School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS) Collections

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  • Item
    Domestication potential of selected indigenous fruit trees in Mukono district
    (Makerere University, 1998) Abigaba, Grace
    Indigenous fruit trees are predominantly growing in the wild in Uganda. Domestication of indigenous fruit trees involves identification, capturing of germplasm from the wild and the incorporation into existing farming systems. The main objective of this study was to identify indigenous fruit trees with the greatest potential for domestication and to evaluate the most appropriate propagation methods for the most highly ranked indigenous fruit tree species found in areas surrounding Mabira Forest Reserve, Mukono District, Uganda. The survey results indicate that there are five indigenous fruit trees in Mukono namely Garcinia buchananii, Canarium schweinfurthii, Tarmarindus indica, Vangueria apiculata and Pseudospondius microcarpa. None of these fruit species has ever been cultivated. Garcinia buchananii was ranked the most important. Green house trials on evaluation of the most appropriate propagation methods showed that the germplasm of Garcinia buchananii can be captured through seed. Brazing seeds gave the best germination percentage (93%) followed by soaking in cold water (78%) compared to untreated seeds (51%). Results from cuttage and layerage propagation showed that G. Buchananii is a difficult-to-root fruit tree species with a slow response to rooting hormone. While callus was formed on only 6.6% of softwood cuttings treated with 0.4-0.8% IBA after a period of 9 weeks, there was no response to airlayering.
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    Attitudes of local communities towards forest management practices in Uganda: the case of Budongo Forest Reserve
    ( 1998) Obua, Joseph ; Abwoli, Y. Banana ; Turyahabwe, N.
    Positive attitudes of local communities towards forest management practices are an essential prerequisite for local participation in forest management. In Budongo Forest Reserve, local communities have negative attitudes towards forest management practices because of the strict rules on forest resource utilization. For a long time local people have had restricted access to extract traditional non-timber forest products from Budongo Forest Reserve and were not given timber-felling licenses. This denied them the benefits of timber business and resulted in mistrust, antagonism and conflicts with the Forest Department. A study of 200 households showed the associations between socio-economic features of people living close to the forest and their use of forest resources and demonstrated the basis of attitudes towards those managing the forest. Since Uganda is going through the process of democratic reform and decentralisation of public administration, it is felt that local communities could be empowered to co-manage and benefit from forest resources in their vicinity.
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    Case study - Property rights: access to land and forest resources in Uganda
    (Oxford University Press, 2001) Gombya-Ssembajjwe, William S. ; Abwoli, Y. Banana ; Bahati, Joseph
    Property rights influence the incentives and the behavior of individuals within a community with respect to rules that each and every person must observe in his/her interactions with other people (Hallowell 1943; Bromley 1992). Tenure consists of a bundle of rights that an individual has in a resource (Bruce 1989). It includes the terms and conditions under which resources are owned, accessed, managed, and transferred. Therefore, the rights that users have affect the incentives for sound use or misuse of resources. Consequently, tenure must be taken into account when planning strategies for natural resource management.
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    Prevalence, intensity and environmental risk factors of schistosomiasis: A case study of Busiro County, Mpigi District - Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2001-01) Tukahebwa, Edridah Muheki
    Abstract This study was carried out to establish the magnitude of schistosomiasis and its related environment risk factors in communities close to the shores of Lake Victoria in Busiro County, Mpigi District. Quantitative and qualitative surveys were done and random sampling was used to select responses. Questionnaires were administered and the rate of schistosomiasis infection as well as other intestinal helminths examined using the Kato Katz thick smear technique. Environmental factors were also observed. Bacteriological water quality was assessed using faecal coliforms as indictors of faecal contamination. Snails were sampled and screened for presence of schistosomiasis pathogens. The data was analyzed using Epi Info, version 6.04 computer program for DOS. The overall prevalence and geometric mean egg count of schistosomiasis were 51% and 110 eggs per gram faeces (epg) respectively. Schistosomiasis was prevalent in this study area. Busiro County boraders a known source of the disease (Lake Victora) on which the people depend for their socio-economic needs. Therefore, the communities are prone to schistosomiasis transmission factors such as snail vectors, water contaminated with faecal material where they swim, bathe, fish and wade. Infection rate was higher in males and fishermen than females because of their prolonged exposure in the infected water while fishing. The 15-19 year age group had the highest prevalence of 83.3% (10/12) while the 20-24 year age group had the highest intensity (266 epg) as compared to other age groups probably because of some immunological and physiological factors. The other intestinal helminths identified were hookworms, Ascaris lumbricides, Trichuris trichiura and Hymenolepis nana. The recommended intervention measures to combat schistosomiasis are treatment of the vulnerable group of people like school-age children and fishermen, public health education and maintenance of proper sanitation.
