NRU :: Browsing by Author "Barasa, Bernard"

Browsing by Author "Barasa, Bernard"

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Assessing the Extent of Historical, Current, and Future Land Use Systems in Uganda
(Land, 2018) Mwanjalolo, Majaliwa Gilbert Jackson; Barasa, Bernard; Mukwaya Isolo, Paul; Wanyama, Joshua; Kutegeka, Sophie; Nakyeyune, Cotilda; Nakileza, Bob; Diisi, John; Ssenyonjo, Edward; Nakangu, Barbara
Sustainable land use systems planning and management requires a wider understanding of the spatial extent and detailed human-ecosystem interactions astride any landscape. This study assessed the extent of historical, current, and future land use systems in Uganda. The specific objectives were to (i) characterize and assess the extent of historical and current land use systems, and (ii) project future land use systems. The land use systems were defined and classified using spatially explicit land use/cover layers for the years 1990 and 2015, while the future prediction (for the year 2040) was determined using land use systems datasets for both years through a Markov chain model. This study reveals a total of 29 classes of land use systems that can be broadly categorized as follows: three of the land use systems are agricultural, five are under bushland, four under forest, five under grasslands, two under impediments, three under wetlands, five under woodland, one under open water and urban settlement respectively. The highest gains in the land amongst the land use systems were experienced in subsistence agricultural land and grasslands protected, while the highest losses were seen in grasslands unprotected and woodland/forest with low livestock densities. By 2040, subsistence agricultural land is likely to increase by about 1% while tropical high forest with livestock activities is expected to decrease by 0.2%, and woodland/forest unprotected by 0.07%. High demand for agricultural and settlement land are mainly responsible for land use systems patchiness. This study envisages more land degradation and disasters such as landslides, floods, droughts, and so forth to occur in the country, causing more deaths and loss of property, if the rate at which land use systems are expanding is not closely monitored and regulated in the near future.
Assessing the spatio-temporal climate variability in semi-arid Karamoja subregion in north-eastern Uganda
(International Journal of Environmental Studies, 2014) Egeru, Anthony; Osaliya, Richard; MacOpiyo, Laban; Mburu, John; Wasonga, Oliver; Barasa, Bernard; Said, Mohammed; Aleper, Daniel; Majaliwa Mwanjalolo, Gilbert-Jackson
Semi-arid areas show climatic variability on a spatio-temporal scale. There are few studies on the long-term trends and intensity of this variability from East Africa. We used National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration re-analysis climate data (1979–2009) in this study. Rainfall exhibited a non-significant long-term trend. The climate of the area is variable (coefficient of variation-CV >35.0%) with spatio-temporal oddities in rainfall and temperature. A rise in minimum (0.9 °C), maximum (1.6 °C) and mean (1.3 °C) temperature occurred between 1979 and 2009. There were more months with climate variability indices below the threshold (<1.0) from 1979 to 1994 than between 1995 and 2009, with wetness intensity increasingly common after 2000, leading to the observed reduction in the recurrence of multi-year drought events. More extreme wet events (rainfall variability index >2.6) were experienced between 2004 and 2009 than between 1984 and 2003. We consider that the use of spatio-temporal climatic information for timely adjustment to extreme climate variability events is essential in semi-arid areas.
Characterization of artisanal gold mining activities in the tropics and their impact on sediment loading and stream flow in the Okame River catchment, Eastern Uganda
(Environmental Earth Sciences, 2016) Barasa, Bernard; Kakembo, Vincent; Karl, Tiller
Artisanal gold mining activities continue to degrade water resources in the tropical watersheds. In this study, we examined the spatial distribution of artisanal gold mining activities and their impact on sediment and mercury concentration in the Okame River catchment, Eastern Uganda. The spatial distributions of mining activities were assessed using both a TerraSAR-X radar satellite image of 2008 and Landsat image of 2013. Water samples and river bed deposits were collected on a monthly basis for a period of 1 year to assess the impact of mining activities on the streamflow variations and sediment concentration. Our results showed that the distribution of gold mining activities increased from 4.5 km2 in 2008 to 19.9 km2 in 2013. Human-induced sediment loading due to gold stone washing in the sampled tributaries of Okame River was responsible for the high concentration of suspended sediments (CSS), mercury and low water levels than prior to gold stone washing. River Omanyi (0.0191 mg l-1) was the most highly contaminated stream with mercury followed by Nankuke River (0.0163 mg l-1) and Nabewo River (0.0158 mg 1-1) in the Okame. There was also a significant concentration and trend of soluble mercury contamination from the sampled rivers (R2 = 0.8). The average concentration of mercury was found to be 0.004 ± 0.0009 mg l. This paper notes that artisanal mining activities have led to the reduction in streamflow rates, change of streamflow course and colonization of stream banks by riparian vegetation.
