Implications of Market Access on Soil and Water Conservation Investment in the Highlands of Eastern Uganda

Market access is one of the motivating mechanisms for farmers to invest in soil and water conservation (SWC). Areas of relatively high agricultural potential but remote from major markets face numerous challenges in marketing their outputs. The objective of this study was to explore the market access determinants of farmer investment in SWC technologies in the highlands of eastern Uganda. A multi-stage sampling technique involving purposive sampling was used to determine the areas where the problem of market access is predominant. A Semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 192 randomly selected household heads. Data was analysed with soft ware packages for social scientist (SPSS). Binary logistic model was fitted to determine the influence of market access to investment in soil and water conservation. The probability distribution of the final chi-square ratio, in respect to market access, was 0.042 (<5%) implying the significant influence of market access to investment in SWC. Linking farmers to better markets for their agricultural commodities would create a positive contribution in raising high economic return and investment in SWC.L\u2019acc\ue8s au march est l\u2019un des m\ue9canismes de motivation des fermiers pour investor dans la conservation des eaux et de sol (SWC). Les milieux constituant un potentiel agricole relativement \ue9lev\ue9 mais \ue9loign\ue9s de grands march\ue9s font face \ue0 d\u2019importantes contraintes en rapport avec l\u2019\ue9coulement de leurs produits. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019explorer les d\ue9terminants de l\u2019acc\ue8s au mach\ue9 des investissement des fermiers dans des technologies de SWC dans les hautes terres de l\u2019Est de l\u2019Uganda. Une technique d\u2019\ue9chantillonnage \ue0 \ue9tapes multiples impliquant un \ue9chantillonnage cibl\ue9 \ue9tait utilis\ue9e pour d\ue9terminer les milieux o\uf9 le probl\ue8me d\u2019acc\ue8s au march\ue9 est predominant. Un questionnaire semi-structur\ue9 \ue9tait administer \ue0 192 chefs de m\ue9nages s\ue9lectionn\ue9s al\ue9atoirement. Les donn\ue9es \ue9taient analys\ue9es avec le logiciel SPSS. Le mod\ue8le logistique binaire \ue9tait utilis\ue9 pour d\ue9terminer l\u2019influence de l\u2019acc\ue8s au march\ue9 sur l\u2019investissement dans la conservation du sol et des eaux. Connecter le fermiers sur les meilleurs march\ue9s pour \ue9couler leurs produits agricoles pourrait \ueatre d\u2019une contribution positive en terme de l\u2019accroissement du revenue \ue9conomique et l\u2019investissement dans le SWC

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Associated with Novel Virus Strain, Uganda, 2007–2008

Case-fatality rate is lower for this strain than for the other 3 Ebola species known to be pathogenic to humans

Prevalence of viral load suppression, predictors of virological failure and patterns of HIV drug resistance after 12 and 48 months on first-line antiretroviral therapy: a national cross-sectional survey in Uganda.

OBJECTIVES: We implemented the WHO cross-sectional survey protocol to determine rates of HIV viral load (VL) suppression (VLS), and weighted prevalence, predictors and patterns of acquired drug resistance (ADR) in individuals with virological failure (VF) defined as VL ≥1000 copies/mL. METHODS: We enrolled 547 and 1064 adult participants on first-line ART for 12 (±3) months (ADR12) and ≥48 months (ADR48), respectively. Dried blood spots and plasma specimens were collected for VL testing and genotyping among the VFs. RESULTS: VLS was 95.0% (95% CI 93.4%-96.5%) in the ADR12 group and 87.9% (95% CI 85.0%-90.9%) in the ADR48 group. The weighted prevalence of ADR was 96.1% (95% CI 72.9%-99.6%) in the ADR12 and 90.4% (95% CI 73.6-96.8%) in the ADR48 group, out of the 30 and 95 successful genotypes in the respective groups. Initiation on a zidovudine-based regimen compared with a tenofovir-based regimen was significantly associated with VF in the ADR48 group; adjusted OR (AOR) 1.96 (95% CI 1.13-3.39). Independent predictors of ADR in the ADR48 group were initiation on a zidovudine-based regimen compared with tenofovir-based regimens, AOR 3.16 (95% CI 1.34-7.46) and ART duration of ≥82 months compared with <82 months, AOR 1.92 (95% CI 1.03-3.59). CONCLUSIONS: While good VLS was observed, the high prevalence of ADR among the VFs before they underwent the recommended three intensive adherence counselling (IAC) sessions followed by repeat VL testing implies that IAC prior to treatment switching may be of limited benefit in improving VLS