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    Mapping the risk of malaria in Kyebe Subcounty, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2001-02) Ochieng, George
    Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda. It is responsible for 30% morbidity in Rakai district. Previous studies in Uganda have mapped the mosquito breeding habits through extensive field surveys. However, these conventional methods are expensive. In this research, remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) which have been successfully used elsewhere in malaria epidemiology were used. The major objective was to use these techniques to map the risk of malaria in Kyebe Sub County and identify the potential suitable sites for the construction of a new health Centre. Sample sites were selected by random sampling of the different land use and cover (LUC) types from a base map prepared by interpretation of X 1 m digital camera images. Fourth instar mosquito larvae were collected using a 350 –ml sampling dipper, segregated, identified and counted. 85.6% of the fourth instar larvae captured were of the Anopheles gambiae complex. Degraded papyrus which had 68.2% of all the fourth instar Anopheles mosquito larvae captured was classified as the most highly preferred breeding habitat (mean number of larvae per dip = 0.23). 68% of Kyebe Sub County was within 3 kilometers of the degraded papyrus. This model was validated by spatially comparing the distribution of risk with the distribution of population density. There was a significant correlation (Kendall’s tau_b=-0.42, p =0.37). 83.4% of the areas of risk of malaria did not have public health centers within 5 kilometers. GIS techniques were used to determine the potential sites for the construction of a new health center, based on the fulfillment of desirable conditions of easy accessibility, within a population catchment area, areas at risk of malaria and areas not previously served by a public run health. Restricting the harvesting of Cyperus papyrus was recommended. Further research to determine the critical mass of papyrus that proliferates Anopheles mosquitoes was suggested.
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    The buffering capacity of Kinawataka wetland Kampala - Uganda; with particular emphasis to bacteriological indicators and suspended solids
    (Makerere University., 2001-03) Opio, Alfonse
    The buffering capacity of Kinawataka wetland was investigated with particular emphasis on the indicator organisms (faecal coliforms) and total suspended solids (TSS). Field measurements for physico-chemical parameters were done at all the major inflows into the wetland, in the wetland and in the outflow from the wetland. Water samples were also taken from the same locations for laboratory analysis. Field observations were also made and dominant plant species were collected for identification. Socio-economic activities in and around the wetland were also documented. Faecal coliforms were analyzed by Membrane Filtration method and presumptive faecal coliform numbers estimated on laury1 Sulphate Broth. The analysis of TSS was adopted from APHA (1992). The wet season exhibited significantly higher faecal coliform numbers than the dry season for all the sites. The faecal coliform numbers were significantly different during the wet season for all the sites (p = 0.00). For the wet season, the trend of faecal coliform numbers was Banda = Concorp = Pepsi > Kyambogo > Outlet. The faecal coliforms numbers were also significantly different during the dry season for all the sites (p = 0.00). The trend for the wet season was Pepsi = Corcorp = Banda > Kyambogo > Outlet. The loads of faecal coliforms for the wet season was significantly higher than that of the dry season at all sites. The loads for the wet season were significantly different between the sites (p = 0.00). The trend of the loads for faecal coliforms during the wet season was Concorp = Banda = Pepsi = Kyambogo > Outlet. For the dry season, there was significant difference of the loads of faecal coliforms between the sites (p = 0.00) and the trend was Pepsi = Concorp > Banda > Kyambogo > Outlet. TSS values for all the sites were significantly higher for the wet season compared to the dry season. There was significant difference of TSS concentration between the sites during the wet season (p = 0.00). The TSS concentration during the wet season was Pepsi > Concorp = Banda > Kyambogo > Outlet. The general loads of TSS were significantly higher for wet season compared to the dry season. There was significant difference of loads of TSS between the sites for the wet season (p = 0.001). The trend of loads for TSS during the wet season was Concorp = Pepsi > Banda > Kyambogo > Outlet. The trend of the loads of TSS during the dry season was Concorp > Pepsi > Kyambogo > Banda > Outlet = and were significantly different between the sites P = 0.00). Considering all loads of the inflows into the wetland and those in the effluent, the overall efficiency as a whole is 99.94% and 96.13% for faecal coliforms and TSS respectively in the dry season. Kinawataka wetland is providing a significant buffering against pathogens and total suspended solids and measures should be put in place to stop encroachment. Reduced loading into the wetland could be achieved by encouraging the factories discharging into the wetland to construct treatment facilities (e.g. ponds) and repair the ponds in Ntinda and Kyambogo estates.