The Contribution of Farmer Field Schools in Facilitating Smallholder Farmer’s Adaptation to Drought in Kiboga District, Uganda
(International Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 2017) Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Carter, Lynne; Nankya, Anna Maria; Nansamba, Grace; Okiror, John Francis; Lukanda, Ivan; Sengendo, May; Mbogga, Michael Ssekaayi
Farmer Field Schools (FFS) represent a significant step forward in agricultural education by facilitating farmers adapt to drought. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of FFS in facilitating smallholder farmer’s adaptation to drought in Kiboga District inclusive of gender and communication perspectives. A total of 120 FFS-members and 60 non-members were randomly selected and administered with questionnaires in Kapeka, Dwaniro and Bukomero sub-counties. Using descriptive statistics, the results revealed that in crop production, the FFS members largely responded to drought by early/delayed planting, carrying out micro-irrigation, growing of vegetables, rainwater harvesting and application of organic manure; while in livestock production, they fetched water, sold livestock, grew hay, hired shelter for livestock protection and collected feeds. These divergent options were incomparable to those applied by the non-FFS members. Irrespective of memberships, the women were more directly involvement in crop and livestock adaptation related activities compared to their counterparts. In addition, both FFS members and non-members revealed to have implemented adaptation responses learnt from fellow farmers, friends, community announcers, extension officers and local council leaders. As a result, the application of adaptation responses increased the smallholder farmer’s social relations, income levels and food security status.
Contribution of Rainfall on Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting and Saving on the Slopes of Mt. Elgon, East Africa
(The Scientific World Journal, 2020) Barasa, Bernard; Asaba, Joyfred
Despite the achievements reported from using rainwater harvesting systems, the contribution and drawbacks that affect their usage in mountainous landscapes have received little attention. 'e uptake and usage of domestic rooftop rainwater harvesting systems (RRWHS) in developing countries is on the increase due to increasing water scarcities. We explored the effect of rainfall variability on water supply and the downsides of using the systems by rural households in Uganda. 'e objectives were to assess the variability of rainfall (1985–2018), categorise RRWHS used, and examine the influence of slope ranges on the placement of systems and also to quantify the harvested and saved rainwater and establish the factors that affected system usage. Rainfall variability was assessed using a Mann–Kendall test, while system contributions and drawbacks were examined using socioeconomic data. A representative of 444 households were selected using a multicluster sampling procedure and interviewed using semistructured questionnaires. Findings revealed that the months of March, April, September, August, and October experienced an upward trend of rainfall with a monthly coefficient of variation between 41 and 126%. With this, households responded by employing fixed (reinforced concrete tanks, corrugated iron tanks, and plastic tanks) and mobile RRWHS (saucepans, metallic drums/plastic drums, jerrycans, and clay pots). At the high altitude, households deployed mostly plastic jerrycans and industrial plastic/metallic drums to harvest and save water. Overall, the mean annual volume of rainwater harvested on the slopes of Mt. Elgon was 163,063m3/yr, while the potential to save water ranged from 4% to 7% of the annual household water demand. 'e factors that hindered the deployment of RRWHS to harvest and save water were high operational costs, price fluctuations, unreliable rainfall pattern, inadequate funds, and limited accessibility. 'erainfall received if well-harvested and saved can redeem households of water insecurity, though there is an urgent need of subsidies from the government to increase accessibility of the systems.
Determinants for the adoption of residential rainwater harvesting systems on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, East‑Africa. How do they perform?
