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ItemMineralogical and geochemical characterization of Nyamuliro Wolfram Mine Tailings, Rubanda District, Southwestern Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)Nyamuliro Wolfram Mine is located in Rubanda District, Southwestern Uganda in the Akanyaru Ankole Supergroup geological formation. The selective mining methods used in Nyamuliro has generated huge volumes of tailings since 1970s. The artisanal and small-scale mining activities. Mineralogical characterization using X-ray Diffraction show that Nyamuliro wolfram mine tailings have several mineral types of quartz, alite, huanzalit, piemontite, halloysite, sanmartinite, muscovite, lizardite and pyromangite. Petrological analysis shows presence quartz, wolframite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and some sphalerite, ilmenite and gold. The geochemical characteristics of the tailings show a high concentration of wolfram (5.39-46.94 wt%) iron (27.54 to 64.97wt%, titanium (2.96 to 9.45 wt% for mine tailings and 2.22 to 6.18 wt% for metallurgical tailings) yttirium concentrations (0.10 to 0.66 wt% for mine tailings and 0.06 to 0.28 wt% for metallurgical tailings). Also in detectable amounts are other critical elements such as Nb, Ta, Zn, Pb,As and Hg. The high quartz content of the tailings makes them suitable for the manufacture of ceramics, cement and other industrial applications. The results also show that Nyamuliro wolfram tailings are viable secondary resources for wolfram and other critical metals including iron and gold. The presence of sulphide minerals and high concentration of heavy metals requires that the tailings are properly managed to avoid exposure that can lead to environmental pollution through acid mine drainage and release of heavy metals. The shaking table and process fines are likely harboring most of the heavy metals and critical metals. Recovering wolfram and other critical metals and minerals from these tailings at a profit will in turn provide solution for difficulty engineering and risks of slope collapse. It will also provide a robust plan to manage the formation of acid mine drainage and minimize the contamination of water bodies and soil within the mining communities.
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ItemGenesis and distribution of gold deposits in Nyakishenyi Village, Buhweju District, Southwestern Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)This study investigates the genesis and spatial distribution of gold deposits in Nyakishenyi Village, Buhweju District, South Western Uganda, with the main aim of understanding the structural and geochemical controls of orogenic gold systems. The study area is found within the Proterozoic Kibaran Belt and this region represents a geologically significant yet underexplored segment of Uganda’s Precambrian terranes. Quartz veins within schists, quartzites, and granitoid contacts host the primary gold deposits, with NW–SE and NE–SW trending shear zones and faults acting as key fluid pathways. Primary gold mineralization is concentrated at lithological boundaries and fault –fault intersections, reinforced by elevated pathfinder elements ( e.g As, Sb, Cu, W)confirming an orogenic origin. Secondary placer deposits in colluvial zones and stream channels represent erosional derivatives of the primary lodes. GIS modeling exposed strong links between fault density, structural intersections, geochemical anomalies, and artisanal mining spots. Quartz veins reverted peak gold gradesof1.65 ounces per ton. averaging 0.5–1.2 ounces per ton. in shear zones, while placer deposits generated 0.3–0.8 g/t, indicating secondary enrichment. High-grade zones averaged2.5faults/km², with mineralization hotspots concentrated at fault intersections and lithological contacts between schists, quartzites, and granitoids. Elevated pathfinder elements (As, Sb, Cu, W) frequently align with high gold values (>1.5oz/t), while major oxides (Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, Na₂O) specify hydrothermal alteration, confirming the orogenic nature of the gold system. Nyakishenyi hosts both structurally controlled orogenic gold deposits and secondary placer accumulations. Integrating structural and geochemical data provides a strong predictive framework for future exploration in the Kibaran Belt and similar Precambrian terrains.