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    The impact of valley dam construction on environment in Karamoja: A case study of Longorikipi Dam; Bokora corridor wildlife Reserve, Karamoja, Uganda
    (Makerere University., 2001-08) Nimpamya, Jane
    The study was carried out in Bokora Corridor Wildlife Reserve in Karamoja at Longorikipi dam. The major objective of the study was to investigate the impact of valley dams and livestock on the wildlife and vegetation of Karamoja. Vegetation sampling was done using 4 transects each of 1 km long all starting from the dam. In each transect, 9 plots were made for sampling grasses and shrubs making a total of 36 plots in the whole study site. The plots measured 30m x 30 m. In each transect, the first 6 plots were at an interval of 50 m and the last 3 at an interval of 250 m. The point intercept Method was used for grasses and herbs in the same plots in which 3 lines of 30 m were made and counts were done at an interval of 20 cm making a total of 450 counts in a plot and a total of 4050 counts in a transect, hence a total of 16200 counts in the whole study site. Data of grasses and herbs were used to assess grazing intensity. A total of 66 vascular plants were recorded. 3 species were trees, 6 were shrubs, 26 were herbs, 16 were grasses and one was a sedge while 14 were either shrub or tree. Statistical data analysis was done for shrubs, grasses and herbs that showed that vegetation degradation decreased with increasing distance from the dam. Climate and grazing were observed to be the major factors influencing the vegetation of Bokora Corridor WR. It was found that grazing affects mainly the herb layer. For observation of wild mammals and birds, four transects of 1000 m each were made and observations done at any point along these transects. 24 species of wild mammals were recorded while for birds, 27 species were recorded out of which one is rare and one is globally more wild game and birds at the dam in the west season than in the dry season while there are more livestock at the dam in the dry season than in the wet season. Gun shots were a common sound at the dam in the dry season and many wild mammals and birds were killed.
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    Community-park relations - How to achieve and measure success: A case study of Kibale National Park
    (Makerere University., 2001-08) Nankya, Rose
    Although conservationists are interested in the long-term use of resources, the communities neighbouring Protected Areas are interested in the short-term benefits. This creates problems and costs of conservation proportional to the extent of conflict between these two sets of interest. The situation in Uganda has not been different. In the case of Kibale National Park, conservation has faced the same obstacles till a pro-people approach to conservation was adopted. In order to know the effectiveness of the programme, this study was carried out in the communities neighbouring the Park with the overall objective of assessing the community-Park relations. The attitude towards the park is good although people felt that they are not yet benefiting from the Park-Community programmes. Most people are aware about the importance of conserving the park but they are blindfolded by the problems that arise from the park like crop raiding. The awareness about the wildlife policy of involving communities in park management and benefit sharing is very low despite people’s willingness to collaborate in managing the park. In spite of peoples’ knowing the law governing the management of Protected Areas, conservation still remains a challenge due to the prevailing poverty in these communities. This implies that whether legal or not, dependence on park resources by these communities will continue.