(Sustainable Water Resources Management, 2020) Barasa, Bernard; Wanyama, Joshua; Winnie, Nandutu
In recent years, the mountainous regions are becoming more susceptible to devastating climatic shocks causing food insecurity and environmental degradation. In response, farmers with small landholding are gaining interest in deploying Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RRWHS) to improve water supplies in homes, though diminutive consideration has been given to the performance evaluation of these systems in a mountainous landscape in the tropics. Our study intended to explicitly understand the determinants for the household adoption of RRWHS and evaluate their performance to improve domestic water supplies in the study area. The study took a cross-sectional design were 444 respondents were selected using a cluster sampling method, and administered with semi-structured questionnaires. The indicators used to assess system performances were: reliability, cost-effectiveness and efficiency. The results of this study showed that system/component price-subsidies, household income-status, landholding-size, availability of technical support and farmer education-level were the most significant determinants for the uptake of RRWHS (P < = 0.05). Performance-wise, the most reliable systems were corrugated metallic-tanks and concrete-ferro-cement tanks. The most cost-effective system was plastic jerrycans; while the most-efficient were concrete ferro-cement and plastic tanks. This study reveals that tax exemptions on the manufacture and importation of RRWHS components can increase their acquisition. The high-capacity storage RRWHS systems are preferred by the farmers due to improved water supplies to sustain domestic usage and farming requirements but also safeguard the environment from surface run-off and overexploitation. Plastic-storage facilities are preferred, because they did not react with water compared to metallic systems.
Dynamics of Land Use/Cover Trends in Kanungu District, South-western Uganda
(Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 2010) Barasa, Bernard; Egeru, Anthony; Patrick, Okello; Fridah, Mutuzo
Like other countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda is not an exception to the effects of land use/cover changes on the environment. Specifically the study intended to; determine the magnitude and trend of land use/cover changes in Kanungu District for the last 35 years. A series of Landsat TM/ETM orthorectified satellite imagery of 1975, 1987 and 1999 were classified using unsupervised classification procedures in ILWIS 3.3 software to determine the magnitude and trend of land use/cover changes. A total of 65 local residents were randomly selected for questionnaire administration with the help of village leaders to examine the underlying drivers of land use/cover change. The results showed that the magnitude of small scale (Non-uniform) farming largely increased by 5% from 1975 to 1999 while areas covered by Tropical high forest relatively decreased by 16% between 1975 and 1987 but slightly increased by 1% in 1999. The areas covered by wetlands comparatively increased by 4% from 1975 to 1987 and by 1999 they slightly decreased by 3%. The woodland areas decreased by 3% from 1975 to 1987 and to some extent also increased by 2% in 1999. Household size, type of crops grown, customary land tenure system, availability of agricultural extension workers, weak environmental laws and policies are significant predictors of land use/cover change in Kanungu District.@
Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Drought among Agro-pastoral Farmers: Opportunities and Constraints in Nakasongola District, Central Uganda
(Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, 2017) Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Ntale, Emmanuel
Understanding the context and importance of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) by agro-pastoralists is important for building climate resilient social and ecological systems amidst the changing climate. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine the EbA to drought by the smallholder farmers in Nakasongola District where a total of 100 respondents were randomly selected and subjected to interviews. To supplement on this information, a land use/cover spatial dataset of 2016 for Uganda was obtained and analysed to characterise and quantify the distribution of ecosystems utilised by the agro-pastoralists in the District. The spatial results revealed that the grassland (1524.6sq.km) and agricultural (agroecosystem) (779.1sq.km) ecosystems were the largest ecosystems followed by the forest/woodland and freshwater ecosystems in terms of coverage. The farmers perceived severe droughts to occur between December to January for the last 30 years with an average of 4 years return period. The agro and grassland ecosystems were the main contributors of drought adaptation opportunities compared to the freshwater and forest/woodland ecosystems. The direct and indirect opportunities involved goods and services such as water provision, mulching materials, food provision, fuelwood, regulation of air quality and water flow. However, the major constraints to EbA included rampant deforestation, limited knowledge on ecosystem conservation and overgrazing. Thus increasing water supplies for domestic and agricultural production is more likely increase the farmer’s adaptation to drought
Effects of heterogeneous land use/cover types on river channel morphology in the Solo River catchment, Eastern Uganda
(Geocarto International, 2015) Barasa, Bernard; Kakembo, Vincent; Mwololo Waema, Tim; Laban, Macopiyo
In the tropics, unmonitored land use/cover types cause significant effects on the narrowing and widening of river channels which affects the integrity of water resources. River channel planform extent was characterised using Landsat images while water and bedload samples were collected and analysed for a period of one year. The results revealed that in 1986 the channel planform covered 3.7sq.km in length than in 2013 where it increased to 4.2sq.km. Wetland (537.1mgl-1) and bushland (186.3mgl-1) cover types had the highest concentration of suspended sediments. Fine-sand (0.25mm), silty-sand (1mm) and silty-clay (0.125mm) bedload particle types dominated the riverbed along the channel from the sampled land use/cover types. The high concentration of sediments, bedload materials, bank-instability, and stream-flow were significant contributors to the narrowing and widening of the channel (P<0.05). Agricultural landuse was the major contributor of channel aggradation (0.8m) and degradation (0.25m) compared to treeplantations, bushlands, forest and wetland cover types.
