School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) Collections
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ItemEffects of nutritional management practices on milk production among dairy farners in selected sub-counties of Lyantonde district-Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)This study assessed the effects of nutritional management practices on milk production among dairy farmers in four sub counties of Lyantonde district (Kasagama, Lyakajura, Mpumudde and Kinnuka). The specific objectives were to identify and characterize prevailing nutritional management practices, establish the levels of milk production and determine the effect of nutritional management practices on milk production. A crosssectional research design employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. Data were collected from 384 dairy farming households selected across the sub-counties. Structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used for data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The average milk production was 6.5 litres. Nutritional management practices were generally poor, with farmers relying on grass-only feeding, lacking fodder conservation (91.6%), using contaminated water sources (84.7%), experiencing unreliable water supply and practicing inconsistent calf feeding. ANOVA results indicated that feed type, fodder conservation, water cleanliness, water supply and calf feeding practices significantly affected milk production (p<0.001) whereas steaming-up practices had no significant effect (p>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed positive relationships between milk production and the use of grass, fodder, and concentrates (r=0.3360), year-round fodder conservation (r=0.3395), clean water access (r=0.3443) and proper calf feeding (r=0.2578). Binary logistic regression results showed that farmers using grass, fodder and concentrates were nearly twice as likely to achieve higher milk production (OR=1.9472, p=0.018) while consistent fodder conservation, clean water access, reliable water supply and proper calf feeding significantly increased the likelihood of higher milk production. However, steaming-up practices had no significant effect on milk production (p > 0.05). The study recommends strengthening farmer extension services on improved dairy nutrition, promoting fodder conservation, improving access to reliable clean water sources and supplementary feeding to enhance milk production.
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ItemCo-infections, risk factors and challenges to control of Sheeppox, Goatpox and Peste des petits ruminants in small ruminants in Sembabule District(Makerere University, 2025)Small ruminant production supports many households in sub-Saharan Africa as a source of livelihood and food security, however, diseases like Pestes des Petit Ruminants (PPR) and Sheep and Goatpox (SGP) which are highly contagious notifiable viral diseases of small ruminants that cause huge losses to livestock dependent livelihoods and economies. The two diseases share the same host species and coincidentally they sometimes co-exist in a single animal and cause a co-infection that is more challenging to manage. We conducted this study in Sembabule district to determine the Sero-prevalence, risk factors and challenges to the control of Goatpox (GP), Sheeppox, PPR and the co-infection of these diseases by AHW. A total of 703 blood samples were collected and processed for ELISA analysis to determine the Sero-prevalence of the two diseases, in addition, information about the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the two diseases of PPR, Goatpox and Sheeppox and challenges to their control were obtained using a questionnaire on 45 farmers and semi structured interviews to 18 Animal Health Workers in the study area. The Sero-prevalence of SGP and PPR was 5.40%, and 46.37% respectively. SGP and PPR co-infection prevalence was 4.13%. PPR was more prevalent than SGP in both species while sheep were slightly more seropositive SGP and PPR-SGP co-infection in this study area. Location of farms by sub-county, age group and herd size were found to be important risk factors for the Goatpox, Sheeppox and SGP-PPR co-infection in Sembabule district. Lwebitakuli sub-county had the highest Sero-prevalence for SGP and overall co-infection prevalence, while Lwemiyaga sub-county had the highest prevalence of PPR and according to the AHW, the challenges to the control of the two diseases included; uncontrolled livestock movements, continued open markets during outbreaks, inadequate availability of vaccines, vaccination as side effects and poor record keeping by farmers and we is therefore recommended that government should take up control of these diseases and approach to control them at ago like use of combined vaccine should be used.