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    Local use of selected wild food plant species by the Tepeth Community of Mountain Moroto Forest Reserve in Karamoja, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2001-12) Kateega, Monicah
    The study was undertaken from September 2000 and February 2001 in three parishes of Lia, Kakingol and Loyaroboth in mountain Moroto Forest Reserve to assess the sustainability of the use of seven wild food plant species used by the Tepeth community who reside within the Reserve. The species are Vitex fischer Giirke, Mumusops kummel A.DC., Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich) Hochst, Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del, Ziziphus abyssinica A.Rich., Ficus sycomorus L. and Ficus Vasta Forssk. The selected species have other uses that include medicinal. Fencing, construction, cultural, crafts, and fodder and fuel wood. Qualitative and quantitative methods, which included free listing, forest survey, interviews, forest walks with local knowledgeable people and those going for harvesting of the fruits, harvested for food were used in the assessment. The interviews were mainly through semi-structured interview. The study also involved direct observation of harvesting and preparation of the food from these species through home visits. The study involved 167 households from which one person was interviewed. Informal discussions, home visits and direct observation were also used. The results indicate that the selected wild food plant species are not evenly distributed in the three study parishes. The largest number of individuals of all the selected wild food plant species was found in the diameter size class of >10 (mature plants). All the selected wild food plant species are over-exploited and are locally endangered. Food is harvested from mountain Moroto forest reserve as the most important resource although the quantities harvested for each of the selected wild food plant species varied greatly. Ficus sycomorus was harvested in the largest quantities and Sclerocarya birrea in the smallest quantities. There is no direct relationship between the amount harvested and the abundance of the selected wild food plants. The harvesting methods used include, leave harvesting, fruit picking, debarking, uprooting, extraction of sap and felling trees depending on the uses of the species in question and the parts used. The ripe fruits of all the investigated wild food plant species are eaten raw but some are picked when ripe, dried, ground, and mixed with honey or ghee then cooked. Seventy one percent of the respondents not been exposed to the conservation principles, which means that the harvesting is done without putting any conservation measures in place, resulting in sustainability.
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    The impact of elephants on agricultural productivity: A socio-economic evaluation of farmers/elephant conflict in Wakyato sub-county, Luwero District, Uganda
    (Makerere University., 2001-12) Nuwe, John Bosco
    This study was aimed at assessing the impact of the elephant on agricultural productivity in Wakyato sub-county Luwero district. The objectives of the study were; to value damages to crops by elephants, assess the methods used by farmers to deter elephant raids and lastly, to examine the potential benefits that the local communities have with respect to the presence of elephants and other wildlife. The study was largely based on data from direct measurements and observations. Interviews and published information were also used in data collection. Four crops; cassava, maize and banana were considered. In view of the findings, the damage was a very real constraint to agricultural productivity. This has affected food security and household per capita income. This study has shown that on average, a compensation of Ugandan shillings 100,744/= or US$ 74.62 per year per household would make the households as well off with elephants without. The farmers have used traditional methods to reduce raids with considerable success. These methods included physical guarding, ditches, moats, fences, noise and fires. The results show that a combination of physical barriers and guarding reduces elephant raids considerably. Some farmers however, were not able to protect their farms due to technical and financial constraints. There is need for government and UWA to develop a strategy that will address this problem. More studies are needed to compare the potential financial gains from the wildlife in the district, this may lead to a landuse system that may be compatible with human needs in Wakyato. To reduce the human/elephant conflict the government together with UWA must compensate the farmers at least with the value lost. The long term solution however, is for the planning unit in Luwero assisted by the technical staff from UWA and related government departments to come up with an integrated landuse plan that recognizes both wildlife and human welfare.