Towards a collaborative research: A case study on linking science to farmers' perceptions and knowledge on Arabica coffee pests and diseases and its management

The scientific community has recognized the importance of integrating farmer's perceptions and knowledge (FPK) for the development of sustainable pest and disease management strategies. However, the knowledge gap between indigenous and scientific knowledge still contributes to misidentification of plant health constraints and poor adoption of management solutions. This is particularly the case in the context of smallholder farming in developing countries. In this paper, we present a case study on coffee production in Uganda, a sector depending mostly on smallholder farming facing a simultaneous and increasing number of socio-ecological pressures. The objectives of this study were (i) to examine and relate FPK on Arabica Coffee Pests and Diseases (CPaD) to altitude and the vegetation structure of the production systems; (ii) to contrast results with perceptions from experts and (iii) to compare results with field observations, in order to identify constraints for improving the information flow between scientists and farmers. Data were acquired by means of interviews and workshops. One hundred and fifty farmer households managing coffee either at sun exposure, under shade trees or inter-cropped with bananas and spread across an altitudinal gradient were selected. Field sampling of the two most important CPaD was conducted on a subset of 34 plots. The study revealed the following findings: (i) Perceptions on CPaD with respect to their distribution across altitudes and perceived impact are partially concordant among farmers, experts and field observations (ii) There are discrepancies among farmers and experts regarding management practices and the development of CPaD issues of the previous years. (iii) Field observations comparing CPaD in different altitudes and production systems indicate ambiguity of the role of shade trees. According to the locality-specific variability in CPaD pressure as well as in FPK, the importance of developing spatially variable and relevant CPaD control practices is proposed. (Résumé d'auteur

Uganda's experience in Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness, 2018-2019.

BACKGROUND: Since the declaration of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in DRC on 1st Aug 2018, several neighboring countries have been developing and implementing preparedness efforts to prevent EVD cross-border transmission to enable timely detection, investigation, and response in the event of a confirmed EVD outbreak in the country. We describe Uganda's experience in EVD preparedness. RESULTS: On 4 August 2018, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) and the National Task Force (NTF) for public health emergencies to plan, guide, and coordinate EVD preparedness in the country. The NTF selected an Incident Management Team (IMT), constituting a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) that supported activation of the District Task Forces (DTFs) and District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) that jointly assessed levels of preparedness in 30 designated high-risk districts representing category 1 (20 districts) and category 2 (10 districts). The MoH, with technical guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), led EVD preparedness activities and worked together with other ministries and partner organisations to enhance community-based surveillance systems, develop and disseminate risk communication messages, engage communities, reinforce EVD screening and infection prevention measures at Points of Entry (PoEs) and in high-risk health facilities, construct and equip EVD isolation and treatment units, and establish coordination and procurement mechanisms. CONCLUSION: As of 31 May 2019, there was no confirmed case of EVD as Uganda has continued to make significant and verifiable progress in EVD preparedness. There is a need to sustain these efforts, not only in EVD preparedness but also across the entire spectrum of a multi-hazard framework. These efforts strengthen country capacity and compel the country to avail resources for preparedness and management of incidents at the source while effectively cutting costs of using a "fire-fighting" approach during public health emergencies

Dolutegravir twice-daily dosing in children with HIV-associated tuberculosis: a pharmacokinetic and safety study within the open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority ODYSSEY trial

