1000m) during drilling. The
abundance of giraffe and Uganda kob were high closer to the pad during drilling. The
study also revealed significant positive relationship between animal spatial distribution
and habitat types within distance intervals at both oil well pads.
41
Given the evidence of disturbance on animal movement around oil well pads, there is
potential for wild life populations to concentrate in areas far off from oil activity sites
with further oil operations in the park. The disturbed large mammals are likely to shift
from habitats around oil pads to the ones away from drilling sites. Development of
new oil drilling well pads within critical wildlife habitats should be minimized. The
disturbance effects on wildlife distribution should from a guide in setting management
strategies to balancing between wildlife conservation and oil development projects in
Murchison Falls National Park and in the Albertine graben.
ABSTRACT 32: MICROBIAL SAFETY OF LAKE NABUGABO WATER FOR RECREATION
CANDIDATE: NAKIRYA DOREEN
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. James Okot-Okumu
2. Assoc. Prof. Fredrick Jones Muyodi
The study was carried out between November 2013 and May 2014, it aimed at
assessing the suitability of Lake Nabugabo water for recreation. Faecal microbial
indicator contaminants and physico-chemical characteristics of Lake Nabugabo were
determined at two beaches (Sand Beach and Holiday Center). Water samples were
collected monthly covering the last weekend of each month (Friday-Sunday) at near
and offshore spots within recreational zones at the beaches in the morning and
afternoon. Water samples were collected, handled and tested according to APHA
(1998) for microbial and physico-chemical parameters. Data was analyzed using
student t-tests and correlation analysis at 95 percent confidence level. Results were;
total coliform (10.5-13.8CFU/100mls) at Sand beach and (11.7-15.8CFU/100mls) at
Holiday Center, faecal coliform (10-11.4CFU/100mls) at Sand beach and (10-
12.5CFU/100mls) at Holiday Center, Escherichia coli (0-2.63CFU/100mls)at Sand
Beach and Holiday Center, faecal streptococci (0-1.5CFU/100mls). Electrical
conductivity (27-32.6µS/cm), pH (7.1), turbidity (12.6-26NTU), total dissolved solids
(13.2-15.4mg/l), average colour value (10.3Pt-Co), alkalinity (29.3mg/l), hardness
(CaCO3) (32.5mg/l), total nitrogen (averagely 1.3mg/l), ammonium-N (averagely
0.6mg/l), nitrates (averagely 0.05mg/l), total phosphorus (average 0.8mg/l),
orthophosphates (0.02mg/l), iron (0.2–0.3mg/l), calcium (1.2–1.8mg/l), magnesium
(0.4–0.6mg/l), sodium (1.2-2mg/l) and potassium (1.8-2.6mg/l). Total coliforms and
faecal streptococci showed a significant linear correlation with TSS (r = 0.9, p =
0.04). There were strong positive correlations between some physico-chemical
42
parameters for example turbidity and pH (r = 0.9, p = 0.01), hardness and colour (r
= 0.9, p < 0.01), total phosphorus and colour (r = 1, p < 0.01). A two sample
student t-test showed no significant difference in microbial counts at the two beaches.
Microbial counts obtained in the recreational zones were higher than those obtained
in non-recreational zones of Lake Nabugabo but lower than known recreational
water standards. Results indicate low microbial contamination and average physico-
chemical parameters implying that Lake Nabugabo does not pose major problems for
recreation at the moment. There is therefore need for regular monitoring of water
quality changes in order to detect contaminants early enough for appropriate
management.
ABSTRACT 33: EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITES) IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: NAMUGWANYA BERNA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr Jeremiah Lwanga
2. Professor Eric Edroma
Uganda became a party to the CITES in 1991. This study “Evaluation of the
implementation of the convention on International trade in endangered species in
Uganda,” was conducted between 2011-2013. The study specifically sought: to assess
the capacity of institutions to implement CITES, level of public awareness about
CITES, and to investigate the setbacks to CITES implementation in Uganda. The target
institutions were MTWA, UWA, UWEC, PQIS, UNCST, Uganda Police, FSSD (MoWE)
and Customs Department. For the level of public awareness about CITES, data was
collected from twenty respondents from each of the five divisions (Nakawa, Central,
Kawempe, Makindye, and Rubaga) of Kampala district. Data collection was by
questionnaire method. Key informants were interviewed to investigate setbacks to
CITES implementation in Uganda. A total of 113 respondents were interviewed for the
whole study. Snowball sampling was employed to identify respondents from within
the target institutions; stratified and convenience sampling techniques were employed
to identify respondents from the general public and purposive sampling was
employed to identify key informants. Results obtained revealed that the capacity to
implement CITES varied from one institution to another. However in terms of
coordination with other implementing institutions: UWA coordinated most with
others; in terms of staffing levels MTWA, UNCST and Customs Department had no
staff deficit at all; in terms of information management and accessibility and capacity
building all institutions needed to improve. They also revealed that the section of
public that participated in the study had scanty information about CITES. Factors that
43
impede CITES implementation revealed by the study were inadequate funding,
inadequate research, and inadequate stakeholder sensitisation involvement. The
research study recommended the need to improve on the capacity of the responsible
institutions to implement CITES the need to increase on the activities that encourage
public awareness within the public and also the need to fill the gaps identified as far as
setbacks to CITES implementation are concerned.
ABSTRACT 34: ASSESSMENT OF VULNERABILITY TO WATER STRESS AMONG
COMMUNITIES IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF THE CATTLE CORRIDOR IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: NYARWAYA AMOS
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Frank Kansiime
2. Ass. Prof. Majaliwa Mwanjalolo, J
The frequency, severity and coverage of climate-induced water stress in the cattle
corridor of Uganda is increasing significantly due to climate change and variability.
The limited information on nature and extent of climate-related water stress being
experienced in the cattle corridor has restrained the ability of local communities from
adapting to its associated impacts. This study was carried out to assess exposure to
climate-related water stress, major water-related vulnerability levels and the existing
adaptive capacity of local communities. Household surveys, key informant interviews
and focus group discussions were conducted in four districts namely; Nakasongola,
Rakai, Sembabule and Soroti located in the cattle corridor. A total of 640 households
were interviewed. SPI and Euclidean Distance Analysis integrated in GIS environment
were used as indicators for exposure to water stress. Data were analyzed using one
way MANOVA to compare average ratings of variables. The findings of the study
show that the trends of exposure to water stress were perceived to have significantly
increased in the past 10- 20 years due to the increased frequency, severity and
difficulty of coping with climate-related hazards. The results of the SPI were
synonymous with observations of respondents showing that water stress only
increased during dry seasons. However, the pattern of water stress significantly varied
throughout the year from one district to another. Households in Nakasongola and
Sembabule moved the longest distances to reach their water sources. Crop failure and
emaciation of animals due to water stress were the worst damaging impacts of water-
related hazards. In Nakasongola, communities were highly susceptible to termites
which damage food crops, forage and houses. The climate adaptation information
received was inadequate and at times unreliable. The study recommends the need to
disseminate and inform local communities in the cattle corridor of Uganda with
accurate, relevant and timely information on water-related hazards.
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ABSTRACT 35: TREE FRUITING PHENOLOGY VARIATIONS UNDER CHANGING
CLIMATE: IMPLICATIONS ON PRIMATEFORAGING PATTERNS IN AND AROUND
BUDONGO FOREST RESERVE, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: HERBERT NYOMBI
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Fred Babweteera
2. Prof. Jacob Godfrey Agea
Due to observed declines in the number of fruiting trees in Budongo Forest Reserve
(BFR), a study was conducted to investigate how the decline in fruiting would affect
both primate foraging behaviors in and around BFR, Uganda. The study aimed at
investigating the changes in tree fruiting phenology under changing climatic conditions
and its implications for primate foraging patterns in and around BFR. It was
hypothesized that changes in climatic variables (temperature and rainfall) could be the
cause of reduced tree fruiting. Tree phenology in different forest compartments was
monitored by conducting monthly visits to over 7300 individual trees belonging to
97 tree species out of 465 tree species in BFR to record whether they were fruiting.
Primate foraging patterns were explored by observing habituated monkey groups
(Cercopithecus mitis, Cercopithecus ascanius and Colobus guereza) to record their
dietary composition. Surveys were conducted among forest edge communities to
assess the current spatial and temporal crop raiding patterns in relation to past crop
raiding patterns. Analysis of phenology patterns showed continued reduction in the
number of fruiting trees among different forest compartments. Results further indicate
spatial differences in fruiting patterns with more in compartments comprising the
primary forest types compared to compartments comprising secondary forest types.
Climatic variability had a significant impact on tree fruiting. More Fruiting was
recorded at the end of rainy seasons (May) and highest minimum temperatures. Tree
fruiting drastically fell and most times trees never fruited when there was no rainfall
and temperatures went too high. A comparison of primate foraging patterns indicates
that whereas fruits constituted over 60% of primate diet in the early 1990's, there has
been a gradual shift to leaves as main diet (over 45%). In addition, community edge
residents (64%) agree that crop raiding around BFRhas increased over the last 15
years both in frequency and intensity. It was noted that reduction and differences in
forest trees fruiting directly correlates positively to rainfall, minimum temperature and
forest structure. Although reduction in fruiting has led to diet shifts among frugivorous
monkeys, fruit availability within the forest seems not to have any impact on crop
raiding behaviors of primates. There is thus a need for paradigm shift in management
and conservation of BFR. There is also a need for more intense studies on the impacts
of changes in tree phenology on other forest ecology components such as herbivores,
pollinators and seed dispersers.
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ABSTRACT 36: IMPACT OF PASTORAL LAND USE CHANGE ON SURFACE WATER
QUALITY IN KAGERA SUB-BASIN
CANDIDATE: OKEDI BRYAN
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. James Okot Okumu
Land use change is one of the key factors which strongly influence the process of
pastoral development in the Kagera basin within which River Kagera, a principal River
that drains into Lake Victoria flows through.
The main objective of this study was to ascertain the impact of pastoral land use
change on the Kagera sub-basin surface water quality. Satelite imagery from the
periods of 1983, 1991, 2001 and 2011 were analyzed using Remote Sensing and
Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to monitor pastoral land use changes
amongst other land uses to generate maps of the study area in these periods. More
information was attained through 12 focus group discussions and questionnaire
interviews of 120 randomly selected pastoral households to identify and explain the
driving forces odf pastoral land use change. The effect of pastoral land use change on
Kagera sub-basin surface water quality with regards to critical nutrients which was
determined in accordance to the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
Waste water, APHA (2005). Physical-chemical parameters were determined using
GmbH CTD profile multi-parameter probe. This study revealed that pastoral land use
shrunk from 43.8% total area coverage in 1983 to 32.3% in 2011, the Land Use
Change dynamics degree (k1) indicated that pastoral land use lost 0.94% hectares to
other land uses within the period (1983-2011) most notably to farm land, the key
predictors of pastoral land use change were; expansion of farm land for subsistence
agriculture (p=0.007), enactment of land use policies in Tanzania that curtailed the
ammount of land available within the sub-basin for pastoralism (p=0.003) and
drought (p=0.0210). All in alldespite a large number of pastoralists spending more
time than before grazing along River Kagera as an adoptive measure to the key
predictors stated above among others, this new phenomenon has generally not had
any significant impact (p=0.005) with exception of Nitrate-Nitrogen and Soluble
Reactive Phosphorus on the river‟s surafce water quality.
Ky words: Kagera, Pastoralism, GIS, Remote Sensing, Land Use, Water Quality
46
ABSTRACT 37: HUMAN POPULATION DYNAMICS AND LAND ABANDONMENT
AROUND BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK: IMPLICATIONS FOR
PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT
CANDIDATE: OLUKA MOSES
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. J.G. M. Majaliwa,
2. Dr. Douglas Sheila
There is an increasing trend of land abandonment around National Parks of western
Uganda accelerating food insecurity in those regions. This study assessed the
population dynamics and land abandonment in Nteko parish (South) and Ishaya
villages in the (North) of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Household surveys,
focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to identify the causes
and perceived implications of immigration, emigration and land abandonment while
field observations, use of satellite remote sensing, geographical information system
techniques and household surveys were carried out to determine land abandonment
trends using three sets of orthorectified and cloud free Landsat TM/ETM temporal
images of 1987, 2000 and 2011 of 30 metres spatial resolution. The images were
processed using Erdas imaging (1999) software following unsupervised classification
procedures involving tropical high forest, grazing lands, small scale farming, tea
plantations and shrubs as sub classes. Stella Computer Software Model (Version 8.1)
was used to simulate population dynamic changes between 1990 and 2009. Most
participants were male (74%), and natives of the parishes in which they were residing
(71%), and were of 26-35 years and 36-45 years age groups (reflecting the high
national population of the youth in these age categories). The households had an
average household size of 6-7 members (a large number assumed to provide adequate
household labour for agricultural production), and the majority of the household
heads were subsistence farmers with no formal education. The underlying factors that
influenced population dynamics in the areas around Bwindi Impenetrable National
Park showed unprecedented emigration from the study area in the previous 5 years
from the time of this study and the emigrants settled majorly outside Kisoro and
Kanungu Districts, while the immigrants were few and came in from areas outside
Nteko and Ishaya study areas. Evidence of agricultural land abandonment in the two
study areas based on the observation during the study transect walks and acreage
estimates of land provided by the participants were overwhelming. Subsequent
conversion of land into a buffer zone by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in
2004/2005 and the increasing incidence of vermin are as the most outstanding causes
of emigration and agricultural land abandonment. The perceived implications
included; loss of fertile agricultural land, loss of crops culminating into food insecurity,
famine and poverty, conversion of land to tea and tree plantations and dependency
on forest resources, secondary forest regeneration along areas where land was
abandoned. Emigration has led to displacement of communities and reduced
population in some areas.
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Keywords: Land abandonment, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Population
dynamics, Buffer zone
ABSTRACT 38: DEVELOPMENT OF EMISSION RECOVERY HOUSEHOLD
BACKYARD KILN FOR CHARCOAL PRODUCTION
CANDIDATE: ONGORA SOLOMON
SUPERVISORS: 1. Associate Prof. Majaliwa Mwanjalolo
2. Dr. Samuel Bagabo
The Multipurpose Backyard Charcoal making kiln was designed and constructed in
Mechanical workshop at Kyambogo University. The design has modifications made
on the Traditional Earth kiln commonly used in Uganda and included four areas
indicated in the Engineering drawing and subsequently in the kiln construction as
follows: - The water circulating system for water heating, temperature regulation and
distillation; The drier for reducing the moisture content of the Sun-dry wood; The
condenser and the filter to remove the smoke volatiles, aerosols and tar; The kiln
chamber for charcoal making. An experiment was conducted in quadruplets using the
constructed multipurpose backyard charcoal making kiln to determine the efficiency,
energy distributions and liquid smoke yield. The pole length grown eucalyptus tree
was chosen for the experiment and wood biomass stacked in lots of 25, 30 and 35 kg
in the carbonization chamber. The parameters measured and recorded at an interval
of time for the entire experiment runs were temperature variations in the kiln
carbonization, drier, chimney chambers and 100 L circulating water. The
corresponding charcoal weights and volumes of liquid smoke yields were also
recorded. Using the primary data, energy distributions in the kiln parts were
computed and tabulated. Further experiment was also conducted in the laboratory at
Uganda Industrial Research Institute, Makerere University and Ministry of Internal
Affair‟s Government Analytical Laboratory at Wandegeya to determine some of the
chemical composition of the liquid smoke and charcoal properties. The result showed
that 25 kg wood lot charged yielded the highest efficiency, followed by 30 kg and
lastly by 35 kg. However, the relative charcoal yield, energy distributions in various
kiln parts, the experiment run time, water temperature, liquid yield, carbonization,
drier and chimney chamber temperature variations showed corresponding
proportionate increase in values to those of the wood lots. The laboratory result
interpretation indicated the presence of phenol compounds, minerals and organic
acids. The kiln was operated at backyard with an average temperature range of 300 -
500 °C, total efficiency range of 25.5 - 28.5 % (being charcoal production efficiency
range of 14.5 - 17.5 % plus recovered total energy of 11 %) and liquid smoke outputs.
The multipurpose backyard charcoal making kiln; therefore, is apparently appropriate
for use as a research tool, production of charcoal and liquid smoke solution and
recovery of energy. The liquid smoke produced is reported as a vital material for
48
pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetic and food preservation industries, (Arnim et al.
2012).
ABSTRACT 39: UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN IKUMBYA SUB-COUNTY,
LUUKA DISTRICT, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: OPIKA-OPOKA HECTOR
SUPERVISORS: 1. Professor Hannington Oryem-Origa
The study on utilization of medicinal plants in Ikumbya Sub-county, Luuka District,
Uganda was carried out between September 2008 and December 2008. The specific
objectives were: to document utilization of common medicinal plants by local
communities, determine the ecological status of medicinal plants in terms of density,
importance value index (IVI), and population structure; and investigate the influence
of environmental variables on the distribution of medicinal plants. Both ethno
botanical and ecological data on medicinal plants were collected from Ikumbya Sub-
county. Ethno botanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews at
households and key informants. Eighty households from five parishes were randomly
selected for interview. Ethno botanical survey realized 157 medicinal plant species in
128 genera and 62 families. Majority of the medicinal plants species (83.7%) were
native species and introduced species made up 12.7% Fabaceae (19 species),
Mimosaceae and Euphorbiaceae (11 species) were the dominant families. Vernonia
amygdalina Delile was the most utilized plant species. A total of 87 medical/health
conditions were reported by the local people with common ailments being malaria,
measles and syphilis. Medicinal plants of Ikumbya Sub-county were dominated by
trees followed by herbs and shrubs with climbers being the least used. Leaves and
roots were the most preferred plant parts. A total of 160 plots, with a quadrat
measuring 20 m x 20 m, were sampled during the ecological survey. Sixty-one woody
plant species in 48 genera and 27 families were recorded, of which 37 species
occurred in both the forest and farmland; 17 species occurred in farmland only; and 7
species were found in the forest only. Fabaceae and Combretaceae were the most
species-rich families. The study has shown that people of Ikumbya Sub-county utilize a
wide range of medicinal plant species to meet their health and subsistence needs.
Most of the medicinal plants had poor conservation status because they had unstable
population structures. In this regard, local people of Ikumbya Sub-county need to be
involved in the conservation programmes of the medicinal plants. Finally, useful
medicinal plant species that are scarce need to be domesticated for increased
availability.
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ABSTRACT 40: AMPHIBIAN DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND PREVALENCE OF
CHYTRID FUNGUS (BATRACHOCHYTRIUM DENDROBATIDIS) IN BWINDI
IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
CANDIDATE: SEKISAMBU ROBERT SENGOOBA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Mathias Behangana
2. Dr. Perpetua Ipulet
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (hereafter Bwindi) is a biodiversity rich protected area
within the Alberine Rift characterized by a high faunal and floral diversity. The objective
of the study was to determine the amphibian diversity, distribution and the incidence of
Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in Bwindi. The fungus is associated with
mass mortalities, rapid species extinctions and hence contributing to a global decline in
amphibian populations. Time constrained Visual Encounter Survey (VES) technique was
uised to sample 45 stes in 9 ajor sectors of Bwindi for 41 field days between December
2010 and September 2011. A total of 1,309 frogs were encounterd representing 36
species, 10 genera in 6 families including at least three new species records-Leptopelis
calcaratus, Hyperolis adspersus for Uganda and Ptychadea anchiete for Bwindi. Twenty
four of the 36 percent were encountered in sites located at mid altitude (1600-2000m).
Six amphibian species were only encountered at sites located within the high altitude
zone. Samples for the Chytrid fungus were collected by Real-time Polymerized Chain
Reactions. Of the 197 frogs sampled, 37 (18.8%) tested positive for Chytrid fungus
representing 10 of the 30 species samplaed and in the 5 of the genera. A Near threatened
and Albertine endemic species Leptopelis Kivuensis was found to have the highest Chytrid
fungus prevalence rate of 35%. The highst prevalence (40%)was recorded from Buhoma-
a place also most visited by tourist for Gorilla trekking. The findings show that Bwindi
holds a high diversity of amphibians though threatened by presence of Chytrid fungus.
TResults of this study can be used as baseline information against which long term
monitoring of amphibian diversity and distribution in Bwindi can be based.
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ABSTRACT 41: UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN IKUMBYA SUB-COUNTY,
LUUKA DISTRICT, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: Ssenyonjo Edward
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Justine Namaalwa
2. Dr. Michael Mbogga
The purpose of this research was to assess the historical and present spatial and
temporal land use land cover (LULC) changes with the of aim estimating the carbon
dioxide sequestered or removed from the study area in Kibaale and to reveal the
relationship between the observed LULC changes and human activities. Remote
sensing and GIS was used extract LULC data from landsat and SPOT satellite images
and integrating it with field observations. In 1990 forests and agriculture in the form
of subsistence farmland were found be the dominant LULC types accounting for 35%
and 48% of the area respectively. Deforestation by conversion to subsistence
farmland was the largest LULC change observed. Areas outside Central Forest Reserves
(CFR) had high annual rates of deforestation of 5.2% and 7.7% in 1990-2001 and
2001-2013 respectively and by 2013 only about 4% was left of the forests that once
stood in 1990. In contrast, the annual rate of deforestation inside CFRs was 0.5% and
2.5% in 1990-2001 and 2001-2013 respectively and has maintained an average of
73% of the forest cover throughout the study period. In 1990 CFRs sequestered a
total of 1,685,086.5 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) of which 96.9% was
in tropical high forest (THF) while areas outside the CFRs had a total of 8,868,406.8
tCO2e of which 87% was stored in THF in the same period. In CFRs, both
sequestration and emission of CO2e was registered in 1990-2001 and 2001-2013
respectively while only emissions were registered for areas outside CFR for both time
periods because of continuous deforestation. In comparison, areas outside CFR had
consistently high emissions at 297,739.0 tCO2e per year to the extent that by 2013
total CO2e stock outside CFRs was almost equal to the total CO2e in CFR in the same
year despite the fact that CFRs occupy only 8% of the study area. Socio-economic
surveys revealed a variety of livelihood activities which varied between the two time
periods with subsistence farming being the most practiced in 1990-2000 (63%)
followed by gathering wild foods (60%) while in 2001-2013 commercial farming was
the most common (88%) followed by subsistence farming (74%.) Population increase
and the uncontrolled influx of immigrants into the district in combination with land
tenure problems were the major drivers of the LULC changes observed and was
exacerbated by to the almost non-existence or weak enforcement of environmental
regulations and land governance system. To restore the carbon stock lost will require
a deliberate concerted effort through a mechanism like REDD+ implemented at
landscape scale to slow down deforestation and forest degradation in order to
achieve environmental sustainability. Success can only be achieved when the
51
institutions in the environment and natural resource sector are prioritised, well-funded
and strengthened so that they can enforce the existing law and regulations.
Keywords: Biomass, Carbon dioxide equivalent, Land use land cover, Landsat,
SPOT,Kibaale.
ABSTRACT 42: UTILIZATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN IKUMBYA SUB-COUNTY,
LUUKA DISTRICT, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: TUMWEBAZE, KENNETH
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. John R.S. Tabuti
2. Dr. Lawrence J.B. Orikiriza
Seed germination and seedling establishment behaviour of wild medicinal woody
plant species under cultivation are not fully known. Yet, cultivation provides an
opportunity for ex situ conservation of threatened medicinal woody plant species.
This study investigated the germination and growth responses of four wild medicinal
woody plant species: Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv, Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkm,
Warbugia ugandensis Spragueand Hoslundia opposita Vahl, to enhance their
cultivation outside the wild. The objectives were to (i) compare the germination of
selected medicinal plant species at different sowing depths (ii) analyze the survival and
mortality of seedlings of the selected medicinal plant species (iii) evaluate biomass
allocation in the selected medicinal plant species at different sowing depths. The
experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Masoli, Gayaza, and
Wakiso district. The seeds were sown in a standard soil mixture at three sowing
depths of 0, 3, 6 cm and watered daily for 100 days. Germinability, Mean
germination time, coefficient of variation with time, mean germination rate,
uncertainty, synchrony, seedling survival and biomass allocation were investigated.
Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare mean ranks of germination measurements
between treatments. χ2 was used to test for the association between seedling survival
and sowing depth. Spearman‟s rank correlation coefficient was used to correlate
biomass between the root and the shoot. One-way Analysis of Variance was used to
compare root to shoot ratio at different sowing depth. The highest germinability was
recorded at 0 cm sowing depth. W. ugandensis indicated the highest germinability. A.
coriaria took the shortest time to germinate while P. africana, the longest time. At 0
cm sowing depth, seeds of all species tended to germinate earlier. Seeds of A. coriaria
showed higher germination vigour than the other seeds. Germination in P. africana
was more synchronized than in either A. coriaria or W. ugandensis. Survival and
sowing depth were not associated, but A. coriaria showed a significantly higher
survival percentage (p = 0.026) than W. ugandensis with lowest survival percentage.
Root biomass strongly correlated with shoot biomass, r = 0.84, r2 = 0.72. Root to
shoot biomass ratio was significantly higher (p = 0.021) at 6 cm sowing depth.
Therefore, sowing seeds at shallow soil depth resulted in comparably higher seed
germinability, asynchronized germination and higher shoot biomass. Therefore, this
52
study recommends sowing within a profile of not more than 3 cm deeper for these
species.
Key words: Seed germination measurements, sowing depths, A. coriaria, P. africana,
W. ugandensis, H. opposita, seedling survival/mortality, biomass allocation
ABSTRACT 43: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL: A CASE STUDY OF KAKIRI TOWN COUNCIL, WAKISO DISTRICT
CANDIDATE: TURYAMUREEBA OLIVE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. James Okot-Okumu
World over, community participation in solid waste collection and disposal is a
concern and a puzzle that every urban centre is faced with. It is estimated that less
than 50% of the population in urban centres of Uganda participate in solid waste
management.
A study was conducted on community participation in solid waste collection and
disposal in Kakiri Town Council. The aim of the study was to explore the level of
public participation in solid waste management, in light of the challenges and
prospects for future management.
A total of 100 respondents were interviewed. The study used questionnaires,
interview guides, observation checklists and group discussion guides. The tools had
sections that capture data on community participation in solid waste collection and
disposal, peoples‟ perceptions on community participation in solid waste
management and methods used by the respondents in managing solid waste. A likert
scale of 1-5 was adapted during data analysis to determine the level of community
participation in waste management.
The study found out that community participation in solid waste collection and
disposal was low (39% of the respondents).The results indicate that education level,
size of household, income, cultural values and sex significantly influence the
respondents‟ decisions to participate in solid waste collection and disposal (p<0.02).
Respondents participate in solid waste management mainly through payment for solid
waste collection services (47%). Most of the respondents (69%) do not participate in
public meetings concerning solid waste management. The majority (70%) of the
respondents have negative perceptions towards participation in solid waste
management. The most commonly used methods for managing wastes are: use of
polythene bags and sacks (56%)and burning of solid wastes (31%).The level of
participation in both wards is not significantly different(p>0.05).The study concluded
53
that participation in solid waste management by residents of Kakiri Town Council is
low.
Awareness creation about the values of community participation in solid waste
management, installation of solid waste management facilities and conducting regular
community cleanups exercises are recommended.
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FORESTRY
ABSTRACT 44: QUALITY OF CHARCOAL FROM SELECTED TREE SPECIES AND
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS PRODUCTION
CANDIDATE: JAMES WILLIAMS KISEKKA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Paul Mugabi
2. Dr. Samuel Michael Bagabo
In this study, physical and chemical properties of charcoal and firewood as well as the
quantity of greenhouse gases emitted during the production of charcoal from Acacia
mearnsii, Combretum molle, Sesbania sesban and Sterostigma thornigii were
investigated, in order to better understand how the quality of firewood and charcoal
varies among the four species and how production of charcoal from the four species
contributes to greenhouse gases and particulate matter that are responsible for global
warming. Wood samples were carbonized using a two-barrel retort.
Duringcarbonization, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and particulate matter
emissions were quantified using a Portable Emissions Measurement system (PEMS).
Charcoal yield as well as the density, fixed carbon content, ash content, volatile
matter content, and gross calorific value of wood and charcoal from eachspecies were
determined. A Fuel Value Index (FVI) and Fixed Carbon Yield (FCY) werecomputed
for each species, upon which the species were ranked according to quality of their
firewood and charcoal. The species were also ranked based on a combination of the
three emission types. The possibility of inferring –from the properties of wood- the
properties of charcoal as well as quantity of greenhouse gases emitted during charcoal
production was assessed. A. mearnsii produced the best firewood (FVI = 3084) while
S. thorningii produced the worst (FVI = 334). A. mearnsii produced the best charcoal
(FCY = 20.1) while C. molle produced the worst (FCY = 18.0). Based on FVI, three
of the species studied (i.e. A. mearnsii, C. molle, and S.sesban) would be ideal for
firewood production. Based on FCY, the four species are suitable for xii charcoal
54
production. Based on a combination of the three emissions, carbonizing A.
mearnsiiproduced the least emissions while S. thorningiiproduced the most, and S.
thornigiiand S.sesban would be less ideal for charcoal production compared to A.
mearnsii and C. molle.Greenhouse gas emissions increase with increase in wood fixed
carbon content and wood ash content while they reduce with increase in wood
density and wood volatile matter content. Charcoal density, charcoal ash content and
particulate matter per mass of wood carbonized can be predicted from the properties
of wood. When selecting a species for fuel wood, wood density, charcoal yield and
ash content are the most important properties to consider because these differ
significantly among species. However, when evaluating the quality of charcoal, the
most important properties to consider are: charcoal density, gross calorific value,
content of fixed carbon and ash. There is need for a comprehensive study of the
elemental composition of wood and implications for quality and quantity of charcoal
yields, and to understand the relationship between the different properties.
ABSTRACT 45: CONDITIONING AND PRETREATMENT OF CORDIA MILLENII SEED
CANDIDATE: MUTARYEBWA Denis
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Joseph Bahati
2. Dr. Susan Balaba Tumwebaze
Seeds are the most important and one of the means of regeneration and
dissemination ofplants. Thus seeds are responsible for the survival and continuity of
vegetation on earth, and used by man for food and medicine. Seedling production
entails germination, which is affected by dormancy. Cordia millenii is an important
species known for its hard timber that is resistant to water degradation. The tree
species is conserved for construction, agroforestry, ornamental purpose and income
generation. Cordia millenii is highly threatened because of little knowledge on its
propagation although farmers in Uganda have expressed interest in propagate it with
little success. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of moisture content levels
and pretreatments to enhance germination of Cordia millenii seeds. The experiment
was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with 4x4 factorial treatment
structures. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the effect of moisture
content, pretreatment methods and the interaction of the factors on seeds. Pre-
treatments had significant influence on the germination success of seeds. Brazing and
nicking techniques were found to be better in ensuring quick germination than cold
water and room water temperature treatment. Moisture content had no significant
influence on germination success of seeds. The interaction of moisture content and
pre-treatment did not significantly affect the germination success of Cordia millenii
seeds. This study recommends use of nicking pre-treatment method particularly at
10% moisture content.
Areas for further research studies include water pretreatment to obtain optimal
temperature water that can hasten germination, finding out the effect of moisture
content level variation on germination capacity irrespective of pretreatments and a
55
feasibility study of transferring the results from one germination test experiment on a
particular seed, to other seeds of the same nature but of different species subjected to
the same pretreatments.