The Energy Potential of Harvested Wood Fuel by Refugees in Northern Uganda
(The Scientific World Journal, 2022) Barasa, Bernard; Turyabanawe, Loy; Akello, Gertrude; Gudoyi, Paul Makoba; Nabatta, Claire; Mulabbi, Andrew
For the last three decades, Uganda has lost considerable natural vegetation cover in the refugee settlements and buffer zones due to the high demand for wood fuel and timber. It is worthy to note that the supplies of wood fuel are more likely to dwindle in the near future. 'is study explored the determinants of harvested wood-fuel choices and their energy potential. It also examined the implemented energy conservation measures and constraints faced by the refugees both in Palorinya and Imvepi refugee settlements in Northern Uganda. 'edata were collected by conducting household interviews and collection of wood species samples for energy potential laboratory analysis. Findings indicate that the major sources of wood fuel were firewood, charcoal, briquettes, and biomass fuels. 'e major refugee choices that determined wood-fuel collection included the family size of the house hold, culture, method of cooking, type of food cooked, high poverty levels, and availability of family labour (P ≤ 0.05). 'e sampled wood tree species had the highest energy potential were Celtis durandii (5,837 kcal/kg), Parkinsonia aculeata (5,771 kcal/kg), Delonix regia (5,153 kcal/kg), and Bligihia unijugata (5,034 kcal/kg). Access to wood fuel by the households was mainly constrained by limited household income levels, long distances trekked, and inadequate awareness about wood fuel sources and availability. To conserve wood fuel, the refugees deploy several measures including the use of mobile solar gadgets for cooking and lighting, taking up agroforestry, use of briquettes, adoption of energy-saving cooking stoves, and establishment of new woodlots. 'erefore, to reverse this trend, the Ugandan government and development partners should prioritise energy investments by supporting cheaper energy alternatives such as mobile solar gadgets and energy-saving cooking technologies, and establishment of woodlots.
Factors and Constraints Hindering Effective Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Study of Northern Uganda
(East African Nature and Science Organization, 2021-10-06) Ongia, Joel Owiny; Turyabanawe, Loy; Barasa, Bernard; Mulabbi, Andrew; Akello, Gertrude
In developing countries, little information is available about solid-waste characteristics, determinants for adoption and performance-evaluation of municipal-waste management systems in Municipals. This study aimed: to characterize the municipal solid-wastes, collection, dumping and evaluate the efficiency and reliability of Municipal solid-waste management system. A total of 200 households were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data was analysed using Binary-Logistic Regression model to determine factors influencing collection and dumping of solid wastes. Results showed that biodegradable/organic wastes comprise a major fraction of solid-wastes produced. Factors that influenced solid-waste collection and dumping included: household-age, unavailability of solid-waste containers, inadequate collection/dumping space and weak legal-enforcement against poor-dumping. The waste system is constrained by inadequate transport facilities, inadequate space for temporal dumping; and lack of legal enforcement in matters of solid-waste poor handling. These have made the systems ineffective and unreliable. This study recommends involvement of all stakeholders in innovative approaches to uphold sustainable municipal sanity.
Factors and Constraints Hindering Effective Municipal Solid Waste Management Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case Study of Northern Uganda.
(International Journal of Advanced Research, 2021) Ongia, Joel-Owiny; Turyabanawe, Loy; Barasa, Bernard; Mulabbi, Andrew; Akello, Gertrude
In developing countries, little information is available about solid-waste characteristics, determinants for adoption and performance-evaluation of municipal-waste management systems in Municipals. This study aimed: to characterize the municipal solid-wastes, collection, dumping and evaluate the efficiency and reliability of Municipal solid-waste management system. A total of 200 households were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data was analysed using Binary-Logistic Regression model to determine factors influencing collection and dumping of solid wastes. Results showed that biodegradable/organic wastes comprise a major fraction of solid-wastes produced. Factors that influenced solid-waste collection and dumping included: household-age, unavailability of solid-waste containers, inadequate collection/dumping space and weak legal-enforcement against poor-dumping. The waste system is constrained by inadequate transport facilities, inadequate space for temporal dumping; and lack of legal enforcement in matters of solid-waste poor handling. These have made the systems ineffective and unreliable. This study recommends involvement of all stakeholders in innovative approaches to uphold sustainable municipal sanity.