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ItemAssessment of radionuclide levels in soil, water and foodstuffs from selected gold mining areas in Uganda.(Makerere University, 2026)This study assessed the levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials in soil, sediments, water and selected foodstuffs from artisanal and small-scale gold mining areas in Uganda, where local communities may be exposed to radionuclides, by measuring in-situ radiation dose rates using a portable Geiger counter and determining the activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K in collected environmental samples through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). The results obtained showed that the average radioactivity levels for soil and sediment samples ranged from 0.057 to 0.102 Bqkg-1 for 238U, 0.012 to 0.278 Bqkg-1 for 232Th, and 5.2E-06 to 8.5E-06 Bqkg-1 for 40K. These values were all below the world average values of 33 Bqkg-1, 45 Bqkg-1 and 420 Bqkg-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively. The average radioactivity levels in cassava tubers for 238U were 0.019 Bqkg-1, 0.0113 Bqkg-1, 0.0102 Bqkg-1, those of 232Th were 0.038 Bqkg-1, 0.037 Bqkg-1 and 0.039 Bqkg-1 while those of 40K were 8.9E-05 Bqkg-1, 8.1E-05 Bqkg-1 and 8.7E-05 Bqkg-1 respectively for Namayingo, Kassanda gold mining areas. These values were all below the world average values of 35 Bqkg-1, 30 Bqkg-1 and 400 Bqkg-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively. Whereas tea samples from Buhweju indicated ranges of 0.012 to 0.015 Bqkg1 , 0.035 to 0.037 Bqkg-1, 3.66E-09 to 9.27E-05 Bqkg-1 for U, Th, K respectively. The nnual effective dose of exposure by oral ingestion of cassava tubers and tea for adults with the mean values were approximately 0.0011mSvy-1 far lower than the recommended safe limits of 1 mSvy1 and also lower than the world average ingestion dose of 0.3 mSvy-1. The calculated average annual effective dose due to the ingestion of water was approximately 0.0018 mSvy-1 which was below the world average annual effective dose from ingestion of NORMs of approximately 0.002 mSvy-1. The excess life cancer risk (ELCR) was lower than their corresponding permissible values of 0.29 x 10-3. All average values were below international limits, indicating no significant health hazards for the local population. The study reveals that there are currently no potential health risks associated with the consumption of water and foodstuff from gold mining areas studied.
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ItemQuality management system to enhance radiotherapy accuracy and safety at the Uganda Cancer Institute(Makerere University, 2026)Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer management, yet its complexity and reliance on advanced technology make it prone to errors, particularly in low to middle-income countries (LMICs). At the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), radiotherapy services historically relied on two-dimensional radiotherapy (2DRT) using cobalt 60 units. Between 2021 and 2023, three advanced treatment equipment (linear accelerators: Varian Medical System International) and three dimensional treatment planning systems (TPS) were commissioned, enabling the introduction of advanced radiotherapy treatment modalities such as three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). While these technologies have the potential to increase treatment ac curacy, they also amplify the risk of errors due to inadequate quality management systems, limited training, and equipment challenges. The study aimed to enhance the quality and safety of radiotherapy services at UCI by developing and implementing a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) to optimize resource utilization, improve treatment accuracy, and ensure patient safety. A mixed Physics based quality assurance methods were applied (monitor unit recalculations, independent treatment planning system (TPS) verification, in-vivo dosimetry (IVD), clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) margin, and end to end dosimetry audits), analyzing treatment data from 2,244 (1,164 for manual recalculations, 423 for independent TPS verification, 493 for in IVD, and 164 for CTV to PTV margin evaluation) patients treated between 2018 and 2025 and data from experimental measurements performed on the linacs (end-to-end dosimetry audit). Specific interventions included the development of an Incident Reporting and Learning System (IRLS) to capture and analyze treatment errors; in IVDfor 2DRTand3DCRTusingcalibrated diodes to verify dose delivery accuracy; independent verification of TPS calculations for 3DCRT, IMRT, and VMAT using secondary software and manual monitor unit checks; end to end dosimetry audits with anthropomorphic phantoms to assess work ow integrity; and determination of CTV to PTV margins for prostate