ABSTRACT 46: CONTRIBUTION OF THE TREES FOR GLOBAL BENEFITS PROJECT
TO RURAL COMMUNITIES IN MASINDI DISTRICT, UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: MWAYAFU MUJASI DAVID
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Justine Namaalwa Jjumba
2. Dr. Okia Clement Akais
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiatives are mechanisms in which individuals
or communities are compensated for undertaking actions that increase the provision
of ecosystem services such as water purification, flood mitigation, and carbon
sequestration. PES initiatives are not only expected to protect biodiversity and
ecosystem goods and services, but also improve the livelihoods of the people through
payments to protect or increase carbon stocks. Among the PES projects in Uganda is
the TGB project, which is a Plan Vivo project the project was implemented in Masindi
District. The study aimed at assessing local communities‟ attitudes towards PES,
determining the benefits that accrue from the PES scheme and their effects on the rural
livelihoods, as well as identifying the risks and threats to the successful
implementation of PES schemes. The survey was conducted in four Sub-counties
namely; Budongo, Bwijanga, Pakanyi and Nyangahya. Individual interviews with the
use of semi-structured questionnaires, Key informant interviews and Focus Group
Discussion (FGD) were the major data collection techniques. The study revealed that
participants obtained low benefits as compared to their expectations which
demotivated participation in the PES scheme, with no willingness to encourage others
to join the scheme. The carbon payments that motivated participation in the PES
scheme were low and delayed; this was compared to the calculations during
participant‟s recruitment which demoralized the participants. Participants and non-
participants were only willing to join the similar scheme if the payments are increased.
The project is perceived to have less impact on livelihood improvement of the
participants and non-participants due to low and delayed payment. The participants
reported for having benefited from the tree products and carbon payments from the
project compared to non-participants who did not benefit directly from the project.
While low profitability of the PES scheme as compared to other land uses was the
major threat to the successful implementation of the scheme. This was very clear in
some areas where the respondents reported that compared to other cash crops like
sugarcane and banana plantation, tree planting was less beneficial.
56
ABSTRACT 47: RECRUITMENT AND VOLUME INCREMENT OF SELECTED
INDIGENOUS TREE SPECIES IN MABIRA FOREST RESERVE, CENTRAL UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: LEO TWINOMUHANGI
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Gerald Eilu
2Assoc. Prof. John Bosco Lamouris Okullo
An assessment or recruitment and volume increment of selected indigenous tree
species was conducted in Mabira Forest reserve. The aim was to guide determination
of sustainable harvesting quota and harvesting cycles under a polycyclic harvesting
system. The specific objectives were to assess recruitment levels of selected indigenous
tree species; to determine their growth rates and to determine sustainable harvesting
intensities. Data collection was based on individual tree counts and diameter (dbh)
measurements carried out in 2001 and 2010 from 10 Permanent Sample Plots (PSPs).
A utilizable volume model (v=-4.4+28g) derived from curvilinear volume and basal
area relationship of sample tree height and dbh measurements of trees whose heights
had not been measured. The results show a net annual species increment of 3.5%/yr
attributed to a higher annual species recruitment level of 7.3%/yr compared to lower
annual mortality level of -3.8%/yr. By far, Celtis mildbraedii has the highest
recruitment levels of 1.7%/yr followed by Funtumiaelastica and Trilepisium
madagascariense with 1.2 %/yr. The lowest is 0.00%/yr recorded for Monodora
myristica, Lovoa trichiliodes and Entandrophragma cylindrium. Average growth rate
of 0.8 cm/yr (in terms of dbh increment) has been determined from 196 tress
representing 64 species with average growth rate of 1.8cm/yr include Monodora
myriastica, Lovoa trichiliodes, Ficus Mucuso, Ficus exasperate, Celtis zenkeri, Albizia
zygia,Antiaris toxicaria and Trilepisium madagascariense. Slow growing species with
average growth rate of 0.2 cm/yr include Phyllanthus discoideus, Funtumia africana,
Lasiodiscus mildbraedii, and Celtis wightii. The Mean Annual Increment (MAI) was
14m/ha/yr determined from 892 trees. Celtis mildbraedioi had the highest annual
volume increment (4.32m/ha/yr) while the lowest (<0.001 m/ha/yr) was recorded
for Harisonia occidenalis,Tabernaemontana holostii and Parkia filicoidea. Further
analysis of volume increment in relation to felling intensity show that volume
increment of 0.5-0.35 m/ha/yr and felling intensities of 14-15m/ha are sustainable
with an Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) of 98,00 m/yr respectively under polycyclic
felling cycles between 30 and 40 years. From such volume increment and harvesting
intensities, a harvesting intensity of 14-15 m/ha and longer felling cycles of up to 75
and 90 years is proposed in order to ensure sustainable harvesting that can enhance
restoration of Mabira Forest ecosystem under polycyclic harvesting system.
57
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT 48: AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES, INDIGENOUS
KNOWLEDGE AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD PRODUCTION IN GOMA DIVISION,
MUKONO DISTRICT
CANDIDATE: KINALWA RICHARD
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Frank Mugagga
2. Dr. HaroonSseguya
Despite registering minimal growth, agriculture is one of the most important sectors of
Uganda‟s economy, employing over 73% of the population. The growth rate in
agricultural output declined from 1.2 percent in 2010/11 to 0.8percent in 2011/12 but
was estimated at 1.4 in 2012/13 (MoFPED, 2013). The low agricultural production is a
result of low diffusion of technology, among other things (MAAIF, 2010). The study
set out to improve our understanding of how indigenous knowledge systems can
complement modern extension services to enhance household food production. The
study objectives were; to establish farmers‟ production knowledge and their
willingness to adopt other production methods, toestablish the contribution of
extension services towards improving farmers‟ knowledge and skills and to find out
how the exposure of farmers to new information or research in the sector has affected
their production systems.The study followed a case study approach involving 58
randomly selected adopter and 58 non adopter households from four of the five
wards in Goma division, Mukono district. The questionnaire was the principal data
collection tool alongside interview schedules with three Community Based Facilitators
and the NAADS coordinator as the key respondents. Descriptive statistics were
generated for quantitative data, while the qualitative data was analyzed using content
analysis. Findings indicate that; up to 52.6% of the farmers have attained ordinary
level with an average of 3 years‟ experience in agriculture but the utilization of
indigenous knowledge is minimal as the majority relies on rain fed agriculture to plan
farm activities; the extension service was generally significant in boosting agriculture
through provision of inputs, technical advice and financial support to farmers;
information flow to the farmers has been slow to cause an impact as seen from the
choice of crops, soil management and timing of seasons.
With the good education and experience, more farmers should be supported to fully
participate in agriculture because majority of willing adopters (60.3%) do not regard
agriculture as their principal economic activity. The extension program should also
focus more on better integration of indigenous knowledge practices like the
movement of migratory birds which could be scientifically researched for more precise
weather prediction.
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DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ABSTRACT 49: PROCESSING OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA LEAVES IN KATAKWI
DISTRICT
CANDIDATE: BARBRA FIONA AKAJORAIT
SUPERVISORS: 1. Pof. Noble Banadda
2. Prof. Clement Okia
Balanites aegyptiaca, commonly known as desert date, is a tree found in arid and
semi-arid regions of the African savannah. In Uganda, B. aegyptiaca is found in West
Nile, Karamoja, and Teso and around Lake Albert. The study was conducted in
Omagoro village, Usuk County in Katakwi district. Balanites leaves are commonly
consumed in Katakwi district as a sauce made with groundnut paste and or sour milk.
The main objective was to develop appropriate processing and preservation
techniques to improve nutritional value and shelf stability of Balanites leaves. Using
Complete Random design, leaf samples were collected and subjected to five
processing methods namely; sun drying, solar drying, blanching/sun drying,
blanching/shade drying and boiling. Proximate analysis and microbial analysis for shelf
stability in Balanites leaf samples was determined. Sensory evaluation was conducted
to establish the level of acceptability of the new product. Proximate analysis results in
mg/100g dry matter (DW) showed that fresh Balanites leaves had high amounts of
crude protein 18.5±0.40, moisture 64.0±0.08, beta carotene 78.6 ±0.26, ascorbic
acid 30.4±0.70 and ash 10.0±0.01. Mineral analysis in mg/100g dry matter (DW)
showed high amounts of Iron 20.8±3.80, magnesium 173.0±42.10 and calcium
162.5±12.50. Anti-nutritional factors analysis obtained low levels of oxalates
2.6±0.01, condensed tannins 4.5±0.21 and phytates 2.5±0.45 in mg/100g (DW).
Effect of processing results on nutritional content indicated sun drying had the least
deterioration on nutritional composition recording (56.0 mg/100g) beta carotene and
(17.7 mg/100g) ascorbic acid followed by solar drying with (40.4 mg/100g) beta
carotene (17.9 mg/100g) ascorbic acid. Boiling had the highest deterioration of
ascorbic acid (11.1 mg/100g) levels, however; it had the least deterioration of beta
carotene (58.0 mg/100g). Microbial analysis showed that all samples had microbial
contamination after subjection to their respective processing methods. Sensory
evaluation showed a higher preference for the local sauce compared to the leaf
powder sauce. Generally nutrient composition was affected by the processing
methods but sun drying and solar drying recorded the least deteriorative effect. The
dry processing reduced the moisture levels in all samples, which influenced the
microbial growth. There is also need to incorporate the leaf powder into other types
of flours in order to increase on its consumption. Research on the role of Balanites
59
products in food fortification as a way to reduce nutrition related diseases especially
among vulnerable groups such as children; women and elderly should be done.
ABSTRCT 50: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, NUTRITIONAL QUALITY AND
PROCESSING OF COMMONLY CONSUMED INSECTS IN THE LANGO SUB-
REGION, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: AKULLO JOLLY
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Dorothy Nakimbugwe
2. Prof. Jacob Godfrey Agea
Insects have played an important part in the history of human nutrition in Africa, Asia
and Latin America. Insects form part of the cultural diet in the Lango sub region,
however very little is known about the species consumed, nutritional value and
traditional practices of harvesting and processing. It was also not known when insects
would be used to develop acceptable and convenient value added products. The
study was aimed at evaluating the nutritional quality of the most commonly
consumed insects in Lango Sub–region and developing improved methods of
processing to increase consumption. Data on knowledge, attitudes and practices on
utilization of edible insects were collected using questionnaires and focus group
discussions. Nutritional quality was determined using methods of AOAC (1999). Two
value added products were developed; insect-honey spread and insect wheat-crackers.
The effect of insect proportion and processing temperatures on acceptability and
nutrient qualities were determined. Data was analyzed using SPSS and ANOVA and
means separated using LSD test (p<0.05). Local people relied on conventional
wisdom to determine edible insect species, method of harvesting and processing for
consumption. Edible insects are processed using conventional methods and included
in the household diets.Most commonly consumed insects were; Macrotermes
spp(97%), Syntermes soldiers (73%) and Brachytrypes spp (69%); These were rich in
protein (40.72-65.35 %), Fe (32.50-42.71 mg/100 g) and Zn (16.90-23.02 mg/100 g),
energy (502.86-696.10 kcal/100 g) and essential fatty acids (Linoleic acid; 8.92-22.14
%). Fat, energy, protein digestibility and PUFA/SAF ratio of the three insects were
significantly (p<0.05) different. Honey spread enriched with soldier termite flour was
most preferred. Increased insect proportion decreased acceptability and increased the
nutrient composition. Increase in processing temperature had a significant (P<0.05)
effect on the nutritional quality. Enrichment of crackers with insects affected
acceptability significantly (p<0.05). Winged termites crackers were most preferred.
Increased insect proportion increased the nutrient content of the crackers. Increasing
temperature reduced protein digestibility, Fe & Zn solubility significantly (p<0.05).
60
Termites have good sensory and nutritional qualities and have the potential to
contribute to alleviating malnutrition and food insecurity when industrially utilized.
Key words: Edible insects, knowledge, nutritional composition, insect-honey spread,
insect wheat-crackers
ABSTRACT 51: EVALUATION OF SORGHUM MALT AS GROWTH AND CARRIER
MEDIUM FOR LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM MNC 21 BIOMASS
CANDIDATE: Stellah Byakika
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. YUSUF B. BYARUHANGA
2. Dr. IVAN M. MUKISA
The increasing demand for lactic acid starter cultures arising from their immerse
benefits in food fermentations has created a need for affordable means of producing
and preserving them. Therefore, this study focused on finding alternative means of
producing and preserving Lactobacillus (L.) plantarum MNC 21 starter culture using
four selected Ugandan sorghum varieties to produce malt extract and flour for use as
growth and carrier media, respectively.
Sorghum grain varieties; SESO 1, SESO 3, Eyera and Epuripur and their malt extracts
were first characterized to determine the physicochemical characteristics and
nutritional composition respectively. Sorghum malt from the different varieties was
saccharified using commercial α amylase and amyloglucosidase and an extract
obtained. To start biomass growth, the sorghum malt extract was inoculated with
about 4 log cfu mL-1 L. plantarum MNC 21 and incubated at 30 °C for 24 h. MRS
broth was used as a reference growth medium. Microbial counts, pH, titratable acidity
(TA), free amino nitrogen (FAN) and total sugars were determined at a two hour
intervals. To determine the use of sorghum flour as a carrier medium for MNC 21
cells, 9.8 log cfu mL-1 was aseptically sprayed into sterile malted and unmalted
Epuripur and Eyera flours, air dried at 25 °C and 30 °C and stored at 25 °C for 30
days. Samples were taken periodically to determine survival of L. plantarum MNC 21
using microbial plate counts. Fermentation efficiency of the culture was also
determined by initiating the Obushera fermentation. The pH and titratable acidity
(TA) their-from were measured. Results from characterization of the grain and their
malt extracts indicated varietal differences. The endosperm textures of the sorghum
grains were corneous for SESO 1 and Epuripur, intermediate for SESO 3 and floury for
Eyera. Epuripur had the greatest (p < 0.05) kernel sizes and Thousand Kernel Weight.
All four varieties had very high germinative energies (> 90.0%) at 72 h as well as low
level of total defects (8.0%). In the malt extracts, crude protein and dietary fiber were
highest (p < 0.05) in SESO 3 and Epuripur respectively, however, all varieties had the
same (p > 0.05) ash content. Total sugars, FAN, condensed tannins, pH and total
dissolved solids were in the range 106 ± 0.6 – 116 ± 1.0 g L-1 and 70 ± 0.6 - 78 ±
61
0.6 mg L-1, 0.002 ± 0.1 - 0.051 ± 0.0 mg mL-1 , 5.5 ± 0.0 - 5.7 ± 0.0 and 7.0 ± 0.1
- 11.5 ± 0.1, respectively.
ABSTRACT 52: THE PRODUCTION OF FISH SAUCE FROM NILE PERCH
PROCESSING WASTE
CANDIDATE: SONNIE ROSE KESSELLY
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. YUSUF B. BYARUHANGA
2. PROF. H. JOHN MUYONGA
Commercial fish catch in Eastern Africa is dominated by Nile Perch and Tilapia. Nile
perch makes 60% of the total commercial fish catch which is mainly processed into
chilled fish fillet for export. However, most of the fish that is processed for human
consumption, 30-40% is fish waste. The processing generates high volume of by-
products, with an annual solid waste of about
36,000 metric tons generated by fish processing industries along Lake Victoria. The
purpose of this study was to find an alternative value added waste management
approach by use of fermentation to convert fish processing waste into a fish sauce
with acceptable such as taste aroma and overall acceptability This thesis achieved four
specific objectives: 1. determining the nutritional and microbial composition of fish
processing waste of Nile Perch, 2. Developing a protocol for production of fish sauce
from the fish processing waste, 3. Determining the nutritional and microbiological
composition of fish sauce and, 4. Determining aesthetic and physicochemical
properties of the fish sauce. The study used Nile perch waste, constituting fish frames,
skins, scales intestine, gills fat and head. These were thoroughly washed and sorted to
remove any foreign and unwanted non-fish waste matter. The fish waste was
chopped (in smaller pieces) using stainless steel knife and was subjected to four
treatments ; Fish waste & salt, Fish waste, salt & starter culture (LAB), Fish waste, salt
& enzyme (Protease) and Fish waste, salt, starter culture & enzyme. The Nile perch
waste subjected to different treatments were fermented at 20 - 30oC for 27 weeks.
Samples were withdrawn at interval of one week, two weeks and three weeks for
microbial analysis, pH and titrable acidity. Parameters such as color, protein, minerals,
turbidity and salt content were determined at the end of 27 weeks. Sensory
evaluation was conducted to determine the consumer preference and overall
acceptability of the final fish sauce. Findings indicated that the protein content of the
fish waste was 39.3%, whereas the mineral content were calcium (14.2 mg/100g),
magnesium (60.4 mg/100g), zinc (33.7 mg/100g) and iron (76.5 mg/100g). Bacterial
counts in the fish waste were in the order of 6-9 log cfu/g, whereas yeasts and molds
were 2.9 log cfu/g. x The protein content in the final fish sauce ranged from 6.9 to
8.8%, and the mineral content were calcium (27.4 to 65.4 mg/100ml), magnesium
(0.5 to 0.9 mg/100ml), zinc (0.07 to 0.09 mg/100ml) and iron (0.01 to 0.12
mg/100ml). The Fish Sauce total aerobic counts decreased from 8.5 log cfu/ml to 6.3
log cfu/ml, total halophiles count decreased from 8.5 log cfu to 5.7 log cfu/g, Lactic
62
acid bacteria counts decreased from 7.5 log cfu to 5.6 log cfu/g and coliform counts
decreased from 5.56 log cfu/ml to 1.0 log cfu/ml over the 27 weeks fermentation
period.
The TPC was high indicating that the fish waste is not safe for human consumption
unless it is boiled or processed. Yeasts and molds counts generally decreased from
5.29 log cfu/ml to 3.84 log cfu/ml up to week seven of fermentation and disappeared
from week nine onwards. In addition the pH of the product during fermentation
ranged from 6.9 to 8.7, whereas percent titratable acidity ranged from 0.01 to 0.26
over the 27 weeks of fermentation. PH and titratable acidity followed a similar trend.
All samples had red orange color which is similar to reddish brown color except that
the amount of red color varied from sample to sample. Turbidity ranged from 0.9 to
2.1 NTU whereas the salt content of the final fish sauce ranged from 6.4 to 11.6%
NaCl. The results from sensory evaluation suggested that the treatment with salt,
enzyme and lactic acid bacteria with a score of 7.8 developed the most acceptable
taste and aroma of fish sauce followed by the salt and enzyme process which had a
score of 7.6 out of 9.
For the fish sauce to have excellent aroma and taste, the fermentation period should
be 9 months to a year. Fish processing waste still contains substantial amount of
nutrients that are important to human diet but, fish waste is not microbiologically safe
for human consumption unless cooked or further processed. In case the best product
(salt, LAB and enzyme) is expensive to produce and not commercially viable then I
recommend the second best alternative (salt and enzyme) for fish sauce production
since it is almost as good as the latter. Further study on the repining process of fish
sauce produce from Nile perch waste should be conducted. The sorghum malt extracts
were able to support growth of L. plantarum MNC 21 to as high as approximately 9
log cfu mL -1 which was only 1 log cycle lower than that achieved in MRS broth. The
exponential growth rate of L. plantarum MNC 21 was highest and reduced in the
order of Epuripur (0.9 ± 0.0 log cfu mL-1 h -1) SESO 1 (0.8 ± 0.0 log cfu mL-1 h -1),
MRS broth (0.8 ± 0.0 log cfu mL-1 h -1), Eyera (0.7 ± 0.0 log cfu mL-1 h -1) SESO 3
and (0.7 ± 0.0 log cfu mL-1 h -1). Among the four sorghum varieties flour or malt
Epuripur had both the highest (p < 0.05) maximum cell growth (9.0 ± 0.0 log cfu
mL-1) and maximum growth rate (0.9 log cfu mL-1 h -1). At the end of fermentation
the pH of the growth media ranged between (4.1 ± 0.0 and 3.5 ± 0.0). The final
titratable acidity ranged between (0.2 ± 0.0% – 1.7 ± 0.0%). There was 95.2%
decrease in total sugars in MRS broth whereas the decrease in the malt extracts was
only 5 – 9%. The FAN decrease in MRS broth was only 2.1% whereas in the malt
extracts it was 25.7 – 33.3%. L. plantarum MNC 21 counts in the sorghum flour
decreased over time of storage.
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There was no effect (p > 0.05) of sorghum variety and malting on the survival of L.
plantarum MNC 21 in Epuripur and Eyera flour with storage time. Drying temperature
had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on microbial survival. The fermentation efficiency
of L. plantarum MNC 21 as measured by changes in pH and TA of inoculated
Obushera decreased over time of storage.
The study showed that sorghum malt extract can be used to sufficiently grow L.
plantarum MNC 21 biomass. Sorghum flour can be used as carrier medium of L.
plantarum MNC for use as a starter culture for Obushera.
Key words: Lactobacillus plantarum, lactic acid bacteria, starter culture, biomass,
sorghum, sorghum malt extract, sorghum flour, growth medium, carrier medium,
physico-chemical characteristics, survival, air-drying.
ABSTRACT 53: PHYSICAL MODIFICATION OF STARCHES FROM CASSAVA
CULTIVARS GROWN IN UGANDA FOR FOOD THICKENING
CANDIDATE: MADIESSE FOGAING LYSE DIANA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. YUSUF B. BYARUHANGA
2. DR. ABEL ATUKWASE
Cassava starch is preferred over other starches as a raw material in the food industry
because of its remarkable characteristics such as its white colour, paste clarity, high
viscosity and freeze-thaw stability. However, in its native form, cassava starch has
limited applications because of its inability to withstand processing conditions such as
extreme temperatures, diverse pH and high shear resistance. Modifications are usually
done to enhance or repress the inherent properties of native starches or to impart
new properties to meet the requirements for specific applications.
The present study investigated the effect of three physical modification methods
namely: Annealing, Wet Heat Treatment (WHT) and Microwave heating on the
physicochemical and pasting properties of starches isolated from three high dry matter
cassava cultivars grown in Uganda (NASE 19, NASE 14 and NASE 3). Physicochemical
properties namely; Water Absorption Capacity (WAC), Oil Absorption Capacity
(OAC), Swelling Power (SP) and Solubility Index (SI) as well as pasting properties of
the native and modified starches from the three cassava cultivars were determined.
There were significant differences in the physicochemical and pasting properties of the
native starches from the three cassava cultivars studied. Starch from NASE 14 cassava
cultivar had the highest WAC (0.87g/g), while the WAC of starches (0.73g/g each)
from NASE 3 and NASE 19 cassava cultivars did not differ significantly. Starch from
NASE 19 cassava cultivarrecorded the highest SI (46.41%) while the SI (40.17 and
40.39 % respectively) of starches from NASE 14 and NASE 3 cassava cultivars did not
differ significantly.
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The highest setback viscosity (672.0cP) was recorded in starch obtained from NASE 3
cassava cultivar while starch from NASE 19 recorded the lowest (502.0cP). WHT
resulted in a significant increase in the WAC, OAC and SI for starch from NASE 14
from 0.87 to 1.23 g/g, 0.79 to 0.91 g/g and 40.17 to 62.95 % respectively. Annealing
resulted in an increase in SP of starch from NASE 19 from 8.15 to 10.43 g/g.
Microwave heating increased the peak, breakdown and final viscosities of starch from
NASE 3 from 6504.0 to 8039.0 cP, 5049.0 to 6173.0 cP and 2127.0 to 2466.5 cP
respectively. Microwave heating also decreased the setback viscosity (retrogradation
tendency) and pasting temperature of starch from NASE 3 from 672.0 to 600.5 cP
and 66.8 to 60.7oC respectively.
WHT cassava starch significantly improved the quality of tomato ketchup compared
to native cassava starch. Addition of native starch from NASE 3 and WHT starches
from NASE 19, NASE 14 and NASE 3 to ketchup resulted in a decrease in serum loss
from 9.82 to 1.72 %,5.59 to 0.66%, 6.73 to 1.68 % and 2.99 to 0.76 %
respectively. The flow behaviour index ranged from 0.33 to 0.56, which proves that
tomato ketchupproduced in this study, had a pseudoplastic, shear-thinning behaviour.
Sensory acceptability scores showed highest thickness scores for ketchup with modified
starch and lowest scores for ketchup with native starch.
All treatments used in this study improved the WAC, SI and final viscosity of starches
from the three cassava cultivars. These improved properties could make them suitable
thickening agents in different types of foods.
ABSTRACT 54: THE MIGRATION OF HEAVY METALS FROM POLYETHYLENE BAGS
INTO FOOD DURING THERMAL PROCESSING
CANDIDATE: MUSOKE LAMECK
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Noble Banadda
2. Dr. Ssempala Cornelius
Cooking foodstuff in coloured polyethylene bags has of late substituted the use of
banana leaves in Uganda. However, such a practice is highly risky as chemical
contaminants may migrate from the coloured polyethylene bags into food during
cooking. This exposes victims to ingesting heavy metals though in small quantities but
with chronic exposure, they may be faced with health complications Therefore, this
study was carried out to quantify the level of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, & Co) in black
and green polyethylene bags. Both polyethylene bags were found to contain heavy
metals in varying concentrations ranging from 1725 ppm to 1080 ppm, 52 ppm to 35
ppm, 120 ppm to 76 ppm, 32 ppm to 18 ppm for Pb, Cd, Cr and Co, respectively for
both black and green polyethylene bags. Pb concentrations were highest followed by
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Cr then Cd and Co last in both black and green polyethylene bags. Furthermore,
colour study was done on posho wrapped in both black and green polyethylene bags
during cooking. Hunter colour values L*, a* and b* were studied at treatment
temperatures; 65°C (T1), 80°C (T2), and 95°C (T3) after 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60
minutes of heating. L* (brightness) values decreased with increase in treatment
temperature with no sequences observed as the holding time increased. a* (redness)
values increased with increase in treatment temperature and then decreased with
increase in holding time. b* (yellowness) values increased from the initial value (2.0)
with increase in treatment temperature, attained maximum values and then decreased
to the final values for black and green polyethylene bags respectively. The study
further revealed that polyethylene bags had no significant (P<0.05) effect on posho
colour while treatment temperatures, T1, T2 and T3 significantly (P<0.05) affected
posho colour during cooking at all holding times. Heavy metal (Pb, Cd, Cr and Co)
migration was studied for posho wrapped in black polyethylene bags during cooking.
Heavy metal migration increased with increase in treatment temperature; 65ºC (T1) <
80ºC (T2) < 95ºC (T3) and holding time and decreased with depth (0.5 cm > 1.0 cm
> 1.5 cm) as the centroid of posho cube was approached. The highest values, 120.60
ppm, 12.25 ppm, 9.45 ppm and 15.42 ppm for Pb, Cd, Cr, and Co respectively were
obtained at treatment temperature T3 at the surface of the posho cube (0.5 cm) after
5 hours of heating. While the lowest values, 10.60 ppm, 1.26 ppm, 0.20 ppm and
1.55 ppm for Pb, Cd, Cr, and Co respectively were obtained at treatment temperature
T1 towards the centroid of the posho cube (1.5 cm) after 2 hours of heating. The
results showed that heavy metal migration from black polyethylene bags into posho
was significantly (P<0.05) affected by both treatment temperatures (T1, T2 and T3)
and positions (0.5 cm, 1.0 cm and 1.5 cm) from which posho samples were taken at
both holding times (2 and 5 hours). Though the concentrations obtained in this study
were low, over a long period of time chronic toxicity effects are feasible. Therefore
the practice of wrapping food into polyethylene bags is dangerous and people should
be cautioned about the practice with tough laws set for non-compliant ones.
Furthermore, regulatory authorities should set up enforceable standards with regard
to inclusion of heavy metal additives during polyethylene bag manufacturing.
Key words: Colour, Heavy metals, Polyethylene bag, Posho, Toxicity
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ABSTRACT 55: DEVELOPMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF AMARANTH BASED
INSTANT SOUP AND PORRIDGE FLOURS
CANDIDATE: OLAMIDE ABIGAEL OLADIMEJI
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Dorothy Nakimbugwe
2. Dr. Ivan Muzira Mukisa
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient
deficiencies are serious health problems among children under-five years and women
of child bearing age in developing countries. One of the major causes of PEM is
inadequate amount of energy, protein and micronutrients. The development of
instant nutrient-dense, inexpensive foods from locally available food ingredients using
a low cost technology is a suitable approach to address the problem of PEM and
micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of this study was to develop optimized nutritious
instant products, based on grain amaranth and other common food ingredients. Six
types of products were formulated using concept 4 creative software to determine the
level of incorporation of grain amaranth flour and other ingredients to give
composite flours that contribute significantly to the protein, energy and micronutrient
requirements of the targeted group. Sensory acceptability studies were used to
determine the most acceptable formulation. Response surface methodology (RSM)
was then used to determine the optimal processing conditions (extruder barrel
temperature and feed moisture content) to give desired nutritional (protein and
vitamin A retention, iron and zinc extractability, and in-vitro protein digestibility) and
sensory acceptability. Predictive models and response surface plots were generated.
Composite flour with 40 % grain amaranth flour, 20 % common dry beans, 15 %
pumpkin pulp flour, 15 % groundnut flour and 10 % maize flour was the most
acceptable among the six products. Extrusion variables (feed moisture content (14-17
%) and barrel temperature (130 – 150 °C) had an effect on the nutritional quality of
the amaranth-based instant flour. In-vitro protein digestibility, total polyphenol and
phytic acid contents and iron extractability decreased with increase in feed moisture
content and barrel temperature. Vitamin A retention decreased with increase in barrel
temperature. Zinc extractability and overall acceptability (soup) increased with
increase in feed moisture content and barrel temperature. Overall acceptability (of
porridge made from extrudates) only increased with increase in barrel temperature.
The regression models for the in-vitro protein digestibility, vitamin A retention, total
polyphenol, phytic acid content, iron and zinc extractability were significant (p <
0.05) while that of the overall acceptability (soup and porridge) were not significant
(p > 0.05). Barrel temperature of 169 °C and feed moisture content of 14 % resulted
in the optimum instant product with the highest level of desirability of 0.756.
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The optimized amaranth based instant porridge and soup had a protein content of
18.93 % and 11.83 %, gross energy of 453.75 and 452.70 Kcal/100 g, iron content of
12.36 and 4.90 mg/100g, zinc content of 3.47 and 5.61 mg/100 g and vitamin A
content of 500.00 and 621.29 μg RAE/100g respectively. The acceptability of the
instant porridge and soup compared favorably with commercial control samples. The
reconstitution for the extruded amaranth based porridge was found to be 20 g/100
ml with an acceptable viscosity (2500 – 3000 cP) for infant feeding and soup (25 g/
100 ml) for the women of child bearing age. The pasting properties of the extruded
amaranth based porridge and soup were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the
commercial control samples. Viscosities of the amaranth based porridge and soup
were reduced leading to an increased flour rate hence increased energy and nutrients
densities for the optimized porridge and soup. Nutritious instant products can
developed based on grain amaranth and other common food ingredients.
Key words: Grain amaranth, extrusion cooking, response surface methodology,
instant flour.
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CROP SCIENCE
ABSTRACT 56: WEEDING AND MULCHING FOR MANAGEMENT OF APHIDS AND
ASSOCIATED VIRAL DISEASES OF PASSION FRUIT IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: ATUKUNDA ROBINAH
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula.