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    Bush pig density, distribution and crop raiding trends around the Northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, South Western Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2001-12) Mpalanyi, Musaasizi Joel
    The study focused mainly on crop loss to bush pigs and local population density of bush pigs around the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP). Systematic monitoring of crop loss to bush pigs and population density estimation was carried out in and around the northern sector of BINP for eight months (May-December 1999). The design was aimed at estimating the local bush pig population, quantifying the amount of crop loss to bush pigs, and determining the factors that influence bush pigs depredation on crops. Interviews were also carried out among the communities to gauge their perceptions of the problem of crop loss to wildlife and to bush pigs in particular. The population density of bush pigs in the northern sector BINP was estimated using encounter rates of dung group pellets along line transects. The average occupancy distance for the bush pigs within the forest was also estimated in an attempt to determine how the bush pigs utilize space from frequencies of foot tracks along line transects from the park boundary and within different habitat types. Bush pig dung and tracks were found on slopes of closed forest because this was the most common habitat type. The most preferred habitat type for bush pigs in the northern sector of BINP is lower slopes of closed and open forest because they provide good cover, wet environments and soft ground for uprooting tubers that they feed on: lower slopes of open slopes provide a wide range of primary plant species that form part of the bush pig diet. The dung accumulated over 141 days gave a density of 181.12 dung piles per square kilometer (95 percent confidence limits 93.764 – 349.840). This was divided by the total number of days and further by a defecation rate from literature of 7 dung piles per animal per day to give a best estimated density of 1.8 bush pigs per square kilometer. This is 0.95 to 3.5 bush pigs per square kilometer (95 percent confidence limits). In eight months, systematic monitoring of crop loss to bush pigs was also carried out in gardens adjacent to the park boundary in Karangara parish. This revealed that bush pigs destroyed upt o 13 percent of the total planted area per season. The distribution of damage was uneven; most crop damage was inflicted on six species of crops. Bush pigs forged mainly on tubers, particularly those of sweet potatoes and on grain crops, particularly maize. Bush pig crop damage was restricted to 200 meters of the park boundary. Damage and loss were highly localized to a narrow band of fields very close to the forest boundary experienced the most crop loss. Distance of fields to forest boundary and to nearest bush fallow continuous with forest boundary explain the variation in crop damage, intensity and frequency of crop raiding by bush pigs. Fifty-two farmers of between eighteen to ninety years of age were interviewed. All the women cultivated for a living while eighty percent of the men spent three quarters of day time working on tea plantations. More than 75% of the farmers interviewed in the parishes of Karangara and Bushura considered bush pigs to be an agricultural problem. The proportion of farmers reporting a bush pig problem though did not differ significantly between Karangara and Bushura. In both parishes, farmers’ estimation of crop loss differed greatly with systematically quantified crop loss by men who spent the least time cultivating registering higher estimates of crops lost. Damage occurred all year round, but farmers regarded the wet season of February to May as being the time of maximum crop loss. When asked if bush numbers had increased in recent years, 87% of farmers reporting a problem said yes compared with 45% of those not having a bush pig problem. The majority of farmers interviewed said that bush pigs are a major pest because they come at night in large numbers, and can kill people. Thus, they are regarded as dangerous animals that are able to cause a great deal of damage to people and crops. A number of bush pig control methods are available but there is not enough information to allow any method to be recommended. Habitat manipulation can offer in effective means of reducing the abundance of problem animals. Before deciding on any management action, a farmer would need to assess the economic loss caused by bush pigs and weigh it against the cost of control measures. The bush pig crop-raiding problem could increase further with time as the species recover their numbers from past disturbances through illegal hunting. For this reason it is important to find viable control and management options before affected farmers attempt drastic methods.
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    Provisional methodology for the assessment of trees outside forests (TOF) in Uganda.
    ( 2002) Abwoli, Y. Banana ; Kanabahita, Charotte ; Byabashaija, Denis Mujuni
    Trees outside forest reserves are characterized by relatively small sizes, multiplicity of ownership and by diverse character of individual woodlots scattered over the country. Little data currently exist on forests outside forest reserves. Until very recently, only some preliminary case studies have been made on this aspect. This is partly due to the methodological difficulties involved, as almost all trees outside forests consist of a mixture of many different species of which no volume or yield tables are available and of which very little is known about their age. Also, very few private owners would be willing to allow destructive sampling methodologies to be used to obtain data on tree volumes in their woodlots. Despite their contribution to third world economies, trees outside forests(TOF) have been and continue to be grossly underestimated. This is reflected in the value attached to them in the current National Forestry statistics. It has long been assumed that local demands are sustained by products from forest estates. However, in the recent past, data are becoming available which indicate that the majority of wood used in rural areas is obtained locally outside forest reserves. Planners, administrators, and politicians seem to lack meaningful and reliable information on key issues of TOF (increment, recruitment, regeneration, standing stock~harvesting, and extraction). In the context of the ongoing efforts in Uganda to improve forest management, it is important to understand the key issues relating to the role, current and potential, of TOF and to identify measures to enhance their contribution. This paper presents an overview of the importance of TOF, the current availability of information on TOF, available methodologies of data collection, past efforts of data collection and suggests a suitable methodology for data collection on TOP. Advances in contemporary forest management require data and information on a new dimension, namely the socio-economic factors. By focusing on this aspect, the proposed methodology, we hope will fill the important information gaps that have been neglected by previous methodologies.