and cervical cancer using portal imaging and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Risk assessment was guided by Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), while dosimetric verification adhered to IAEA TRS 398 and ICRU dose accuracy standards. Results: With a current daily patient throughput of 210 280, the increased workload has placed significant demands on pretreatment patient-specific QA, treatment quality, equipment performance, and routine machine QA protocols. Treatment time calculation accuracy for cobalt-60-based treatments improved from 82.8 % to 93.2 % within ±5 % tolerance between 2018 and 2020. Approximately 85% of IVD measurements were within accepted limits, and end-to-end dosimetry audits showed dose agreement within 2.1% of TPS calculations. However, phantom setup errors and linac output calibration inconsistencies led to deviations of up to 6.1% in some cases. A high patient volume (210280 patients per day) has significantly impacted machine parameters, resulting in outputs that deviate from tolerance limits and adversely af fecting the quality of patient treatments. Optimized CTV-to-PTV margins were established for prostate and cervical cancer, improving geometric accuracy. Out of a total of 984 measurements of systematic and random setup errors, 70.4 % of the errors were within 5 mm, while 86.1% were within 10 mm. The IRLS enabled systematic documentation and analysis of incidents fostering a culture of safety and continuous learning at Uganda's only radiotherapy center. Conclusion: The study successfully developed and implemented a comprehensive QMS that improved treatment accuracy, strengthened patient safety, and optimized resource use at UCI. By integrating incident learning, dosimetric verification, and systematic audits, the framework provides a replicable model for LMICs transitioning to advanced radiotherapy technologies. The findings align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), contributing to national health priorities under Uganda Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan IV.
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ItemPhytochemical investigation of naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids from ancistrocladus sp. (banalia) related to ancistrocladus likoko with potential antiplasmodial activity(Makerere University, 2026)Malaria is a major global health concern, particularly in the sub-Saharan regions of Africa, where it remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The growing resistance of malaria parasites to commonly used antimalarial drugs further exacerbates the situation, highlighting the urgent need for the development of novel and more effective antimalarial medicines. Plants used in traditional medicine constitute valuable sources of potential antimalarial lead compounds. Among them, are Ancistrocladus species, traditionally used by indigenous populations across the globe for the treatment of various diseases, including malaria. Ancistrocladus plants have drawn considerable scientific interest over recent decades due to their unique content of naphthylisoquinoline (NIQ) alkaloids, which constitute an emerging class of secondary metabolites with more than 280 representatives. NIQs are remarkable for their structural diversity, unprecedented biosynthetic origin, and promising pharmacological properties, including excellent in vitro and in vivo antiplasmodial activities. The present study provides the first in-depth phytochemical investigation of root bark extracts from an Ancistrocladus species collected in Banalia, eastern part of the Congo basin, and, which shares morphological features with the botanically acknowledged Ancistrocladus likoko, also found in the evergreen Congo rainforest. The phytochemical study involved an ultrasound-assisted delipidation and extraction of NIQs, followed by the enrichment of the crude NIQ-containing extract through liquid–liquid partitioning. Subsequently, isolation of NIQs was achieved through column chromatography and/or preparative HPLC. Structure elucidation of isolated compounds, including the determination of the relative and absolute configuration at elements of chirality, was carried out using a combination of spectrometric (HR-ESI-MS) and spectroscopic (1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, and ECD) techniques, which resulted in the identification of two known 5,8’-coupled monomeric NIQs, namely ancistrolikokine C (44) and korupensamine A (46). Chemotaxonomically, both compounds were 3R-configured and oxygenated in C-6, which are structural features that are characteristic for hybrid-type NIQs specific to Ancistrocladus plants from the Congo basin. As previously reported in the literature, compounds 44 and 46 demonstrated good and excellent antiplasmodial activity, respectively, identifying them as promising scaffolds for antimalarial drug development.