2. Dr. Peter Sseruwagi.
Passion fruit is doubtless an important crop whose production has the potential to
alleviate poverty in rural households. Additional significance is packed in its
nutritional, confectionary and medicinal properties. It is a source of income to the
farmers that grow it. Despite its value, production is hampered by challenges of which
biotic and management-related problems are outstanding as revealed by previous
studies. However the damage due to biotic factors especially virus infections is the
most menacing. Virus infections cause yield loss of 40 to 100% depending on severity.
They reduce the longevity of the plant from 5 years to 1 year. Previous investigations
identified and characterized the causative agent of the viral diseases, implicating the
vectors concerned. Unfortunately, all passion fruit varieties on the Ugandan market
are susceptible to the viruses. The scanty information on the current passion fruit
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production environment, farmers‟ knowledge and perceptions of the viral infections,
and present virus management strategies led to the initiation of this study in Uganda.
It aimed to supplement information that would assist in packaging of cultural practices
for management of aphid vectors and associated viruses of passion fruit in Uganda.
A survey was conducted in Buikwe and Mubende districts, central Uganda in 2011.
Farmers‟ knowledge of passion fruit viruses and their management were assessed using
structured questionnaires and interviews. The survey revealed that majority (80%) of
the farmers acknowledged passion fruit virus diseases as a key production limitation.
Seventy three percent (73%) of the farmers recognized the diseases by symptom
description. Unfortunately, only a minority (5%) of farmers who claimed to be aware
of the disease cause, attributed them to use of virus-infected planting materials. Thirty
two percent (32%) considered the cause to be direct insect feeding damage. None of
the farmers pinpointed the pathogen to be virus/es. Nearly all the farmers lacked
knowledge of passion fruit virus diseases transmission. Pesticide application was the
key disease management strategy. Although this successfully killed off some insects, the
lack of knowledge on target vectors led to limited effect in reducing disease incidence.
Farmers were willing to adopt weeding and mulching as potential viral disease
management strategies if proven to be effective.
Subsequently, an investigation was carried out at Sendusu, IITA from January 2013 to
April 2014. It determined the effect of weeding and mulching on passion fruit aphid
vectors and associated viruses through a randomized complete block design
experiment with three replications. Kawanda hybrid passion fruit were subjected to
four treatments including straw mulch, plastic mulch, weeding and no weeding for
two seasons. Mulching performed better than weeding in terms of reducing virus
disease incidence and boosting of yield. Straw mulch significantly (P≤0.05) minimized
virus disease incidence (45%) and had the highest significant yield overall (0.2Kg) per
plant, as compared to other treatments. Plastic mulch produced significantly the
longest (107cm) passion fruit vines. Aphid counts in the different treatments were not
statistically different though they varied significantly over time. Straw mulch has
potential as a management strategy and gave the highest returns per year (Ug. Shs.
4,704,620=), compared to other treatments. Its adoption however would require
further studies on integration in various cropping systems considering that most
farmers intercrop passion fruit. The basic information generated on farmers‟
knowledge of viruses, current production systems and importance of weeding in viral
disease management will assist in development of an Integrated Pest and Disease
Management package for passion fruit viral diseases and associated aphid vectors in
Uganda.
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ABSTRACT 57: EFFECTS OF WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, RICE RESIDUE
UTILIZATION AND RICE GENOTYPES ON FIELD PERFORMANCE OF RICE IN
UGANDA
CANDIDATE: AWIO THOMAS
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Jeninah Karungi
2. Assoc. Prof. Bosco Bua
Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important food staple in the world, feeding more than
three billion people including most of the world‟s one billion poor that depend on
rice for consumption and income generation. In Uganda, rice has become an
important food staple and source of income for a big portion of the population.
Despite its importance, rice yield per unit area is still very low averaging 2.5t/ha due
to drought, pests and diseases among others. As such, there is need to address rice
resistance to these constraints through identifying and breeding varieties resistant to
these stresses. Experiments were conducted in the field at National Crops Resources
Research Institute (NaCRRI) Namulonge and in the screen house at Kyambogo
University to evaluate (i) the influence of different water management regimes and
rice genotypes on pests and disease occurrence of rice and (ii) the effect of different
water and rice straw management practices and rice genotypes on growth and yield
of rice in Uganda. Randomized Complete Block Design and Completely Randomized
Design were used for field and screen house trials respectively. Water management
regimes used were alternate wetting and drying, continuous flooding and continuous
drying, with and without rice straw incorporation.
Results indicated that pests and disease prevalence of rice varied among rice
genotypes and water management regimes. Similarly, yield varied among the
genotypes and treatments. Use of rice straw influenced rice yield in the screen house
but not in the field; interactions of water management x genotype and water
management x rice straw x genotype influenced rice yield in the field but not in the
screen house. Higher yield gain was observed under alternate wetting and drying
(AWD) compared to continuous flooding or drying. These findings suggest that
efficient management of water resources from rice fields coupled with the use of pests
and disease tolerant/resistant rice varieties could be an effective integrated approach
to pests and disease management from rice fields and an adaptation strategy to the
observed climate variability. However, further studies need to be undertaken in
different agro-ecological zones of Uganda to evaluate the benefits of AWD and verify
its suitability as a way to conserve water under conditions of water scarcity in order
to maintain or improve rice crop yield. Additionally, genotypes used in this study
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need to be further evaluated for their suitability as genetic materials in breeding for
pests and diseases or drought tolerant rice varieties.
ABSTRACT 58: DIVERSITY WITHIN XANTHOMONAS ORYZAE PV. ORYZAE
POPULATION AND REACTION OF RICE VARIETIES TO BACTERIAL BLIGHT
DISEASE IN RWANDA
CANDIDATE: BIZIMANA JEAN PIERRE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr Geoffrey Tusiime
2. Dr Seré Yacouba
Rice (Oryza sativa) is one of the most widely cultivated food crops in the world,
eaten by nearly half of the world‟s population. Rice is the single most important
source of employment and income for rural people as well as the largest food source
for the poor. Rice is the source of one quarter of global per capita energy. Bacterial
leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzaeis one of the most
destructive diseases of rice throughout the world, causing yield losses of up to 80% in
highly susceptible varieties. This disease has been reported in the main rice growing
areas of Rwanda. For its sustainable management, information on its occurrence,
reaction of varieties and pathogen diversityis important. This study was carried out to
i) determine the occurrence of bacterial leaf blight disease in Rwanda. ii) assess the
reaction of rice varieties to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzaein Rwanda, and
iii)determine the diversity of Xanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzae in Rwanda.
Bacterial leaf blight was present in all the three main rice growing areas of Rwanda
(Bugarama, Cyili, and Cyabayaga), although incidences and severities varied among
them. Out of seven varieties encountered in this study, Yun yine, Rumbuka and
Jyambere did not develop symptoms of the disease. Mean locational disease
incidence were 14.54 %, 60.90 % and 65.27 % in Bugarama, Cyili and Cyabayaga
respectively while disease severities ranged from 0 to 6.43 %, 0 to 15.97 % and 0 to
22.11 % in these locations. At variety level, BLB incidence and severity increased with
time across all sites. For instance in Cyabayaga, the severity on Intsindagirabigega
variety was 12.43% in maximum tillering (MT), 17.01% in panicle initiation (PI) and
22.11% in early dough (ED) stage. Apart from Cyili scheme, the effect of season on
BLB occurrence was significant, the season 2014A being the most affected.
The reaction of rice varieties to Xanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzaewas conducted in the
screen house at Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) Rubona station. Ten commercial
varieties were inoculated with four veryvirulent isolates (obtained after pathological
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test) at maximum tillering stage and evaluated 14 days later.Out of ten varieties,
Mpembuke, Gakire, Yunyine and Basmati 370 were resistant to all isolates. Three
varieties i.e., Ndengera, Ndamirabahinzi, and Rumbuka were susceptible to only one
Xoo isolate. Three varieties (Intsindagirabigega, Buryohe and Fashingabo) were
susceptible to all fourXanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae isolates with Intsindagirabigega
being the most susceptible.
Xanthomonas oryzaepv. oryzaediversity was studied by determining the efficiency of
known resistance genes carried by 21 near isogenic lines (differential lines) grown in
trapping nurseries in two bacterial leaf blight hotspots. Most of the differential lines
tested were infected by bacterial leaf blight in both sites although the extent of
infection varied from season to season and site to site. In 2013B, IR-BB 10 was the
most affected line in Cyabayaga while in Cyili, IR24 was the most NIL affected. In
2014B, in Cyabayaga, the most infected NILs were IR-BB4, IR-BB10, IR24, and IR-
BB50, while in Cyili, IR24 was the most susceptible. 2014A recorded the highest
disease severity with values of 62.8% on IR-BB1 in the eastern region.NILs with genes
xa5 (IR-BB5); xa 8 (IR-BB8) and a combination of Xa4 + xa5 + xa13 + Xa21 (IR-
BB60) performed better than other lines with mean severity values of 2.48 %; 3.35
% and 4.32 %, respectively. These are thus effective against all Xoo strains in Rwanda
and can be used as sources of resistance in breeding programs in Rwanda.
After these studies we recommend i) that resistant lines be used to initiate a BLB
resistance breeding program in Rwanda; ii) that extensive surveys be carried out in
Rwanda to fully characterize Xoo epidemics; iii) that farmers be encouraged to
cultivate varieties that have been found to be resistant and vi) the entire rice
germoplasm held in Rwanda should be screened for resistance to Xoo in order to find
adapted but resistant varieties.
ABSTRACT 59: CONTROL OF BLACK SIGATOKA DISEASE IN BANANA BY
BOTANICAL EXTRACTS
CANDIDATE: GUMISIRIYA COSTA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Patrick Okori
2. Dr. Hans Jørgen Lyngs Jørgensen,
Plant extracts from Mirabilis jalapa, Tephrosia vogelli, Urtica massaica, Tagetes erecta,
Cupressus lusitanica, Tagetes minuta, Azadirachta indica, Lantana camara,Nicotiana
tabacum, Zingiber officinale, Allium cepa, Syzygium aromaticum, Cinnamomum
zeylanicum, Capsicum annuum and Allium sativum were tested in vitro and in planta
for efficacy against Mycosphaerella fijiensis. In vitro, the effects of plant extracts on
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radial growth of M. fijiensis in culture was determined by growing the fungus on
Potato Dextrose Agar plates augmented at 5, 10, 15 and 100% with 1 ml of plant
extract applied either singly or in combination and compared to a mock treated
control. The singly or in-combination test plant extract augmented plates were
inoculated with an 8 mm culture plug with M. fijiensis spores and incubated at room
temperature. The cultures were subsequently incubated at 25oC for 21 days and radial
growth of the cultures measured and used to infer efficacy of each plant extract. In
another related experiment, three banana cultivars Musakala (susceptible AAA-EAHB),
Giant Cavendish (susceptible AAA) dessert and Kayinja (tolerant ABB) were inoculated
with a spore suspension adjusted to 2×104 conidia per ml and incubated at relative
humidity of 90% for a week. The plants were primed prior to inoculation using the
most efficacious plant extract Capsicum annuum identified in vitro. Subsequently, data
collection commenced and was taken on a weekly basis till 56 days after inoculation.
The third experiment investigated the fungistatic or fungicidal potential use of plant
extracts as inducers of host plant resistance against the fungus through time course
studies of resistance gene expression after treating Musakala plantlets with extracts
and subsequently inoculating them with M. fijiensis. Disease progress was estimated
using area under disease progress curves based on weekly assessments. All data was
subjected to analysis of variance using SAS package and means compared at P<0.05.
To monitor induction of resistance gene expression, total RNA was extracted from
leaf samples collected at different times from both inoculated and non-inoculated
plants, and the expression of the Pathogenesis-related proteins (PR-1, PR-2, PR-3 and
PR-5), NPR1B studied by polymerase chain reaction. The quality of RNA and cDNA
was assayed by monitoring a house-keeping gene Actin. No plant extract was
fungicidal. However, significant differences were found in fungistatic effects on fungal
growth and disease development. The most efficacious plant extracts in vitro were
Capsicum annuum andAllium sativum, whereas Capsicum annuum, Tephrosia vogelli
and Syzygium aromaticum had the best effect on the disease in Musakala, Giant
Cavendish and Kayinja respectively. Capsicum annuum also triggered gene expression
of NPRIB and PR1 in cv. Musakala.
In conclusion, the study confirmed that plant extracts can indeed control Black
Sigatoka disease in banana. This was observed through their fungistatic effects on
fungal growth in vitro and disease development in planta. Additionally, defence
related genes (PR1 and NPR1B) in plants induced with Capsicum annuum and
challenged with M. fijiensis were expressed.
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ABSTRACT 60: EFFECT OF SHADING AND DISTANCE FROM ELGON’S ALPINE
VEGETATION ON THE OCCURRENCE OF INSECT PESTS AND NATURAL ENEMIES
ON ARABICA COFFEE IN MANAFWA, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: IJALA ANTHONY RAPHAEL
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Jeninah Karungi
2. Dr. Mattias Jonsson
The effect of distance from Alpine vegetation of Mt. Elgon and shading levels on the
key insects of Arabica coffee and natural enemies of coffee berry borer was conducted
in Manafwa district, Eastern Uganda in a longitudinal study for the entire coffee
fruiting period from March to November 2012 covering minor and major coffee
fruiting periods. Specifically, the study assessed the effect of two factors; the level of
tree shading and distance of coffee fields from the Alpine vegetation on the
occurrence of coffee berry borer (CBB) and white coffee stem borer, and the natural
enemies of CBB on Arabica coffee. Shading had three levels – dense, moderate and
sunny (un shaded) and was nested in distance from Alpine vegetation which had two
levels – near/close (0-250m) and far (1000-1500m). Thirty farmers‟ plantations were
studied considering fifteen for each distance level. Of the fifteen, five were studied for
each shading level. On each selected plantations; 10 coffee trees were randomly
selected for CBB, natural enemies (Cephalonomia stephanoderis Betrem, Prorops
nasuta Waterston, Heterospilus coffeicola Schemiedeknecht, Phymastichus coffea
LaSalle and the predator Karnyothrips flavipes Jones) and White coffee stem borer
study. Micro climate data of temperature, relative humidity and light intensity were
collected on each selected farm. CBB Infected berries were taken to the laboratory to
enable studies on the emergence of natural enemies and parasitism of the coffee berry
borer. The berries were dissected after giving time for emergence of the natural
enemies to recover the life stages of the coffee berry borer and its natural enemies
that were still inside the berries.
Results indicate significant effect of shading level on coffee berry borer, white coffee
stem borer, parasitoids and the predator. Distance from Alpine vegetation caused
clear differences in white coffee stem borer and Karnyothrips flavipes Jones
occurrence. The CBB natural enemies were highest in higher shading levels compared
to unshaded coffee conditions. The white coffee stem borer was highest on coffee
plantations with higher shading levels contrary to the coffee berry borer. The results
provided evidence that the occurrence of white coffee stem borer (Monochamus
leuconotus‟ Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and Karnyothrips flavipes Jones
(Thysanoptera: Phaelothripidae) are influenced not only by factors at the local scale
but also at the landscape level. As such, in management of such pests, factors external
74
to the individual fields need to be put in consideration. The study contributes to the
improvement of the yields of Arabica coffee in Uganda by adding on to the existing
knowledge to enhance suitability of existing systems for promotion of biological
control agents.
ABSTRACT 61: INFLUENCE OF PLANT DIVERSITY AND INTERCROPPING TO THE
PERFORMANCE OF ELITE COWPEA VARIETIES IN EASTERN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: KAWOOYA RONALD
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. James. M. Sebuliba
2. Dr. Jenipher Bisikwa
Cow pea (Vigna unguiculanta) is of major importance to the livelihoods of millions
of relatively poor people in less developed countries of the tropics. In Uganda,
cowpea occupies an economically important place among grain legumes in the
eastern and northern regions where it is an important source of protein and
household income. Two experiments were conducted at the National Semi-Arid
Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) Serere in Eastern Uganda during the first
and second rains of 2011. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence
of plant density and intercropping on the performance of elite cowpea varieties
namely; IT85F-2841 (Spreading), MU-93(Spreading),MU-93 (Semi-erect), IT82D-
889 (Erect and two local three inter-row distances; 45x30 cm, 60x30 cm. The
treatments were arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with
three replications. Experiment 2 investigated the effect of intercropping the elite
cowpea varieties with maize in Eastern Uganda. This experiment was planted out
in a split plot design of Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) where maize
row spacing was varied at two levels; 60x30cm and 120x30cm with three
replicates. This gave rise to one inter-row and two inter-row treatments of cowpea
between maize. Data were collected on cowpea growth parameters including;
plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, days to 50% flowering, and
cow pea yield parameters including; number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, 100
seed weight (g), pod mass (g) and cow pea grain yield (t ha-1).
The result obtained indicated a significant (p=0.05) difference in growth attributes
observed among the cow pea cultivars. Plant population had no significant
(p=0.05) effect on most of the cow pea growth and yield parameters in this study.
Elite cowpea varieties, MU-93 and IT85F-2841 produced higher leaf yield than
MU-93 (erect) and IT82D-889. Cowpea elite variety IT82D-889 lowered and
reached physiological maturity earlier than all other cowpea cultivars. Cow pea
row spacing of 60x30 cm at a plant population of 55,555 plants/ha gave
consistently higher grain yield. Cow pea elite variety, IT82D-889 gave significantly
(p=0.05) productive under intercropping than cow pea varieties IT82D-889 and
MU-93 (erect) with erect growth habit. Land Equivalent Ratios showed that the
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best intercropping advantage occurred in 1 row maize: 2 rows Cowpea
intercropping. Maize planting pattern of 120x30 cm gave the highest maize grain
yield than 60x30 cm planting pattern in the March to July 2011 rain season, yet the
contrary happened in the September to December 2011 rain season. Cow pea elite
variety, IT82D-889, should be recommended to Ugandan farmers for its early
maturity and higher cowpea grain yield. However, further research should be
conducted to test the yield performance of this variety on-farm and under different
Agro-ecological zones before it can be forwarded to the Uganda National Variety
Release Committee. Cow pea varieties, IT85F-2841 and MU-93 (spreading), should
be recommended as dual purpose cow pea cultivars to Ugandan farmers for their
higher leaf yields and high grain yield. Farmers should also adopt the intercropping
pattern preferably the 1 row maize: 2 row Cowpea technique for yield advantage.
However, more research is needed to further understand the associated additional
benefits to enhance the benefits of intercropping achieved in this study.
ABSTRACT 62: EFFECT OF AGRONOMIC PRACTICES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF
YAM BEAN IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
CANDIDATE: KILONGO BULAMBO PACIFIQUE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Herbert Talwana
2. Dr. James M. Ssebuliba
The yam bean (Pachyrhizus ssp) has three closely related species with different agro
ecological origins that include, Amazonian yam bean (P.tuberosus), Mexican yam
bean (P.erosus) and the Andean yam bean (P.ahipa) It is a leguminous crop closely
related to soybean (Glycina max) but produces root tubers that can be consumed
cooked, processed or even raw. However consuming raw seed should be avoided as
these contain a toxin called rotenone. Flowers are often pruned to increase fresh
tubers yield. Yam bean is a recent introduction in Democratic Republic of Congo,
(DRC) and currently has less understood adaptation to the country‟s various agro-
ecologies. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate potential options
for fitting yam bean into new or existing cropping systems of Eastern DRC. Two yam
bean accessions were for two seasons 2013/B and 2014/A, evaluated across three
locations of South-Kivu province namely, Cibinda (2000 m.a.s.l), Bushumba (1500
m.a.s.l) and Runingu (900 m.a.s.l). The effects of harvesting dates of yam bean at
four, five and six months after planting were studied. Data was collected on growth,
tuber yield, and disease and pest incidence. Furthermore the influence of planting on
either a flat seedbed or on ridges on yam bean tuber growth and yield was evaluated.
The effects of intercropping yam bean with maize on yam bean tuber and maize
growth, yield, disease and pest incidences were also investigated.The best growth,
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tuber yield and dry matter content were achieved at six months after planting. Yam
bean grown on ridges yielded higher than the crop grown on flat seedbeds. Also
observed was a marked advantage of in inter-cropping yam bean with maize as
inferred from the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER). Based on yam bean and maize growth
and yields, Runingu was better site followed by Bushumba while season 2014/A was
better than 2013/B. It was also observed that accession 209036 was better than
209034 based on yam bean growth, yield and dry matter. Yam bean harvested at six
months after planting were more affected by pests and diseases. It was also observed
that more pests and diseases affected yam bean and maize grown as monocrop
compared to intercropped plants. We suggest evaluation of yam bean production in
other parts of the country. Farmers could practice ridging and intercropping yam bean
with maize for better production of yam bean. We recommend yam bean accession
209036 to farmers.
ABSTRACT 63: EVALUATION OF TRICHODERMA SPP. FUNGI IN THE
MANAGEMENT OF BACTERIAL WILT (RALSTONIA SOLANACEARUM) IN TOMATO
(LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM).
CANDIDATE: KURIA SYLVIA NYAMBURA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Tusiime Geoffrey, PhD.
2. Waiganjo M. Monicah, PhD.
Ralstonia solanacearum is a major tomato production constraint in Kenya It has no
chemical cure and has many secondary hosts in crops and many weed species. The
pathogen is also easily transmitted by water run-off through irrigation (furrow and
overhead), heavy rains and farm implements. These, pause a great threat to tomato
farming in Kenya and indeed many parts of the world. In light of these, a study on
the effect of Trichoderma strains in the control of bacterial wilt (Ralstonia
solanacearum) in tomatoes was carried out using two Trichoderma strains,
Trichoderma harzianum and T. asperellum compared against untreated controls. The
study was carried out at Makerere University Research Institute, Kabanyolo, Uganda
and KARI-Thika with the following objectives; 1. To evaluate the potential of
Trichoderma strains in suppressing R. Solanacearum In-vitro; 2. To establish the most
effective Trichoderma dose in managing R. solanacearum of tomato; 3. To establish
the effect of phased Trichoderma application in managing R. solanacearum of
tomato. To achieve objective one, a bioassay was carried out in the laboratory at
KARI-Thika Kenya, to evaluate the potential of two Trichoderma strains, T.
harzianum and T. asperellum and Rootgard® a cocktail of microorganisms in
suppressing Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt of tomato.
Trichoderma harzianum gave better suppression of bacterial wilt by overgrowth. To
achieve objective two and three, one season trial was set in the field and two seasons
experiments were carried out in the screehouse using one bacteria wilt susceptible
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tomato variety, Onyx. The experiments were laid in a Factorial design with two main
treatments consisting of Trichoderma strains (T. harzianum and T. aperellum) with
each having two application rates (high rate, low rate and untreated control). The
trials were replicated three times and every replicate consisted of twenty tomato
plants in the field and five plants in the screen house. In the field, Tomato seedlings
were xiv
transplanted into holes that had been inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum and T.
asperellum in two rates and the Ralstonia solanacearum occurred naturally. Results
were that there was significant difference between the Trichoderma strains ‗doses in
the control of bacterial wilt 49 days after transplanting. In the screen house, tomato
seedlings were transplanted in polythene bags containing about 6kgs sterile soil mixed
with half a kilogram manure and Trichoderma inoculum (1g and 2gms/lt water T.
harzianum and 1.6mls and 3.2mls/lt water T. asperellum) two weeks before
transplanting and placed in the screehouse. After transplanting, every tomato plant
was inoculated with 10mls of standardized bacterial solution equivalent to 9x108
bacterial cells per ml (McFarland turbidity standard). Treatments were applied once
and the results were that there was significant difference between the treatments 49
days after transplanting where T. harzianum at the high rate (2g/lt) had the least
mean (6.6%, 13.4%) disease incidence in seasons one and two respectively. There
was no significant difference in the mean yields during both seasons. Although
Trichoderma harzianum high rate (2g/lt water) recorded the highest mean yields
(901,867) both seasons respectively. Overall, both Trichoderma strains had effect on
bacterial wilt compared to the untreated pots. To accomplish objective three;
treatments were applied (1g and1.6mls/lt water) T. harzianum and T. asperellum
respectively, weekly, fortnightly and untreated controls. The results were that there
was significant difference on disease incidence mean for the first and second seasons
91 days after transplanting and bacterial wilt inoculation, with T. harzianum applied
weekly recording the lowest (20.0%, 13.3%) means both seasons. There was
significant difference in the treatments for yields in season one, but there was no
significant difference in season two, though for both seasons T. harzianum applied
weekly had the highest yield means. It was concluded that frequent application of the
right Trichoderma strain has an effect on bacterial wilt management.
ABSTRACT 64: RESISTANCE OF TWO MAIZE POPULATIONS TO TURCICUM LEAF
BLIGHT AND STREAK VIRUS
CANDIDATE: KUTUNGA DAVID RUKAIJAKARE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Professor Patrick Rubaihayo
2. Dr. Godffrey Asea
78
Foliar diseases are important biotic constraints limiting maize production in Uganda.
Turcicum leaf blight (TLB) incited by Exserohilum turcicum, and maize streak virus
disease (MSV) incited by maize streak virus, are among the most economically
important diseases of maize in the country. Most of the foliar diseases are managed
by genetic host resistance, which begins with selection of resistant parents. The
experimental results from two maize populations; WL-429.E.66 and WL-429.E.21
(developed by a cross between CIMMYT lines and NARO lines resulting into single
cross hybrids followed by self-pollinating single F1s to produce F2 populations) grown
in Namulonge, in a randomized complete block design with three replications; found
that 64.3% of the families were resistant, 21.4% moderately resistant and 14.3%
susceptible for TLB in WL-429.E.66 while in WL-429.E.21; 31.0% of the families were
resistant, 69.0% moderately resistant with none showing extreme susceptibility. For
MSV, 14.28% of the families in WL-429.E.66 were highly resistant, 53.57% medium
resistant and 32.14% less resistant with none showing significant levels of susceptibility
while in WL-429.E.21, 10.34% of the families were highly resistant, 37.93% medium
resistant, 37.93% moderately resistant and 13.79% susceptible. In both WL-429.E.66
and WL-429.E.21 the %CV for families in respect to TLB and MSV were from
moderate to high (7.4%-15.5%), indicating a reasonable variation in these population
for diseases studied which could enhance selection of various families against TLB and
MSV.
The analysis of variance for TLB‟s and MSV‟s relative area under disease progress
curve (RAUDPC) showed highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) in WL-429.E.66 and
WL-429.E.21, suggesting that the two populations exhibited different genes, so if
crossed, new combinations could be achieved; this also suggested existence of a great
potential for selection of different disease resistance genes. The identification of the
source of resistance and accumulation of all the resistant genes into some cultivars is
extremely important for development of desirable genotypes with durable resistance.
The analysis of frequency distribution of TLB and MSV severity mean scores suggested
that resistance were under the control of quantitative gene action in the two
populations, except in WL-429.E.66 where a major gene action was found to control
TLB resistance.
The narrow and broad sense heritability estimates from parent-offspring regression
and variance component analysis for MSV were 0.56 and 0.94 in population WL-
429.E.66 and in WL-429.E.21 the estimates were 0.52 and 0.88 respectively. The
narrow and broad sense heritability estimates for TLB were 0.43 and 0.97 in WL-
429.E.66 while in WL-429.E.21 the estimates were 0.516 and 0.83 respectively. The
moderate to high heritability estimates suggested that selection for resistance for both
TLB and MSV could be practiced in early segregating generations in the two
populations.
Genetic correlation coefficient estimates for TLB and MSV were +0.243 and +0.032
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in WL-429.E.66 and WL-429.21 respectively while the phenotypic correlation
estimates were +0.122 and -0.097 for the respective populations. The positive
association suggested that simultaneous improvement of resistance to the two diseases
was possible especially in WL-429.E.66
ABSTRACT 65: ENHANCEMENT OF GROUNDNUT GRAIN YIELD IN UGANDA
THROUGH INOCULATION WITH RHIZOBIA
CANDIDATE: JULIUS KWESIGA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. JAMES M. SSEBULIBA
2 Dr. NAVEEN PUPPALA
Despite the importance of groundnut in Uganda the yield is still low. Reasons for the
low yields in the country include poor soil fertility, unimproved varieties, unreliable
rainfall, pests and diseases, and lack of extension services. Groundnut yields have
increased by up to 80% as a result of inoculation and rock phosphate in Uganda.
Inoculation is much cheaper than inorganic fertilizer and use of inoculants can provide
an affordable and sustainable way to improve production of groundnut. The effect of
commercial strains of rhizobia on the growth and yield characteristics of three
different groundnut varieties was carried out. This was to obtain more effective
inoculants to promote sustainable groundnut production. Pot and field experiments
were conducted to assess the performance of different rhizobia strains (Lift, Histick,
Vault, First and Mak) on three different groundnut varieties (Acholi white, Serenut 2
and Serenut 3) across three locations namely Jinja, Wakiso and Kabarole. Introduced
strains were able to form nodules in sterilized and unsterilized soils, a sign that they
were viable, effective and able to compete with the indigenous strains. First and Vault
were more active and aggressive compared to Mak (indigenous). These strains
produced more nodules, and pegs compared to the control. Vault produced more
root nodules under sterilized soil than when it was under unsterilized soil which
meant that it did not do very well in the presence of the indigenous strains. Lift
seemed to perform very well in terms of nodulation, peg number and pod yield
under all conditions suggesting that it was more competitive. The introduced strains
were variety specific and performed better with Serenut 2. From the on farm trials
Histick was less competitive since it had fewer number of root nodules and also failed
to increase total dry matter (TDM). Lift and Vault increased TDM which meant that
they were more competitive. In Jinja and Wakiso, there is a need for inoculation,
while in Kabarole inoculation was not needed since the number of nodules produced
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from the control plots was averagely higher. The introduced rhizobia strains did
improve on the number of root nodules plant-1 and this translated into grain yield
improvements. Lift was identified as the best commercial strain for enhancing the
vegetative growth and grain yield in the experiments. To attain potential yield
different groundnut varieties in different environments should be inoculated with
specific rhizobia strains.
ABSTRACT 66: INFLUENCE OF AGRO-ECOLOGY AND FARMERS’ PRACTICES
ON THE OCCURRENCE AND SEVERITY OF GROUNDNUT ROSETTE VIRUS DISEASE
IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: IMMACULATE MUGISA
SUPERVISORS: 1.Dr. Jeninah Karungi Tumutegyereize
2. Dr.Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula
Groundnut rosette virus disease (GRVD) is the most destructive disease of groundnut
(Arachis hypogaea) in Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa. Epidemics are sporadic
and unpredictable, causing substantial losses which significantly reduce groundnut
production and can potentially cripple the rural economy. The disease is principally
transmitted by aphids (Aphis craccivora Koch.). There has been an increase in
understanding of GRVD since its discovery in 1907. However, gaps still remain in the
available knowledge on key epidemiological aspects of the disease. This study was
aimed at establishing the influence of ambient ecology and farmers‟ practices on the
incidence and severity patterns of GRVD in Uganda.