Background: Children with HIV-associated tuberculosis (TB) have few antiretroviral therapy (ART) options. We aimed to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of dolutegravir twice-daily dosing in children receiving rifampicin for HIV-associated TB. Methods: We nested a two-period, fixed-order pharmacokinetic substudy within the open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority ODYSSEY trial at research centres in South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Children (aged 4 weeks to <18 years) with HIV-associated TB who were receiving rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir were eligible for inclusion. We did a 12-h pharmacokinetic profile on rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir and a 24-h profile on once-daily dolutegravir. Geometric mean ratios for trough plasma concentration (Ctrough), area under the plasma concentration time curve from 0 h to 24 h after dosing (AUC0–24 h), and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) were used to compare dolutegravir concentrations between substudy days. We assessed rifampicin Cmax on the first substudy day. All children within ODYSSEY with HIV-associated TB who received rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir were included in the safety analysis. We described adverse events reported from starting twice-daily dolutegravir to 30 days after returning to once-daily dolutegravir. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02259127), EudraCT (2014–002632-14), and the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN91737921). Findings: Between Sept 20, 2016, and June 28, 2021, 37 children with HIV-associated TB (median age 11·9 years [range 0·4–17·6], 19 [51%] were female and 18 [49%] were male, 36 [97%] in Africa and one [3%] in Thailand) received rifampicin with twice-daily dolutegravir and were included in the safety analysis. 20 (54%) of 37 children enrolled in the pharmacokinetic substudy, 14 of whom contributed at least one evaluable pharmacokinetic curve for dolutegravir, including 12 who had within-participant comparisons. Geometric mean ratios for rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir versus once-daily dolutegravir were 1·51 (90% CI 1·08–2·11) for Ctrough, 1·23 (0·99–1·53) for AUC0–24 h, and 0·94 (0·76–1·16) for Cmax. Individual dolutegravir Ctrough concentrations were higher than the 90% effective concentration (ie, 0·32 mg/L) in all children receiving rifampicin and twice-daily dolutegravir. Of 18 children with evaluable rifampicin concentrations, 15 (83%) had a Cmax of less than the optimal target concentration of 8 mg/L. Rifampicin geometric mean Cmax was 5·1 mg/L (coefficient of variation 71%). During a median follow-up of 31 weeks (IQR 30–40), 15 grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred among 11 (30%) of 37 children, ten serious adverse events occurred among eight (22%) children, including two deaths (one tuberculosis-related death, one death due to traumatic injury); no adverse events, including deaths, were considered related to dolutegravir. Interpretation: Twice-daily dolutegravir was shown to be safe and sufficient to overcome the rifampicin enzyme-inducing effect in children, and could provide a practical ART option for children with HIV-associated TB

Neuropsychiatric manifestations and sleep disturbances with dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy versus standard of care in children and adolescents: a secondary analysis of the ODYSSEY trial

BACKGROUND: Cohort studies in adults with HIV showed that dolutegravir was associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events and sleep problems, yet data are scarce in children and adolescents. We aimed to evaluate neuropsychiatric manifestations in children and adolescents treated with dolutegravir-based treatment versus alternative antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of ODYSSEY, an open-label, multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial, in which adolescents and children initiating first-line or second-line antiretroviral therapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to dolutegravir-based treatment or standard-of-care treatment. We assessed neuropsychiatric adverse events (reported by clinicians) and responses to the mood and sleep questionnaires (reported by the participant or their carer) in both groups. We compared the proportions of patients with neuropsychiatric adverse events (neurological, psychiatric, and total), time to first neuropsychiatric adverse event, and participant-reported responses to questionnaires capturing issues with mood, suicidal thoughts, and sleep problems. FINDINGS: Between Sept 20, 2016, and June 22, 2018, 707 participants were enrolled, of whom 345 (49%) were female and 362 (51%) were male, and 623 (88%) were Black-African. Of 707 participants, 350 (50%) were randomly assigned to dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy and 357 (50%) to non-dolutegravir-based standard-of-care. 311 (44%) of 707 participants started first-line antiretroviral therapy (ODYSSEY-A; 145 [92%] of 157 participants had efavirenz-based therapy in the standard-of-care group), and 396 (56%) of 707 started second-line therapy (ODYSSEY-B; 195 [98%] of 200 had protease inhibitor-based therapy in the standard-of-care group). During follow-up (median 142 weeks, IQR 124–159), 23 participants had 31 neuropsychiatric adverse events (15 in the dolutegravir group and eight in the standard-of-care group; difference in proportion of participants with ≥1 event p=0·13). 11 participants had one or more neurological events (six and five; p=0·74) and 14 participants had one or more psychiatric events (ten and four; p=0·097). Among 14 participants with psychiatric events, eight participants in the dolutegravir group and four in standard-of-care group had suicidal ideation or behaviour. More participants in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group reported symptoms of self-harm (eight vs one; p=0·025), life not worth living (17 vs five; p=0·0091), or suicidal thoughts (13 vs none; p=0·0006) at one or more follow-up visits. Most reports were transient. There were no differences by treatment group in low mood or feeling sad, problems concentrating, feeling worried or feeling angry or aggressive, sleep problems, or sleep quality. INTERPRETATION: The numbers of neuropsychiatric adverse events and reported neuropsychiatric symptoms were low. However, numerically more participants had psychiatric events and reported suicidality ideation in the dolutegravir group than the standard-of-care group. These differences should be interpreted with caution in an open-label trial. Clinicians and policy makers should consider including suicidality screening of children or adolescents receiving dolutegravir

A review of Uganda’s agricultural policy and how it addresses AgriFose2030’s target groups

