School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS) Collections
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ItemCharacterisation of selected Hass avocado (persea americana mill. Var. Hass) genotypes for future creation of an elite, true-to-type germplasm collection(Makerere University, 2025)This study focused on characterising of Hass avocado (Persea americana. Mill.Var Hass) at National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NAFORRI) mother garden in Uganda addressing the limited genetic diversity that restricts avocado production in the region. The study aimed at developing an elite true-to –type germpalsm collection. The study utilised DArT-Seq, a highthroughput DNA sequencing technology used to identify genetic variations across genomes by identifying Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) to examine genetic variation within the Hass Avocado trees at NAFORRI. The aim was to support future development of a genetically diverse, robust Hass avocado population in Uganda by understanding and preserving essential genetic traits. BLASTn analysis was used to trace genetic relationships, comparing sequences from 288 accessions from the mother garden to the reference genome (GCA_002908915.1) of the Hass cultivar, provided by Hainan University, China. Detailed morphological assessments of each Hass avocado tree, examining traits like fruit dimensions (average length and width), growth characteristics (number of branches, crown width and tree height), and productivity (number of fruits per tree) was done. Observed phenotypic variations were attributed to the diverse microclimatic, soil, and management conditions within the NAFORRI mother garden. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) showed no significant morphological differences between the trees. This indicated that the observed phenotypic similarities suggest a common ancestral origin for the Hass avocado trees. The genetic diversity analysis for the Hass avocado tree samples that could be sequenced, found low levels of observed and expected heterozygosity (Ho = 0.0014, He = 0.0016, and Ht = 0.0016) and a positive inbreeding coefficient (FIS = 0.1342) suggested that the Hass trees were genetically homogeneous. The results from the BLASTn analysis showed a high level of genetic similarity, with 45 accessions displaying 100% match, and were classified as “Exact Matches”. 116 accessions that showed 95-99% identity were classified as “True-to-Type” for Hass avocado. The 51 accessions that demonstrated 85-95% identity were classified as “Related”. Lastly 58 accessions that had less than 70% identity were categorized as “Divergent” indicating divergence from the Hass reference genome. These four categories (Exact matches, True-to-type, Related and Divergent) highlighted varying levels of homogeneity within the mother garden, revealing that while the collection retained high fidelity to the Hass cultivar, it may lack the genetic diversity required for long-term breeding goals. Findings suggest that the current population may not provide the genetic base necessary for sustainable Hass avocado breeding in Uganda. Future research should focus on identifying trees with key traits such as diseases resistance, early maturity and superior fruit quality to serve as parent material for breeding programs for lines that are not only true-to-type but also better suited to Uganda’s unique environmental conditions. By addressing these genetic limitations, the study supports future efforts to develop a resilient and productive Hass avocado industry in Uganda.
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ItemImplications of floods on women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services in Kasese district, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Floods, as one of the most frequent and severe consequences of climate change, have increasingly become a challenge, especially in developing countries. In Uganda, Kasese District has been experiencing recurrent riverine and flash floods, which have significantly disrupted access to health care including sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for the women. During and after floods access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services becomes highly compromised. This study examines the implications of floods on women's access to SRH services in Kasese District, Uganda, shedding light on the challenges faced by women during floods. Specifically, the research explores three main objectives: the impacts of floods on women’s access to SRH services, the factors that affect women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services during and after floods and the adaptation strategies that women employ to cope with and adapt to the negative impacts of floods on their access to SRH services. A mixed-method approach, combining household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions following exploratory, descriptive and interpretive research designs was employed to gather data from 201 households targeting women aged 15-49 years in the three divisions of Kasese Municipality. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis while quantitative data was analyzed through various statistical methods including descriptive statistics, logistic regression and chi-square test. The findings reveal that 98% of the respondents were affected with access to SRH services due to floods. The most affected SRH services were maternal and child health services reported by 68% of respondents and family planning services reported by 64% of respondents. Floods severely disrupt women’s access to SRH services through destruction of health facility infrastructures reported by 77.6% of respondents; compromised privacy, dignity and security reported by 58% of respondents; and interrupted access to SRH service delivery outreaches reported by 71% of respondents. Economic and socio-cultural factors including financial difficulties reported by 69.6% and levels of education reported by 35% of respondents also affected women’s access to SRH services. The adaptation measures adopted by women to cope with and adapt to effects of floods on access to SRH services were found to be dependent on specific communities. The study recommends that, the government, partners and private health care providers should conduct a risk assessment of all health facilities to permanently relocate all those found to be at risk of being affected by climate disasters such as floods to safer location. In addition, the government should procure and deploy mobile health clinics equipped to provide comprehensive SRH services, including contraception, prenatal care, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) treatment in a safe, private and confidential manner particularly in areas severely affected by floods. The study contributes valuable knowledge relevant in implementing the Climate Change Act 2021, Health National Adaptation Plan, Kasese District Climate Change Action Plan, all of which contributes to Uganda's climate resilience efforts in line with the attainment of National Development Plan (NDP) III and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to Health, Gender Equality, and Climate Action.