Freshwater lake inundation monitoring using Sentinel-1 SAR imagery in Eastern Uganda
(Annals of GIS, 2020) Barasa, Bernard; Wanyama, Joshua
In flood hazard assessment, little attention has been given to the seasonal observation of freshwater inundation using Sentinel-1 Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) images in the tropics. To assess these spatial variations, this study examined the inundation magnitudes and reflectance of riparian flora in the raining seasons (February-April and September-November) and dry-periods (May-August and December-January). The inundation areas were determined using an object-oriented classification algorithm, whilst the merits concerning the lake, riparian vegetation and shoreline were well-defined using backscatter-coefficient values. Findings indicated that the SAR images are practical to monitor inundation coverages and discern lake basin specific features such as highland areas, shoreline, water and riparian-vegetation. Seasonally, inundated sizes were comparatively higher in February (902 sq. km) and October (700 sq.km). Backscatter values of inundated parts varied from −16 dB to −19 dB, whereas those of riparian vegetation were higher in the months of May and August. This study hence displays a clear-cut correlation between riparian-vegetation, hydrology and climate variables.
Gis-Based Land Suitability Analysis for Ex-Situ Production of Threatened Citropsis articulata in Uganda
(Environment & Ecosystem Science (EES), 2021) Wangalwa, Rapheal; Apio Oleta, Eunice; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Umba Tolo, Casim; Ogwang, Patrick. E.; Barasa, Bernard
Citropsis articulata (Spreng.) is a potent medicinal plant that is increasingly threatened by unsustainable harvesting and habitat destruction due to deforestation. This calls for enhancement of ex-situ conservation of C. articulata through offsite production. However, the success of offsite production of this species heavily rests on precisely assessing the suitability of the land for its production. In this study, an integrated GIS based multi-criteria evaluation approach was used to depict suitable areas for production of C. articulata based on key factors of; climate, soil and topography. Results revealed that only 13.04% (31495.77 km2) of Uganda’s land is very suitable to support natural production of C. articulata and is mainly situated in the western and central regions. Findings further revealed that 76.4% (24062.77 km2) of very suitable land area is situated outside protected areas, thus implying availability of potential sites for ex-situ and commercial production of C. articulata in the country. Findings also indicated that C. articulata has potential of thriving in well drained, moderately acidic soils and pleasantly warm regions endowed with moderately high precipitation and humidity. Since current stocks of C. articulata are mainly restricted to protected areas, cultivating this species will provide alternative sources of the plant harvest. This will help to relieve current pressures on the wild populations of C. articulata, thus providing a safety backup to the current in-situ conservation efforts.
The impact of refugee settlements on land use changes and vegetation degradation in West Nile Sub-region, Uganda
(Geocarto International, 2020) Barasa, Bernard; Mwiru, Aron; Turyabanawe, Loy; Nabalegwa W., Muhamud; Ssentongo, Benard
Uganda continues to experience high-refugee population influx that is beyond the established settlement capacities. Little information is available on the present and future impacts of settling refugees and host-communities on landuse changes and vegetation degradation. This study used Sentinel-2 images (20m) of 2016-2019 and Dinamica Ego-software to determine the current and future spatial areal-extent of changes in 2022. Findings revealed a rarefied increase in areas under subsistence-farming, builtups and refugee-settlements while the losses were seen in savannah-grasslands, wetlands and woodlands. In 2021, the most significant increases in the land will be experienced in builtupareas, settlements and commercial farming. The most degraded vegetation types were savannah-grassland, woodlands and treeplantations. These were primarily attributed to unending activities of deforestation, bush-burning, high-refugee population, land-conflicts with host-communities and wetland reclamation. Thus, unless sustainable farming and energy-saving practices are promoted and adopted, the landscape is likely to remain not even with remnants of green-cover.