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    Assessment of pollution of sediments from selected Lake Victoria bays
    (Makerere University, 2002-01) Ojok, Julius
    Abstract Pollution of Lake Victoria is caused by a number of factors. Pollution increase, industrial and agricultural developments and general municipal and domestic wastes from the catchment areas of the lake are the major contributing factors. This study was carried out to assess and compare the levels of pollution in the lake sediments and suspended solids at Napoleon Gulf (N.G.), Jinja municipality; Murchison Bay (M.B.), near Kampala city and Sango Bay (S.B.) in Rakai district. The analysis were carried out for total Nitrogen and total Phosphorus, organic Carbon and heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd). Physical properties like pH of the sediment slurries, dry weights (%), organic weights (%) and sediment particle size distribution were also analyzed. The results obtained for pH showed that Napoleon Gulf is not statistically different from Murchison Bay (ANVA, p=0.963), but are both statistically different from Sango Bay (p=0.009 and 0.007 respectively). The respective pH ranges were 5.9 – 6.1, 6.2 – 6.4 and 6.7-6.8. The pH ranges in the Bays considered together revealed a highly significant difference (ANOVA, p=0.009). The percentage dry weights in the sediments reflected the water retention capacities of the sediments and showed the trend N.G.
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    A community level economic value assessment of natural resources: The case of Sango Bay Forest Ecosystem, Rakai District, Uganda
    (Makerere University., 2002-05) Kabi, Maxwell
    Biodiversity forms the basis for survival of human kind. It is the source of economic, ecological, as well as spiritual well-being of humankind, enabling humans to adapt to many changing situations both at regional or international levels. At the different levels, there are wide ranges of interest and often conflicts among the users of resources. The decisions that are made in many of the sectors in a way, directly or indirectly, impact on biodiversity, influencing the benefits, costs and the subsequent distribution of biodiversity benefits. This, however, is constrained by deficiencies in information regarding these economic attributes. The contribution of biodiversity to human livelihood therefore, makes conservation of the resource nit just a matter of science or technical concern only, but also of policy and institutional requirement. Since conservation is really deep seated at the community level, value attributes and incentives for protected area establishment, management and protection need to be addressed at this level. This dissertation highlights the community perception of the economic value of environmental commodities as a primary prerequisite for mainstreaming biodiversity conservation at the community level. The study was undertaken in and around the Sango Bay Forest, among adjacent communities (Rakai District). The overall objective was to ascertain the economic values and benefits of the forest resources as perceived by the communities. The specific objectives were; 1. Identify and quantifying the benefits from Sango Bay Forest Reserves to communities adjacent the forests; 2. Establishing the economic values of the different goods and services that the communities derive from the forests; 3. Examining the costs of managing Sango Bay Ecosystem; and to 4. Determine the profitability of the Sango Bay Forest Ecosystem Market and non-market valuation methods were used to estimate the costs and benefits of biodiversity conservation, specifically, to the community. Detailed household surveys were also conducted to find the economic importance of biodiversity to their livelihoods. The concept of total economic value was used. From this perspective, the summation of direct use value from such products as timber and non-timber economic values, the economic value of non-consumptive uses e.g. ecosystem services, the option and existence value were key components in the valuation model. The study has revealed that the welfare of the community was strongly dependent on the existence of Sango Bay. Direct use value accounted for 46% of the total benefits and was estimated at UgShs. 47.8 billion (US$ 26.6 million) annually. Extraction of wood products accounted for only 3.3%, while the non-timber products accounted for about 42.7%. While the remaining 54% UgShs. 55.9 billion (US$ 31million) were annual indirect benefits to the community and were basically not tangible benefits. It was observed that degradation of the forests and or loss of access to the forest would compromise the economic welfare integrity of the local community by the same magnitude in economic terms. Continued exploitation would annually yield UgShs. 47.8 billion (U $ D 26.7 million) only / year whereas the total annual benefits associated with conservation of the resource are UgShs. 104 billion (U$D 57.7 million). The total cost of conserving Sango Bay have been valued at 19.5 billion (U$D 10.9 million). Government of Uganda contributes 0.13% of the management costs and the remaining percentage is borne by the local community, as opportunity cost, UgShs. 16.3 billion (U$D 9.1 million) or value of crop lost due to vermin UgShs. 3.2 billion (U$D 1.8 million). From this study the following general conclusions have been made; (a) That the communities living in and around Sango Bay Forest Reserves are entirely dependent on them for survival irrespective of income or age. (b) Although the communities attach a low value to the forest products, it is established on economic grounds that, the benefits to the community are enough to justify the conservation of Sango Bay Forest Reserve. (c) When all the costs and benefits are considered, no single management objective would be better than conservation. (d) The local community incurs almost all the costs of conservation. From this study, the following recommendations have been made: (a). To ensure conservation, mechanisms should be put in place to increase social benefits and revenue to the community e.g. by ensuring that the International Community as beneficiaries make a contribution towards conservation of Sango Bay Forest Reserves; (b). the biodiversity conservation costs that the local communities incur in staying near the resource be reduced considerably to foster conservation by the local communities; and that (c). Strategies that reduce pressure on the forest (alternative sources of income and forest products) by the communities be instituted to ensure conservation of the forest.
