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How did governance in Acholi dovetail with violence?
This thesis applies interdisciplinary approaches to explore interactions between
two forms of community governance in Acholiland from 1898 to 2010, locating itself within
Peace Studies. One form, kaka, was âtraditionalâ, featuring varied forms of âfacultative
mutualismsâ among two or more gangi agnates â with one gang as dominant in the
realm. Gangi were kinship-based polities. Like kaka, gangi manifested autopoietic
attributes and strong internal âfiduciary culturesâ. Then in the 1900s, kaka as governing
systems were reshuffled under colonialism and a tribal unit, the Acholi Local Government
was created and was subordinated to the Uganda state. Unlike kaka, Acholi Local
Government was hierarchal and has consistently been redesigned by various postcolonial
governments in their attempts to renegotiate, reshape and control the Acholi
people.
The study advances a concept of community governance as âsocialpoliticalâ
and moral, and counters that kaka was about brotherhoods - not rulersubject
relationships. It further distinguishes what was âtraditionalâ from âcustomaryâ
systems, and demonstrates how colonialism in Acholiland, and a crisis of legitimacy
manifested in a trifurcation of authorities, with: i) the despotic civil service - the
âcustomary systemâ, fusing modernity and the African tradition, ii) a reshuffled kaka
system as traditional, and, iii) the cross-modern, manifested as kinematic lugwok
paco, linking ethno-governance with the nascent national and global arenas.
The study concludes that both colonialism and âcolonialityâ have reshuffled
the mores of kaka along an African neo-patrimonial legitimacy. Conversely,
Acholiland is a âlimited statehoodâ â manifesting a higher order of societal entropy -
where the ârule by law and customsâ dovetail with violence and poverty,
demonstrating a genre of exceptionalism
Factors associated with pastoral community knowledge and occurrence of mycobacterial infections in human-animal interface areas of Nakasongola and Mubende districts, Uganda
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging opportunistic pathogens whose role in human and animal disease is increasingly being recognized. Major concerns are their role as opportunistic pathogens in HIV/AIDS infections. The role of open natural water sources as source and livestock/wildlife as reservoirs of infections to man are well documented. This presents a health challenge to the pastoral systems in Africa that rely mostly on open natural water sources to meet livestock and human needs. Recent study in the pastoral areas of Uganda showed infections with same genotypes of NTM in pastoralists and their livestock. The aim of this study was to determine the environmental, animal husbandry and socio-demographic factors associated with occurrence and the pastoral community knowledge of mycobacterial infections at the human-environment-livestock/wildlife interface (HELI) areas in pastoral ecosystems of Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two hundred and fifty three (253) individuals were subjected to a questionnaire survey across the study districts of Nakasongola and Mubende. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Humans sharing of the water sources with wild animals from the forest compared to savannah ecosystem (OR = 3.3), the tribe of herding pastoral community (OR = 7.9), number of rooms present in household (3-5 vs. 1-2 rooms) (OR = 3.3) were the socio-demographic factors that influenced the level of knowledge on mycobacterial infections among the pastoral communities. Tribe (OR = 6.4), use of spring vs. stream water for domestic use (OR = 4.5), presence of sediments in household water receptacle (OR = 2.32), non separation of water containers for drinking and domestic use (OR = 2.46), sharing of drinking water sources with wild animals (OR = 2.1), duration of involvement of >5 yrs in cattle keeping (OR = 3.7) and distance of household to animal night shelters (>20 meters) (OR = 3.8) were significant socio-demographic factors associated with the risk of occurrence of mycobacterioses among the pastoral communities in Uganda.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The socio-demographic, environmental and household related factors influence the risk of occurrence as well as pastoralists' knowledge of mycobacterial infections in the pastoral households at the human-environment-livestock/wildlife pastoral interface areas of Uganda.</p
Isolation of non-tuberculous mycobacteria from pastoral ecosystems of Uganda: Public Health significance
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The importance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa at the human-environment-livestock-wildlife interface has recently received increased attention. NTM are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Recent studies in pastoral ecosystems of Uganda detected NTM in humans with cervical lymphadenitis and cattle with lesions compatible with bovine tuberculosis. However, little is known about the source of these mycobacteria in Uganda. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify NTM in the environment of pastoral communities in Uganda, as well as assess the potential risk factors and the public health significance of NTM in these ecosystems.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A total of 310 samples (soil, water and faecal from cattle and pigs) were examined for mycobacteria. Isolates were identified by the INNO-Lipa test and by 16S rDNA sequencing. Additionally, a questionnaire survey involving 231 pastoralists was conducted during sample collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics followed by a multivariable logistic regression analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty-eight isolates of NTM were detected; 25.3% of soil samples, 11.8% of water and 9.1% from animal faecal samples contained mycobacteria. Soils around water sources were the most contaminated with NTM (29.8%). Of these samples, <it>M. fortuitum-peregrinum </it>complex, <it>M. avium </it>complex, <it>M. gordonae</it>, and <it>M. nonchromogenicum </it>were the most frequently detected mycobacteria. Drinking untreated compared to treated water (OR = 33), use of valley dam versus stream water for drinking and other domestic use (OR = 20), sharing of water sources with wild primates compared to antelopes (OR = 4.6), sharing of water sources with domestic animals (OR = 5.3), and close contact with cattle or other domestic animals (OR = 13.8) were the most plausible risk factors for humans to come in contact with NTM in the environment.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study detected a wide range of potentially pathogenic NTM from the environment around the pastoral communities in Uganda. Drinking untreated water and living in close contact with cattle or other domestic animals may be risk factors associated with the possibility of humans and animals acquiring NTM infections from these ecosystems.</p