Trials were established for three planting seasons (1st and 2
nd season 2011 and 2
nd
season 2012) in four groundnut growing locations each situated in different agro-
ecological zones in Uganda. Four groundnut genotypes (2 susceptible and 2 resistant
to GRVD) were used as treatments in a randomized complete block design that had
four replicates. Disease progress was assessed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting. Data
on environmental factors; particularly rainfall, temperature and wind speed were
obtained from standard meteorological stations located at/near the study sites. Aphid
populations were assessed at regular intervals during the trial. Soil samples and yield
data were also obtained for each planting season at each location. The study revealed
that GRVD incidence and severity were significantly affected by season, location and
variety as well as their three way interactions (P≤0.05). This was also true for
groundnut yields. Levels of GRVD infection were found to be influenced by rainfall
and wind speed. Disease incidence, severity and AUDPC values were generally higher
81
in conditions of lower rainfall and wind speeds. The Pearson‟s two tailed correlation
between total rainfall and GRVD incidence for all trial sites in all the three seasons
was negative and highly significant (r = -0.280, P≤0.01; N=144). This was also true
for wind speed and GRVD incidence (r = -0.476, P≤0.01; N=48). However, there
was no conclusive trend between temperature and GRVD incidence with the
Pearson‟s two tailed correlation showing significantly positive and negative trends
depending on location. The rate of GRVD development was also observed to be
different for the four groundnut varieties, the three seasons and the different
locations.
A survey was also conducted within five major agro-ecological zones in Uganda. In
this survey, 105 farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire with the
aim of obtaining information on the various practices they employed in the field.
Disease severity was scored in each farmer‟s field. Results of the survey showed that
farmers were employing a range of practices in groundnut production, including:
early sowing, intercropping, use of improved groundnut genotypes, crop rotation;
and uprooting and burning diseased plants among others. However, only two
management practices: early sowing and use of improved varieties were found to
significantly (P≤0.05) reduce rosette severity in groundnut fields. It can be concluded,
therefore, that ecological factors (such as rainfall, temperature, wind speed and soil),
farmers‟ practices and their consequential interactions, are ultimately the main
influencing factors of GRVD severity in groundnut fields. This knowledge will guide
the future development and promotion of more sustainable integrated GRVD
management packages within the different agro-ecologies of Uganda.
ABSTRACT 67: DISTRIBUTION, CULTIVAR PREFERENCE AND TRANSMISSIBILITY
OF INSECT VECTOR(S) OF NAPIER STUNT DISEASE IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: MUGISHA ABDU
SUPERVISORS: 1.Dr. Herbert Talwana
2. Dr. Michael Otim
In Uganda, Napier grass is the dominant fodder grass species in the Lake Victoria
crescent zone providing over 80% of the fodder required by small - scale zero grazing
dairy farmers. Napier grass has however recently been attacked by Napier Stunt
Disease (NSD) caused by a phytoplasma, 16SrXI and is causing herbage yield reduction
of up to 60% within a few months. However, the distribution, cultivar preference
82
and transmissibility of putative NSD insect vectors were unknown. The high NSD
incidence in many districts will result into declining dairy production and productivity
and livestock destocking thus undermining income and nutrition security of
smallholder dairy farmers. The distribution, cultivar preference and transmissibility of
putative insect vectors of Napier stunt disease (NSD) in Uganda were determined
during a survey in 17 districts of Uganda from 2009 to 2011 and confirmed as vectors
in a screen house and field experiments at National Crops Resources Research Institute
(NaCRRI), Namulonge.
The survey determined the distribution of NSD potential vectors in different agro -
ecologies of Uganda. The districts were Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Gulu, Lira, Soroti,
Kabale, Mbale, Tororo, Ntungamo, Kapchorwa, Kabalore, Masaka, Mpigi, Wakiso,
Arua and Nebbi. In each of the 17 districts selected, 20 Napier grass farmers‟ fields
were randomly selected. In each field, insects were sampled from 10 randomly
selected plants. The insects were sampled using sweep nets, vacuum pump and
aspirators. The commonly recovered insects and phloem feeders were Leptodelphax
dymas, Cicadulina mbila, Cofana unimaculata, Cofana spectra, Exitianus spp.
Thriambus spp. Sogatella manetho and Maiesas banda. Among these, Leptodelphax
dymas, Cicadulina mbila, Cofana unimaculata and Maiesas banda were suspected to
transmit NSD.
This was followed by a field experiment to determine Napier grass cultivar preference
by NSD putative insect vectors and time after planting on the population of potential
Napier grass stunt disease vectors. Three Napier grass cultivars commonly used as
fodder in Uganda were planted in a randomized complete block experimental design
to establish cultivar preference by putative insect vectors. The mean relative
abundance of Cicadulina mbila, Cofana spectra and Leptodelphax dymas were
significantly different among cultivars ( p=0.002, p=0.036 and p=0.001,
respectively) whereas the mean relative abundance of the other potential vectors
were not significantly different among cultivars. The cultivar that had the lowest
population of insect vectors was P99 while KW4 had the highest insect population
(Table 4.3) implying that KW4 is likely to have higher NSD incidence and severity
compared to P99. Results revealed that irrespective of cultivar, mean relative
abundance of NSD vector, Maiestas banda was higher in the diseased cultivars than
healthy ones (Table 4.3). Mean relative abundance of all putative insect vectors under
study significantly varied with time after planting at p = 0.001 and more insects
samples were recorded after cutting Napier grass more than twice (Table 4.4).
The acquisition and transmissibility of Napier stunt phytoplasma by putative insect
vectors was determined by natural transmission experiments in a screen house.
Potential vectors were collected and reared separately on potted stunt - free Napier
grass. Using an aspirator, a total of ten gravid females of each insect species were
obtained from the healthy colonies in cages and reared on diseased Napier grass for
30 days to acquire stunt phytoplasma (acquisition feeding). After 30 days, four pots
of healthy Napier plants were exposed to adults and nymphs of each insect species for
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90 days. Surviving insects were sampled from each cage after 90 days and kept at -
20°C, after which they were tested for NSD phytoplasma by nPCR. Leaves from
exposed plants were then sampled for DNA isolation and phytoplasma detection by
nPCR. The plants were monitored for stunt symptoms for a period of six months. The
experiment was replicated three times for each insect species under study. Unexposed
healthy plants were used as a control setup.
Four species of insects (Maiestas banda, Cofana unimaculata, Cicadulina mbila and
Leptodelphax dymas) tested positive for the presence of phytoplasma after the 30
days of acquisition access feeding but only Maiestas. banda was able to successfully
transmit the phytoplasma to healthy Napier grass. The results of this study will
contribute to better understanding of distribution, cultivar preference and
transmissibility of NSD insect vector(s) which will enhance researchers‟ and farmers‟
abilities to screen varieties for resistance and manage the disease respectively.
Quarantine on movement of Napier grass material from and to infected districts can
be implemented to prevent further spread of the vector(s) as well as the disease.
ABSTRACT 68: INCIDENCE, YIELD LOSS AND ECONOMIC INJURY LEVELS OF KEY
INSECT PESTS OF HOT PEPPER (SCOTCH BONNET) IN MAJOR GROWING
DISTRICTS OF UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: MUZIRA FRED
SUPERVISORS: 1.Assoc. Prof Karungi Jeninah
2. Prof. Kyamanywa Samuel
Hot pepper, scotch bonnet is considered among the high valued nontraditional cash
crops grown by farmers in Uganda. Its production however is constrained by insect
pests, diseases coupled with poor agronomic practices. Limited information exists
regarding the level of occurrence of insect pests and their effects on hot pepper yield
in Uganda. This is important for developing sound, environmentally friendly and cost
effective management practices.
This study was therefore conducted to (1) determine the occurrence and distribution
of insect pests of hot pepper in major growing districts of Uganda, (2) Establish the
relationship between infestation/damage levels of insect pests and fruit yield of hot
pepper, and (3) determine the action threshold and economic injury levels of the two
most prevalent insect pests of hot pepper.
Biological monitoring surveys were conducted to establish the occurrence of insect
pests in 6 major hot pepper growing districts of Uganda. The districts are Mukono,
Wakiso, Kiboga, Hoima, Luwero and Mpigi. A total of 82 farmers were visited during
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the study. Data was collected by throwing four 2x2m quadrats; 3 along a diagonal
transect and the other at the furthest point from the diagonal. All the enclosed plants
were inspected for possible life stages of the insects or their damage. Results of the
surveys indicated that fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata), aphids (Aphis gossypii), whiteflies
(Bemisia tabaci), bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litoralis) and thrips
are the most abundant and prevalent insect pests of hot pepper. They occurred in all
the visited districts. Fruit flies had the highest incidence (37.1%), followed by aphids
(26.1%), whiteflies (23.7%), and bollworm (3%). Thrips had the lowest occurrence
(1.7%). The effects of location and cropping system on insect pest occurrence were
significant (P<0.05). The occurrence of insect pests (majorly sucking pests) was lower
in mixed cropping system compared with monocropping.
To compare infestation levels/damage and yield losses caused by the pests, a repeated
on station trial was conducted. Five different spray schedules were used to create
variable pest levels. The trial was laid out in a Randomized complete block design
(RCBD) with three replications. The five spray schedules included; 1) application of
insecticide once a week to 50% bud initiation; 2) Weekly sprays from bud initiation
to 50% fruit initiation; 3) weekly sprays from 50% fruit initiation to first harvesting;
4) Weekly sprays throughout the growing period of the crop, and 5) untreated
control. The population dynamics and damage of the insect pests were recorded over
the growing period. Fruit yield was also recorded at first harvest. Results indicated
that on average, insect pests significantly reduced yield by 63% if compared to
treated plots. Fruit damaging insect pests caused the highest amount of yield losses
(55%). Spraying starting at fruit initiation was as effective in reducing yield loss as
spraying weekly throughout the growing season. In fact, the study revealed that
chemical control was more profitable when initiated at fruit initiation to target the
fruit damaging pests than when used throughout the growing period.
To determine the economic injury levels, aphid colonies of the pest were raised on
hot pepper plants in a screen house at Makerere University Agricultural Research
Institute Kabanyoro (MUARIK), to generate individuals that were later introduced in
known incremental numbers to hot pepper plants in exclusion cages. Yield loss data
associated with specific initial pest densities were recorded. Results revealed that the
yield loss caused by aphids increased with increase in infestation levels. The density of
2aphids/plant was found to be economically damaging and pesticide application
should be initiated at a density of 1.5 aphids/plant to stop the increasing aphid density
from reaching economic injury levels.
From the study, it can be concluded that the fruit attacking pests in particular the fruit
fly are the most damaging and so to ensure judicious use of pesticides, sprays should
be initiated at fruiting stage; direct aphid damage can cause economic loss; and mixed
cropping can be exploited in controlling aphids, thrips and whiteflies.
85
ABSTRACT 69: THE EFFECT OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHOROUS
APPLICATION AND SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT OF MAIZE INTERCROP ON
OCCURRENCE OFCOMMON BACTERIAL BLIGHT DISEASEIN BEANS
CANDIDATE: NAKAZIBA DAMALIE
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR. TUSIIME GEOFFREY
2. DR. M.A. UGEN
Many factors affect crop production and hence the agronomical practices of farmers.
Such factors are low soil fertility, disease, pests, and limited resources/land among
others. Pests and diseases such as common bacterial blight affect farmer‟s decision and
production in many ways. Farmers may or may not use fertilizers, intercrop or mono-
crop depending on level of production and resources available or other.
Two studies aiming at identifying the relationship between Common Bacterial Blight
(CBB) disease of beans and agronomic practices, such as fertilizer use and
intercropping were conducted. The first study was to determine how the use of
fertilizers (N and P) influences the occurrence of common bacterial blight disease of
beans. The second study aimed at determining the effect of intercropping beans with
maize on the occurrence of common bacterial blight disease.
In the first study treatments included four different levels of P and N fertilizers i.e. 0 &
0, 5 & 10, 10 & 20 and 15 & 40 kg ha-1 respectively. The second study composed of
different spatial arrangements for the bean and maize crops. These were 1 maize row
to 1 bean row, 1 maize row to 2 bean rows, 1 maize row to 4 bean rows 1 maize row
to 6 bean rows and a sole bean crop. Then all treatments above were sprayed with
CBB inoculums.
The experiments were carried out at Kabanyolo and a susceptible bean variety K131
was used. The crops were planted at the beginning of the rains for three seasons. The
common bacterial blight (CBB) inoculums were prepared. This was then used to
inoculate two weeks-old plants using a hand spray pump. Disease progress was
observed and recorded as percentage infected leaf area at a weekly interval for seven
weeks. The data collected also included; biomass of the bean plant at flowering,
pods/plant, seeds/pod and weight/100 grains and yield/plot.
Phosphorous and nitrogen fertilizers had a significant effect (P = 0.05) on the yield
components such as biomass at flowering, pods /plant, weight/100 grains but not on
grains/pod. The effect of fertilizer level on yield was more pronounced at low
fertilizer level (5:10 and 10:20). After these levels, addition of more fertilizers did not
increase yield but led to increased vegetation cover and more tolerance to CBB. The
plots where no fertilizers were used generally had highest disease incidence. Hence
there is need to use N and P in bean production but low levels (5:10 and 10:20)
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should be used for reduced CBB occurrence and best yields hence economic
advantage.
Intercropping affected the bean yield in two ways: the shading affected the potential
yield of the bean crop to as much as 80% reduction. The shading also seemed to
favor the occurrence of CBB causing more yield reductions. More CBB was
experienced in plots with more maize plants. The results obtained showed that yields
of the susceptible variety K131 were reduced significantly (P = 0.05) due to CBB
infections. Hence intercropping and varying spatial arrangement had a pronounced
effect on growth and yield of beans intercropped with maize except in the 1:4 and 1:6
arrangements. There was suppression of the bean crop by maize in 1:1 and 1:2
arrangements reducing biomass at flowering, pods/plant and grain yield in addition to
increased CBB disease occurrence.
Intercropping of beans with maize in a ratio of 1:4 and 1:6 had less CBB occurrence,
gave best yields and was recommended. However, the intercrop spacing depends on
whether beans or maize is considered the major or minor crop. This varies from
region to region and farmer to farmer for different reasons.
Weather conditions also influenced the CBB occurrence and crop yield. For both
experiments, there was generally a higher disease incidence during the second season
which had more rainfall compared to the first season which had less rainfall.
ABSTRACT 70: GENETIC ANALYSIS ON ROSETTE RESISTANCE IN EXOTIC
VALENCIA GROUNDNUTS AND THE RECOVERY OF VALENCIA TRAITS IN
SEGREGATING GENERATIONS
CANDIDATE: RACHAEL GRACE NALUGO
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. James M. Ssebuliba
2. Dr. Naveen Puppala
Groundnut rosette disease (GRD) is the most destructive virus disease of Valencia
groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Africa. To widen the germplasm base of Valencia
types grown in Uganda, two exotic Valencia lines namely, NuMex-M3 and Valencia
C, were imported and evaluated for GRD by the Groundnut Improvement Program
of National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) but they succumbed to
the disease. Sources of GRD resistance were found in Spanish and Virginia types,
which could complicate genetic improvement of Valencia type of groundnuts due to
lack of information on the genetics of GRD resistance on the available breeding lines.
This study was conducted (i) To determine heritability for resistance to GRD in
Valencia groundnuts ii) To determine gene action controlling resistance to GRD in
87
Valencia groundnuts and iii) To evaluate F2 and backcross segregating populations for
recovery of Valencia type characteristics . Six crosses were made between; Valencia C
(P1) × ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), Valencia C (P1) × ICGV-SM 96801(P2), Valencia C (P1) ×
ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), NuMex-M3 (P1) × ICGV-SM 90704 (P2), NuMex-M3 × ICGV-
SM 96801 (P2), and NuMex-M3 (P1) × ICGV-SM 99566 (P2), to generate F1, F2,
BC1P1 and BC1P2 populations.The parents (P1and P2) together with F1, F2, BC1P1 and
BC1P2 populations of each cross were evaluated in Randomised Complete Block
Design (RCBD). Data on GRD severity were collected on a 1-9 score scale. Phenotypic
Coefficient of Variation (PCV), Genotypic Coefficient of Variation (GCV), Genetic
Advance as percent of Mean (GAM) and heritability were estimated using variance
components. Scaling tests were performed to determine the type of gene effects
controlling GRD resistance. Cluster analysis was performed using data on
morphological descriptors and similarity coefficients were generated between Valencia
lines and their respective segregating populations.
The PCV and GCV estimates were high (20.04-70.1%) in all the six crosses except for
Valencia C × ICGV-SM 96801(18.1%) and NuMex-M3 × ICGV-SM 96801(17.1%)
which exhibited moderate GCV values. Broad and narrow sense heritability estimates
for GRD disease score ranged from (64.1 to 73.7%) and (31 to 41.9%) respectively in
all the crosses. The GAM was high in all the crosses (21-50.7%) except for Valencia C
x ICGV-xii
ABSTRACT 71: MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND SEED STORAGE
PROPERTIES OF YAM BEAN GERMPLASM IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: NKWASIBWE GODWIN
SUPERVISORS: 1.Prof. E. N Sabiti
2. Dr. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa
The yam bean (Pachyrhizus ssp) has three closely cultivated species agro ecological
origin that include, Amazonian yam beam (P.tuberosus), Mexican yam bean (P.erosus)
and the Andean yam bean, (P.ahipa) and is a close relative of the soy bean. The yam
beans have been introduced yam bean accessions in Uganda lacked adequate passport
data information on seed storage properties. The objectives of this study were to
characterize 36yam bean accessions using morphological traits and assess their seed
conservation traits. The available 36 yam bean accessions using morphological traits
under greenhouse conditions and their morphological traits expressions were
recorded according to IBPGR 1980 and 1983 for sweet potato and cow peas
respectively with some modifications (Sorensen, 1996). The data were analysed using
multivariate analysis technique. Results from both principal component and cluster
analysis revealed that there is significant variation in yam bean germplasm based on
total number of seeds per plant and number of pods per plant as major distinguishing
traits based on average mean values. The most variable accessions were 209051,
209048 and 209046 based on number of seeds per plant. The results from the
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hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the accessions into four major groups with their
degrees of similarity that ranged from 85 to 98%. The first cluster P.tuberosus209054
with means of 7 pods per plant and 7cm petiole length. Their major distinguishing
features were flat and round seed shape, zig zag and round stems, white and brown
hairs for 209047 and 209054 respectively. The long term storage properties were
assessed by drying yam bean seeds to 10, 7 and 5% moisture contents determine
whether yam bean was amenable to long term seed storage. Seed ageing was
achieved through accelerated ageing technique to determine the ability of yam beans
to store for a long period. The results from accelerated ageing showed significant
differences among germination levels of the yam bean species and accessions.
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The study reaveled three types of epistatic gene effects viz., additive × additive [i],
additive × dominance [j] and dominance × dominance [l] in control of GRD
resistance. The component dominance × dominance [l] was more predominant than
additive × additive [i] and additive × dominance [j] in Valencia C× ICGV-SM 96801,
NuMex-M3× ICGV-SM 96801, NuMex- M3× ICGV-SM 90704, NuMex-M3 × ICGV-
SM 99566 and Valencia C × ICGV-SM 99566 crosses. Opposite and significant signs of
dominance [d] and dominance × dominance [l] components indicated the importance
of duplicate epitasis in almost all the later crosses for GRD resistance.
The study revealed the presence of variability of GRD resistance, implying that genetic
improvement of these exotic materials is possible. Heritability and gene effect
estimates depended on the parental backgrounds that were used in the study. The
presence of duplicate epitasis in the crosses for GRD resistance revealed a complex
nature of inheritance of GRD resistance. Effective improvement of the materials under
study will require breeding efforts that exploits both additive and non-additive gene
effects.
The current study revealed high recovery (60-98% similarity coefficient) among the
populations and Valencia lines (NuMex-M3 and Valencia C), except for BC1 ICGV-SM
96801 and F2 of NuMex-M3 x ICGV-SM-96801 and Valencia C x ICGM-SM 96801
crosses respectively. Such populations can be considered for further improvements.
Therefore, maximum gain in GRD resistance and Valencia trait recovery can be
obtained if only those populations that exhibited high resistance and Valencia trait
recovery are enhanced in the breeding program.
ABSTRACT 72: INSECT VECTORS OF XANTHOMONAS CAMPESTRIS PV
MUSACEARUM: DISTRIBUTION ACROSS ALTITUDES, SEASONS AND BANANA
CULTIVARS IN RWANDA
CANDIDATE: RUTIKANGA Alexandre
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr.Tusiime Geoffrey,
2. Dr.Gertrude Night
Xanthomonas Wilt of banana (XW) is a devastating bacterial disease in Rwanda. To
gain an improved understanding on the management of XW, two studies were
carried out in Rwanda. Data were collected mainly on identification of insect vectors
of XW, nectar volume and sugar content and XW incidence across banana varieties
grown in the study areas. Sampling for insects was done across four agro-ecologies,
90
four annual seasons and four times of the day. Sampling for nectar followed the same
pattern as for insects except that the time of the day was not considered. To confirm
vector status, Xcm was isolated from insect body parts using a semi-selective medium
(Cellobiose Cephalexin Agar). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was
used to identify nectar sugar content. Nectar was removed from flowers by rinsing
with distilled water and the nectar volume obtained as a difference between the total
volume and the volume of water added during rinsing. XW incidence was assessed by
looking at the proportion of male bud infection in the study fields. Results revealed 17
insect species commonly associated with banana flowers. Among them four
(Drosophilae/fruit flies, bees, flies and wasps) were confirmed vectors of Xcm as the
bacterium was isolated from them. The four insect vectors were generally more active
during mid-day and early afternoon and more prevalent in the low altitude and the
Lake Kivu border region during the long rainy season. Of 27 banana cultivars
encountered, beer and dessert banana genotypes attracted more insects. These banana
cultivars were the most affected by XW with the highest mean incidence ranging
between 1.2% –3% and 0.5% – 3.2% (square root transformed data) for the dessert
and beer bananas, respectively. The disease incidence varied across the four agro-
ecologies and the four annual seasons with the highest mean disease incidence of
5.8% recorded in the low altitude and during the long rainy season (4.4%). Nectar
volume and sugar content also significantly varied (P<0.01) across the factors
considered for this study. Three sugars (Glucose, Fructose and Sucrose) were identified
in nectar across all assessed banana genotypes. Dessert and beer bananas contained
more sugars in comparison to other genotypes. Nectar sugar content was highest in
the low altitude during the long dry season. But nectar was hardly available during
that season and was rather available in moderate concentrations during the long rainy
season. Insects were more prevalent during the latter and this also corresponded with
higher disease incidence. It was concluded that XW incidence increases with increase
of the prevalence of insect vectors and these ones seemed to be attracted by the
availability of nectar and sugar. In that case, banana varieties with dehiscent male
buds and non-persistent male flowers and bracts were highly susceptible to XW via
insect transmission. This was the case of all assessed banana varieties with the
exception of some cultivars (i.e. ‗Nkazikamwe„, ‗Impura„and ‗Ikinyangurube„) that
possess non-dehiscent male buds and subsequently, persistent male flowers and bracts.
This study therefore strengthened the recommendation of timely and regular removal
of male buds and cultivation of banana cultivars that escape the disease due to
possession of persistent male flowers. In the long run, studies to manipulate and
reduce nectar secretion by bananas should be initiated.
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ABSTRACT 73: EFFECT OF COMMON BEANGENETIC DIVERSITY IN DIFFERENT
SPATIAL ARRANGEMENTS ON BEAN FLY (Ophionyia spp) INFESTATION AND
DAMAGE IN UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: SSEKANDI WILBER
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Jeninah Karungi
2. Dr. Otim Michael Hilary
The bean fly (Ophiomyia spp) is considered the most economically important and
widely distributed field insect pest of common beans in Uganda. In spite of the
utilization of existing management tactics against the pest, reported damage has
remained high. The objectives of this study were (i) evaluate landrace and improved
bean genotypes for resistance to bean fly infestation, and (ii) determine the effect of
varietal mixtures of common beans on incidence and damage by Bean Stem Maggot
(BSM). The study involved on-farm and on-station trials and screen house trials. On-
farm, field trials were conducted in the first session of 2010 (2010A) in the districts of
Nakaseke, Bushenyi and Kabale in which 48 bean varieties were screened for
resistance to bean fly in a randomized complete block design with four replicates.
These trials were also used to establish species composition and distribution of bean
fly species. On-station station trials using the same varieties were also conducted in
the first and second rains of 2010 (2010A, 2010B) respectively and the first rain season
of 2011 (2011A) at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI)-
Namulonge using an alpha lattice design with three replicates. The experiment was
done under natural bean fly infestation in the field and artificial infestation in the
screen house. Data were collected on incidence of Fusarium and Pythium root rot
infections. In the screen house, plants were also evaluated for numbers of oviposition
punctures, severity of bean fly infestation and root damage.
Two bean fly species Ophiomyia spencerella and Ophiomyia phaseoli were recorded
with spencerella being abundant than O.phaseoli in Bushenyi, Kabale and Wakiso, but
not at Nakaseke. There were variations in the reactions in the reaction of bean
varieties to BSM infestation. The incidence of bean fly was influenced by bean variety,
location, and planting season. Three varieties “Kasirila”, “Kaki short” and “Katosire”
exhibited lowest bean fly infestation and damage across seasons, suggesting the
existence of resistance within the bean gene pool.
In the second part, one bean fly resistant variety and one susceptible but popular
variety were planted in mixtures in different proportions (75R:25S, 50R:50S,
25R:75S, where R and S stand for Resistant and Susceptible respectively) and spatial
arrangements (pure stand, inter-row and intra row) in a randomized complete block
design with three replicates to assess the effect on bean fly infestation and damage.
The experiment was conducted in two plantings in the 2011A season at NaCRRI. Both
spatial arrangement and mixture proportion significantly affected bean fly infestation
92
on the susceptible variety. Lowest infestation values were observed in the intra-row
than the inter-row spatial arrangement while infestation was reduced in infestation
was in 75:25% and 50:50% resistant to susceptible variety mixture combinations.
The resistance to bean fly that was observed in the common bean in this study can be
exploited in; farmer‟s planting resistant varieties-Kasirila, Kaki short, and Katosire
simply in mixtures with susceptible varieties in the field to manage bean fly damage.
The same varieties can be used in breeding programs as parents for introgressing
resistance genes in popular bean varieties.
ABSTRACT 74: SOYBEAN GENETIC DIVERSITY AND RESISTANCE TO SOYBEAN
RUST DISEASE
CANDIDATE: SSENDEGE GODFREY
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Tukamuhabwa Phinehas
2. Dr. Kawuki Robert
This study was conducted to enhance breeding for resistance to soybean rust, the
greatest obstacle to soybean production in Uganda. To undertake this assignment, 91
exotic soybean accessions and 39 advanced breeding lines available from the National
breeding programme were evaluated for soybean rust resistance. These evaluations
were conducted at MUARIK and NaCRRI during 2011 and 2012. In addition, the 91
soybean accessions were assessed for phenotypic and genetic diversity. Similarity
matrices were calculated from SSR data for 91 soybean accessions and clustered using
NTSYSpc (Version 2.2, USA).
The genotyping of 91 soybean accessions with 10 standard SSR primers for soybean
fingerprinting revealed an average of 5.3 alleles per locus. Thus significant genetic
variation and high polymorphism were present among exotic soybean accessions
indicating high divergence among evaluated genotypes hence could be used to
broaden soybean genetic base. SSR markers revealed high polymorphism and
confirmed known morphological trait differences among accessions. However, local
soybean varieties had low genetic diversity as revealed by the dendrogram which
clustered them into one group. Soybean accessions (PI 615437, PI 567053, PI 628861,
PI 567056A, PI 635999, PI 578457A, PI 628959, Serenade, PI 628812, PI 567104B
and PI 567025A) had yield of more than 3 tons ha-1
which suggested that they had
high yield potential.
Soybean accessions PI 462312 and PI 459025 with known specific resistance
genesRpp3 and Rpp4 respectively showed resistance to soybean rust at MUARIK and
thus are recommended to be used in improving resistance in already released varieties
in Uganda. There is need to evaluate them in other regions of Uganda to assess
whether they have broad spectrum resistance. Rust severity was generally higher in
late maturing soybean accessions compared to early maturing accessions. There was
an increase in rust severity among soybean lines as they matured with the highest
93
severity observed at R6. Soybean accessions PI 417126, PI 416826A and PI 615437
and the breeding lines BSPS 48A-27 and BSPS 9.2B showed an immune reaction to P.
pachyrhizi at the two stations making them useful source of resistance to soybean rust.
Therefore, there is need for hybridization between the resistant soybean accessions
and the local adapted varieties to develop rust resistant varieties.
ABSTRACT 75: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF STRIGA
SPECIES IN MAIZE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS IN KASAÏ ORIENTAL PROVINCE OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
CANDIDATE: Vwambale Musohongoli Anselme
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Jenipher Bisikwa-Isiko
2. Assoc. Prof. Settumba B. Mukasa
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), maize is the principle cereal and it is the
second most important staple food after cassava. However, maize production has
been reported to decrease over the years. For instance, maize production has
decreased from 1,199,000 Metric Tonnes in 1999 to 1,156,410 Metric Tonnes in 2010
as a result of diseases, insects, and parasitic weeds especially Striga species. Despite
their fields being infected by Striga, Congolese farmers have not adopted most of
Striga management methods because most farmers are not aware of the impact Striga
has on their crops and there is a mismatch between technologies and farmers‟ socio-
economic and market access conditions. Also there is lack of information on the
occurrence and distribution of Striga speciesi.e. the factors that enhance Striga
population build-up and damage on maize are not known.
The main purpose of this study was to establish the extent of Striga species prevalence
in Kasaï Oriental. This study involved a survey on the factors influencing the
distribution of Striga species in maize-based farming systems in Kasaï Oriental. This
study involved three objectives: 1) to establish the distribution of Striga species within
maize-based cropping systems in the Kasaî Oriental province, 2) to determine the
factors that influence Striga distribution in Kasaï Oriental province, and 3) to assess
farmer‟s perception of striga damage on maize in Kasaï Oriental province. A baseline
survey on ten selected maize farmers per site was done through a formal
questionnaire on aspects of maize varieties grown, maize production; cropping
systems, and routine crop management practices used with emphasis on farmer‟s
perception of Striga. Thirty six (36) sites where surveyed and 4 fields where selected
per site and GPS readings were taken for all of the 144 fields.
Two Striga species including Strigaasiatica and Striga hermonthica were observed, with
S. asiatica being more prevalent and widespread while S. hermontica was more
restricted to Tchilenge district. There was more Striga in Kasai Oriental, which could
94
be associated with poor soils, contaminated maize seeds, and varieties that are
susceptible to Striga. The laboratory analyses revealed that the soil is poor in major
nutrients such as Mg, Ca, P, K, C and N. This study revealed that Striga is a major
production constraint in maize production leading to 45-100% yield loss. Despite
their fields being infected by Striga, farmers are not aware of the exact impact it has
on their crops and they have not yet been trained on Striga management strategies.
There is a need for the Congolese government to develop a strategy whereby farmers
will be provided with knowledge on Striga infestation, Striga management strategies,
clean seed (free of Striga), fertilizer and/or soft loans. The loans will enable farmers to
access these inputs and therefore enhance the adoption of integrated Striga control
methods on their fields. Further Striga surveys should be done in the entire DRC to
generate a national map of Striga infestation and suggest a Striga management
strategy for the whole country. Further research should be done to identify
appropriate Striga management strategies in the DRC
ABSTRACT 76: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DISTRIBUTION OF STRIGA
SPECIES IN MAIZE-BASED CROPPING SYSTEMS IN KASAÏ ORIENTAL PROVINCE
OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
CANDIDATE: MOSES WASWA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Rogers Kakuhenzire
2. Dr. Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula
Virus infections in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) have negative effect on yield
through accelerating seed tuber degeneration. Several methods have been proposed
for virus elimination, however in-vitro thermotherapy combined with meristem-tip
culture has proved effective for the elimination of potato viruses. This technique had
not been used for the elimination of potato viruses in Uganda. Therefore, the aim of
the study was to evaluate and determine appropriate procedures for eliminating
selected viruses from infected potato cultivars in Uganda. Specifically, the study was
designed to; (i) establish the incidence, distribution and farmer perception of major
potato viruses in key potato producing districts of Uganda and then (ii) establish the
optimum temperature exposure period for maximum virus elimination from selected
viral-infected potato cultivars.
