School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) Collections
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ItemBurden and spatial distribution of ticks among cattle grazing along the buffer zone of Lake Nakuwa in Kaliro District(Makerere University, 2025)A cross-sectional study was done to determine tick infestation levels and factors responsible for maintaining high infestations among cattle grazing along the buffer zones of Lake Nakuwa, in Kaliro district. Due to the lack of individual farmer owned grazing land, extensive communal grazing of cattle is practiced along buffer zones of Lake Nakuwa. This study was done in 8 villages from 4 sub-counties. Half body count of ticks infesting cattle was done. The factors responsible for maintaining high tick infestations were determined using participatory methods (Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant interviews) and administration of a questionnaire to 200 farmers. Mean tick infestation levels were found to be 21.6±3.7 ticks per head of cattle of which 38.8% were Ambylomma variegatum, 33.7% Rhipicephalus decoloratus; 20.1% Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and 7.4% Rhipicephalus eversti eversti. There was a highly significant difference in the abundance of tick species (F=65,6; df 3,21; P=0.0000). There was no significant difference of tick abundance across villages (F=2.45; df 4,21; P=0.08). Anaplasmosis, babesiosis, heartwater and East Coast Fever were the major Tick-Borne Diseases (TBDs) in the descending order as reported by farmers. The risk factors promoting high tick infestations were: no organized tick control practices in the area, farmers’ lack of knowledge and awareness about tick species, biology, population dynamics and tick control methods; and communal open mobile grazing of cattle. It was recommended that education and sensitization of farmers about the dangers of tick species that infest their cattle should be done. This should be coupled with transfer of appropriate sustainable communal tick control practices to cattle farmers. Further studies should be done to determine the prevalence of TBDs among cattle by carrying out specific polymerase reaction chain tests. Also, the economic costs caused by ticks and TBDs on cattle should be determined to assess the urgency needed to control them among cattle grazing along buffer zone of Lake Nakuwa.
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ItemCommunity knowledge, attitudes, practices and factors promoting the use of wire snares in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Wire snaring remains one of the most prevalent and destructive poaching methods in Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), Uganda, yet the underlying socio-economic and cultural factors sustaining its persistence are not well understood. This study assessed community knowledge, attitudes, practices, and determinants influencing the use of wire snares in QENP. A cross-sectional design employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. Data were collected from 96 randomly selected households through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression in STATA version 14.2, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that 94.8% of respondents were knowledgeable about wire snaring, and 79.2% knew how to set snares, yet 25.5% had participated in snare poaching. Although 67.7% of respondents expressed disapproval of wire snaring, the practice persisted primarily due to livelihood pressures and cultural traditions. Significant predictors of snare poaching included proximity to the park boundary (<10 km; p = 0.013), communal or private land tenure (p = 0.016), farming as a main livelihood (p = 0.028), hunting background (p = 0.043), and partial support for poaching (p = 0.020). The main motivations for snaring were commercial gain (45.3%) and household consumption (31.8%), with buffaloes and antelopes being the most frequently snared species. The study concludes that wire snaring in QENP is not driven by ignorance but by socioeconomic necessity, cultural practices, and weak law enforcement. Addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach integrating livelihood diversification, equitable benefit-sharing, strengthened community-based conservation, and enhanced enforcement capacity. Sustainable conservation in QENP will depend on empowering local communities through participatory management and reducing their economic dependence on wildlife resources.
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ItemSpatial and temporal distribution of African Swine Fever in Uganda (2010-2023)(Makerere University, 2025)Background: Identifying patterns of geographical variations in ASF is the gateway to understating its magnitude. Therefore, this study examined the spatial and temporal distribution of African swine fever (ASF) in Uganda from 2010 to 2023. Method: The study utilized a comprehensive dataset from monthly reports from District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) to the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), using the GPS co-ordinates, ASF cases were mapped using QGIS to show ASF temporal-spatial distribution and associated factors of the disease in Uganda. Moral I analysis was used to define clusters of ASF. Results: The data shows ASF cases distributed throughout the country with pronounced cases of ASF in the Central Region (Wakiso, Luwero and Masaka) making it a significant hotspot for the disease, with few cases in North-Eastern region of Uganda. The temporal analysis revealed occurrence of ASF disease year-round, notable peak cases were observed during specific periods particularly in early 2014, districts with ≥ 30000 pigs had higher cases (61-200) of ASF disease. The Moran I (≥0) analysis showed 5 clusters, 3 in central region, 1 in Tororo and Busia and the other in Kasese which are cross-border districts. Geographical location, pig density and cross border trades were the identified factors associated with of the disease. Conclusions: The disease is endemic in majority of the districts, with highest ASF cases in central region and fewer cases in the northern eastern region. ASF occurrence was observed throughout the year with no indication of seasonality. High cases of ASF were observed along cross boarder districts and districts with large pig population of at least ≥ 30000 pigs.