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    The abundance, distribution and community utilization of Loeseneriella apocynoides and Manilkara Obovata species in Sango Bay Forest, Rakai District
    (Makerere University, 2002-09) Namara, Justus
    The study examined the abundance, distribution and community utilization of the two woody species Loeseneriella apocynoides and Manikara obovate in Sango Bay forests. The two species are used for making fishing baskets by the people living adjacent to these forests. The objectives of the research were:- 1. To assess the abundance and the distribution of Loeseneriella apocynoides and Manikara obovate species. 2. To determine who harvests these species and their quantities. 3. To document present methods used in harvesting these species. 4. To find out the awareness of local people towards conservation of these species. The study consisted of two surveys, the village surveys and the forest surveys. The forest surveys were carried out in two forest reserves, Malabigambo and Namalala. The assessment involved use of 2 transects of length 1000m in Malabigambo and 2 transects of length 750m in Namalala. Plots of size 20 x 20m were established and in total there were 48 plots established with 28 in Malabigambo and 20 in Namalala Forest Reserves. The abundance and distribution was assessed in order to know what is available in the forest and where the location where harvesting can be done. For village surveys four villages neighbouring these forests were assessed which, are Mujanjabula, Mugamba, Nalubega and Mutegombwa using a questionnaire. In total 65 respondents were interviewed. From the forest surveys it was found out that these species are sparsely distributed and they generally increase with increase in distance from the edge of the forest a factor attributed to over harvesting at the edge of the forest. L. apocynoides was abundant in the diameter class <1 cm that are seedlings while M. obovate species was abundant in diameter class >5 cm which is the harvestable size. Malabigambo had more individuals of both species than Namalala. From village surveys it was found out that men are the only ones involved in harvesting these species and they have low levels of education. The methods of harvesting included cutting stems or branches in case of M. obovate and for L. apocynoides only stems were harvested. It was concluded that these species abundance is low and the distribution is not uniform but clumped. The methods of harvesting were not sustainable and therefore species are being depleted. It is recommended that a monitoring program should be started for these species so that the harvesting is controlled and regulated.
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    The population genetic structure of Africa Buffalo (Syncerus Caffer, Sparrmann 1786) in Uganda based on mitochonrial DNA control region sequence variations
    (Makerere University., 2002-09-09) Masembe, Charles
    Until the 1950’s and 60’s the African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) in Uganda were abundant and widely distributed. However recently, the buffaloes have been decimated and their range restricted to protected areas as a result of bottlenecks, habitat fragmentation and other human activities. In this study I investigated the effects of the recent reduction in population size and fragmentation on the distribution and patterns of genetic diversity in the buffaloes using mitochondrial DNA control region sequence variations. Eighty four samples from four national parks were used in this study. Despite the documented reduction in population sizes, fairly high levels of nucleotide diversity (π=3.1% to 5.4%) were observed. In the total sample, 78 haplotypes were identified and an overall π 0f 4.4% was observed. Despite the high mobility of buffaloes, significant genetic differentiation among all populations was also observed even between populations separated by short geographical distances (KST [0.03 – 0.09]; FST [0.06-0.14]). The observed mtDNA haplotypes did not coincide with the geographical origin of the individuals. These results are interpreted in light of the recent catastrophes faced by the buffaloes and should raise conservation and management concerns as far as Syncerus caffer populations in Uganda are concerned.