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ItemAntibacterial drug quantities, prescription and dispensing practices among veterinary drug shops in Eastern Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Antibacterial overuse in food-producing animals is a recognised driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in low- and middle-income countries where regulation of veterinary drug use is limited. In Uganda, veterinary drug shops play a central role in the distribution of antibacterial drugs, yet data on quantities sold, prescription and dispensing practices remain scarce, especially at the regional level. This study quantified antibacterial sales over a 12-month period and assessed prescription and dispensing practices among veterinary drug shops in Eastern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2024 and January 2025 across 36 districts of Eastern Uganda. A total of 139 veterinary drug shops were surveyed using a structured questionnaire adapted from human medicine practices. Retrospective data on antibacterial drug sales over the preceding 12 months were extracted from shop records. Sales quantities were analysed using OIE criteria, and prescribing and dispensing practices were summarised using percentages and frequencies. Overall, 90478.51 Kg (90.478 tonnes) of antibacterials were sold during the 12-month period. Tetracyclines (59.19%), macrolides (11.57%), and fluoroquinolones (8.86%) were the most commonly sold antibacterial classes. According to the EMA Antimicrobial Expert Group (AMEG) classification, 72.7% of the sold antibacterials were low-risk for resistance development, while 95.0% were categorised as Very Critically Important Antimicrobials (VCIA) under the OIE classification. Based on the WHO criteria, most antibacterials sold (72.6%) were considered highly important for human medicine. Prescription and dispensing practices were generally poor, characterised by widespread non-prescription sales, reliance on verbal and farmer-initiated prescriptions, in-shop prescribing by unqualified attendants, inadequate client education, poor record keeping and weak inventory control practices. The findings indicate substantial sales of antibacterials through veterinary drug shops in Eastern Uganda, suggesting a high potential for use in Livestock production. However, actual consumption per unit of animal biomass could not be estimated due to the absence of reliable animal population data. The study highlights the need for enforceable national veterinary prescribing guidelines, mandatory prescription requirements, regular inspections of veterinary drug shops, training of drug shop attendants and standardised record-keeping systems. Routine National and Regional surveillance of antibacterial sales is recommended to support antimicrobial stewardship and inform policy decisions. Develop and distribute standardised, practical national guidelines for veterinary prescription and dispensing.
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ItemPotential, safety and economic performance of animal waste-based feed and manure in an integrated chicken-pig-fish model system in Lake Victoria Crescent - Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)A mixed-methods study was conducted in the Lake Victoria Crescent of Central Uganda to characterise multi-species livestock production systems and evaluate the potential, safety and economic performance of integrating chicken, pig, and fish production using chicken litter (CL) and pig manure (C-P). The study comprised a cross-sectional survey of 150 respondents and a 154-day experiment of integrated Chicken-Pig-Fish model system on a gazzeted land area of 200m2. The survey assessed practices and challenges of multi-species livestock farming. The experiment evaluated graded substitution of ensiled and heat-treated CL and C-P at respectively 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels, in 4 replications and completely randomised designs. Substantial amounts of fresh waste of 171g CL/chicken/day and 650g/pig/day are discharged for pig diets and fish tanks as alternative low-cost inputs to enhance production. The prevalence of suspected zoonotic bacterial pathogens was determined through microbiological tests of untreated and treated CL and C-P. The survey results indicated that 80% of livestock farmers are predominantly smallholder, practicing mixed and non-synergized systems. Among the ten identified multi-species livestock systems, the most adoptable system was integrated chicken-pig-fish by 68% of farmers. Experimental results revealed that pigs fed CL 25% significantly (P = 0.025) increased carcass yield by 74% with highly marbled primal cuts. However, CL inclusion beyond 50% increased pig leanness by 43.5% but reduced carcass yields below 70%. Fish reared in tanks at C-P at 25% level exhibited significantly higher growth (P = 0.006) and 98% survival rate comparable to control 100% compound feed (0% C-P). Microbiological analysis detected significant quantities of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in untreated CL and C-P, exceeding 10² CFU/mL infectious level. The ensiled and heat-treated CL and C-P samples showed non- prevalence of suspected zoonotic bacterial pathogens. The treated CL in pig diets increased gross margin while C-P in fish tanks increased GMR by 49.5%, making fish the most viable enterprise. In conclusion, multi-species livestock systems are widely practiced by smallholders, with integrated chicken-pig-fish models being the most common and productive. Optimal 25% CL substitution in pig diets and C-P manure application in fish tanks improve pig and tilapia performance. Ensiling and heat-treatment of CL and C-P reduce zoonotic pathogens, enabling effective and safe use of animal waste. Integrated livestock farming lower production costs and increase profitability for smallholder farmers.