Farmer perception and survey for potato viruses was conducted in farmer‟s fields in
south-western Uganda (Kabale, Kisoro and Kanungu districts) and Eastern Uganda
(Mbale and Kapchorwa districts). From each district, 40 farmers‟ potato fields were
selected and 20 plants in each field sampled. Leaf samples were analyzed using double
antibody sandwich-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) aided by a plate
reader at 405 nm wavelength. Tubers of farmer-preferred cultivars; Kinigi, Rwangume
and Victoria were collected from farmers and planted in plastic pots. Two weeks after
95
emergence, they were indexed for the presence of major potato viruses; Potato virus
X, Potato virus S, Potato leafroll virus, Potato virus M, Potato virus A and Potato
virus Y. Two weeks after planting, auxiliary and terminal buds were excised from
plants only positive for PVX or PVS and initiated into tissue culture to obtain the
required number of plantlets for virus elimination.
In vitro plantlets were subjected to four heat treatment exposure periods of 0, 2, 3 or
4 weeks at 37-400
C; 16 hours of light and 30-340
C; 8 hours of darkness. Control
plantlets of the same cultivars and virus infection were not exposed to heat treatment.
Meristem tips (0.2-0.5 mm) were excised from both heat-treated and control plantlets
and cultured on basal media containing 0.4 mg/l 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) and
1.0 mg/l Gibberellic acid (GA3). Two months after culture, fully grown meri-clones
were indexed for virus infection using DAS-ELISA.
Field survey results indicated that Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus S (PVS), Potato
virus M (PVM) and Potato leafroll virus (PLRV) were incident at 64.9, 78.9, 3.1 and
21.2 % respectively across districts. Potato virus A and PVY were not detected in any
of the samples tested. Incidence of all potato viruses except PVM varied significantly
(P0.05) between cultivars and districts. Incidence of all potato viruses except PVX
varied significantly (P0.05) between the two agro-ecological zones. Significant
(P0.05) interactions were observant between season and district on incidence of
PVX, PVS, and PVM.
In terms of farmer perception of viruses, more farmers in Kisoro recognized symptoms
of leaf roll while in Kanungu more farmers identified mottling. Farmers rated poor
seed quality as the major cause of symptoms observed as well as yield loss and hence
regarded changing seed as a measure to prevent more loss in yield.
In vitro thermotherapy combined with meristem-tip culture resulted into the recovery
of virus free potato plantlets. Virus elimination efficiency significantly (P≤0.05) varied
between the four virus elimination treatments, cultivars and viruses. Significant
(P≤0.05) interactions existed between thermotherapy exposure duration and virus
type on virus elimination efficiency. The highest virus elimination efficiency for PVS
was attained at four-week thermotherapy exposure duration (72.1 %) while for PVX,
the highest elimination efficiency was attained at three-week (49.4 %) than four-week
thermotherapy duration (11.1 %).
These results confirm the occurrence of potato viruses on many farmers‟ preferred
potato cultivars hence, the risk of increased spread. Results also indicated that farmers
linked virus infection to poor seed quality and hence the need to apply in vitro
techniques for virus elimination. Thermotherapy combined with meristem-tip culture
enhanced elimination of PVX and PVS thus providing an option for management of
potato viruses. This technique can be applied to clean popular but virus-infected
potato cultivars.
96
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SOIL SCIENCE
ABSTRACT 77: EFFECT OF TILLAGE, CROP ROTATION AND NUTRIENT
MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON SORGHUM YIELD IN EASTERN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: NANSAMBA, ANGELLA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Associate Professor Twaha Ali Basamba Ateenyi
2. Dr. Ebanyat Peter
Grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important food crop in semi-arid
areas of sub-Saharan Africa. However, in Uganda its productivity is limited by
numerous constraints, especially low soil fertility. Sorghum yield response was
evaluated under Reduced Tillage (RT) and Conventional Tillage (CT) systems and in
rotation with mucuna and cowpea with supplemental N and P and manure
applications over a period of five years in Bulegeni ( high potential area ) and Iki Iki
(low potential area) Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs). There was a significant (p<0.05)
increase in sorghum grain yield ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 t ha-1 above the control (0.7 –
1.3 t ha-1) on application of kraal manure and a combination of kraal manure with
inorganic 30kgN ha-1 and 10kgP ha-1 under the two tillage systems. The overall
sorghum yield under mucuna – sorghum rotation was statistically significantly higher
than that of the cowpea-sorghum rotation. Overall, RT resulted in significantly higher
sorghum yield (p<0.05) as compared with CT at Bulegeni, but not at Iki Iki. Nutrient
levels were higher in the 0 – 5 and 5 – 20 cm soil depths for available P and
exchangeable K at Bulegeni. At Iki Iki, most soil properties differed significantly
between the 0 – 5 and 5 – 20 cm depth for available P, K and Mg (p<0.05).
Generally, there was an improvement in soil properties ranging from 5 to 20%
relative to the onset of the experiment . Improvements of about 5% were obtained
for soil organic matter, pH and extractable P in Bulegeni, whereas in Iki Iki, they were
15% on average. Tillage treatments did not affect soil properties, except for available
Pat Iki Iki.
ABSTRACT 78: TRENDS IN RHIZOBIA POPULATIONS AND CROP YIELDS UNDER
CONTINUOUS AND ROTATIONAL SYSTEMS FOLLOWING LEGUME INOCULATION
CANDIDATE: UZATUNGA INNOCENT
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. John Baptist Tumuhairwe
2. Dr. Mary Christine Rwakaikara Silver
Crop rotation isa commonly recommended practiceto minimize pestaccumulation and
nutrient mining, but also likely to affect rhizobial populations. This study tracked
97
changes in soybean nodulating bacteria (SNB) in a soybean-maize rotation. On-farm
and screen house experiments were conducted in a soybean continuous/ soybean-
maize rotation. The treatments includedN (80kg ha-1), non-inoculation as controls,and
inoculation with Brady rhizobium TAL 102, inoculation plus phosphorus (40kg ha-1)
and Phosphorus alone. At and 8 weeks after planting, 3 plants were randomly
selected to assess nodulation (number, effectiveness), dry biomass, nitrogen
accumulation, and grain yield at maturity. The number of SNB and nodule occupancy,
a proxy for strain competitiveness was determined by the most probable number
technique and agglutination tests, respectively. Initially, the soil had no detectable
SNB and inoculation, particularly with phosphorus significantly (p≤0.001) improved
the SNB numbers while nitrogen fertilizer application suppressed the population. The
SNB populations significantly (p<0.0001) increased over growing cycles, irrespective
of cropping pattern though the numbers were lower in the rotational system. Similar
trends were observed for nodulation attributes, shoot nitrogen content, dry matter
and grain yield. SNB numbers by the last season were 3.3 and 3.9, nodule rank 7 and
13, shoot dry matter 2.4 and 2.6 grams, shoot N 3.9 and 4.5% then grain yield 1.3
and 1.8 kg-1 ha
-1 in control and inoculation treatments respectively. For rotational
cropping, SNB numbers were 1.3 and 1.8, nodule rank 8 and 9.5, shoot dry matter 1.3
grams and 1.5 grams, shoot N 3.4% and 4.5% then grain yield 1.3 and 1.5 kg-1 ha
-1 in
control and inoculation treatments respectively. SNB strain TAL102 is more infective
and competitive (60% nodule occupancy), thus leading to higher soybean yields and
maize in the cropping systems
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PLANT BREEDING & SEED
SYSTEMS
ABSTRACT 79: VARIABILITY IN PHENOTYPIC TRAITS AND RESISTANCE TO
BLAST IN INTERSPECIFIC FINGER MILLET PROGENIES
CANDIDATE: AKECH VIOLET
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Patrick Okori
2. Moses Biruma (PhD)
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.)Gaertn.ssp. coracana) is an important food, food
security and cash crop in eastern and southern Africa where small-scale farmers grow
it in low input farming systems. The crop has food security, nutritional, cultural,
medicinal, and economic value with high industrial potential. Use of host plant
resistance is the most feasible and economical viable means of managing finger millet
blast especially for resource-poor farmers. The purpose of this study was to assess the
performance of advance populations derived from three interspecific crosses between
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finger millet and two wild relatives E. kigeziensis and E. Africana. F3 and F4 progeny
deriving from these interspecific crosses i.e. E. kigeziensis X E. coracana (Pese 1), E.
africana X E. coracana (Seremi 1) and E. africana X E. coracana (Seremi 3) were uses.
Two studies were conducted (i) on resistance to finger millet blast disease among F3
and F4 under controlled conditions of humid chambers and greenhouse using an
aggressive M. grisea isolated obtained from Ngora in Eastern Uganda. The second
study focused on variability of phenotypic traits (according to the finger millet
descriptors, IPGR 1985) at two sites, Makerere University Agricultural Research
Institute, MUARIK (MUARIK) and National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute
(NaSSARI) in NaSAARI. In both studies, experiments were established following the
alpha lattice design.
Significant variations were observed among the finger millet accessions for various
agronomic traits with the maturity and growth traits having the greatest contribution
to the total phenotypic variation captured which was consistent with reports of
previous studies. A number of accessions were identified for their good performance
for specific traits; 36 for early flowering; 12 accessions for early maturity; 22 for more
number of fingers; 10 for high basal tiller number and 24 accessions for long fingers,
and 19 for tallness. 20 accessions were identified as multi-trait specific accessions,
which were found to be sources of more than one trait. These accessions could be
utilized for simultaneous transfer of multiple traits in finger millet improvement
programme. Out of 48 accessions at F4 generation, of the finger millet interspecific
progenies, a total of 39 accessions were identified as trait specific for six important
yield-contributing traits. 21 Multi-trait specific accessions were identified, which were
found to be sources for more than one trait.
Highly significant differences among the F3 interspecific progenies for the leaf blast
(P< 0.001) were found, with the highest mean square variance recorded at 56 days
after planting. The leaf blast severity ranged from 1.7 to 2.6 on a 1-5 scale compared
to 2.2 on resistant check (Gulu E) and 3.2 on susceptible check (KATFMI). Among the
48 F3 progeny, nine lines (19%) were resistant, 38 lines (79%) were moderately
resistant and only one line (2 %) was susceptible. No lines showed total immunity
(highly resistant) and high susceptibility to the leaf blast disease. The minimum score
was recorded on line 19c-b (1.7) followed by 19c, 24b, 13a, 6b, 2b, 20b, 24c-b and
22c-b all with a score of 1.9. All these were categorized as resistant. The maximum
score was recorded on line 16c-b (2.6) categorized as susceptible, followed by 12a
with a score of 2.4 and 26b, 8a, 1a, 17b, 18c-b, 7c-b, 5b, 25c-b all with a score of 2.3
and categorised as moderately resistant. Highly significant differences among the F4
interspecific progenies for the leaf blast (P< 0.001) were found with the highest mean
square variance recorded at 56 days after planting. The leaf blast severity ranged from
1.8 to 2.7 on a 1-5 scale compared to 2.2 on resistant check (Gulu E) and 2.7 on
susceptible check (SER 2). Among the 48 F3 progeny, five lines (10%) were resistant,
37 lines (77%) were moderately resistant and six lines (13 %) was susceptible. No
lines showed total immunity (highly resistant) and high susceptibility to the leaf blast
disease. The minimum score was recorded on line 25a (1.8) followed by 18b, 19b,
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25c-b, 7b all with a score 1.9 and categorized as resistant. The maximum score was
recorded on line 28a (2.7) followed by 22c-b, 23a, 14c, 20c with a score of 2.5 and
categorized as susceptible. Significant differences among the F4 progeny for all the
three forms of blast disease were found, with the highest mean square of variance
being for Neck blast, followed by head blast and least leaf blast. Two lines (25a and
25c-b) were resistant to all the three forms of blast disease, thirteen lines (8b, 6b, 8a,
24b, 22b, 22a, 21b, 20b, 19c, 19c-b, 17b, 13c-b, 13a) were resistant to neck blast and
head blast and moderately resistant to leaf blast; six lines (14c, 20c, 22c-b, 23a, 28a,
5b) were resistant to neck and head blast but susceptible to leaf blast.
The study also found that progeny deriving from the two different male wild parents
remained distinct. Principle component analysis identified the key traits that could be
used for selection i.e. the maturity traits such as days to 50% flowering and days to
50% maturity and phenological growth traits such as flag leaf length and plant height.
Detailed results and discussions are presented in the thesis.
ABSTRACT 80: CHARACTERIZING AN F2 BANANA DIPLOID POPULATIONFOR
IDENTIFYING AND VALIDATING MOLECULAR MARKERS FOR WEEVIL RESISTANCE
CANDIDATE: ARINAITWE IVAN KABIITA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Richard Edema
2. Dr. Alex Barekye
The banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus Germar) is the most important insect pest
of bananaand plantain in Africa. Most East African highland bananas (EAHB) are
highly susceptible to it.Sources of resistance to most pests and diseases are known to
come from wild banana diploids.There is thus a need to exploit the potential of wild
banana diploids in improvement of EastAfrican highland bananas by studying genetics
of resistance of inter diploid crosses that could be used to improve the EAHB. The
objectives of this study were a) to identify segregating weevil resistance and
agronomic traits in an F2 diploid banana population, b) to determine the inheritance
of banana weevil resistance and agronomic traits based on an F2 banana diploid
population and c) to optimise SSR markers for nematode resistance for characterizing
an F2 diploid banana population against banana weevil resistance. Two diploid
parents Musa acuminate Subspecies banksii (kasaska) susceptible to banana weevil and
Musa acuminata Subspecies microcarpa (borneo) resistant to banana weevil were
crossed togenerate an F1 population from which one line was selfed to generate an F2
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diploid population. The F2 population was screened against weevil resistance by
artificial inoculation in a field where corm sections were inoculated with larvae at first
instar and measurements taken for growth parameters after 8 days and in pot
experiment where damage parameters were measured. Agronomic parameters were
also studied for this F2 diploid banana population.
There were significant differences (P<0.05) among the different genotypes for banana
weevil resistance traits such as head capsule width (HCW), body length, body weight,
larval mortality,Total damage, peripheral damage, dead weevils and larvae retrieved.
However, weevil damage Parameters such as total cross sectional inner and outer
damages and total cross sectional damage were non-significant. There were also
significant differences (P<0.05) for agronomic parameters such as bunch weight,
number of clusters, number of fingers, days to maturity, inner corm hardness and total
corm hardness. However there were no significant differences (P<0.05) for number
of functional leaves at flowering, number of functional leaves at harvest and youngest
leaf spotted. Xi The nature of inheritance for all the larval resistance traits and weevil
damage parameters showed a possibility of quantitative inheritance.
The chi square test of goodness of fit showed body weight to be in a ratio 15:1 when
tested using both resistant and susceptible parents as checks; body weight in ratio of
7:9 with resistant parent as check and 15:1 with susceptible parent as check; larval
mortality in ratio of 1:3 ratio with resistant parent as check and 15:1 witha susceptible
parent as check; total damage in a ratio of 3:1 with resistant parent as check,
peripheral damage in a ratio of 9:7 with resistant parent as check; larvae retrieved in
a ratio of 3:1 and dead weevil in ratio of 1:3 tested using a resistant parent as check
and 1:15 when using a susceptible parent as a check. Knowing the nature of
inheritance of segregating diploid population will assist in improving the susceptible
East African highland bananas (EAHB). Among the tested 33 SSR primers, 17 primer
pairs amplified the DNA of the parental materials and the F1 progeny implying that
they could be used in genotyping the developed diploid population especially under
high resolution Gels such as Metaphor agarose or poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis
(PAGE). These markers will aid in early selections of desired cultivars which will
shorten the breeding cycle and reduce on the breeding costs.
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ABSTARCT 81: INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO COMMON BACTERIAL BLIGHT
(XANTHOMONAS CAMPESTRIS PV. PHASEOLI) DISEASE AND YIELD OF COMMON
BEAN.
CANDIDATE: BELARMINO DIVAGE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Geoffrey Tusiime
2. Dr. Clare M. Mukankusi
The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a legume grain crop with great importance in
East Africa, being a source of food and income for most rural households. In Uganda,
common bean is a major source of food security being a readily available and popular
food to both the urban and rural population. However, productivity of the crop is
limited by many diseases, common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas
campestris pv phaseoli (Xcp) being one of them. The use of natural resistance to CBB is
the most effective and environmentally sound approach among others to control this
disease. This study aimed at i) identifying new resistance genes to CBB and ii)
understanding the mode of inheritance in the newly identified sources of resistance.
Eighty genotypes (65 lines from the PABRA regional nutritional nursery, 10 interspecific
lines (P. coccineus x P. vulgaris) coded ALB, five documented sources of CBB resistances
coded VAX and 24 newly developed resistance lines coded ACC were screened for CBB
resistance in a screen house at CIAT Uganda. A Fuscans (Xcpf ) variant of Xanthomonas
campestris pv. phaseoli (Xcp ) isolate named “Kawempe 1” was used. From the
screening, six genotypes namely JESCA, RWV 2070, RWR 2154, MIB 456, NUA 45 and
MCM 2001 were found to have good resistance to CBB. To determine the mode of
inheritance of the identified resistance in these six genotypes, crosses with locally prefered
genotypes were made, two landraces; Masindi Yellow (large seeded yellow) and
Kanyebwa (medium sized red speckled sugar bean), and two released varieties; K131
(small seeded carioca seed type) and K132 (large seeded red mottled) using North
Carolina Design II matting design. All the F1 seed available was planted and F1 progenies
were advanced to F2 generations in screen house and evaluated for resistance to Xcp
using Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli var.Fuscans (Xcpf ) variant of Xanthomonas
Campestris pv. Phaseoli (Xcp) ―Kawempe 1‖ .
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Heritabilities estimates and segregations patterns showed that additive effects
predominated over non additive ones with quantitative inheritance. Among the six
resistant MCM 2001 and RWV 2070 showed the strongest GCA effect hence most
effective resistance. Masindi Yellow X RWR 2070, Kanyebwa x RWR 2070, K 132 x MIB
465, K 131 x JESCA and K 131 x MCM 2001, were considered the most desirable crosses
for CBB resistance. The crosses K132 x xiv JESCA, K132 x MIB 456 and Masindi Yellow x
RWR 2070 had good mean values for all the yield parameters under analysis. Chi-square
tests for goodness of fit showed the presence of more than one gene controlling the
resistance to CBB on the materials used on this study. Some of the susceptible parents
(K132 and Kanyebwa) were shown to possess factors contributing to CBB resistance. The
heritability estimates for broad-sence and narrow sence coefficient of genetic
determination was 0.65 for both, because the SCA variance was negligible due to its
negative value, the Bakers ratio was 1, with more than one gene involved with epistatic
interaction. From the study findings, it is recommended that the characteristics of
resistance to CBB should be investigated in every new parental source when they are
initially introduced into the breeding programme. It is also recommended that breeding
methods such as crossing and selfing or backcrossing that make the best use of additive
variance should be used to transfer CBB resistance into susceptible commercial and
preferred varieties, since the additive gene actions were more important than non-
additive gene effects. Generations could also be advanced by the single-seed-descent
method or F2-derived families harvested in bulk, due to high hereditability estimation
value. Later the promising genotypes should be subjected to multi-location trials to test
the stability of their performance while enriching findings regarding their gene action.
The promising stable varieties identified should be subjected to selection, preferably with
participation of farme.
ABSTRACT 82: CHARACTERIZING THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF FINGER MILLET IN
UGANDA
CANDIDATE: DRAMADRI ISAAC ONZIGA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Ass Prof Patrick Okori (PhD)
2. Nelson Wanyera (PhD)
Finger millet [Eleusine corocana (L) Gaertn.] is a staple cereal, widely cultivated in the
eastern, northern, northwestern, and southwestern parts of Uganda and in many other
semi-arid regions of Eastern and Southern Africa as well as South Asia. The production of
finger millet in Uganda is constrained by biotic and abiotic stresses, impeding the
realization of yield potential. Moreover, a comprehensive review of the published
literature shows that finger millet has received little research attention with limited
studies conducted on diversity among Ugandan germplasm hence remaining
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uncharacterized, and under-utilized for breeding purposes. The objectives of this study
were to (1) characterise the phenotypic diversity among the selected finger millet
accessions using agronomic traits; (2) investigate the presence of pre-and post-flowering
drought tolerance in selected finger millet accessions; (3) determine genetic diversity
among the sampled finger millet using simple sequence repeats (SSR) molecular markers;
(4) determine the cross compatibility of cultivated finger millet Eleusine Corocana L with
its wild relatives E. africana and E. Kigezienesis.
The studies involved field evaluations conducted at the National Semi Arid Resources
Research Institute (NaSARRI) Serere, Screen house experiment at Makerere University
Agricultural Research Institute (MUARIK) Kabanyolo and laboratory work conducted at
ICRISAT biotechnology laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya. The evaluations were conducted
during first and second season rains of 2011 with a total of 400 finger millet accessions.
Planting was done by hand with seeds spread in 4 rows to ensure germination using a
lattice design of 16 X 25. The screen house experiments ran from March to July of 2012
with a total of 15 genotypes selected from the results of the field evaluations.10 drought
tolerant, 2 varietal checks and 3 susceptible lines. The experiment was setup using a split
plot design in 45 cm x 30 cm buckets with two replications. Marker characterization
involved 105 finger millet accessions classified as 51 land races, 49 exotic lines, along with
5 released varieties screened against 20 polymorphic SSR markers. The determination of
the cross compatibility between finger millet and the wild relatives Eleusine gnus included
18 wild collection of E africana and E kigezenesis thatwere crossed with E corocana
species as female parents and ran from August 2011 to July 2012 at MUARIK
Analysis of variance was used to determine the agronomic trait variations, means and
diversity among the accessions; the response of genotypes to post and pre flowering
drought stress whereas principal component analysis was used to access the contribution
of each trait to the total variation captured. Drought tolerance was investigated by
measuring chlorophyll count at 1 day, 21 days and 42 days after water stress while other
agronomic traits were measured using the descriptors for finger millet. The DNA
extracted from the accessions were screened against 20 polymorphic SSR markers. The
SSR marker PCR products were size-separated by capillary electrophoresis on an ABI
3730xl DNA analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Inc.). The fragment sizes generated from the
Gene Mapper for all the 20 markers were used in the basic statistics analysis using Power
Marker version 3.25, including the polymorphic information content (PIC), allelic
richness, and the occurrence of unique, rare, common, and most frequent alleles.
Principal coordinate analysis was computed based on Nei‟s distance matrix with 1000
bootstrapping. Meanwhile successful crosses were determined by seed formation after 3-
4 weeks which was followed by morphological characterization of the F1 using parent
morphology and confirmed by SSR markers.
Significant variations were observed among the finger millet accessions for various
agronomic traits with the ear and maturity traits having the greatest contribution to the
total phenotypic variation captured which was consistent with reports of previous
studies. The genotypes also responded to differential pre and post flowering drought
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stress with significant genotype to drought treatments interaction observed for
chlorophyll content 42 day after stress application and the most drought tolerant
genotypes were identified. Meanwhile unique pattern of diversity was revealed by the
SSR markers with a total number of 23 loci identified 226 alleles generated by 19 (out of
the 20) highly polymorphic markers; alleles generated per locus ranged from 3 to 20
with an average of 9.6 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC)
varied from 0.09 to 0.88 with an average of 0.53. 62 rare alleles (27.43%), 130
common alleles (57.52%) and 34 the most frequent alleles (15.04%) and 17 most diverse
accessions were also identified. Furthermore the cross between finger millet E corocana
subsp corocana (2n =4x= 36), the wild relatives E corocana subsp africana and Eleusine
kigezienesis (2n = 4x = 36) all allotetrapliod was successful hence compatible which was
consistent with previous studies but specific to genotypes with 50% of the F1s true fertile
F1 hybrids
The results show that the finger millet accessions used in this study are genetically diverse
and could be used to initiate a breeding program. Moreover, the gene flow within the
Eleusine genus provides an opportunity for finger millet genome enhancement and
improvement since varietal yield improvement is dependent on the availability of
sufficient diversity. It was therefore, concluded that the diverse parents identified in this
study could be used for developing finger millet populations‟ for mapping contributing
traits and studying their inheritance. The already identified genetically diverse and similar
accessions could also be used for developing mapping populations for QTL mapping. The
new sources for drought tolerance could be used for improving finger millet accessions
with farmer preferred traits but there is need to evaluate them for various agronomic
traits for suitability.The gene flow within the Eleusine genus could also be exploited for
improving important traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, tillering, earliness
and yields to improve the cultivated finger millet.
ABSTRACT 83: INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO MAIZE STEM BORER (FUSSEOLA
FUSCA) IN SELECTED LINES RESISTANT TO WEEVIL (SITOPHILUS ZEAMAIS) IN
UGANDA
CANDIDATE: KANKUNDIYE LYDIE
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Edema Richard
2. Dr. Asea Godfrey
Stem borers (Busseola busca) are major pests of maize limiting maize production. Stem
borers, are most damaging in the larval stages when they tunnel inside the maize stem.
On hatching, they feed on the central tissue of the stem making it very difficult to
control. On the other hand, maize weevil,(sitophilus zeamais) is a pest that damage
maize kernels in storage. These two insects pests are very destructive grain pests, hard to
control, and cause huge economic losses. Adapted weevil resistant inbred lines available
in Uganda are reported to be susceptible to stemborer. Unfortunately, in Uganda there is
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little information on breeding maize for resistance to stem borer in selected weevil
resistant lines.
The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of stem borer resistance in
selected weevil resistant inbred lines and determine their combining ability as well as the
correlation between stem borer resistance and weevil resistance.
The research was conducted at National Crop Resources Research Institute‟s (NaCRRI)
main station in Namulonge, central Uganda. The genetic material used include four
inbred lines resistant to weevil (locally adapted) and six stem borer resistant inbred lines
(exotic lines). The crossing of parental materials was carried out using North Carolina 2
mating design. The hybrids obtained from the first season were planted using alpha
lattice design with 2 replications. In order to determine the combining ability and
correlation between weevil resistances and stem borer resistance, stem borers were
reared at NaCRRI and used to infest the field with stem borer eggs 4 weeks after seedling
emergence. Data on leave damage were recorded 2 weeks after infestation and repeated
every two weeks up to harvesting. At harvesting time, stem tunneling, number of
entry/exit holes and yield parameters were recorded.
Grain samples of F1 hybrids were screened for weevil resistance using Dobie‟s
susceptibility index.
Analysis of variance of F1 hybrids for stem borer resistance indicated that the narrow-
sense coefficient of genetic determination for the leaf damage, exit holes and tunnel
length was 0.42, 0.18, and 0.17 respectively, revealing low heritability for stem borer
resistance. v.
The present study revealed that additive gene action was more important than non-
additive gene action in stem borer resistance for leaf damage. For the number of exit
holes and tunnel length, non-additive gene action was predominant for the two traits.
Therefore both additive and non-additive gene action were important in this study.
Baker‟s ratio was high for leaf damage (0.8) meaning that it is possible to predict the
performance of hybrids from the parental GCA values. The number of exit holes and
tunnel length showed low Baker‟s ratio value (0.27, 0.24m respectively) meaning that
the prediction of the hybrids performance from the parental GCA values is not possible.
The study identified five inbreds that combined well for leaf damage, number of
entry/exit holes and tunnel length, namely,WL118-16, CKSBL10026, WL118-9,
CKSBL10027 and WL429-34. Hybrids WL118-15/CKSBL10026, WL118-15/CKSBL10027,
WL118-16/ CKSBL10007, WL118-9/ CKSBL10007, WL118-9/CKSBL10027, WL429-
34/CKSBL10004 were resistant to stem borer and WL429-34/CKSBL10004 was resistant
to both weevil and stem borer. The correlation between stem borer resistance and
weevil resistance was non-significant and a low positive correlation coefficient (0.16)
between susceptibility index and leaf damage was observed. A negative and non-
significant correlation were observed between susceptibility index and number of exit
holes (-0.1) and between susceptibility index and tunnel length (-0.01).This very low
correlation suggested that the genetic mechanisms for resistance to the two traits (stem
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borer resistance and weevil resistance) were controlled by different genes. Therefore,
good hybrids resistant to stem borer are not necessarily resistant to weevils
ABSTRACT 84: INHERITANCE OF RESISTANCE TO BROWN SPOT DISEASE IN
UPLAND RICE IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: MWENDO MARCO MARTIN
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Mildred Ochwo-Ssemakula
2. Dr. Jimmy Lamo
Brown spot disease, caused by Bipolaris oryzae, is among the biotic threats to rice
production in Uganda. The disease is responsible for significant economic losses as it
results in loss of both grain quality and yield. Cultural and chemical control measures
have been used to reduce the severity of the disease and increase the growth and yield of
rice, but breeding resistant varieties to brown spot is the most cost effective measure for
disease management. In this study, field trials and screen house experiments were
conducted at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) – Namulonge,
Uganda during 2013/2014 with the objective of identifying new sources of resistance to
brown spot. A hundred germplasm were screened for brown spot disease resistance
under rain-fed conditions in the field using an alpha lattice design and replicated twice.
Plants were artificially inoculated with the disease pathogen and disease scored at 15, 30,
45 and 60 days after inoculation. The inheritance of resistance to brown spot disease was
investigated through the nine-parent full diallel mating design. The F1 progenies were
advanced to F2, and then F2‟s together with parents were evaluated against brown spot
disease when the panicle had fully emerged. Second filial (F2) generation progenies of
specific crosses were also characterized for their segregation patterns. There was
significant variation for brown spot resistance among genotypes tested. Among the
hundred tested rice lines, eighteen lines were rated as highly resistant, fifty one resistant,
twenty seven as moderately resistant and four lines were susceptible. The effects of both
general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant,
indicating that both additive and non-additive effects respectively, were important in
determining resistance to brown spot. The preponderance of GCA effects (2σ2gca /
(2σ2gca + σ2sca) = 0.29) suggested that non-additive genetic effects were predominant
compared to ii additive genetic effects. Broad sense coefficient of genetic determination
(BS-CGD) was 0.83, indicating that most of the variability was genetically controlled.
Narrow sense coefficient of genetic determination (NS-CGD) was low (0.24), indicating
that non-additive effects were more influential than additive effects. Reciprocal effects
were significant, suggesting that cytoplasmic genes effects played a role in modifying
brown spot resistance. Care should, thus be taken when selecting the female parents
during hybridization, as it has been observed the maternal effects plays a role in
conditioning the resistance. The segregation patterns within specific crosses suggested that
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brown spot resistance could be explained by the presence of one or two dominant
genes. The resistant lines thus identified may be brought forward and involved in a rice
breeding program for the development of brown spot resistant lines. These results further
suggest that a breeding program based on planned crossing would be effective for
improving the resistance to brown spot in rice varieties adapted in Uganda.