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    Phenology of figs in Budongo Forest Uganda and its importance for the chimpanzee diet
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2003) Tweheyo, Mnason ; Lye, Kare A.
    This paper reports on the phonological patterns of figs in Budongo Forest, Uganda, and how it relates to chimpanzee food availability in different seasons. In addition, we analysed the dung of chimpanzees to understand the composition of fruits in their diet. The aim of our study was to assess Ficus phenology and how it affects chimpanzee diet. Fifteen species of figs were monitored for fruit (Syconium) and leaf phenology between June 2000 and 2001. Ficus fruit production varied significantly between and within species, and also with tree trunk and crown diameters. Fig fruit production was asynchronous and individual fig trees produced crops from one to five times in a year. In addition to fruits, chimpanzees fed on young leaves of some Ficus species. Shedding of old Ficus leaves coincided with the dry season, followed by appearances of young leaves. The dry season in Budongo is a period of general fruit scarcity. The combination of fig fruits and young leaves make up the most important food in the diet of chimpanzees. From the chimpanzee dung, more than 78% of seeds comprised fig ‘seeds’ (nutlets) and the rest of the diasporas were from other tree species. Our findings suggest that chimpanzees disperse large number of diasporas in their dung, thereby serving as important agents of natural forest regeneration.
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    Traditional farming and plant species divesity in agricultural landscapes of South-Western Uganda
    ( 2003) Eilu, Gerald ; Obua, Joseph ; Tumuhairwe, Joy K. ; Nkwiine, Charles
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    Distribution, diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates in Kinawataka wetland
    (Makerere University., 2003-02-25) Barugahare, Vincent Cohen
    Macroinvertebrate surveys of various habitats namely water pools, litter, and macrophytes particularly papyrus at four sampling sites yielded five classes macroinvertebrates namely oligochaete, Bivalve, hirudinea, Gastropoda and Insecta. Class Insecta was represented by four orders namely Diptera, Odonata, hemipteran, and Coleoptera. The five classes comprised of 4310 macroinvertebrate individuals. During the study it was found out that the macroinvertebrate community in Kinawataka wetland were not evenly distributed in all the three habitants. The water pool habitants were richer followed by the macrophytes with different species of macroinvertebrates. The litter habitant had the least number of macroinvertebrates species. These differences were attributed to the ability of Diptera and Oligochaeta species to survive in the habitants with low levels of dissolved oxygen concentration due to the presence of haemoglobin. The study also revealed that the abundance and distribution of macroinvertebrates in Kinawataka wetland varied among the three habitants sampled. Some macroinvertebrates were more abundant some habitants than others for example class Oligochaeta and Diptera were highly abundant in the latter habitant. By using diversity indices, it was found that sampling site P had the highest richness index while sampling site T2 had the least richness index. ANOVA was used to find out if there was any difference in distribution within transects. But t-test was used to compare distribution of macroinvertebrates between the transects. The findings were that there was no significant differences within both transects (T1, F = 2.46, p < 0.05; T2 F = 2.03, p < 0.05). However, there were significant differences between transects T1 and T2 (t = -1.2, p> 0.05).
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    Bamboo regeneration and succession in Echuya
    ( 2003-05-28) Banana, Abwoli
    Echuya was gazetted in 1939 as 'a Forest Reserve. At that time, the forest vegetation consisted of dense evergreen stands of Arundinaria alpina (bamboo) (Howard 1991). Kingston (1968) report that in 1947the bamboo stems in Echuya were big tall and dense, and hardwood trees and shrubs were scattered in a few places. Botanical field trips conducted by Eggeling (1934), Watt (1956). Kingston (1968) and Davenport. Howard & Mathews (1996) ecorded Arundinaria alpina as the dominant grass. Other conspicuous plants in the vegetation included Cassipourea malosana. Afircania volkenii, Dombeya spp. Hagenia abyssinia, Hypericum species, Nuxia congesta. Myrica salicifolia and Faurea salign. However, the present concern by forest ecologists, environmentalists and the local community is that the bamboo shrubs are losing ground to other vegetation types (Banana et a1. 1993).