Influence of Literacy on the Smallholder Farmer’s Ability to Adapt to Drought in Pallisa District, Eastern Uganda
(Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 2017) Mfitumukiza, David; Barasa, Bernard; Amuge, Barbra Catherine
Functional literacy if well-applied increases lifelong livelihood opportunities for the smallholder farmers faced with drought episodes. This study examined the influence of literacy on the smallholder farmer’s ability to adapt to drought. The social-economic data was collected and analysed using both multi-stage and cross-sectional sampling methods. A total sample of 153 smallholder farmers was randomly selected from Gogonyo, Kameke, Kamuge and Kasodo sub-counties and administered household questionnaires. The study results revealed that there was a very significant relationship between literacy (reading and writing) and adaptation to drought by the smallholder farmers (p<0.05). This was brought about by remarkable functional literacy players. The farmers recognised non-governmental organisations (65%) and farmer associations (20%) as the major contributors of their functional literacy levels followed by the government (15%) through extension programmes. Specifically, community public gathering including public announcements, farmer field schools with 70% and use of visual aids (posters) –(20%) were the major modes of adaptation content delivery to the smallholder farmers followed by the use of electronic media such as radios, television (6%) and use of public documents like newspapers and magazines with 4%. However, the shortfalls in the acquisition of literacy were largely caused by the farmer’s nonattendance to the schools and training, insufficient knowledge to comprehend, shortage of scholastic writing materials, trekking longer distances to educational centres and inadequate financial resources to meet their school requirements. Above all, the promotion of reading and writing literacy skills amongst the smallholder farmers is more likely to trigger, improve and lead to the introduction of adaptation innovations that are critical in improving the farmer’s resilience and livelihood status.
Land Use Cover Types and Forest Management Options for Carbon in Mabira Central Forest Reserve
(African Handbook of Climate Change Adaptation, 2020) Jjagwe, Aisha; Kakembo, Vincent; Barasa, Bernard
Mabira Central Forest Reserve (CFR), one of the biggest forest reserves in Uganda, has increasingly undergone encroachments and deforestation. This chapter presents the implications of a range of forest management options for carbon stocks in the Mabira CFR. The effects of forest management options were reviewed by comparing above-ground biomass (AGB), carbon, and soil organic carbon (SOC) in three management zones. The chapter attempts to provide estimates of AGB and carbon stocks (t/ha) of forest (trees) and SOC using sampling techniques and allometric equations. AGB and carbon were obtained from a count of 143 trees, measuring parameters of diameter at breast height (DBH), crown diameter (CW), and height (H) with tree coordinates. It also makes use of the Velle (Estimation of standing stock of woody biomass in areas where little or no baseline data are available. A study based on field measurements in Uganda. Norges Landbrukshoegskole, Ås, 1995) allometric equations developed for Uganda to estimate AGB. The strict nature reserve management zone was noted to sink the highest volume of carbon of approximately 6,771,092.34 tonnes, as compared to the recreation zone (2,196,467.59 tonnes) and production zone (458,903.57 tonnes). A statistically significant relationship was identified between AGB and carbon. SOC varied with soil depth, with the soil surface of 0–10 cm depth registering the highest mean of 2.78% across all the management zones. Soil depth and land use/ cover types also had a statistically significant effect on the percentage of SOC (P ¼ 0.05). A statistically significant difference at the 95% significance level was also identified between the mean carbon stocks from one level of management zones to another. Recommendations include: demarcating forest boundaries to minimize encroachment, enforcement of forestry policy for sustainable development, promote reforestation, and increase human resources for efficient monitoring of the forest compartments.
Local and regional variations in conditions for agriculture and food security in Uganda
(AgriFoSe2030, 2018) Barasa, Bernard
Uganda’s agricultural environment is characterized by smallholder farmers. Majority of these are found in rural areas and food insecure. This study specifically explored to understand and put across the determinants of local and regional distribution of key crops grown and livestock reared; constraints and opportunities along the agricultural value chain; and institutional and stakeholder involvement in setting policy agenda. This information was born through review of published and grey literature. The findings of this comprehensive review broadly reveal that the major key crops grown in Uganda today are: coffee, bananas, maize, beans, cassava and rice; while in terms of animals and birds: cattle, goats, pigs and local chicken are the most kept by farmers respectively for food security. In terms of local and regional variations, coffee and banana are highly productive in the eastern and western highlands while the remaining crops flourish in the flat plains and valleys (wetlands). The dryland belt ‘cattle corridor’ that stretches from north-eastern to south-west Uganda has the highest numbers of livestock reared. Considering both the livestock and crop value chains, constraints which are also the determinants of opportunities, can be categorized along four dimensions, namely: a) production and productivity constraints, b) market access and value addition constraints; c) enabling environment constraints and d) Institutional Framework constraints. Since 2000, informed by the Poverty Eradication Action Plan the agriculture policy frameworks have been formulated against the backdrop of the Plan for Modernisation of Agriculture (PMA) as a multi-sectoral policy framework for agriculture, food security and rural development. Before the formulation of PMA, agricultural interventions were scattered and there was no comprehensive policy framework to guide the sector. Currently, the PMA – thus subsequent policies, programs and plans, have not yet recognised a holistic approach in modernizing agriculture, as well as the interconnection among the various sectoral stakeholders. However, harmonisation and implementation of these policies and associated programmes and plans should provide leverage for enhanced productivity and reduced food insecurity. This study provides synergies between agriculture and food security to guide future policy formulations, enactment of pending bills and allocation of funds. Potential areas of investment in smallholder agriculture are presented and how to transform the sub sector into a profitable venture.