ABSTRACT 85: RESISTANCE OF SOYBEAN GERMPLASM TO THE GROUNDNUT LEAF
MINER (APROAEREMA MODICELLA ) IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: MERCY NAMARA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Phinehas Tukamuhabwa
2 Assoc. Prof. Jeninah Karungi
Soybean is an important food and cash crop. Its production trend in Uganda has been
increasing for the past 10 years, though yields are still below the potential. Soybean
productivity is con-strained by a number of both biotic and abiotic factors. Most
importantly, ravages by the groundnut leaf miner, Aproaerema modicella, an increasingly
economic threat to soybean production in eastern Uganda. Most farmers in Uganda have
tried to control the pest by use of pesticides with limited success. Use of resistant cultivars
may provide cost-effective and envi-ronmentally friendly control of the pest for the
resource-poor soybean farmers. However, there are no known/documented sources of
resistance to this pest among soybeans in Uganda and the amount of damage caused by
this pest on soybeans hasn‟t been quantified. This study was therefore geared towards
identifying sources of resistance to the groundnut leaf miner, that will be deployed into
the soybean breeding program for incorporation of resistance to the already existing high
yielding varieties, and quantifying yield losses caused by this pest on soybeans. In
experiment I, a total of 160 exotic and local genotypes were evaluated in three
environments that is Iki Iki A and Iki Iki B in Budaka district and NaSARRI in Serere
district, in eastern Uganda, in a 16 by 10 alpha lattice design replicated two times.
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The experiment was conducted in the field under natural infestation. Staggered planting
was done in Iki Iki whereby Iki Iki B was planted a month after the first planting in Iki Iki
(Iki Iki A) in the second planting season of 2013. The study identified a number of
moderately resistant exotic genotypes which included BSPS 48C, 4.21, PI 615437, PI
644103, PI 605638, PI 567034, PI 567102B, NIIGC 4.1-2, PI 578457A and PI 605865B.
Two commercial varieties, Maksoy 3N and Maksoy 5N, were found to be moderately
resistant. In experiment II, six commercial varieties were used in the yield loss
quantification study in a split plot RCBD with two treatments (protected and
unprotected) as the main plots and varieties as the sub-plots. This was also implemented
in the three environments. Results indicated that yield losses ranging between 38.9-
53.9% were recorded among the tested commercial varieties in the unprotected plots.
The highest yield loss was recorded from Maksoy 4N (53.9%) while the lowest was
recorded in Namsoy 4M (38.9%). The highest loss was record-ed from Iki Iki A (53.1%)
while the lowest yield loss was recorded in Iki Iki B (39.8%). These levels of yield loss
are relatively high and confirm the fact that A. modicella is a priority pest and strategies
for its effective management are pertinent. In general, the study showed that there is
potential of breeding for leaf miner resistance since some stable and moderately resistant
genotypes were identified though most of the genotypes succumbed to the pest.
Furthermore, the leaf miners pose a threat to soybean productivity as shown by the
relatively high levels of yield loss due to the pest and confirm the fact that A. modicella
be considered a priority pest, and strategies for its effective management are pertinent.
ABSTRACT 86: RICE GERMPLASM DIVERSITY IN UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: Oloka Bonny Michael
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Patrick Rubaihayo
2 Dr. Jimmy Lamo
Rice is an important crop in Uganda that plays an important role both as a food and a
cash crop. Domestic consumption and yield of rice has continued to steadily increase in
the country, owing to the release and high adoption of improved New Rice for Africa
(NERICA) varieties that combine the high yielding traits of an Asian species (Oryza sativa)
and the resistance or tolerance to African stresses of the African species (Oryza
glaberrima). However, the wide cultivation of the few improved varieties of NERICA
lines that have a limited genetic base may have contributed to their susceptibility to
stresses due to constantly evolving new pathogenic races and reduced diversity to buffer
against agro-ecological changes. The purpose of this study was to characterize available
rice genotypes in Uganda and determine the diversity available in them. This was to be
achieved by determining the number of genetic groups available in them from their
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morphological characters and allele frequencies. The aim was to identify superior diverse
lowland genotypes that could be used as parents for breeding high yielding RYMV
resistant lowland rice. The study evaluated morphological diversity of the genotypes as
well as genotypic diversity using 10 highly polymorphic Rice Microsatellite (RM) markers
evenly spread along the genome. This study also evaluated and validated two molecular
markers – RM252 and RM275, which are linked to the RYMV resistance gene on rice
chromosome 4. This was to determine whether they could be used for marker assisted
selection (MAS) of RYMV resistant lines at the seedling stage. The mean squares from
analysis of variance were significant (P<0.05 and P<0.01) for all genotypes and
characters studied, except leaf area, indicating the existence of sufficient genetic
variability within the genotypes to exploit for improvement. The high broad sense
heritability and genetic advance, expressed as a percentage of the mean observed for
grain yield per plant, indicated that this character was strongly genetically controlled in
these trials, so that selection among lines should be effective. The study also identified 5
genetic groups of the genotypes tested, using 10 highly polymorphic SSR markers.
Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 97% of the diversity observed was
explained by differences in genotypes within source, and only 3% by the source from
which the accession was obtained.
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
ABSTRACT 87: CHANGES IN COOKING FUEL-USE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR
DETERMINANT IN COMMUNITIES AROUND BUGOMA FOREST
CANDIDATE: BUKOMEKO EMMANUEL
SUPERVISORS: 1. ASSOC. PROF. D. SSERUNKUUMA
2. DR.J. BONABANA-WABBI
Biomass fuels (charcoal and high quality fuel wood) obtained from forests have for a
long time been the primary sources of cooking energy for most households in rural
Western Uganda. In the face of rapid forest disappearance, mainly due to agricultural
expansion, there is potential to substitute the preferred high quality cooking fuel sources
with readily available but poor sources to meet the ever increasing fuel resource needs at
house hold level. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in fuel use
portfolios and movement along the energy ladder in communities surrounding Bugoma
forest reserve in Hoima and Kibaale districts of Western Uganda. Based on perceptions of
respondents regarding changes in forest cover and quality, it was established that there
was a high rate of deforestation in the region which led to a decrease in forest cover,
area of the forest regarded as closed canopy, number of trees species and the number of
large trees in the forest. Using panel survey data obtained from 180 households in 2011,
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changes in cooking fuel use combinations at household level were examined and the
findings revealed that 82% of the household had moved down the energy ladder by
switching to inferior cooking fuels like low quality fuel wood obtained from wild, crop
residues and reeds, used in combination with high quality fuel wood but in much smaller
quantities. None of the sampled households used cleaner fuels above charcoal on the
energy ladder. It was also found that 70% of the households have a kitchen, 24% cook
from open air while 6% cook from inside the primary home. The most commonly used
cooking technology was the traditional three stone cooking stoves, used by 92% of the
households. The regression results of the Random Effects Probit model show that
household size, age of the household head, distance to the edge of the forest and
agricultural productivity are positively related with increased use of inferior fuels. Given
the reduced availability of high quality fuel wood due to deforestation, the planting of
trees for fuel wood, use of fuel saving stoves and alternative fuels like biogas are
recommended to reverse the trend of switching to inferior cooking oils.
ABSTRACT 88: DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD STAPLE FOODS CONSUMPTION IN
UGANDA
CANDIDATE: EGESSA JERRY TINGLE
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR.FREDRICK BAGAMBA
2. DR.ENIDKATUNGI
World hunger is increasing and the worsening malnutrition in many countries continues
to contribute to increasing mortality. The National Development Plan and the Nutrition
Action Plan recognize that malnutrition ravages and affects millions of Ugandans. A
number of policies aim to ensure that all Ugandans are properly nourished by enhancing
consumption through increased access to and use of the diverse nutritious foods
produced at household level. Uganda produces sufficient food to meet the needs of its
population. However households that consume one meal a day generally increased
nationally and more specifically in the rural areas over the years. Knowledge of the
factors influencing staple foods consumption is required in designing policies that
improve staple foods access, thus consumption to alleviate malnutrition. However, little
research on the factors influencing staple foods consumption in Uganda has been
published. This study established and measured the factors determining household staple
foods consumption. Specifically, the study intended to establish and analyze the per
capita consumption patterns among different households by; region and gender of
household headship, livestock holding and household income, and to analyze factors that
influence household staple food consumption in Uganda. The marginal effects after the
censored tobit consumption models were estimated for the staple foods.
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Our findings show that the national annual per capita staple foods consumption are;
71.66 kilograms for beans, 87.70 kilograms for maize, 120.86 kilograms for cassava,
53.69 kilograms for sweet potatoes, 268.11 kilograms for matooke, 21.36 kilograms for
millet and 18.97 kilograms for rice. The central region was the highest consumer of
cassava and sweet potatoes and the least consumer of matooke and millet. The eastern
region is the highest consumer of maize, millet and rice but the least consumer of beans.
The southwestern region is the highest consumer of beans but the least consumer of
maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and rice. Comparatively, the eastern region consumes
more maize and less beans and matooke than the central region. The mid-southern
region consumes more matooke, and less millet and maize than the central region. The
southwestern region consumes less maize, cassava, sweet potatoes and rice than the
central region. Female headed households consume more matooke and cassava than
male headed households. Households with low livestock holding consume more beans,
maize, sweet potatoes, cassava and rice than those with high livestock holding. Beans
consumption is higher for middle income households than low and high income
households.
Beans, cassava and matooke are ordinary goods in the mid-southern, central region and
southwestern regions respectively. However, cassava behaves as giffen good in the mid-
southern region. Beans are a complimentary food to maize and millet in the central and
eastern regions. Sweet potato is a substitute to matooke in the mid-southern region and
rice is a substitute to matooke, millet and sweet potatoes in the eastern region. However,
matooke and sweet potatoes behave as substitutes to beans in the mid-southern and
southwestern regions respectively. Staple foods are necessities to the rural households.
Matooke and rice are normal foods in the eastern region while matooke is an inferior
food in the southwestern region.
Generally, food price in the eastern, mid-southern and southwestern regions; household
income and consumption seasons in the central, eastern and southwestern regions; and
livestock holding in the central, mid-southern and southwestern regions, are important in
determining household staple foods consumption in those regions. Additionally, distance
to nearest paved road in eastern and southwestern regions; number of children in central
and eastern regions; and average wage rate are also important determinants of
household staple foods consumption in those regions. It is recommended that policies to
improve household income, staple foods supply and access should be implemented to
improve beans consumption thus nutrition among Ugandans.
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ABSTRACT 89: ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SOYBEAN GENOTYPES UNDER SOIL
FERTILITY VARIABILITY IN NORTHERN AND EASTERN UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: TANYIMA EDWARD
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Gabriel Elepu
2. Dr. Peter Ebanya
Soybean (Glycine Max (L.) Merrill) is an important crop in Uganda as it is the cheapest
source of plant protein and income to farmers. Despite breeding for high yielding and
disease tolerant soybean genotypes, there has not been a significant increase in
production in the recent years. In addition, farmers‟ preferences and heterogeneity of
farmers‟ fields have been neglected. This study was conducted to establish farmers‟
preference and profitability of the soybean genotypes in varying soil fertility
management of smallholder farms. The study was conducted in Northern and Eastern
Uganda where soybean on-farm experimental plots had been set up. A random sample
size of 240 farmers participated in the study. Matrix ranking method and logistic
preference ranking analysis tool were used to determine farmer‟s preference for soybean
genotypes. Profitability of soybean genotypes was established and compared using the
partial budget approach and marginal rates of return.Results indicated that in both
regions, Maksoy 3N and Maksoy 1N were the most preferred soybean genotypes with
Maksoy 3N being the most preferred in Northern region whereas Maksoy 1N in Eastern.
There was a significant difference in farmer‟s preference of soybean genotypes across and
within field types at 1% level in both regions. Consistent results were obtained using a
logistic regression tool which indicated that Maksoy 3N and Maksoy 1N had positive
intercepts and their chi-square values were significantly different (p<0.15) from zero
implying that they had a strong likelihood of acceptance by farmers in both regions. In
either regions, soybean production is profitable (MRR above 100%) but profitability
varies with different fertilizer levels. The most profitable genotype in Northern Uganda
was Namsoy 4M whereas in Eastern Uganda it was Maksoy 3N. However, considering
specific field types of Northern Uganda, Maksoy 3N was the most profitable genotype in
good fields whereas Maksoy 3N was most profitable in both medium and poor fields. In
Eastern Uganda, Maksoy 1N was most profitable across all the field types. Application of
rhizobia and phosphorus at rates between 5kg ha-1 and 10 kg ha
-1 was most profitable
across field types.It is therefore recommended that, targeting of soybean genotypes
should consider farmers‟ preferences, heterogeneity in soil fertility and appropriate
nutrient management in soybean production.
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DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS
ABSTRACT 90: CONSUMER CHARACTERISTICS AND PREFERENCES FOR ORGANIC
PRODUCTS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: ANECHO STEPHEN
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Johnny Mugisha
2. Prof. Kostas Karantininis
This study describes the findings from a consumer survey that was conducted to
understand the consumer characteristics and preferences for organic products in Kampala,
Uganda. The survey used a mall intercept survey method to investigate consumer
revealed preferences for key organic and conventional products attributes. A face-to-face
interview was used to collect data on consumer preferences towards organic food
attributes that reveals preference for specific organic and conventional products. The
survey was conducted in two purely organic retail outlets in Kampala as well as from
consumer outlets that sell conventional alongside few organic products. A sample of 228
respondents was interviewed.
An empirical analysis of the factors that influenced consumption of organic products
indicated: (i) that being female positively and significantly (p≤0.05) influenced a
consumer‟s decision on choosing an organic product. (ii) being a foreigner was associated
with higher odds of being an organic consumer as compared to being of Ugandan
decent; (iii) there was a positive and significant relationship (p≤0.1) that consumers
attached to organic product taste when purchasing; (iv) price positively and significantly
(p≤0.1) affected the decision to purchase an organic product; (v) organic product
availability at the retail outlets positively and significantly (p≤0.01) influenced a
consumer‟s decision to purchase an organic product. It was therefore established that
product availability increased a consumer‟s predisposition to buying organic food
products; (vi) WTP for quality products was negative though significant (p≤0.01). People
bought organic products because they felt that they were getting a higher quality for
organic products and because they perceived it as more of a quality product than the
conventional food products. (vii) consumers‟ decisions to purchase organic products was
influenced by their concern for the environment (p≤0.05); (viii) the study revealed a
positive and statistically significant (p≤0.1) relationship between concern for health
benefits and whether a consumer will purchase an organic product which indicated that
the more consumers believed that organic foods were healthier than conventional foods
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or attached greater importance to the organic food product healthiness attribute when
shopping, the more they were likely to buy organic food products.
Drawing from key findings, the study recommends that all products aimed for the
domestic market should be packaged with concise messages that appeal to the differing
consumer base in terms of sensory preferences (taste); affordable pricing; appealing
product appearance; ensure product availability at the different retail outlets and
communicate health benefits that accrue due to organic consumption. In addition, since
majority of the consumers reported that they were of foreign descent and majority
doubled as tourists, creation of purely organic retail shops at for example the most
visited tourist destinations in the country or having organic food served on the menus
would in turn help tap into the un-served tourist organic market. Furthermore, increasing
foreign consumer awareness of the local certification labeling synonymous with locally
grown certified organic food would go a long way in increasing consumer trust. At a
policy level, the government of Uganda should promote local consumption of
sustainably and locally grown organic food through enacting favorable policies for
example the Uganda Organic Agriculture Policy. Besides government, NGOs and
NOGAMU should increasingly consider the development of products for particular
consumer categories for example supplying primary schools, secondary schools and other
government institutions through government procurement.
ABSTRACT 91: CONSUMER CHARACTERISTICS AND PREFERENCES FOR ORGANIC
PRODUCTS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: KABYANGA MORIS
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Johnny Mugisha
2. Dr. Peter N. Walekhwa
The use of advanced forms of energy, such as electricity, biogas has improved quality of
life for people around the world. Biogas produced from biogas digesters has been
promoted in Uganda through use of fixed dome and floating drum digesters. These have
proved to be expensive, thus a cheaper design was promoted to increase uptake of
biogas technology. However, there has not been much research on how the installation
and maintenance costs compare with the monetary savings made by households
changing from fuel wood to biogas in Uganda. The study aimed at determining the
economic potential of flexible balloon digesters, with a focus on exploring the cost-
benefit analysis as well as willingness to pay for the flexible balloon design in Uganda. To
achieve this, household surveys were conducted in July 2012 and February 2013. The
2012 survey established the baseline to which comparisons were made using the follow
up survey. A random sample of 150 households was used in the baseline survey. The
follow up survey conducted in 2013 involved a sample of 9 households who were
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purposively selected and a sample of 141 households in close proximity to the nine
households were randomly selected.
A cost–benefit analysis was done for the nine digester installed households to determine
the viability of this design. Furthermore, a logistic regression model was used to
determine the factors that influence willingness to pay for the flexible balloon digester.
The results show that a flexible balloon digester is not financially viable in the short run.
The majority of the surveyed households have shown their willing to pay for the digester
but the amount was not sufficient to cover the initial costs of the digester. The results
further show that the probability of households‟ willingness to pay for a flexible balloon
digester increases with an increase in the number of livestock, household size, and costs
of fuel wood. Households who frequently purchase kerosene, male headed households
and those who perceive biogas digesters improve sanitation are more likely to pay.
However, such probability decreases with an increasing costs of maintaining and
increasing age of the household head. Overall, the households were willing to pay for
the flexible balloon digester and a flexible balloon digester is not financially viable.
Therefore there is need to improve the technology to lower the initial cost of
investment. Young generations should be given priority in diffusion process of the
technology.
ABSTRACT 92: ANALYSING CONSUMER PREFERENCES FOR QUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF SORGHUM GRAIN: A STUDY IN TESO SUB-REGION OF
UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: KAKURU KIT MEDARD
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Fredrick Bagamba
2. Assoc. Prof. Patrick Okori
Sorghum is an important staple cereal crop in Eastern Uganda and Uganda as a whole.
Studies have been done about producer preferences for sorghum attributes but no work
had been done on consumer preferences, hence need for such a study. The objectives of
the study included determining the sorghum attributes that consumers prefer,
determining the Willingness to pay for the attributes, and analyzing the effect of
consumer characteristics on the willingness to pay for the attributes. A choice experiment
survey design was used to collect data from 150 consumers in Soroti, Kumi and Bukedea
district. The empirical work employed the mixed logit model to determine the attributes
that consumers prefer. Individual specific willing to pay estimates were obtained after
estimating the Mixed Logit model and used as a dependent variable in the analysis of the
effect of consumer characteristics on the WTP for the quality attributes.
The results of the mixed logit model revealed that elastic texture (p-value = 0.0005) and
good smell (p-value = 0.0000) strongly influenced the preference and hence the utility
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function of the consumer. White colour was more preferred than other colours, which is
inconsistent with reality from the interviews. According to key informants, the red and
brown sorghum are preferred because they are associated with elastic texture and good
smell. Thus, colour could have been suppressed by texture and smell in the estimation,
especially since the evaluation was conducted on the combined attributes. On the basis
of willingness to pay, the ranking of preference was: good smell UGX 1433);
extensible/elastic texture (UGX 1098); white colour (UGX 1067); brown colour (UGX
915); cream colour (UGX 829) and good/sweet taste (UGX 703). The compensating
surplus estimates for all hypothetical varieties were positive suggesting that generally
consumers prefer a change from the current varieties. Socioeconomic characteristics (like
education, age, income level, gender, household size) were also found to have an effect
on the willingness to pay for sorghum attributes. From this study, it can be deduced that
smell of atap and elastic texture influence consumers‟ preference most. Therefore,
breeders should consider texture and smell of atap as key attributes during sorghum
improvement. Consumer socioeconomic characteristics affected willingness to pay for
attributes differently. It is recommended that deliberate measures be taken to develop
and or disseminate varieties with attributes that consumers are willing to pay for. Further
research is needed to evaluate sorghum grain colours alone to establish the colour that is
most preferred.
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED HUMAN NUTRITION
ABSTRACT 93: MODIFICATION OF TRADITIONAL PREPARATION AND COOKING
METHODS ON MICRONUTRIENT CONTENT OF GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES
CANDIDATE: EUNICE ACHIRO
SUPERVISORS: 1. Agnes Namutebi (PhD)
2. Margaret Kabahenda (PhD)
Green leafy vegetables are good source of micronutrients especially provitamin A
carotenoids and iron among others. Information related to nutrient in foods and how
they are degraded or lost exists, but data on how to minimize loss during preparation
and cooking is still limited. Since nutrients are prone to degradation or loss during
preparation and cooking, the present study which involved a survey of vegetable
preparation, cooking and consumption pattern in Lira district, northern Uganda and a
three by five factorial experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of modification
of traditional preparation and cooking methods on total provitamin A carotenoids, beta
carotene and iron contents of green leafy vegetables. The vegetables studied were those
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that were determined to be most frequently consumed in the study communities. These
were Vigna unguiculata L, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Amaranthus dubius, Hibiscus
sabdariffaandAsystasia schimperi. The survey covered a randomly selected total sample of
224 households from rural (103), urban (61) and peri urban (60). More than half of the
respondents consume vegetables less than once a week and chop vegetables before
washing (58.8% and 57.6% respectively), nearly three quarter (71.8%) wilt (spread
under sun shine) before washing vegetables and over three quarters (88.4%) overcook
their vegetables and discard excess water which could be containing nutrients.
Micronutrient content was assessed using a blanched (control) and cooked (traditional
and modified preparation and cooking methods) form of green leafy vegetables. These
vegetables were assessed for the total provitamin A carotenoids and beta carotene, and
iron. There was a significant difference in the total provitamin A carotenoids and beta
carotene between the vegetables.
Total provitamin A carotenoid was highest in Crotalaria ochroleuca (11.4 mg / 100 g),
and lowest in Asystasia schimperi(6.4 mg / 100 g). The highest beta carotene on average
was found inCrotalaria ochroleuca (5.3 mg / 100 g) and the lowest Vigna unguiculata L.,
(3.2 mg / 100 g).Amaranthus dubiushad the highest iron content of20 mg / 100 g
followed by Vigna unguiculataL (19.7 mg / 100 g) and lowest was Asystasia schimperi
(7.5mg / 100 g). However, this difference was not significant. The highest average total
provitamin A carotenoids, beta carotene and iron levels were found in the control
(blanched) vegetables followed by vegetables prepared and cooked by the modified
method and lowest for the traditional prepared and cooked vegetables, (10.5; 7.8 and
5.6 mg /100 g for blanched, modified and traditional methods respectively), beta
carotene (5.5; 4.1 and 2.9 mg /100 g for blanched, modified traditional methods
respectively) and iron content (19.5; 12 and 5 mg / 100 g for blanched, modified and
traditional methods respectively). Blanching and modified traditional preparation and
cooking methods are recommended in order to reduce the micronutrients loss in
vegetables. Increased and varied consumption of vegetables should be promoted in
order to enjoy the health benefits from these vegetables.
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ABSTRACT 94: REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD BY OLDER
PERSON (60YRS+) IN NANGABO SUB COUNTY, WAKISO DISTRICT, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: PEARL SUSAN ATUKUNDA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Archileo N. Kaaya
2. Assoc. Prof.Byaruhanga Rukooko
International law recognizes the right of everyone to adequate food and the
fundamental freedom from hunger and malnutrition. The overall objective of this study
was to assess the realization of the right to adequate food among older persons in
Nangabo Sub County, Wakiso District,. The study was a cross sectional survey and
qualitative document analysis was done. Data was collected from rights holders (older
persons 60 years and beyond) and duty bearers (Key informants). A total of 304 older
persons were interviewed with 112 being males and 192 females. Fifteen key informants
who included officials from Uganda Human Rights Commission, Local Government,
Local leaders and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development were
interviewed. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on realization of the right
to adequate food from duty bearers which included nutritional status, dietary diversity
and the availability and accessibility of health services and the state of hygiene and
sanitation facilities in the sub county. An interview guide was used to obtain relevant
information from the key informants. Multi stage Cluster sampling was used to choose
the rights holders while the duty bearers were purposively selected. Data collected from
right holders was analyzed using SPSS Software while that from key informants was
transcribed and used in discussion of results. Results indicated that 85.9% of the
respondents (duty bearers) consumed less than 4 food groups which indicated low
dietary diversity score. More than twelve percent (12.5%) of the respondents were
undernourished. Sanitation and hygiene facilities were not easily accessible to everyone in
the sub-county. Relationships between different variables were analyzed using cross
tabulations and Pearson‟s chi square values were used to test significance between
variables. Results showed that there is a significant relationship between dietary diversity
and education level of older persons (p=0.001) and BMI and education level (P=0.001).
The results also showed that there is a significant positive correlation (p = 0.11) between
dietary diversity and BMI. Mechanisms relevant for realizing the right to food at the
national level were in place although their implementation is inadequate. No such
mechanisms were identified at the community level. The results from the study indicated
that the right to food of older persons in Nangabo Sub County is not realized by all. The
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government of Uganda needs to ensure proper implementation of mechanisms relevant
in the realization of the right to food by older persons if this right is to be realized by all.
ABSTRACT 95: EFFECT OF VARIOUS POSTHARVEST HANDLING AND STORAGE
CONDITIONS ON AMYLASE ACTIVITY AND CARBOHYDRATE CONTENT OF SELECTED
SWEET POTATOES (IPOMOEA BATATAS)
CANDIDATE: KWAGALA JOHN MARY
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR. AGNES NAMUTEBI
2. DR. YUSUF BYARUHANGA
Selected sweetpotato varieties (five) were investigated for changes in amylase activity,
reducing sugar, total sugars and starch content during two month (8 weeks) storage, after
being subjected to different postharvest handling conditions. The five varieties were:
NASPOT 1, NASPOT 2, NASPOT 9, NASPOT 10 and Kakamega. Sweet potato roots
were subjected to postharvest curing and others left fresh, as a control. Curing was done
by exposing the roots to the sun at 27 ±2OC and 60±2 % relative humidity for 4 days.
Sweet potatoes were harvested and subjected to various conditions: freshly harvested
roots and cured roots stored in room (23-250C and 77-79% relative humidity) and in a
pit (20-220C and 89-90% relative humidity). A total of four treatments adopted and
studied cured samples stored in the pit (CP), cured samples stored in the room (CR), fresh
samples stored in the pit (FP) and fresh samples stored in the room (FR). Sweet potatoes
were stored for a period of 8 weeks and analyzed weekly for amylase activity, reducing
sugars, total sugars and starch content. Amylase activity determined by the DNSA
method showed an increase in amylase activity within the first 3 weeks leveling off
between the 4th and the 5thweek and reduced between the 6thand 8th week of storage.
Sugar and starch contents were analysed by the phenol-sulphuric acid method. The
reducing sugar content of all varieties increased significantly within the first 5 weeks and
remained constant between the 6th and 8th week of storage. The total sugars in all
varieties increased within the first 6 weeks of storage and leveled off between the 7th
and 8th week of storage. The starch content reduced in all the five varieties within the 8
weeks of storage. The study showed that the cured sweet potatoes stored in the room
had a high percentage decrease in starch compared to other conditions, therefore is a
suitable mode of postharvest handling and storing sweet potato for developing food
products with low bulk and high energy, and that are nutrient dense for families having
Sweet potato as one of their main staples.
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ABSTRACT 96: LAND EVICTIONS AND THE REALISATION OF THE RIGHT TO
ADEQUATE FOOD IN WAKISO AND MPIGI DISTRICTS IN CENTRAL UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: NAHALOMO AZIIZA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Margaret Kabahenda (PhD)
2. Prof. Edward Wamala
The right to food is central for an individual to enjoy a life in dignity. It is realized “when
every man, woman and child, alone or in the community with others, have physical and
economic access at all times to adequate food or means for its procurement”. In
developing countries, the right to food is inextricably linked to access to land for families
to feed themselves directly or means for its procurement. Overall objective was to
investigate the realization of the right to food among cases of land evictees in Wakiso
and Mpigi districts in Central Uganda. The study was cross sectional using qualitative
content analysis and survey methods. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected
using structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, field observations, focus group
discussions and literature review. Household listing was done in the 7 purposively
selected villages followed by simple random sampling using ENA SMART to select rights
holders (221 mothers or primary caretakers of 18 - 49 years and 221 children of 6 -
69months). 15 duty bearers were purposively sampled. Quantitative data was analyzed
using SPSS version 17 and WHO Anthro. 3.2.2 Software. Qualitative data from key
informants was included in discussion of results accordingly. Over 78% of land evictees
had inadequate access to food while 69.4% had consumed a less diversified diet.
Majority of evictees (85.2%) relied on borrowing food or help from others to cope with
food shortages. Nutritional status of children was 9.6% wasted, 18.2% underweight and
34.2% stunted. Mothers‟ or caretakers‟ BMI indicated that 26.9% were underweight,
11.7% overweight and 5.9% obese. Statistically significant associations were revealed
among different study variables. Complaint and redress mechanisms are in place but not
effective in addressing right to food violations among evictees. Land evictees in the area
are not realizing their right to adequate food partially due to land evictions taking place
without provision for, and access to, appropriate forms of legal or other protection.
There‟s need to strengthen access to land and the complaint and redress mechanisms to
address right to food violations among land evictees.
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ABSTRACT 97: UTILISATION OF TAMARINDUS INDICA SEED AS A
NUTRACEUTICAL INGREDIENT IN SELECTED FOODS
CANDIDATE: SHEILLA NATUKUNDA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. John H. Muyonga
2. Dr. Ivan M. Mukisa
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed is a by-product of tamarind pulp industries. It is
usually discarded yet it is rich in phytochemicals and antioxidant activity and thus can be
used as a cheap antioxidant in fruit and food industries. The aim of this study was to
develop optimal procedures for production of acceptable high bioactive tamarind seed
powder (TSP) enriched cookies and mango juice. Tamarind seed powder was
incorporated into mango juice and cookies at 6 different concentration levels 0%, 0.5%,
1%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2. 5 % and 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, respectively to determine its
effect on antioxidant activity, phytocompounds content, physicochemical properties and
sensory acceptability of enriched cookies and mango juice. The optimal processing
temperature and time for production of high antioxidant and phenolic content TSP
enriched cookie and juice were determined using Response Surface Methodology. The
study also compared sensory acceptability of the optimised TSP enriched cookies and
mango juice with commercial counterparts. The analytical methods used included Folin-
Ciocalteu colometric assay for total phenolic (2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
radical scavenging assay for antioxidant activity), aluminium chloride - colometric assay
for flavonoid) and vanillin- HCl assay for condensed tannins content. To establish the
acceptable formulation sensory evaluation was done for TSP enriched cookies and
mango juice with concentration levels of 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2. 5 % and 0%,
2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% respectively (n=50). Three levels of pasteurisation temperature
(70°C, 80°C and 90°C) and three time durations (10, 20 and 30 seconds) were used for
mango juices enriched with 1.5% TSP. In cookies three levels of baking temperature
(150°C, 165°C and 180°C) and baking times (40, 50 and 60 minutes) were used.
