Fisheries and SDGs at Namasagali Fishing Village, Kamuli Disrtict, Uganda

Attainment of SDGs has been derailed mainly by conflicts, pandemics and climate change. In Uganda, limited quantification of the value Riverine fisheries provide to communities is a major driver to unsustainable harvesting and destruction fisheries resources. This study was conducted to determine the monetary value contributed to households by fisheries activities at Namasagali fishing Village, one of the spots along Victoria Nile, major challenges faced and possible strategies to be adopted to enhance community ownership and sustainable management. A cross sectional survey was conducted using questionnaires and data on major activities conducted around the fishery and the corresponding income recorded and as analyzed using SPSS statistical package. Results showed that fisheries activities aprovided the highest amount of daily household income of between (5000 - 100,000 Shillings; USD $1.35-2.70) to 45$1.25/1.9 per day in the year 2005. Major challenge to sustainability of the fishery were use of illegal fishing gears and methods. Sensitization of the fisherfolk i and enforcement of fisheries regulations was recommended as the main strategy to advance sustainable fisheries resources at Namasagali Fishing Village

The Contribution of Cereal Grains to Food Security and Sustainability in Africa: Potential Application of UAV in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Namibia

Africa is a net importer of food, especially cereal grains, despite the importance of agriculture in the continent. The agricultural growth in Africa has been undermined by low investment in agriculture, poor infrastructure, high population growth rate, and low adoption of technologies. The agri-food value chain in many African countries will benefit from the adoption of appropriate technologies that are available in the digital landscape to leverage the agricultural sector, make it more attractive to the teeming youth population, and to reverse rural-urban migration. Attention to indigenous cereal grains and other crops that are grown locally and processed into different local foods would ensure food security. However, the availability of these crops in the market is often reduced due to damage before harvest by pests and predators leading to economic losses for farmers. In this article, we review the literature from a multidisciplinary perspective on the relevance of African indigenous food grains to food security in general and we highlight the potential application of drones to increase the yield of cereal grains in three regions of the continent—eastern, western, and southern Africa</p

Relationships between seasonal changes in diet of multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) and its breeding patterns in semi-arid areas in Tanzania

The diet and breeding patterns of Mastomys natalensis in semi-arid areas of Isimani division, Iringa region, Tanzania were investigated in maize fields and fallow land. The aim was to investigate the influence of diet on breeding patterns of M. natalensis. Removal trapping was used to capture rodents and analyse diet categories while Capture-mark-release trapping was used to investigate breeding patterns of female M. natalensis. Mastomys natalensis comprised 94%of the total capture, and the remaining 6% comprised of six other species. Statistical analysis of food preferences indicated that both vegetative materials and seeds were significantly higher in the overall diet of M. natalensis compared with other food materials. Significant differences in the proportions of vegetativematerials and seeds were found between seasons (dry, wet), but not between habitats (fallow, maize). There was a clear seasonal pattern in the proportion of reproductively active females with peaks in April and troughs in October. The proportion of vegetative materialswas highest during thewet season and correlated positively with reproductive activity, suggesting that vegetative materials contain certain compounds (e.g. 6-MBOA) that trigger reproductive activity in M. natalensis. The breeding activity of M. natalensis in semi-arid areas might, thus, be reduced by limiting access to fresh vegetative food (e.g. young sprouting grass)

Stakeholders' perspectives on the governance of natural resources in Ugandan Lake Victora catchment: A case of Upper river Rwizi and Iguluibi water catchments

Wetlands are one of the most essential resources of Uganda. They are key components of the riparian areas filtering sediments from run-off thereby reducing water pollution. However, they are increasingly threatened by the expansion of agricultural activities. This condition prompted the study of stakeholder s perspective on the governance of Lake Victoria natural resources in Uganda. The purpose of the study was to establish whether the decentralized wetland policy is being implemented properly, and in the process achieving its intended benefits as a response to the problem of wetland degradation. We aimed at understanding stakeholders perspective on the decentralized governance of wetlands in the Upper River Rwizi and Iguluibi micro catchments in light of their representativeness of the current farming systems and practices and their implications in the Lake Victoria Basin. A mixed method approach that includes both qualitative and quantitative surveying techniques was applied. We used a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, ethnographic observations and secondary data. A stakeholder analysis framework was used to identify the relevant actors with a stake in wetland use and management. It further analyses their characteristics and perceptions of the problem of wetland degradation. Results reveal that around the 1950s, wetlands were intact ecosystems without any disturbances from human activities. Land use changes started around the 1990s when farmers started diversifying from subsistence based economy to market-oriented. The interests, benefits and conflicts over use and management of wetland resources vary from one stakeholder group to another and their influence and power relations are quite distinct. These all combined with governance systems and perceptions influence the process of wetland degradation. Next, with the help of the DPSIR framework, our findings reveal that drivers such as population pressure, markets, poverty, insecure property rights and climate change exert pressures in the form of agricultural expansion and intensification to wetland resources through intensive cattle grazing, double cropping, clay and sand mining, charcoal and brick burning . These pressures lead to lowered ground water tables in the wetlands, removal of natural vegetation, soil erosion, increased sediment deposits, water pollution and biodiversity loss. State changes in the wetland ecosystems have an impact on food security, economic differentiation, conflicts between different wetland users and increased gender gap. A final analysis explores whether the policy response of decentralized wetland governance has been effective in addressing the challenges. Findings reveal that the decentralized governance of wetlands is not being implemented properly and therefore has not realised its intended benefits. The intended outcomes seem to be limited and vary from one catchment to the other. Furthermore, wetland conservation has declined due to a lack of institutional and technical capacity at local levels to perform tasks. Other challenges are to overcome poor cooperation and coordination among stakeholders, poor sensitization of farmers, inadequate funding of activities, poor accountability by local leaders, and lack of political support. Instead of generating more participation of local government, decentralization has allowed politics to control resources creating a gap between the rich and the poor.status: publishe

Community systems strengthening for HIV care: experiences from Uganda.