Occurrence of Citropsis articulata in Tropical Forests in Uganda: Implication for Ex Situ Conservation
(International Journal of Forestry Research, 2021) Wangalwa, Rapheal; Apio Olet, Eunice; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Umba Tolo, Casim; Ogwang, Patrick E.; Barasa, Bernard
Citropsis articulata is a medicinal plant that is increasingly threatened by unsustainable methods of harvesting and habitat degradation. Owing to the fact that this plant species is highly utilized for herbal medicine and is currently restricted to a few forest reserves in Uganda, this has significant implications for ex situ conservation. ,erefore, the aim of this study was to assess how physiographical factors influence the occurrence and distribution of C. articulata in the three forest reserves in Uganda, namely, Budongo, Mabira, and Kibale National Park. ,e study was carried out in 15 compartmental sites in each of the three forests. In each compartmental site, 4 plots of 60m× 60m were systematically established, and within each plot, 4 subplots each of size 20m× 20m were randomly setup. A total of 240 subplots were assessed for occurrence of Citropsis articulata in each forest. ,eresults indicated a significant (p < 0.05) variation in the density of C. articulata with the highest recorded in Kibale National Park. Citropsis articulata generally occurred at moderate altitudinal landscapes (overall elevation = 1200.0 ± 20.73 m) with soils that are moderately acidic (overall pH= 5.7 ± 0.10), low in salinity (overall salinity = 84.0 ± 3.84 mg/l), and moderate levels of macro- and micronutrients. Citropsis articulata was generally associated with plant communities dominated by canopy tree species of genera such as Chryosphyllum, Celtis, Markhamia, Cynometra, Lasiodiscus, Trilepisium, Funtumia, and Diospyros, thus suggesting that C. articulata is a shade-tolerant species. Establishing the ecological requirements of this plant species among other things informs the potential for ex situ production of this plant. ,is will not only provide alternative sources of plant harvest but also go a long way in relieving the current harvest pressures exerted on the conserved wild populations of this plant species.
Past, Present and Future Climate Trends Under Varied Representative Concentration Pathways for a Sub-Humid Region in Uganda
(Climate, 2019) Egeru, Anthony; Barasa, Bernard; Nampijja, Josephine; Siya, Aggrey; Tenywa Makooma, Moses; Majaliwa, Mwanjalolo Gilbert Jackson
Long-term trend analysis at local scale for rainfall and temperature is critical for detecting climate change patterns. This study analysed historical (1980–2009), near future (2010–2039), mid- (1940–2069) and end-century (2070–2099) rainfall and temperature over Karamoja sub-region. The Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) daily climate data provided by the Agricultural Model Inter-comparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) was used. The AgMIP delta method analysis protocol was used for an ensemble of 20 models under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). Historical mean rainfall was 920.1 118.9 mm and minimum, maximum and mean temperature were 16.8 0.5 C, 30.6 0.4 C and 32.0 0.7 C, respectively. Minimum temperature over the historical period significantly rose between 2000 and 2008. Near future rainfall varied by scenario with 1012.9 146.3 mm and 997.5 144.7 mm for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively; with a sharp rise predicted in 2017. In the mid-century, mean annual rainfall will be 1084.7 137.4 mm and 1205.5 164.9 mm under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively. The districts of Kaabong and Kotido are projected to experience low rainfall total under RCP4.5 (mid-century) and RCP8.5 (end-century). The minimum temperature is projected to increase by 1.8 C (RCP4.5) and 2.1 C (RCP8.5) in mid-century, and by 2.2 C (RCP4.5) and 4.0 C (RCP8.5) in end-century.

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