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ItemTrends and drivers of historical and projected intra-seasonal rainfall characteristics of the MAM season in the cattle corridor of Uganda(Makerere University, 2024)Uganda’s cattle corridor is largely characterized with semi-arid conditions exhibiting high rainfall variability, periodic late onset, and early cessation. The main objective of this study was to examine the trends and drivers of historical and projected intra-seasonal rainfall characteristics of the MAM season in the selected districts within the cattle corridor. The study used rainfall data based on (CHIRPS), (MERRA-2), and (CORDEX) data sets. This study used Climate Data Tool (CDT) to compute the onset, cessation of rainfall and duration of rain season, used the Man-Kendall test and Sen Slope estimator for trend detection and coefficient of variation to examine intra-seasonal variability. Standardized Anomaly Index was used to investigate the frequency of dry events within the MAM rainfall years. Two sampled student’s t-tests were used to assess the relationship between the drivers and MAM seasonal rainfall and applied a single student’s t-test to test the hypothesis. Study results indicated that historical MAM rainfall season (1991-2020) was less variable (i.e., average CV = 15.3%) and depicted insignificant (p-value >0.05) negative trends (-0.526, -1.375, - 0.010 and -0.840) in onset and cessation (-0.413, -1.043, -1.563, and -0.597) across all study districts, an indication that the rains were coming early and ceasing early in the historical period though not significant. In the future, the MAM seasonal rainfall is expected to be more variable under RCP8.5 (i.e., average CV = 28.0%) than under RCP4.5 (i.e., average CV = 18.7%) and, under these two scenarios, the trends of both onset and cessation dates are expected to be somewhat insignificantly (p-value>0.05) negative, an indication that across the study districts, the rains are expected to come early and cease early. For the drivers of MAM seasonal rainfall, the Nino index, an index of El Niño evolution, showed a statistically significant positive (i.e., t-value = 2.123, pvalue = 0.038) relationship with MAM rainfall and was thus regarded to have a greater influence on MAM seasonal rainfall over the selected districts within the Ugandan cattle corridor. Results from one sample t-test indicated that during the historical period (1991-2020) did change significantly and it is expected to change significantly in the future (2021-2050) under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. Based on the findings, it is thus imperative to strengthen early warning systems as well as the development of sustainable rangeland, agriculture/agropastoral systems, water resources, and other rainfall-dependent activities within the Uganda’s Cattle Corridor for sustainable livelihoods and development.
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ItemProspects of reducing vulnerability of communities in post disaster resettlement : a case of Bunambutye Camp, Eastern Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)This study investigated physical and socio-economic vulnerability of communities in post-disaster resettlement with an overall aim of developing prospective interventions for reducing vulnerability through skills development and use hence enhancing livelihoods in post-disaster resettlement. The specific objectives were i) To examine the traits of physical and socio-economic vulnerability of communities in post-disaster resettlement in Bunambutye camp, Eastern Uganda ii) To establish the determinants of seasonal movements as a coping strategy currently being employed by the survivors to reduce vulnerability iii) To determine relevant livelihood skills needed to reduce the vulnerability of communities in post-disaster resettlement in Bunambutye camp, Eastern Uganda. The study used a participatory research methodology, giving participants authority over the agenda and research procedure. It was hypothesized that seasonal movements of survivors from the resettlement were a function of physical rather than socio-economic vulnerability. With a descriptive and interpretive research design, 140 respondents participated in the household survey conducted in December 2022 using the individual Appraisal tool that had both open and closed-ended questions that enabled the study to gather primary data about objective i), ii), iii), and the research hypothesis. Twenty (20) participants participated in mini-Delphi iterative meetings using the Delphi Analysis skills grid tool to determine the relevant livelihood skills needed to reduce vulnerability. This was complemented with key informant interviews, focus group discussions and field walk observations to elicit the necessary data. Utilizing SPSS version 20, univariate graphical and non-graphical exploratory data analysis coupled with content analysis suggest that households are faced with physical and socio-economic vulnerability. The households engage in seasonal movements as a livelihood coping strategy. Dry spells which impacts other livelihoods significantly contributed to the households’ desire to move from the resettlement. Survivors possessed limited livelihood skills thus exposed to socio-economic and livelihood vulnerability. The study recommends implementing vocational training programs and microfinance initiatives to diversify income sources and create employment opportunities. Additionally, constructing more housing units to reduce overcrowding and developing sustainable water management systems such as low-cost irrigation schemes, organic farming techniques and agroforestry will ensure food security, income earnings and long-term sustainability of the resettlement.