Incorporation of TSP in mango juice resulted into a dose dependent increase in total
phenolic content from 6.84 ± 0.21 for control to 88.44 ± 0.8 mg GAE/100 mL,
flavonoid from 4.64 ± 0.03 to 21.7 ± 0.36 mg CE/100 mL, condensed tannins from
0.24 ± 0.01 to 21.81 ± 0.08 mg CE/100 mL and total antioxidant activity from 4.65 ±
0.88 to 21.70 ± 0.03 mg VCE/100 mL in 3% TSP enriched juices. A similar trend was
observed in the enriched cookies. For both enriched juices and cookies incorporation of
high levels of TSP was associated with lower sensory scores. The maximum TSP levels
found to result in acceptable products was found to be 1.5% and 6% for mango juice
and cookies respectively. Thecorresponding total phenolic content, flavonoid content,
tannin content and antioxidant activity was 43.90 ± 0.14 mg GAE/100 mL, 13.06 ±
0.015 mg CE/100 mL, 11.33 ± 0.29 mg CE/100 mL and 17.91 ± 0.95 mg VCE/100 mL for
mango juice and 26.1 ± 0.05 mg GAE/100 mL, 13.54 ± 0.27 mg CE/100 mL, 6.67 ±
0.29 mg CE/100 mL, 13.54 ± 0.27 mg CE/100 mL and 17.2 ± 0.06 mg VCE/100 mL for
cookie.
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The optimization study showed that total phenolics followed a quadratic model (R2=
0.85, p < 0.05) and while linear model was significant for antioxidant activity (R2 =
0.70, p < 0.05) for juices. For cookies, all the quadratic regression models were high and
significant for both total phenolic content (R2= 0.90, p < 0.05) and total antioxidant
activity (R2 = 0.87, p < 0.05). The results obtained showed that the processing methods
improved the total antioxidant activity but reduced total phenolic content of both TSP
enriched products. The optimal conditions based on combination of all responses using
desirability approach were: pasteurization temperature for juices (90°C for 10 seconds)
and baking for cookies (163°C for 50 minutes).For both processing conditions there was
a close agreement between experimental and predicted values. TSP enriched cookies
processed using optimal conditions were more acceptable than amaranth based cookies
commercially marketed in Uganda. TSP enriched juice was acceptable but had lower
sensory acceptability scores (6.64 = like slightly) compared to commercially produced
mango juice (7.77 = like moderately). The current study provides information on the
conditions that are suitable for processing acceptable high antioxidant products and can
be used in the manufacture of nutraceutical and functional food products for the
emerging health conscious consumers.
Key words: Tamarind seed; antioxidant activity; phenolics; nutraceutical; sensory
properties, optimization, Response surface methodology.
ABSTRACT 98: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SMALL HOLDER COMMERCIAL
AGRICULTURE AND THE RIGHT TO FOOD IN UGANDA: A CASE OF OYAM DISTRICT.
CANDIDATE: NGONZI DORIS MAVIS
SUPERVISORS: 1. Professor Archileo Kaaya
2. Dr. Wilfred Lajul
Smallholder agricultural production for the market has become central in Ugandan
government economic policy for eradicating poverty and improving food availability
and accessibility at household level. However, there are few available studies in Uganda
that have focused on assessing income, food and nutrition security situation of
smallholder farmers that have gone commercial in production and how this influences
realization of their right to food. This study focused on establishing relationship between
smallholder commercial agriculture and the right to food in Oyam district. Income status,
food access and nutritional status of smallholder commercial farmers in Oyam district
were assessed including legal, institutional and regulatory framework for implementing
the right to food. A cross sectional study was conducted where primary data were
collected through structured questionnaires from 182 smallholder commercial farmers
(right holders) in Aber and Loro sub counties selected through a three stage cluster
probability sampling and 45 local councilors (duty bearers) purposively selected.
Secondary information was obtained through review of literature. Anthropometric Z
score values were computed using WHO Anthro Plus software to determine nutritional
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status. Descriptive and econometric analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0.
Results showed that household income of most smallholder commercial farmers was
higher compared to Uganda National CPAE of 2009/2010. However, the difference in
proportion of benefiting and none benefiting was not statistically significant. More of the
income was allocated to food (63.8%). Household size, educational level and access to
input resources and credit and saving services contributed to income. Majority of
households lacked access to adequate food (64.1%). Accessed foods were mainly through
own production. Household size, employment and income status contributed to the
smallholder commercial farmers‟ access to food. Malnutrition cases among some groups
of the population like children below5 years and adult women were lower compared to
2006 UDHS. Stunting among children (18.0% of the children below 5 years and 18.5%
of children above 5 years) and underweight among adults (12.6%) were the major
malnutrition problems affecting individuals within households of smallholder commercial
farmers in Oyam district. The proportion of male and females suffering from malnutrition
were not significantly different. Household income, latrine facility and age of the
household head contributed to the nutritional outcomes. Legal, institutional and
regulatory mechanisms are available in the district for implementing theright to food.
Households were being protected in some areas that ensured availability of their
produced foods to them. Protection of food consumers from unsafe and market
malpractices on food was hardly available. Farmers in the study area lacked institutional
protection and facilitation in acquisition of commercial agricultural inputs and marketing.
Smallholder commercial agriculture led to improved income earnings of the participating
households which income was then used more noticeable to improve on aspects which
promote health and living conditions. Households accessed more food with increasing
income; however, majority of smallholder commercial farmers still lacked access to food.
Smallholder commercial agriculture is favoring realization of right to food of some
section of farmers but not the majority. Both household and external factors contributed
to the outcomes. There is need for implementation of programmes that promote access
to food of smallholder commercial farmers.
ABSTRACT 99: DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FLOURS FROM IRON-
BIO-FORTIFIED BEANS.
CANDIDATE: NKUNDABOMBI Marie Grace
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Dorothy Nakimbugwe
2. Prof. John H Muyonga
Beans are widely consumed in East Africa with 50-60 kg per capita per year and they are
good mineral sources. Yet, micronutrients deficiency affecting about 22 % of children
under five years of age and 24 % of women of reproductive age are anemic. Mineral
bioavailability in beans is limited by the presence of anti-nutrients. Bio-fortification and
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processing to improve nutrient bioavailability have been suggested as ways of improving
the nutritional contribution of beans.
The aim of this study was to improve nutritional and sensory quality of products from
iron biofortified beans using different processing methods. The objectives were: i) to
determine effect of different processing methods on the nutritional and physicochemical
characteristics of iron bio fortified and conventional bean flour; ii) to compare consumer
acceptability of dishes prepared using processed bean flour; iii) to assess the nutritional
contribution of iron-bio-fortified beans products to meet the nutrient requirements of
vulnerable individuals, and iv) to determine the effect of extrusion conditions on
nutritional and sensory characteristics of bio-fortified bean based composite flour. An
iron bio-fortified and a conventional bean variety were used.
Processing methods used included malting, roasting and milling into flour; and extrusion
at 15% moisture content and milled into flour. Sensory evaluation was done on products
developed (porridge and sauce from sole and composite of amaranth, rice and beans
flour). In vitro protein digestibility, minerals extractability and pasting properties were
done on the flour.
Optimization of extrusion cooking condition (moisture content, temperature and screw
speed) was done using response surface methodology. The r results obtained showed
that the processing methods improved mineral extractability and in vitro protein
digestibility compared with raw samples, with extruded samples being highly improved.
Porridge prepared from a composite bean flour was significantly (p<0.05) more
acceptable than sole porridge for both processing methods. Sauce prepared from sole
flour was more acceptable than thecomposite. Among extrusion conditions, temperature
had a significant linear effect on all models. The optimal extrusion cooking conditions
was 18.7 % moisture content, 1101 rpm screw speed and extrusion temperature of 161
ºC. Estimated nutritional contribution of processed bio-fortified bean flours to daily
requirement of children under five and women of reproductive age was found to be
high. Processed bio-fortified bean flours can be used to improve nutritional status of
children under five and women of child bearing age.
Key word: Bio-fortified beans, malting, roasting, extrusion cooking, moisture content,
temperature, screws speed.
ABSTRACT 100: FOOD PRICE VOLATILITY AND THE RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD
IN RURAL UGANDA: A CASE OF KABALE DISTRICT
CANDIDATE: ORISHABA JOANITA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. Charles Muyanja
2. Prof. Byaruhanga Rukooko
Recent years have seen prices of a wide range of food commodities surge upward in a
dramatic fashion, in many cases more than doubling within a few years, in some cases a
few months. A surge in the price of food is of special concern to the world‟s poor,
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particularly the rural poor. This study was conducted to provide an understanding of the
implications of high food prices for the progressive realization of the right to adequate
food among rural households. The study was conducted in the rural sub-counties of
Kabale District and involved three categories of respondents: rights holders, duty bearers
and relevant non-state actors. Rights holders (households) were selected using a multi-
stage cross-sectional sampling procedure. Duty bearers were purposively selected on the
basis of their specialized knowledge and positions of authority in the relevant
institutions/ministries. The relevant non-state actors selected were FAO and WFP, the key
international agencies dealing directly with the right to food. Data was collected through
cross-sectional household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
The household survey included a recall component to capture pre-high food price
situation data. Results showed that the right to adequate food of majority (78.5%) of
the households had been negatively affected by high food prices, despite agriculture
being the mainstay. Proportion of households with an adequate diet had reduced
significantly (p < 0.05). The quality and quantity of diets had declined with increasing
food prices. More than two-thirds of the households (68%) had reduced the number of
meals eaten at least once in a week. Consumption of animal products had also declined
significantly (p < 0.005) with high food prices. The population groups hit hardest by the
food price surge were the landless and land poor, large households of more than 8
members, and households with a female, disabled, elderly or uneducated head. To deal
with high food prices, households had adopted a number of coping strategies. The most
frequently employed strategies were relying on less preferred or less expensive food,
purchasing food on credit, limiting meal portions, and reducing number of meals eaten in
a day all of which have negative implications for realization. In spite of the negative
effects of high food prices, the government as principal duty bearer had not actively
responded to the situation. The study recommends more active and targeted
interventions from the government as is required by the several human rights instruments
that Uganda is state party to.
ABSTRACT 101: POTENTIAL OF GRAIN AMARANTH (AMARANTHUS
HYPOCHONDRIACUS) FOR MANAGEMENT OF TYPE II DIABETES IN
STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS (RATTUS NORVEGICUS)
CANDIDATE: TEBAH Y. SMITH
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Dorothy Nakimbugwe
2. Dr. Agnes Nabubuya
Grain amaranth is a pseudo cereal with high nutritional and functional properties
compared to true cereals. It has been reported to provide health benefits such as
decreasing plasma cholesterol levels, stimulating the immune system, exerting an
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antitumor activity, reducing blood glucose levels and improving conditions of
hypertension and anemia. Type II diabetes, which results from defects in both insulin
secretion and action, is on the increase throughout the world. In order to avoid diabetes
complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and atherosclerosis) and stay
healthy, people with type II diabetes follow a daily diet management regimen that
includes attention to food intake (carbohydrates, fats and total energy intake), exercise
and blood glucose monitoring.
The aim of this study was to determine the impact of grain amaranth on the blood
glucose of type II diabetic patients. To accomplish this, Streptozotocin-induced type II
diabetic rats were used as a model for the experiment, since they are known to simulate
the developing process and metabolic characteristics of human type II diabetes. Non-
diabetic male wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were used to determine the glycemic index
and glycemic load of raw and processed amaranth. Fasting blood glucose and
postprandial blood glucose were measured using a calibrated glucometer. Glycemic index
was calculated as the incremental area under curve (IAUC) of test feeds divided by the
IAUC of reference feed (pure glucose) .Raw and processed (popped, roasted and
extruded) amaranth were supplemented into regular mice pencil (control feed) and fed
to streptozotocin-induced type II diabetic rats for a period of four (4) weeks in order to
determine their effect on the blood glucose. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to
analyze data collected and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used to test for
level of significance between blood glucose of rats supplemented with amaranth at
p<0.05. The glycemic index for raw, roasted, extruded and popped amaranth was
96.68, 86.28, 85.63 and 72.81 respectively.
The glycemic load for three (3) grams of raw, roasted, extruded and popped amaranth
were 1.93, 1.73, 1.71 and 1.46 respectively. Significant increase was observed in the blood
glucose of diabetic rats consuming raw and popped amaranth supplements, while those
consuming extruded and roasted amaranth supplements had a lower increase in their
blood glucose. Although processing (popping, roasting and extrusion) lower the glycemic
index of grain amaranth, it remains a high glycemic index food (>70) when processed.
This implies that the digestion rate of grain amaranth starch is rapid, therefore, it should
not be recommended for sole ingestion by diabetic patients. However, when
supplemented in the ratio of 25:75 (25% amaranth) and 50:50, roasted and extruded
amaranth caused a significant decrease in the blood glucose of streptozotocin-induced
type 2 diabetic rats. Such decrease observed in the blood glucose of experimental subjects
is important in the management of diabetes. Therefore, further studies should be done
using human subjects in order to validate the results obtained in this study.
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ABSTRACT 102: DIVERSITY AND COMPLIANCE OF FORTIFIED OILS AND FLOURS
WITH NATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS IN UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: SUSANNAH . E. STEVENSON
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Florence Turyashemererwa
2. Dr. Ivan Mukisa
Background: Food fortification is a proven and one of the strategies in the prevention
and management of micronutrient deficiencies. This micronutrient supplementation
strategy has been aimed at specific risk groups. For example, iron fortification targets
women; while vitamin A fortification targets pregnant and lactating women as well as
children less than six years of age. Uganda is among the countries that embraced food
fortification as a strategy to address the high burden of micronutrient deficiencies,
particularly iron and vitamin A deficiencies. Uganda is currently fortifying cooking oil
with vitamin A. Other food vehicles include maize and wheat flour which are fortified
with vitamin A, iron and zinc among other micronutrients.
Objectives: The study set out to establish the variety of fortified products on the
Ugandan market and their compliance to the national nutrient and labeling standards. It
also explored the knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to fortified foods
among the populations in Kampala and Wakiso districts.
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to collect both qualitative and
quantitative data at household level. A market survey was also used to identify fortified
products on the market. A total of 35 supermarkets and retail shops in Kampala and
Wakiso districts were surveyed. A laboratory analysis of 6 fortified cooking oil and 8
fortified flour brands was also carried out to determine their nutrient composition. A
total of 360 respondents were randomly sampled to explore their understanding,
attitudes and practices towards fortified foods.
Results: The key findings indicated that 50% of the cooking oil brands on the market
were fortified with vitamin A. These include Fortune, Golden fry, Mukwano, Nile, Roki,
Star gold fry, Sunseed and Ufuta brands, which are locally produced in Uganda. Only
Star gold, brand which is imported from Kenya was fortified with vitamin A. Most
common brands of cooking oil sold in supermarkets and shops included Roki cooking oil
(74.5%) from A.K. Oils Industries Ltd and Fortune cooking oil (54.3%) from Bidco
industries. The vitamin A content of fortified cooking oil on the Ugandan market adheres
to National standards of 20-
40mg/Kg. Majority of the fortified cooking oil products also complied with the labeling
standards, indicating the vitamin A content and the fortification logo. The study
established that 11 brands (47.8%) which included 6 brands of baking flours
(Kaswabaking flour from Ntake bakery and Co Ltd, Azam baking flour produced by
Bakhresa grainmilling (U) Ltd, Nile baking flour from Nile Agro industries, Kengrow
baking flour fromKengrow industries) and 5 brands of maize flour (Shibe produced by
A.K oils and fats (U) Ltd,Maganjo maize flour from Maganjo grain millers Ltd, Pearl
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maize flour and Jogoo maizemeal from Reco and UNGA industries respectively) were
fortified. The Vitamin A content of
2.7mg/Kg, which was above the UNBS recommended, ranges of 0.5-1.4mg/Kg. The iron
content of maize flour ranged 31.1\- 56.5 mg/kg, out of range of the standard (21mg/kg –
41mg/Kg) whereas zinc content ranged from 12.1 to 20.5 mg/Kg, which was too low
(Standard range is 33 – 65 mg/kg). However, there were disparities with fortified flours
since majority did not have a fortification logo. Only Fifi, Jogoo, Kam, Shibe and
Maganjo brands having the latter indicated on the package.
Only 29.7% of the consumers were informed about food fortification and 42.1%
indicated their knowledge to be low. The consumers had a positive attitude about food
fortification and
27.1% recommended more foods being fortified because of their health benefits. More
than half (56.7%) of the households used Mukwano cooking oil and 34.6% used
Fortune cooking oil brand. There was significant association between the sex, age, gross
income and education levels on one side and the general perception of fortified foods on
the other (P<0.05).
Conclusion and recommendations: A variety of fortified products were available for
cooking oil and flour and these were mainly locally produced. They have increased from
2 brands (Fortune and Mukwano) in 2004 to 8 brands currently for cooking oil. At least
8 brands of flour are also locally fortified. The imported products do not indicate
whether they are fortified or not. In general, fortified cooking oil complies with national
standards but this is not the case with flour. The compliance for flour to UNBS standards
varies from one brand to another and from one nutrient to another. While consumers
use and have a positive attitude about fortified products, majority have limited
information on food fortification.
There is the need for the government to regulate imported edible oils and flours and also
regularly monitor fortified products for compliance with the national standards. More
information on importance of fortification, targeting the end users is also key if
consumption of the fortified products is to improve.
ABSTRACT 103: MICRONUTRIENTS AND IMMUNOLOGICAL STATUS IN HIV–
INFECTED ADULTS AT DIAGNOSIS IN NORTHERN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: WANYAMA RONALD
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Margaret Kabahenda
2. Dr. Agnes Nandutu
Background
The northern region is the poorest and has the second highest HIV/AIDS and
malnutrition prevalence in Uganda. Despite this high prevalence, evidence of
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micronutrient deficiencies associated with HIV infection is not established. The objective
was to determine the association between vitamin A and zinc (micronutrients) status and
nutritional and immunological status in adult people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) at
diagnosis in Northern Uganda.
Method
This was a six-month cross-sectional study, conducted at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of
Gulu Hospital between February and August 2014. The study enrolled 343 participants
who were adult PLWHA and had not initiated antiretroviral therapy. Nutritional status
was assessed based on body mass index (BMI). CD4 cells counts were measured by Facs
calliber CD4 machine to determine the level of immune suppression. Micronutrient status
was determined using serum retinol and zinc concentrations, which were quantified by
the ELISA method (using retinol binding protein kits) and atomic absorption
spectrophotometer methods respectively.
Results
Female participants were 63.7%. Of 323 participants assessed for serum retinol, 30.3%
were vitamin A deficient (serum retinol <0.7 μmol/L) and of 343 assessed for serum zinc,
16% were zinc deficient (serum zinc <10.7 μmol/L). The participants with low BMI (BMI
<18.5 kg/m2) were 34.4% while 38.2% had low CD4 cells count (<350 cells/μL).
90.7% of the participants were in early stages of HIV infection. The independent
predictor for vitamin A deficiency was low BMI (odds ratio, OR, 3.1 95% CI 1.9–5.3; P
= <0.001). The independent predictors of zinc deficiency were low CD4 cells count(OR
= 2.0 95% CI 1.1–3.6; P = 0.023) and low BMI (OR = 1.8 95% CI1.0–3.3; P = 0.049).
Conclusion
Vitamin A deficiency, low BMI and reduced CD4 cells count are common among adult
PLWHA at diagnosis. When compared to reduced CD4 cells count and advanced disease
stage, low BMI is the best predictor of vitamin A deficiency and zinc deficiency.
ABSTRACT 104: QUALITY OF COMMERCIAL INFANT FORMULA ON THE MARKET
IN KAMPALA, UGANDA
CANDIDATE: LEELA K. ZAIZAY
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Florence Turyashemererwa
2. Dr. Ivan Mukisa
Background: Infant formula is a breast-milk substitute specially manufactured to satisfy,
by itself, the nutritional requirements of infants during the first six months of life up to
the introduction of appropriate complementary feeding. There is unknown diversity of
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commercial infant formula on the market in Uganda. There has also been international
concern over the quality of infant formula on the market.
Objectives: This study aimed at determining the diversity of commercial infant formula
on the market in Kampala and establishing whether it complies with national quality and
safety standards and policy guidelines on infant feeding. The study also determined the
level of use of infant formula in Kampala.
Methodology: A total of 384 mothers and or caregivers were randomly sampled from all
the 5 divisions of Kampala and interviewed to establish the feeding practices and use of
infant formula. A total of 20 pharmacies and 62 supermarkets were surveyed to
determine the diversity, cost and popularity of infant formula brands on the market in
Kampala. Laboratory analysis was carried out on 5 brands of infant formula to determine
quality (nutrient content: carbohydrate, energy, fat, iron, protein and vitamin A) and
safety (lead, copper, salmonella, E. coli, coli forms, yeast and molds).
Results: About 63% of the women initiated breastfeeding within 1 hour after birth.
Only18% introduced complementary foods at 6 months as recommend by the Ministry
of Health. Women (44%) used commercial infant formula and of these, 61.5% used
commercial infant formula without consulting a health care professional because they are
not aware of the infant and young child feeding practices. The most commonly bought
formula from supermarkets and pharmacies were NAN (42.1%) and Cow and Gate
(46.7%). Mothers mostly used NAN (47.3%), SMA (39.1%) and Cow and Gate brands
(10.7%). Majority of mothers (82.4%) stored left over feed in flasks, closed containers
and just in cups. Only 17.6% of mothers store left over feed in the refrigerator. The
nutrient compositions of the commercial infant formula evaluated against the labeled
information did not fully comply especially with regards to the values for fat and energy
whose differences were statistically significant (*P<0.05) for all the samples.
Only protein values were in line with the labeled values obtained (P>0.05) for all the
samples. Most of the values obtained for iron, vitamin A, calcium, and carbohydrate did
not comply with the labeled values (*P<0.05) for all the samples. All the formula on the
market had no lead detected. Copper was 77.6 mg/100 kcal which is within the
recommended ranges of 35 to 80 mg/100 kcal and the microorganisms (total coliforms,
yeast and molds, E- coli, and salmonella) were not detected in samples thus safe of the
above microorganisms poisoning.
Mothers’ occupation was significantly correlated (P<0.05) with the age at which infant
formula feeding is initiated. Most mothers who were self-employed and who worked in
private sectors (81%) used infant formula.
Conclusion and recommendations: The infant feeding practices in Kampala are still
inadequate. The commercial infant formula evaluated did not fully comply with some
national quality and safety standards since some nutrients are not within the ranges set
by Uganda National Bureau of Standard (UNBS). Mothers should be encouraged to
practice exclusive breastfeeding, rather than relying on commercial infant formula that
might not provide the necessary nutrient for the growth and development of the child.
Further still, UNBS should strengthen monitoring of the infant feeding standards to
ensure that industries comply with the set regulations for commercial infant formula.
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ABSTRACT 105: INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION EDUCATION ON DIETARY IRON INTAKE
OF ADOLESCENTS IN CENTRAL DIVISION, KAMPALA CITY
CANDIDATE: LYDIA KAKOOZA
SUPERVISORS: 1.Dr. Christine Magala-Nyago
2. Prof: Charles Muyanja
Adolescents in secondary schools of Kampala lack diversified diets that could predispose
them to micronutrient deficiencies. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence
of nutrition education on the dietary iron intake of adolescents aged 12-15 years in the
selected day secondary schools of Central Division, Kampala, Uganda. A school-based
study was conducted in four secondary day schools in Central Division, Kampala City
from November 2012 to April 2013. A randomized control-group pretest-posttest design
was used in the study. The sample size of adolescents in the nutrition education
intervention and control arms was 202. Data collection consisted of anthropometry,
haemoglobin determination by HaemoCue method and use of a standardised multiple
pass 24-hour recall questionnaire for dietary intake and dietary diversity. The main
outcomes at post intervention were changes of iron rich foods, iron intake &
haemoglobin levels of adolescents. The findings indicate that males of 13 and 14 years
were significantly (p<0.05) more likely to be stunted and thin than their counterparts.
The adolescents aged 12-15 years had inadequate dietary intake of energy, dietary fibre,
protein, vitamins; A, C, E, B12 and folate, minerals; calcium, iron, zinc and copper. At
post intervention, there were highly significant improvements in the dietary iron intake
by 1.91mg/day, 95% CI: 1.44, 2.38, p<0.001 and haemoglobin levels by 1.12g/dl, 95%
CI: 1.01, 1.23, p<0.001 after controlling for age and sex. Nutrition education
intervention resulted to significant improvements of the iron status of adolescents (in
terms of iron rich foods, iron intake & haemoglobin levels) at post intervention. The
findings of the study suggest that nutrition education should be promoted to all
secondary schools in order to increase the dietary iron intake of adolescents.
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DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
EDUCATION
ABSTRACT 106: EFFECTIVENESS OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGIES IN DISSEMINATION OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION TO
SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KILOSA DISTRICT, TANZANIA
CANDIDATE: CHARLES LEVI
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Florence Birungi Kyazze
2. Dr. Haroon Sseguya
This study assessed the potential of information communication technologies (ICT) in
contributing to agriculture and rural development by looking into the effectiveness of
radio, television and mobile phone in dissemination of agricultural information.
Effectiveness is measured in terms of accessibility, timeliness as well as relevance of the
information provided. Specifically the study determined the relationship between
farmers‟ socio-economic characteristics and access to information through ICTs. It further
described the complementarities between ICTs in enhancing improvement of the quality
of information available to farmers. Lastly, the research established the farmers‟
perception of the effectiveness of ICTs in dissemination of agricultural information.
Different approaches of data collection were employed including questionnaire
administration, key informant interviews, farmer meetings, general observations and
documentary review. It was found that some ICTs have an association with age, sex,
education level and marital status of the respondents while some have no association.
Complementarities were also found to exist between radio, television and mobile phone.
Despite the fact that there are some shortcomings in each of the ICT modes, still the
farmers perceived ICTs as effective in dissemination of agricultural information. Based on
the findings, it is recommended that the socio-economic characteristics (age, sex,
education level and marital status) of the farmers should be considered when planning
for different programs that involve ICTs in provision of agricultural information. The
district extension system should also design programs that use the right mix of these ICTs
for agricultural extension service delivery. This will allow in fully utilizing their potential
in complementing other extension and knowledge services. Furthermore, ICTs should be
used in complementarity to ensure equitable access of quality information by the
majority of farmers. In addition the smallholder farmers need to be sensitized on the
presence of effective ICTs in their area. This will increase awareness of the farmers on the
role of ICTs and how to access and use them for their farming activities.
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE
ABSTRACT 107: EFFECT OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS ON PHYSICAL
AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER A CASE OF MPIGI DISTRICT
CANDIDATE: KAWAGGA REUBEN
SUPERVISORS: 1. Prof. F .B. Bareeba
The livestock sector is one of the fastest growing parts of the country‟s agricultural
economy, driven by human population and income growth and supported by
technological and structural change. The study assessed the effect of livestock production
systems on physical and chemical properties of water in Mpigi district. It was carried out
in four sub-counties of Muduuma, Mpigi town council, Kammengo and Buwama lying
along the shores of Lake Victoria.
The study was divided into two; study 1 was cross sectional in nature and used structured
questionnaire interviews, focus group discussions, and personal observations during the
interviews and secondary data from Government Veterinary offices in Mpigi District to
analyse trends in livestock species and numbers. A total of 100 farmers were interviewed
to generate data on demographic characteristics, livestock management systems and
livestock related factors affecting physical and chemical properties of water. Study 2 was
laboratory analysis of thirty six water samples that were collected from water sources
accessed by livestock on communal grazing and tethering management systems,
protected wells where water for livestock on zero grazing is collected and are located
near to the zero grazing units, piped water was used as a control.The water samples
were subjected to laboratory analysis for heavy metal contents as well as physical and
chemical properties. Quantitative data on physical and chemical properties of water was
analysed using General Linear Model procedure of SAS to determine effect of source and
time of sampling on physical and chemical properties of water. While qualitative data
was descriptively analysed through categorization of the common parameters in the
findings.
Eighty per cent of the respondents depended entirely on farming for livelihood and
income generation. Most agricultural activities were done by women (64%) on an
average land holding of 0.8 hectares. Livestock species kept were cattle, sheep and goats,
pigs, local chicken and the main food crops grown include beans, maize, potatoes and
cassava. The major livestock rearing systems used were : tethering (52%),stall
feeding(26%),communal grazing(17%),fenced grazing(4%),and semi-intensive
(1%).Livestock contributed 43.4% of household income while crops contributed
56.6%.The major livestock related factors affecting water quality were increasing
livestock numbers with monogastrics increasing at a higher rate than the polygastrics.,
direct access of livestock to water sources and poor waste management. Water pH (5.6),
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Temperature (24.2Oc), Electrical conductivity (148), Total Dissolved Solids (75.7), Total
Suspended Solids (0.3), Turbidity (99.4) and Nitrates (0.08) were below the critical
levels. However the contents (mg/l) of phosphorus (3.9), iron (2.47) and Copper (0.04)
were above the critical levels of 0.1 mg/l, 0.3 mg/l and 0.03 mg/l, respectively for all the
water sources. The increase in phosphorus, copper and iron has a direct effect on human
and livestock health and therefore sensitisation needs to be done to create awareness and
communal water troughs constructed at communal watering points where communal
grazing is practiced to minimise contact of livestock and water.
ABSTRACT 108: POTENTIAL OF ENSILING PINEAPPLE BY-PRODUCTS AS DAIRY
CATTLE FEED ON ORGANIC CERTIFIED FARMS
CANDIDATE: KIGGUNDU MUHAMMAD
SUPERVISORS: 1. ASSOC. PROF. FRED KABI
2. DR. METTE VAARST
Two studies were conducted; Study I assessed the use and availability of feed resources
under different cattle management systems on smallholder certified organic pineapple
farms while study II investigated the effect of wilting organic pineapple by-products and
inclusion levels of C. ensiformis foliage on silage chemical composition, fermentation
characteristics and nutritive value. In study I, data was collected using semi-structured
questionnaires and focus group discussions. Farmers allocated more land (P<0.05) to
organic pineapple production compared with livestock. Tethering was the commonest
cattle management system. Fifty three percent of respondents reported using both
natural pastures and crop residues as major dairy cattle feed resources while only 19%
reported using elephant grass. Farmers reported high cost of concentrates and scarcity of
feeds as their biggest challenges in dairy cattle production. Of the respondents, 51.4%
conserved feed for their cattle but only as elephant grass fodder banks. As a coping
strategy to feed shortages, majority (42.9%) of farmer scavenged for feed resources from
both organic certified and nonorganic neighboring farms which is contrary to organic
livestock farming standards. In study II, wilting and increasing level of C. ensiformis
foliage inclusion decreased (P<0.001) DM losses but increased (P<0.001) DM and CP
content of silages. However, the effect of wilting on DM losses depended (P<0.05) on
inclusion level of C. ensiformis foliage. Wilted silage had lower (P<0.05) ammonia
nitrogen content compared with unwilted silages. In the unwilted silages, NH3-N content
followed a quadratic trend (P<0.05) with increasing level of C. ensiformis inclusion. In
both unwilted and wilted silages, lactic acid increased at a decreasing rate (P<0.01) with
increasing levels of C. ensiformis inclusion. Metabolisable energy (ME), and net energy of
lactation (NEL) increased at a decreasing rate (P<0.05) with increasing levels of C.
ensiformis inclusion for the wilted silages. Maximum values for NEL in the wilted silages
were at ~17% of the legume foliage inclusion. In vitro organic matter digestibility
(IVOMD) for the wilted silages followed a quadratic trend (P<0.05) with the highest
recorded at ~17% level of C. ensiformis inclusion. It can be concluded that feed related
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challenges are a major limitation to smallholder dairying on certified organic pineapple
farms. The optimal inclusion levels of C. ensiformis foliage into the wilted pineapple by-
products overlapped within the range of 10- 17% for the best silage chemical
composition, fermentation characteristics and nutritive value.