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ItemAbundance and distribution of wild animals around oil and gas facilities and infrastructure in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Oil and gas resources exploitation is being done by Total E & P in Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP). A study was carried out to determine the dynamics of wild animal interactions with oil and gas facilities and infrastructure with the aim of understanding how wild animals interact with and are affected by the facilities and infrastructure at different stages of development. The specific objectives of the study were: to determine the abundance, distribution, behaviour and ecology of wild animals around oil and gas facilities and infrastructures. The study was conducted at fourteen sites, eleven of which represented oil and gas facilities and infrastructures whereas the other three were tourist tracks. The vegetation characteristics differed remarkably across the study sites. The study involved field physical observations, use of camera traps and direct animal counts. Animal counts were done by use of transects with a width of 400 meters for large animals such as elephants, buffalos and giraffes; 200 meters for medium sized animals such as waterbuck, bushbuck, Uganda kob and 100 meters for small sized wild animals such as oribi, baboons, patas monkeys and birds. A pair of binoculars and field book guides and keys aided in animal identification. Animal behaviour was observed and recorded on designed data sheets. The well pads JBR 9 and 4 were natural favoured habitats for elephants; JBR2 was occasionally visited. Elephants were significantly more at JBR 4 than project access road (p=0.03, t=2.47) during the study period. Elephants, left JBR9 in March when drilling started. Elephants tolerated well pad preparation activities. Giraffes appeared in JBR 9; and occurred in JBR 8, 5 and 3 (their most favoured habitats only when pad site preparations were done in November during late rainy season and disappeared till April- during the early rainy season when forage was recovering. This finding suggested that there was seasonal giraffe migration dictated by seasonal nutritional feed abundance. There were significantly more giraffe populations seen in Victoria track than project access road (p=0.04, t=2.25). Buffalo were found in their favoured habitats JBR 8 site which was under preparatory phase, JBR5 which was already drilled and Victoria tourist track. Their population was more in Victoria tourist track than project access road (P=0.02, t=2.86). Currently buffaloes were not affected by Tilenga project activities. Population of Uganda kobs were more in their most favored habitats of JBR 8, 5 and Victoria track. The Uganda kobs were not currently being affected by project activities. Few Uganda kobs were seen at project access road than in Victoria track (p=0.03, t=2.39) and JBR5 (p=0.04, t=2.22). There was a significant difference of mean Jackson’s hartebeest abundance between project road and Victoria track (p=0.03, t=2.54), stringing area (p=0.02, t=2.78), and JBR9 (p=0.03, t=2.46). JBR8 was natural habitat for hartebeest which had undergone preparatory phase. Although JBR 5 was supposed to be a favored habitat, they were only seen during in November when feed nutrients were available but disappeared when they got exhausted. This implied that hartebeest fled to a refugee habitat when feed resources got exhausted. More hartebeest populations were found in the newly constructed access project road than Victoria track (p=0.03, t=2.54), stringing area (p=0.02, t=2.78) and JBR9 (p=0.03, t=2.46). The project road provided lush pasture and easy predator visibility detection. Overall, there was a significant difference of variation of oribi populations across sites at MFNP (p=0.03, df 10,55, F=2.18). Oribis were more abundant in the project access road than other tourists tracks (Albert track (p=0.004, t=4.18 and New Buligi Track (p=0.01, t=3.22); and JBR8 (p=0.05, t=1.92), and JBR2 (p=0.001, t=5.38). There significantly less oribi populations seen in JBR 9 and JBR 2 when drilling activities were being carried out. This implied that they moved out of these sites. There was no significant variations of baboons populations across sites at MFNP (p=0.2, df 9,50, F=1.46). However less significant populations of baboon populations were seen in JBR9, 10 and JBR 2. There was significant difference of mean abundance of warthog between project access road and the other tourist tracks (New Buligi Track (p=0.006, t= 3.71); Albert track (p=0.04, t=2.24) and Victoria track (p=0.003, t=4.52)); and Stringing Area (p=0.004, t=4.19). The project access road provided habitat for wallowing and gravel stone salt leaking sites. There were more waterbucks at JBR 9 near the water sources in November and December during late rainy season and thereafter disappeared. There were less waterbucks seen at the project road than New Buligi Track (p=0.004, t=4.19) and Albert track (p=0.004, t=4.36). There were significantly more patas monkeys seen in Albert track that the project road (p=0.04, t=2.12). There was substantial number of aquatic fowl (Egyptian geese (7.7±2.8); grey crowned crane (4.7±3.1); herons (2.6 ±2.4) and ibis (1.7±1.2) to sustain water game fowl viewing at the designated Ramsar site wetland with the oil and gas facilities and infrastructure. Carnivores mainly lions, hyenas and leopards were not easily seen during day time at oil and gas facilities but were captured at night by camera traps.