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ItemMalaria and its impact in school attendance a comparative study of Kawempe division Kampala and Bugabula county, Kamuli district(Makerere University, 2007)Malaria still continues to be the most serious environmental communicable disease in Uganda. Malaria causes school absenteeism, which in turn, has a serious impact on the overall academic performance Levels of school children. On the basis of the demographic, hygienic related and environmental factors that cause persistent school absenteeism; the study investigated the extent to which malaria impacts on school attendance. The study which was comparative in nature, was conducted in 20 schools, 10 of which from Kampala, Kawempe Division, and 10 from Kamuli, Bugabula. A comparative assessment of the environmental and sanitation conditions was made in the selected homesteads. All the pupils interviewed were between 9-15 years old. The parents and guardians who were interviewed were between 29 and 69 years. Over half of the households visited, had between 5-10 occupants. This accounted for 58.8% of the households in Kawempe and 72.5% in Bugabula. The major objective of the study was to identify the factors that influence persistent school absenteeism among primary school pupils due to malaria. The other objectives included the assessment of level of knowledge of malaria, studying the state of the environmental conditions of the homesteads as well as identifying the practices of preventive measures of malaria. The study also aimed at establishing the health-seeking behavior of the respondents and to study the effect of the distance of the homesteads to the health centers. To establish the incidence of school absenteeism due to malaria was also another objective. The research instruments used for the study included interviews, questionnaires, observation checklists and Focused Group Discussions. A statistical comparison was made to make a proper assessment of the stated objectives. It was established that the community was well informed about malaria and its transmission mechanisms. This was reflected in the 92.5% and 88.8% level of knowledge of transmission mechanisms among the pupils in Kawempe and Bugabula respectively. There was a high level of knowledge to the effect that mosquitoes transmit malaria. This was reflected in 86.3% and 72.5% of the parents in Kawempe and- Bugabula respectively. However, a small fraction of the respondents thought that drinking un boiled water caused malaria. Malaria was more clearly associated with poor environmental conditions, and this was found to encourage the breeding of mosquitoes in and around the homes. This was observed in 52.2% of the homes visited in Kawempe, (which were surrounded by stagnant water), while 72% of "the homes in Bugabula were surrounded with bushes. The most commonly reported sign and symptom of malaria by 81.3% of the pupils in Kawempe was "fever". Similarly, 78.8% of the pupils in Bugabula also mentioned, "fever". Only 12.5% and 20.0% of the people in Kawempe and Bugabula respectively seek health care from government hospitals. Most of the respondents, 68.8% in Kawempe and 46.6% in Bugabula go to privately owned clinics. Some of respondents, 10% in Kawempe and 27.5% in Bugabula treat themselves at home. The knowledge of breeding places depends on the education level of the parents and guardians. It was discovered that the respondents try to put in place preventive measures. It was also discovered that the level of knowledge determines on the preventive measures was high. The respondents however put in place the measure which they believe suits the situation best. A good number, (40 %) of the respondents in Kawempe mentioned mosquito bed nets, as the most effective way to prevent malaria, while 41.3% of the respondents in Bugabula mentioned clearing of bushes near the home as the most effective method. it was also discovered that 100% of all the pupils in both Kawempe and Bugabula missed at least one during the school term because they were suffering from malaria. The findings from the study recommend that a lot more emphasis be laid on programs aimed at empowering school going children in terms of paying more attention to the improvement of the hygienic conditions in their home. Investing more in health and education programs as well as active participation in environmental activities in the community should also be encouraged.