This paper provides an overview of existing agricultural policies in Uganda and how they address the key AgriFose2030 target groups that include; smallholder farmers, women and youth. One of the main policies in Uganda’s agricultural sector is the National Agriculture Policy (NAP) which deals with commercialization of smallholder agriculture through accessibility of financial services such as, loans. However, NAP lacks a consistent and implementation framework thereby hindering proper transformation and increase of agricultural production in the sector. The Agriculture Sector Strategic Plan (ASSP) of 2015/16 to 2019/20 lays out the priorities and interventions that are crucial to transforming smallholder farmers into commercial farmers. The five year strategy focuses on improving the accessibility of critical farm inputs such as, fertilizers as wells value addition and markets for the agricultural produce. However, the strategy is constrained by unfavorable conditions for agricultural transformation such as, inadequate participation of women and youth and limited extension services. The National Agricultural Extension Policy (NAEP), 2016, was developed to provide long term strategic direction for agricultural extension services in Uganda. The agricultural extension services facilitate smallholder farmers to sustain agricultural production and shift from subsistence farming to market-oriented and commercial farming. However, there are some challenges faced by the implementation of the policy such as, reduced funding for agricultural extension service delivery in the national budget and insufficient human resource that is inadequate to implement the agricultural extension reforms. The National Agricultural Extension Strategy (NAES) 2016/17 to 2020/21 is expected to improve efficiency of agricultural production, competitiveness, and commercialization of smallholder farmers. The strategy empowers and allows participation of smallholder farmers, women, and youth so that they can benefit effectively from extension services and develop value chains that address their needs. In addition, NAES advocates for stronger linkages with research, educational and farmer institutions among smallholders to improve agricultural production. The National Fertilizer Policy of Uganda (2016) ensures availability of affordable, accessible, high quality, safe, profitable and sustainable fertilizer to smallholders to achieve sustainable production. The policy promotes awareness of fertilizers and encourages the participation of smallholders, women and youth in the marketing of fertilizers. However, smallholder farmers lack knowledge/information of how to improve soil fertility, their proper use, the high cost and poor supply in Uganda. Though not yet implemented, the Draft of National Seed Policy 2014 (NSP) ensures that smallholders have access to adequate, affordable, high quality and safe seed and planting material that is crucial for agricultural intensification. This policy focuses on increasing awareness, proper dissemination of seed related profitability information among smallholders to increase agricultural productivity. For example, the policy encourages smallholders, women and youth to conserve the best crop varieties with high food security value. The Draft Irrigation Policy and National Irrigation Master Plan for Uganda (2010-2035) has provision for smallholders that engage in subsistence farming and those who are shifting from subsistence farming to commercial farming to increase their agricultural production and productivity

ECONOMICS OF LAND DEGRADATION IN MID-HILLS OF MT. ELGON WATERSHED, EASTERN UGANDA

ABSTRACT Buyinza M, Mugagga F (2010) Economics of land degradation in mid-hills of Mt. Elgon watershed, Eastern Uganda. J. Soil Nature 4(1), 1-6. This paper explores the socioeconomic impacts of land degradation in the mid-hills of Mt. Elgon catchment, eastern Uganda. The study results show that about 59, 21, 11, 7, 3 and 2% of the average income contribution to the household economy come from off-farm, livestock, fruits, vegetables, cash and cereal crops respectively. Populations densities are, in general, high in these areas and most land, including marginal lands, are under cultivation. Terracing farmland and planting fodder trees on terrace edge and on terrace risers are the traditional farming practices in order to minimize soil erosion and to maintain crop production. Slash and burn activities are continuously being practiced in the on-site for many years. Few farmers adopted soil conservation techniques such as use of mulching, hedgerows, mixed cropping of cereals with legumes and minimum tillage and establishing fruits orchards and vegetables farming. To improve the economic condition of people in the hilly area, there is a need to promote commercialization and diversification of agricultural practices with minimum degradation of natural resources. Key words: agricultural crops, degradation, income, soil conservation INTRODUCTION Agriculture is the largest sector of the Ugandan economy. About 80 percent of the population depends on it as the main source of income and livelihood. The agriculture resource base has been both shrinking and degrading with the increasing population pressure and marginal land with steep and very steep slopes increasingly being brought under cultivation. This has led to intense land degradation due to soil erosion in the hills and mountains (Bagoora 1988). Cultivation on sloping and terraced land is a common feature of the Ugandan hill agriculture. The traditional farming system and cultivation on steep hill slopes have accelerated the rate of erosion and degradation. It causes severe on-and off-site environmental, economic, and social impacts. To overcome these problems, research projects need to adopt a new research paradigm based on a participatory and interdisciplinary catchment approac