ABSTRACT 109: EFFECT OF CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON FEEDING
BEHAVIOR AND FINISHING PERFORMANCE OF GRAZING MEAT GOATS IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: ABASI KIGOZI
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR. DENIS MPAIRWE
2. ASSOC. PROF. FRED KABI
This study established the effect of graded levels of concentrate supplement and length of
feeding on grazing behavior, growth, slaughter characteristics and economic performance
of meat goats. One hundred and forty four castrated Mubende-Boer crossbred goats
averaging 25±3kg were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments viz: sole grazing with
no supplement as control and grazing plus 200, 400 or 600 grams of dry matter per day
(g DM/day) of concentrate supplement. The goats were kept for either 60, 90 or 120
days on allotted dietary treatment in a 4x3 factorial treatment structure after which they
were slaughtered for carcass analysis. The results revealed no significant interaction effects
(P>0.05) between level and duration of feeding and that the duration of feeding did not
(p>0.05) affect the grazing behavior. However, significant linear effects (P=0.001) were
exhibited for graded levels of concentrate supplementation on meat goats for all
behavioral parameters that were measured. Similarly, significant quadratic relationships
for percentage time spent on grazing and browsing (P=0.001), standing and ruminating
(p=0.0015), playing (P=0.0001) and lying and ruminating (P=0.0007) were exhibited
for the effect of graded levels of concentrate. The highest proportion of daily activity
time was exhibited for grazing and browsing for all concentrate treatment levels and was
maximum (76.8%) for concentrate level of 200g DM/day. The maximum (P<0.05)
grazing intake (604g DM / day) was observed in goats fed 200g DM/day for 90 days of
feeding while goats fed 600g DM/day and kept for a 60 day feeding period, had the
least (P<0.05) grazing intake (290g DM/day). Total DM intake was highest (P<0.05)
with goats fed 600g DM/day and kept on pastures for 120 days but was lowest (P<0.05)
with control goats that were kept for 120days on pastures. Efficiency of feed utilization
was highest (FCR = 8.9; P<0.05) in goats fed 600g DM/day and kept for 90 days on
pastures and lowest (FCR = 74; P<0.05) for non-supplemented goats that grazed
pastures for a period of 90 days. The stomach and total gut fill reduced (P<0.05) with
the length of feeding period, in which it was observed that non-supplemented goats kept
on pastures for 60days registered the highest stomach and total gut fill while those
supplemented with 600g DM/Day of concentrate for a period of 120 days registered the
least amounts for both parameters. There were no effects (P>0.005) of interaction
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between amount of concentrate offered and length of feeding period on the size of
prime cuts measured. However, the size of breast and flap, fore quarter and loin area
carcass components increased (P<0.005) with increasing feeding period. The highest
returns to investment in supplementation (TR:TVC ratio) of fattening meat goats was
obtained for goats supplemented with 200g DM/day of concentrate for a fattening
period of 90 days and goats supplemented with 600g DM/day of concentrate for a
period of 60 days. However, goats supplemented with 200g DM/day of concentrate for
a fattening period of 90 days had significantly lower daily weight gain (66g/day) than
goats supplemented with 600g DM/day of concentrate for a period of 60 days
(116g/day). When the daily weight gain was regressed against the level of concentrate
supplement, the biological optimum level of supplementing grazing goats was achieved
at 651.25g DM/day of concentrate intake. This level of supplementation corresponded to
a total dry matter intake of 887.47g DM, FCR of 36.78 and a daily gain of 279g. Based
on data obtained for daily gain and TR:TVC ratio as measures of biological and
economic efficiency respectively, it was recommended that, grazing meat goats should be
supplemented with 650g DM/Day and fattened for 60 days for optimum growth rates
and carcass composition.
ABSTRACT 110: UTILISATION OF AVAILABLE FEED RESOURCES FOR IMPROVED
PRODUCTIVITY IN URBAN AND PERI-URBAN SMALL HOLDER DAIRY COWS
CANDIDATE: KUTEESA RONALD AYAHURA
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR. MPAIRWE DENIS
2. DR. NAMBI-KASOZI JUSTINE
There is need is need to improve the productivity of dairy cows if farmers are to benefit
from the dairy enterprise. The main constraint limiting the productivity of dairy cattle is
inadequate nutrition in terms of quality and quantity. The main objective of this study
was to improve the performance of lactating dairy cows in urban and peri-urban areas
through strategic utilization of locally available feed resources.
The study involved a baseline survey which identified the available feed resources and
estimated their quantities, feeding practices, constraints faced in feeding dairy cattle and
coping strategies used by farmers. During the survey, samples of the feed resources were
taken and later analysed for nutrients and digestibility. A feeding trial was carried out to
evaluate the effect of strategic supplementation on the performance of dairy cattle and
gross margins.
It was established that the main grazing system in both urban and peri-urban areas was
zero grazing and the main feed resources available for dairy production were banana
peels, napier and natural pasture. The major constraint faced in feeding dairy cattle was
shortage of basal feed and farmers mainly coped by purchase of feeds in urban areas or
using crop residues in peri-urban areas. Most of the feed dry matter used on both urban
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and peri-urban farms was sourced off-farm. Based on chemical composition the major
feed resource were divided into four categories namely high fibre-low DM degradability-
low protein, high fibre-low degradability-high protein, low fibre-high degradability-high
protein, and low fibre-high degradability-low protein. Strategic ration formulation
improved the performance of dairy cattle in terms of feed intake, body weight, body
condition score, and milk yield, and gross margin. Brewers spent grain was as effective as
MUM and FMC in balancing for protein and energy deficiencies in basal feeds.
It was concluded that strategic ration formulation using locally available feeds improves
the performance of dairy cows and on-farm incomes resulting in improved quality of life.
ABSTRACT 111: EFFECT OF FINISHING SYSTEM ON CARCASS AND MEAT QUALITY
CHARACTERISTICS OF SELECTED BEEF CATTLE GENOTYPES IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: NANTONGO ZIWENA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Denis Mpairwe
2. Assoc. Prof. David Mutetikka
A study comprising of two trials was conducted to evaluate the effects of finishing system
on carcass and meat quality characteristics of Ankole (A), Boran (B), Ankole x Boran
(AxB), Ankole x Friesian (AxF) and Ankole x Boran x Bonsmara (AxBxBn) genotypes. In
the first trial three hundred steers (average weight 210+5 kg and 12±1 months of age)
were either grazed on natural pastures or grazed and supplemented with a concentrate
formulated from molasses, maize bran and brewers-spent grain for 60, 90 and 120 days.
The steers were allocated to treatments in a 2 x 3 x 5 factorial arrangement using a
completely randomized design (CRD). In the second trial, using CRD, two hundred forty
steers of Boran, A x F and A x B x Bn genotypes were finished under feedlot, grazing
alone or grazing and supplementation for 60, 90, 120 days in a 3x3x3 factorial
arrangement of treatments. At the end of each finishing duration, 100 steers for trial 1
and 72 steers for trial 2 were slaughtered for determination of carcass characteristics,
carcass composition, water holding capacity and proximate composition of the beef. For
all genotypes, supplementation after grazing produced longer (p<0.05) carcasses with
longer and wider hind legs compared to grazing alone. All carcass characteristics were
highest when animals were finished for 120 days and lowest at 60 days of finishing.
There was a significant (p<0.05) interaction effect between genotype and duration of
finishing with regard to carcass composition. Lean to bone ratio was highest in A x F and
A x B carcasses and lowest in Ankole while supplementation after grazing produced
carcasses with higher (p<0.05) lean and lean to bone ratio than grazing alone. Highest
lean to bone ratio was observed in carcasses of animals finished for 90 days. While
feeding system did not show any effect on meat composition, the crude fat content in
meat from A x F crossbreds was lower (p<0.05) compared to meat from the rest of the
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genotypes. Meat from A x B had lower (p<0.05) drip and thaw losses compared to the
rest of the genotypes. The crude fat content increased from 60 to 120 days finishing
period. Carcasses from A x B x Bn had longer and wider hind legs than those from Boran
and A x F. Feedlot finishing produced carcasses with wider hind legs than
supplementation to grazing. Length and width of hind legs were highest for carcasses
from animals finished for 120 days. Lean from A x F and A x B x Bn carcasses was higher
than from the Borans while fat was higher in carcasses of Ax B x Bn and Boran. Feedlot-
finished animals produced carcasses with more lean, fatter but lower bone as compared
to carcasses of animals finished by supplementation after grazing or grazing alone.
Carcasses had higher proportions of fat, lean ix and LD area when finished for 120 and
90 days compared to 60 days. Meat from Ankole x Friesian animals had higher dry
matter compared to that of Boran and Ankole x Boran x Bonsmara. Meat dry matter and
crude fat were also higher for animals finished at 90 and 120 days than for animals
finished at 60 days. It was therefore concluded that for improved carcass composition
and production of quality meat, Ankole cattle and their crossbreds with Friesian and
Boran should be finished in a feedlot or grazing with supplementation. For optimum
yield and meat quality, animals should be finished for a period of not less than 90 days.
DEGREE OF MASTER OF AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
ABSTRACT 112: FARM BREED TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: A CASE OF DAIRY FARMS
IN KIBOGA DISTRICT CATTLE CORRIDOR AREA, UGANDA.
CANDIDATE: NAKANWAGI TEDDY TRIZA
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR. FREDRICK BAGAMBA
2. ASSOC. PROF. THEODORA S. HYUHA
The overall objective of the study was to analyze and compare technical efficiency and
its determinants of sampled local and mixed bred farms in Kiboga district cattle corridor
areas. To achieve this objective, the study employed stochastic frontier analysis to
estimate technical efficiency levels and a two-limit Tobit model to establish the
determinants of the 174 sampled breed categorized farms in the purposively selected sub
counties of Dwaniro, Kapeke and Lwamata in Kibogo districts. Overall, local and mixed
bred farms achieved average technical efficiency of 66.6% and 67.4% respectively. At
this level of technical efficiency, all sampled farms irrespective of the breeds at the farm
are operating below the production frontier and are not efficient given the technology
they used at the time of the study. T-test analysis revealed there is no statistically
significant difference between the average technical efficiency levels of local and mixed
bred farms. Efficiency analysis showed that the determinants of technical efficiency for
local bred farms include education level and group membership while the determinants
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of technical efficiency of mixed bred farms include herd size, extension visits and distance
to centers. The study recommends policy intervention to increase literacy levels and dairy
cooperatives in the cattle corridor. The study also recommends increased investment in
extension services that especially support reduction of herd size in the cattle corridor.
ABSTRACT 113: EVALUATION OF MARKET OPPORTUNITIES OF BEEF IN UGANDA: A
CASE OF TRADERS IN KAMPALA
CANDIDATE: NALUBEGA JUSTINE
SUPERVISORS: 1. PROF. JOHNNY MUGISHA
2. DR. DENIS MPAIRWE
There are various interventions by the government of Uganda together with other
stakeholders to boost the quantity and quality of beef in Uganda. However little has
been done to establish the market opportunities of beef in the country. Consequently,
there is limited knowledge concerning the traders‟ desired attributes as well as other
factors that influence the sales of beef at different stages of the chain. The study therefore
aimed at evaluating the market opportunities of beef in Kampala. Specific objectives
were to characterize traders in the beef marketing chain in Kampala, examine the traders‟
most demanded attributes and their perception of quality beef and to determine the
factors that influence the beef sales amongst the different traders in Kampala.
The study was conducted in the five divisions of Kampala City. A combination of
sampling techniques was used to select respondents who participated in the study
including; purposive, cluster, snowball and simple random sampling. The sampling
procedure started with an exploratory qualitative survey. The survey was aimed at
establishing and categorizing the different beef traders in Kampala city, with an overall
objective of forming clusters for a sampling frame. Primary data for the major survey
were collected from a sample of 153 respondents by use of a questionnaire. Data was
analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression with the help of SPSS and
STATA computer software. Study results indicated that the largest quantity of beef from
wholesalers was channeled through retail butchers to household consumers. Comparison
of supermarkets with each of the other retailers indicated significant differences. The most
demanded beef attribute for wholesalers of beef and retail butchers was fatty beef. There
was a significant association of fatty beef with each of these categories of traders.
Regressions for the category of retail butchers revealed that fatty beef had a positive
relationship and was significant at 5%. In addition, size of capital and experience
positively correlated with beef sales for both wholesalers and retail butchers and were
significant. Grading of beef was also positively significant for the category of retail
butchers. On the other hand, compliance to MAAIF regulations on handling and hygiene
at abattoirs/slaughter houses adversely affected income revenues from beef.
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ABSTRACT 114: DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF EXOTIC GOAT BREEDS IN
MBARARA DISTRICT IN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: RUBAJUNA EUGENE
SUPERVISORS: 1. DR. JACKLINE BONABANA-WABBI
2. DR. GABRIEL ELEPU
This study analysed the factors influencing adoption of exotic goats among farmers in
Kashari County in Mbarara District in Uganda. The specific objectives were to
characterize adopters and non-adopters of exotic goats according to their socioeconomic
characteristics, goat breeds reared, their source of supply and production systems; as well
as determine the factors influencing the adoption of the exotic goats. Multi-stage
sampling technique was used to select 290 goat keepers equally distributed between
adopters and non-adopters of exotic breeds. Both primary and secondary data were used
in the study. Primary data were collected on farmers‟ socioeconomic characteristics such
as age, education and marital status using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, while
secondary data were collected on the demographics of the location from the National
Agricultural Advisory Services. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic
regression. Results from the descriptive analysis showed that adopters‟ were older, more
educated, earned higher monthly incomes and possessed relatively bigger farms than
non-adopters‟. The Boer and Toggernberg goats were the most commonly adopted
exotic goats. Major sources of these goats were NAADS and farmers/traders‟ village
markets. Adopters reported that exotic goats had a faster growth rate and were easy to
adapt to the prevailing climate in Mbarara. Farmers were able to fetch more incomes in
exotic breed than local breeds. Logit model results showed that age, education level, land
size, group membership and experience had a positive and significant influence on
farmers‟ adoption of exotic goat breeds. Gender had a negative and significant effect on
adoption with an implication that more women should be encouraged in livestock
production. Increased farmers‟ education and group formation is capable of enhancing
adoption of exotic breeds and thereby improve the livelihood of small holders goat
farmers in Uganda.
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DEGREE OF MASTER OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
ABSTRACT 115: EVALUATION OF LIVESTOCK WATERING INFRASTRUCTURES IN
NAKASONGOLA DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY OF WANZOGI VALLEY TANK
CANDIDATE: KYAZZE PERCY
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Nicholas Kiggundu
2. Dr. Zziwa Ahamada
Water scarcity during the long drought season affects the livelihoods of livestock in the
cattle corridor of Uganda. Inappropriate planning for available water limits the survival
of livestock during long dry seasons stretching from November to March. The objective
of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of livestock watering infrastructures in
Nakasongola district to meet livestock water requirements. The study specifically assessed
valley tanks and their capacities, quantified amount of water lost due to evaporation and
seepage, performed a water balance and developed a water management decision
support tool. Seepage performed a water balance and developed a water management
decision support tool. Seepage barrels and class A evaporation pan were set up in the
field. The depth of valley tank was determined using the sounding lead method. The
water management decision support tool was developed as a spread sheet based tool
using visual basic. Results revealed that valley tanks, valley dams, small pods and
boreholes are the major livestock watering infrastructures. Management and maintenance
of the communal livestock infrastructures was abandoned for nine months and practiced
from January to March which is the peak livestock watering period. The infrastructure
capacities were affected by overstocking, poor sizing and siting, evaporation, seepage
and poor management. A case study of Wanzogi valley tank which is communal
infrastructure was found to have a capacity of 3,469m3 with a livestock daily
consumption rate of 31.85m3, evaporation water loss was 3.8mm/day and seepage
water loss was 2.7mm/day. There were 1,274 animals and 70 dry days that necessitated
watering during the dr season of 2013-2014. A water balance indicated that the valley
tank was sufficient for livestock watering till the dry season of 2017-2018. The water
management decision support tool indicated that the livestock population could
adequately be water for an extra 32 days. The tool aided management decisions through
altering livestock watering patterns and number of animals in order for the available
watering infrastructures to meet demand. The findings indicated that scarcity of water for
livestock watering was due to poor management that accelerated water losses due to
evaporation and seepage as well as wastage by water users. However, good water
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resource planning and management would ensure water use efficiency and boost
availability of water for livestock watering.
KEY WORDS: Drought, Water Infrastructure, Livestock, Rainwater harvesting, Cattle
corridor
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INTERGRATED WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT
ABSTRACT 116: SOIL, RUNOFF AND NUTRIENT LOSSES UNDER MAIZE AND
BANANA CROPPING SYSTEMS IN THE LWIRO MICROCATCHMENT, DRC
CANDIDATE: ADIDJA MATABARO Wivine
SUPERVISORS: 1. PROF. MOSES TENYWA
2. BASHWIRA SANVURA (BSc, MSc, PhD)
This study was carried out with the following objectives i) to characterise the cropping
systems; ii) to identify existing soil and water conservation practices in the Lake Kivu
basin and iii) to determine the magnitude of soil, runoff and nutrient losses from Maize
and Banana based cropping systems in Lwiro micro catchment in the Lake Kivu basin.
Characterisation of the cropping systems and the identification of existing soil and water
conservation in the Lake Kivu were done using households and key-informants interviews
and focus group discussion. Soil, runoff and nutrient losses were determined using runoff
plot approach. Instrumentalised runoff plots of 2X15m were installed on maize
intercropped with beans and banana gardens. Two soil erosion management practices,
namely; Tithonia and contour bunds were tested on Maize intercrop with Beans and
mulch for Banana. The experiment included a control practice for each crop. Each
treatment and control was replicated four times. Runoff and soil loss were estimated for
each rainfall event and aggregated on seasonal basis. Nutrient (N, P and K) losses were
estimated per season. The major cropping systems included the banana, maize and
cassava based cropping systems. The dominant features are small holding, rainfed and
limited inputs. The major soil and water conservation practices used in the Lake Kivu
included: mulch under banana; agroforestry, contour bunds, Tithonia and tripsacum
under annuals. Results of the long and short rains of the first year of experimentation
show that soil and runoff losses did not significantly change with practices and seasons
(P>0.05) for both banana and maize based systems. Soil and runoff losses ranged from
15.73 to 32.93 t/ha, and from 168.14 to 322.17 m3; respectively. Nutrient losses varied
with practices and seasons (P<0.05) and ranged from 54.68 to 112.34 Kg/ha, 87.7 to
409.4 Kg/ha; 24.5 to 94.22 Kg/ha for K, N and P; respectively. Soil and runoff losses
ranged from 8.99 to 20.6 t/ha, and from 85 to 152 m3; respectively. Only K losses
changed significantly with season (P<0.05) and ranged from 17.8 to 53.9 Kg/ha under
Banana cropping system.
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Key words: Land degradation, Lake Kivu Basin, pollution loading, Bukavu, D.R. Congo
ABSTRACT 117: SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENT LOADING INTO LAKE KIVU: A CASE
STUDY LWIRO MICRO-CATCHMENT, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
CANDIDATE: BAGALWA MASHIMANGO JEAN JACQUES
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Majaliwa Mwanjalolo J.G.
2. Prof. Kansiime Frank
Lake Kivu is one of the deepest lakes in Africa with a maximum depth of 485 m and the
most fragile and highly sensitive ecosystems in the African Great Lakes region in term of
gaseous content. During the last decade, an increase in pollution loading was observed in
the lake contributing to eutrophication, decreased dissolved oxygen and increased
methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. Estimation of pollution loading
including nutrient and sediment yield in the micro-catchment is a prerequisite for
developing the best micro-catchment management plan for the Lake-wide basin. The
objectives of this study were to; determine land use/land cover changes in Lwiro micro-
catchment for the last 25 years and; to estimate the contribution of the different nutrient
and sediment sources to the pollution loading into the River Lwiro. Time series of the
Landsat images (1987, 2001, 2010) were classified into four categories: forest, buildup
areas, wetland and small scale farmland area. SWAT model was used to estimate
pollution loading from different sources into the River. Results show that land use/ cover
in the study area have changed substantially from 1987 to 2010. The forestsdecreased by
23%, while wetlands, small scale farmland and Built-up areas increased by 2.11; 0,88 and
2.29 % respectively. A good agreement between observed and simulated discharge,
sediment yield and nutrient load during the study period was observed using SWAT
model. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the monthly runoff, TSS, TP and TN
were obtained as 0.56; 0.79; 0.66 and 0.86 respectively, during the period of study.
ArcSWAT simulated results show that sediment and runoff high yield was generated by
small scale farmland and forest area respectively. Sensitization about best management
practices should be conducted in order to reduce nutrient and sediment loads due to erosion into
the River Lwiro micro-catchment.
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ABSTRACT 118: PERFORMANCE AND PROFITABILITY OF WATER SAVING
TECHNOLOGIES ON IRRIGATED RICE IN SOUTH-KIVU PROVINCE, DR CONGO
CANDIDATE: BOSSISSI NKUBA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Jackson-Gilbert Majaliwa Mwanjalolo
2. Dr Alice Amoding Katusabe
Rice cultivation consumes a lot of irrigation water, though water is becoming scarcer in
the world. D.R. Congo has a high potential for rice production but it is still unable to
produce enough rice to cover the population‟s needs. This increases hunger and poverty
in the country. Insufficient access to water due to limited infrastructure is one of the
causes of low rice production in D.R. Congo and particularly in the South-Kivu Province.
Thus, a study was conducted in the South-Kivu Province, Eastern DR Congo with the
objectives of analysing the performance of water saving technologies (WST) during rice
production and assessing the profitability of rice under farmers‟ conditions and under
WST. To analyse the performance of the WST, two experiments were set up, one in the
Lowlands and one in the Highlands. The experimental design was a Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split plot arrangement, with the main factor being
the WST and the secondary factor being the variety. The WST applied were: Alternating
Wetting and Drying (AWD), Saturated soil but Not Flooded (SNF) and Permanent
Flooding (PF). The varieties used were: Iron, V046 which were local varieties and Nerica
4 in both sites; then Angerica and Kyabukoli only in the Highlands and K5 and Nerica 19
only in the Lowlands. To assess the profitability of rice, a survey was conducted both in
the Lowlands and in the Highlands. A total of 220 farmers, were interviewed using a
structured questionnaire targeting rice production cost and profit. Both personal
interviews and focus groupdiscussions were used during this survey. Results from the
experiment indicate that WST did not have a significant impact on rice growth in both
areas. However, they had a significant effect on rice yield only in the Lowlands. Also
AWD was the best performing WST in terms of rice yield, while SNF did not perform
differently from PF. In terms of varieties, generally, the local varieties performed better
than imported. However, in Lowlands, the imported variety K5 had the highest yield.
Rice was found to be profitable in both Highlands and Lowlands, but it is more
profitable in the Lowlands than in the Highlands. AWD increases relatively rice
profitability while SNF reduces it slightly.
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ABSTRACT 119: SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT AND PROJECTED IMPACT OF CLIMATE
CHANGE ON RICE YIELD IN TWO AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES IN SOUTHKIVU,
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
CANDIDATE: MUHINDO IRAGI DANIEL
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Jackson-Gilbert Majaliwa Mwanjalolo
2. Dr. Alice Amoding Katusabe
Rice is one of the five most important staple foods in South-Kivu, with high andincreasing
demand. The gap between the demand and supply has led to increasing importation of
rice in the region. Changes in climate are likely to further increase this gap. A study was
conducted in South-Kivu to i) determine suitable areas for optimum rice growing and ii)
determine the impact of historical and future climate on paddy rice yield in two agro-
ecolgical zones (Kavumu and Luberizi) in the region. GIS-based multicriteria analysis
techniques were used in ArcGIS 10.2 to identify suitable areas for rice growth in the two
locations while the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator Model (APSIM) was used
to simulate the impact of historical and future climate change scenarios (Mid and end-
century, Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5) on rice yield. The results
obtained from this study indicate that Kavumu and Luberizi catchments cover 1744 ha
and 16036 ha respectively and generally only a small portion of the two locations are at
most moderately suitable for rice growth (7.51% and approximately 20% of the
catchment in Kavumu and Luberizi, respectively). The marginally suitable class
represented 72.88% and 36.09% of the catchment in Kavumu and Luberizi respectively.
The most limiting factors to rice production in both catchments were temperature,
nutrient retention capacity and erosion hazard. During the last 30 years (1980-2010) rice
biomass significantly (p<0.001) declined in both catchments while rice grain yield
remained stable (p>0.05) in Kavumu but significantly declined in Luberizi over time
(p<0.001). Both rice biomass and grain yield are projected to increase with climate
change in Kavumu, except for the end-century under RCP 8.5 while in Luberizi it is
projected that there will be a decline in rice biomass and a slight increase in grain yield
followed by a decline in the end-century under RCP 8.5.
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ABSTRACT 120: CONSERVATION STATUS OF INDIGENOUS WOODY PLANT SPECIES
USED BY PASTORALISTS OF SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA
CANDIDATE: DINA NABASUMBA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Jackson-Gilbert
Majaliwa Mwanjalolo
2. Dr Alice Amoding Katusabe
The conservation status of indigenous woody plant species used by pastoralists of south
western Uganda was assessed between August and December 2013. The objectives of the
study were; i) to identify the indigenous woody species used by pastoralists; ii) to
determine the population structure of plant species used; iii) to assess changes in the
diversity of indigenous woody plant species overtime; and iv) to analyze human factors
affecting conservation of priority indigenous woody plant species and identify mitigating
strategies. Methods of data collection included a survey of 100 households in Ankole
ranching scheme and inventory of woody plants in 55 nested plots of 50 m × 50 m. The
results show that 70 species are used by the pastoralists. These belong to 31 families with
family Fabaceae having the highest number of species. The major uses include human and
livestock medicine, firewood, fodder, food, poles and timber. The major species used
are: Vernonia ammygdalina, Acacia sieberriana, Acacia hockii, Carissa edulis and Albizia
coriaria respectively. The plants exhibit an inverse J population structure depicting a
sustainable population. Based on the IUCN Red list most species are categorized as Least
Concern (LC) with one species (Rytigyna macrura) as Data Deficient. In terms of trends in
diversity, there was no significant difference between the species recorded in 2013 and
the baseline inventory data of 1998, although there was an increase in number of species
in the current study. Species such as Asparagus flagellaris, Microglossa angolensis, Nuxia
congesta, Ficus ovata, Gardenia sp, Lantana trifolia and Duranta erecta were added in the
inventory of 2013. Over grazing and uncontrolled harvesting are the leading human
induced threats to the conservation of woody plants. Other factors include fires and
agriculture. In conclusion, pastoralism production lands have a high potential for the
conservation of indigenous woody plants. Integrating the conservation of species in
restoration programs of rangelands, development of domestication packages for major
species used, establishment of community based conservation platform, species re-
introduction for indigenous woody species which were found missing in the current
inventory and zoning of grazing sites in paddocks are recommended to enhance
conservation of indigenous woody plant species.
147
ABSTRACT 121: DEFORESTATION AND FOREST DEGRADATION: THE
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR REDD+
CANDIDATE: Kigonya Ritah
SUPERVISORS: 1. Dr. Justine Namaalwa Jjumba
2. Assoc. Prof. Gorettie N. Nabanoga
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation in developing countries
(REDD+) is one of the various mechanisms to ensure sustainable forest management. It is
a policy approach that provides incentives for reduced emissions from deforestation and
forest degradation and plays a role in conservation, sustainable management of forests
and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Although the initiative
is expected to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation in the country,
its implementation might face a number of challenges, hence necessitating investigation
of a number of aspects that favor or impede its implementation, as well as the likely
future scenarios as the country embraces REDD+ initiatives. The study aimed at assessing
the socio-economic factors influencing land use/cover changes between 2005 and 2013,
the opportunities and challenges for implementing a REDD+ initiative and the likely
future scenarios in socio-economic behavior following the implementation of REDD+
initiatives. Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR) and Alimugonza community forest were
used as the study areas to represent CFRs and community forests respectively. Focus
group discussions as well as individual surveys with the use of semi-structures
questionnaires were conducted. Key informant interviews were also carried out with the
stakeholders in management of the forests. The results revealed charcoal burning,
extraction of firewood, harvesting of timber and poles and clearing of land for
cultivation as the major socio-economic activities leading to continuous loss of forest
cover in Mabira CFR, while extraction of poles and firewood and land clearing for
cultivation were the major ones in Alimugonza Community Forest. There was willingness
to take part in REDD+ initiatives and existence of local institutions through which the
initiatives could be implemented. However, security of tenure as well as the kind of
incentives requested for turned out as the challenges for implementation. It was also
revealed that continued participation in the REDD+ activities by the communities was
assured. In conclusion, the continued loss of forest cover in both CFRs and Community
Forests is attributed to forest resource extraction and clearing of forest land for
cultivation, which can be reduced with the implementation of the REDD+ initiative,
learning from the experiences of the existing formal and informal institutions such as the
Collaborative Forest Management (CFM) groups and Community Land Associations
(CLA) in CFRs and Community Forests respectively. Therefore, for each tenure regime, as
well as sites in the same forest but with different management regimes, REDD+ pilot
studies should be implemented to inform the National REDD+ Architecture.
148
ABSTRACT 122: ASSESSMENT OF THE UTILIZATION OF ELECTRONIC
INFORMATION RESOURCES BY ENTOMOLOGISTS AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
AND NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ORGANIZATION (NARO)
CANDIDATE: ONAN MULUMBA
SUPERVISORS: 1. Assoc. Prof. Constant Okello-Obura
2. Prof. Phillip Nyeko
Electronic information resources provide a platform for timely access to updated
information in support of teaching, research and decision making. The dynamics of the
utilization of electronic resources have been studied in the past years to determine their
impact in research. However, recent studies have mainly focused on academics and
researchers in general without putting into consideration the differences in information
needs and seeking behaviors of the individual research groups. This study aimed at
addressing the gap in information services by institutions and information personnel, for
improved utilization of electronic resources by teachers, researchers and postgraduate
students, of Entomology at Makerere University and National Agricultural Research
Organization (NARO). In a cross sectional survey an interview guide, questionnaire and
observation guide were used to collect data from Entomologists. Data was captured
using Epidata (V. 3.1), analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS (V.21) to obtain the
frequencies and relations in responses to awareness, frequency of use, information needs,
barriers and strategies to an improved use of Electronic information resources by
Entomologists. The data was then presented in tables and graphs for appropriate
interpretation. Results from the study indicated that Entomologists were aware of the
availability of E-Resources at their institutions and this awareness was gained, mainly,
through intra-personal communications. It was also established that the internet was
largely utilized in search for information, and searches from Google Scholar and AGORA
databases were more prominent. The majority of the Entomologists were found to prefer
E-Resources to print resources and that they mainly depended on E-Resources under their
institutional subscriptions. Entomologists were found to have a diversity of information
needs, but they largely searched for information o the biology and physiology of insects.
The major challenge encountered by Entomologists in use of E-Resources was the slow
internet speed resulting from limited bandwidth and, therefore, more institutional effort
was recommended towards acquiring broader bandwidth.
149
MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (CAES)
MISSION:
To advance training, knowledge generation and service delivery to enhnce agricultural
development, sustainable natural resource utilization and environmental management.
CONTACTS:
P.O. BOX 7062, KAMPALA – UGANDA
TELEPHONE: +256 414 542 277
EMAIL: [email protected]/[email protected]
WEBSITE: www.caes.mak.ac.ug
School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS)
School of Forestry, Environmental &Geographical Sciences (SFEGS)
School of Food Technology, Nutrition & Bio engineering (SFTNB)
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