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ItemAssement on the use of crop pesticides and acaricides in the control of ticks in cattle: A case study of Soroti District, Uganda.(Makerere University, 2025-08-15)Ticks and tick-borne diseases are a major constraint in cattle production and productivity, due to high tick prevalence, partly triggered by tick acaricide resistance and ignorance of cattle farmers on the use of rightful veterinary acaricides in the control of ticks in cattle. In the previous study in central Uganda, farmers reported using agrochemicals against ticks in cattle. Therefore, my study, using a cross sectional study, assessed the use of crop pesticides and acaricides in the control of cattle ticks by farmers in Soroti district, their knowledge and practices, and laboratory determination of efficacy of most commonly used crop pesticide and acaricide against R.As ticks, egg-inhibition and larvae. A total of 386 cattle farmers were interviewed using online structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and KIIs. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select respondents. Qualitative data were coded to identify recurring themes such as knowledge, practices and awareness about tick control using crop pesticides and veterinary acaricides. The impact of ticks and tick-borne diseases such as: Death of cattle, reduced calving rate and treatment costs, and subsequently, the perceived unavailability of efficacious veterinary acaricides in the rural settings compare to perceived readily available crop pesticides drove farmers towards use of crop pesticides against ticks. The most commonly used crop pesticide and acaricide in the control of ticks were profenofos 40% and Cypermethrine 4% (trade name rocket) by 75.06%, and Norotraz an amitraz 12.5% w\v having 64.42% of the cattle farmers reporting usage. Subsequently, 15.84% of the farmers used other methods like Ash, omo (detergent), piercing and hand picking of ticks for control. The most used equipment for crop pesticide and acaricide application were: Knap sac sprayer by 60% reported using, and the frequency of application of chemicals by cattle farmers against ticks was: weekly by (51.8 %), Bi-weekly (31.1%) and monthly (17.1%). Acaricide failures in tick control by farmers were due to: Wrong dilution dosages used, expired acaricides used, wrong intervals of spraying, missing on tick predilection sites and use of wrong equipment of applications. Farmers reported mixing different crop pesticides and acaricides to improve their efficacy against cattle ticks for instance, a concoction of (Cypermethrin crop pesticide with amitraz veterinary acaricide) known commonly as Duducyper and Norotraz. The most commonly used crop pesticide had higher mortality by (85%) and egg-layin
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ItemProduction practices and trait preferences of black soldier fly in selected agro-ecological zones of Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae production is one of Uganda's fastest-growing insect value chains, with the potential to lift 4.53 million people over the poverty line and provide annual employment to up to 563,302 people. This study aimed to enhance the BSF value chain by characterizing black soldier fly production practices, identifying the preferred traits of black soldier fly larvae, and examining the factors influencing the productivity of these larvae in selected Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) of Uganda. The findings are intended to inform the design and implementation of a breeding program focused on improving the production of black soldier fly larvae. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which BSF farmer-households (n=83) from three agro-ecological zones (AEZs), including North-Eastern Savannah Grasslands (ESG), Lake Victoria Crescent (LVC), and Western Savannah Grassland (WSG), were interviewed using a questionnaire with semi-structured and structured questions. The main production objectives and traits preferred for potential genetic improvement were identified using ranking approaches with a Likert scale ranging from 1 (not important) to 5 (most important). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data on socio-demographic information, production practices, morphometric traits sampled, and production challenges. The chi-square test examined the association between demographics and other characteristics of farmers with the production objectives, practices, and preferred BSF traits. Lastly, a linear regression model was used to determine factors affecting the yield of black soldier fly larvae produced. Results indicate that the main production objective for BSF farming was to feed farmers' own livestock, mostly poultry. Males dominated BSF farming (67.5%), with slightly over half of the respondents aged between 18 and 35, and most (75.2%) having attained tertiary-level education and having received technical training in BSF farming (80.7%). The production scale of BSF farming was generally still low, with the majority (54.2%) producing less than 100kg/week of fresh larvae, mainly under the vertical rearing system (68.7%). BSF breeding stock was mainly obtained from fellow producers (59.04%) who offered training. Market waste was the highest-yielding substrate reported (38.5%), yet it was less (20.5%) preferred and used than brewery waste (26.5%). Most farmers purchased substrates off-farm (56.6%), and only 25.3% used on-farm waste generated. Sieving (50.06%) and manual picking (36.14%) were the two common BSFL larvae harvesting methods practiced, while separation (83.33%) of the pre-pupa from larvae prior to pupation was the main post-harvest handling practice carried out, whilst a few washes of BSFL (16.67%) prior to feeding and selling. The most important trait preferred and significant in all AEZs was high protein content larvae (20.3%), although ranked third (Median rank= 5, p < 0.043). Other important traits were big larvae girth (18.8%), which ranked highest (Median rank = 5), followed by long larvae length (15.3%), which ranked second (Median rank 5). Substrate sourcing was the main production challenge observed in all AEZs and positively influenced the BSFL yield. Overall, most farmers participating in black soldier fly farming are still producing at a small scale due to an inadequate supply of substrates, and they mainly obtain substrate from off-farm sources to enhance their production. Farmers who farm black soldier flies are well-educated and trained in BSF farming, with experience ranging from 1 to 2 years. They mainly produce BSFL under vertical rearing systems and non-permanent structures. Farmers are mainly interested in producing big girth larvae with high protein content and adaptability to high-temperature farming conditions. However, they are limited by inadequate substrate supply, which significantly influences the yield of larvae they produce (p < 0.012). This study's findings can guide further studies aimed at developing breeding programs, better understanding farmers' production practices under different rearing systems, and guiding the navigation of the production challenges faced by black soldier fly farmers to realize efficient and increased production.