The growing HIV burden on families and health systems is exerting a shift toward community caregivers, and is increasing the demand for functional community systems. In Uganda, where the number of people with HIV is increasing against a background of weak health systems, the role of community systems is poorly understood. We investigated the role of community systems in palliative care and the system elements required for an effective community response in Uganda. Qualitative interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among providers and recipients of palliative care, their family members, and governmental and community stakeholders in Mbale and Jinja, Uganda. Results showed that community systems play an important role in many aspects of palliative care--including personal, livelihood, nutritional and bereavement support--and often strengthen care linkages and referrals. For community systems to fulfill these roles effectively, multiple system elements--including leadership, training, partnerships, and enabling policies--are essential. Strengthening community systems could be an effective strategy to alleviate HIV burden on families and health systems. A systems approach could be a potent mechanism for determining which community structures to strengthen in order to maximize the impact of palliative care programs, and for guiding investments in HIV and health

The Contribution of Cereal Grains to Food Security and Sustainability in Africa:Potential Application of UAV in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Namibia

Africa is a net importer of food, especially cereal grains, despite the importance of agriculture in the continent. The agricultural growth in Africa has been undermined by low investment in agriculture, poor infrastructure, high population growth rate, and low adoption of technologies. The agri-food value chain in many African countries will benefit from the adoption of appropriate technologies that are available in the digital landscape to leverage the agricultural sector, make it more attractive to the teeming youth population, and to reverse rural-urban migration. Attention to indigenous cereal grains and other crops that are grown locally and processed into different local foods would ensure food security. However, the availability of these crops in the market is often reduced due to damage before harvest by pests and predators leading to economic losses for farmers. In this article, we review the literature from a multidisciplinary perspective on the relevance of African indigenous food grains to food security in general and we highlight the potential application of drones to increase the yield of cereal grains in three regions of the continent—eastern, western, and southern Africa

Only connect--the role of PLHIV group networks in increasing the effectiveness of Ugandan HIV services.

In recent years, Uganda has experienced rapid growth in networked groups of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who provide support, engage in advocacy, treatment and care and raise the profile of HIV in the public domain. This qualitative study focused the benefits of joining a networked group, relationships between groups, impact of networked groups on the community and shaping private and public experience living with HIV. Data were collected from two Ugandan districts, using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation and reviews of group records and archives. Respondents (n=46) were adults living with HIV, and members of rural and urban PLHIV groups. Narratives from PLHIV (n=27) were gathered, and records from PLHIV group service-registers (n=20) reviewed. Key Informants (n=15) were purposively selected for interview, based on participation in PLHIV groups, utilisation of network services and their positions as key stakeholders. FGDs were held with network support agents (NSAs), members of PLHIV groups, and their leaders. Following qualitative analysis, findings suggest that for respondents, PLHIV networks enhance the impact and effectiveness of individual groups: the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. For groups, being part of a wider network allows for diversity of service delivery, and well-defined roles for individuals to participate in community support and sensitisation, with a reduction in the experience of stigma. We conclude that networking PLHIV groups is an effective strategy for improving the quality and reach of community-based HIV services. Governments should be encouraged to support networks and include them in policy-making at the national level. Local and regional groups should explore further ways to collaborate and expand support to PLHIV in Uganda

Decentralised governance of wetland resources in the Lake Victoria Basin of Uganda

Recent studies on decentralized wetland governance in Uganda have focused mainly on the relationship between central and local governments. Less attention has been given to the relationship between agricultural systems, local governments, and water bodies. This study aims at assessing decentralized wetlands governance in the upper river Rwizi and Iguluibi micro catchments, Lake Victoria Basin Uganda, in relation to farming practices. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the contribution of decentralized governance to the management of wetlands resources. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using descriptive summary statistics with the help of Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) soft ware. Qualitative data analysis involved the categorization of verbal and behavioral data for purposes of classification with the use of Nvivo soft ware. Data were analyzed at two levels: the descriptive level of analysis which is the account of the data in terms of what was said, documented or observed with nothing assumed about it. The second level of analysis was interpretive, where data is transformed into what is meant by the responses and conclusions are drawn. All recorded interviews were transcribed into a written report. Findings revealed that decentralized wetlands governance has brought ecosystem services nearer to communities in form of community-based management planning. However, results indicated inadequate institutional capacity, knowledge gaps of existing legal frameworks, limited political support and accountability for local leaders, lack of cooperation and coordination, and inadequate funding. In all, the policy has not fully realized its intended outcomes.status: publishe