Browsing by Author "Bugeza, James"
Now showing 1 - 15 of 15
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Assessment of Adoption, Market Potential and Environmental Impact of Carbonized Briquettes Among Farmers in Western Uganda’s Beef-Producing Regions(International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment, 2023-06) Nakiganda, Annuciate; Wamubirigwe, Bernard; Mubiru, Sarah; Bugeza, James; Kigozi, Abasi; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Kigongo, John; Kayiwa, Stephen; Sserumaga, Pyton; Namwanje, Joan; Kivumbi, Achileo; Serwadda, Joseph; Kasule, Hannah Talinda; Twesigye, AnnetA lot of agricultural residues are generated each year in developing and developed countries. About 60-70% of the total Agricultural biomass is left in the fields annually in Uganda. Making Briquettes helps to turn waste into wealth, saves money and provides an alternative for firewood and charcoal. This study was developed to assess the adoption and market potential of carbonized briquette production among farmers in beef producing communities in Uganda. NARO introduced briquettes making in the beef producing communities of Isingiro, Mbarara and Masindi districts. After four months, an adoption study was conducted to determine how many farmers continued to produce, use and sell the briquettes. Approximately 58.2%, 50.6% and 66.7% farmers were found producing and using briquettes in Isingiro, Masindi and Mbarara districts respectively. Farmers mostly used cow dung (82%) as binders and charcoal dust (83%) as class B material. Over 93% farmers used briquettes to cook their food while 57.4% saved money on buying traditional fuels, and 49.5% mentioned that briquettes lasted longer while cooking respectively. Farmers in all the three districts produced 447.5 basins of briquettes which generated 6,712,500shs in revenue at a price of 15,000shs/basin of briquettes. Briquettes making can help the farmers in beef producing communities to earn income, while reducing agricultural waste, tree cutting and protecting the environment.Item Comparison of the efficacy of crude methanolic extracts of Cassia occidentalis and Euphorbia hirta with levamisole-HCL against gastrointestinal nematodes of economic importance to goat production in Uganda(Tropical animal health and production, 2019) Nsereko, Godfrey; Emudong, Patrick; Omujal, Joseph; Acai, James; Kungu, Joseph M.; Kabi, Fredrick; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Bugeza, JamesNatural compounds from medicinal plants provide safe and sustainable alternatives to synthetic anthelmintics. In this study, we assessed in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Cassia occidentalis (NH-A) and Euphorbia hirta (NH-B) and compared it with levamisole-HCl. The shoots of NH-A and whole plant of NH-B were used to prepare extracts using 70% methanol which were used in the in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro assays of crude methanolic extracts (CMEs) of NH-A and NH-B on larvae of mixed gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) of goats revealed mortalities of 95.7%(at 100 mg ml−1) and 98.1%(at 50 mgml−1) 24 h postexposure. In vivo assays of NH-A administered orally at doses of 100, 300, 900, and 2700 mg kg−1 bwt revealed dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic effects in goats experimentally infected with mixed species of GINs. NH-B exhibited similar properties when administered at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg−1 bwt. Both NH-A (900 mg kg−1 bwt) and levamisole (7.5 mg kg−1 bwt) achieved a 100% reduction in fecal egg count per gram (EPG) on day 21 and day 14 respectively posttreatment. NH-B (400 mg kg−1 bwt) achieved 93.1% and 86.1% reduction in fecal EPG 7 and 14 days postexposure respectively compared with 88.2% and 82.3% reduction with levamisole-HCl 7 and 14 days postexposure. Our results show that extracts of both plants can disrupt helminth lifecycles by suppressing the egg-laying capacity in adult worms but also kill their infective larvae. Future studies should aim at establishing synergies or antagonisms between the two plant extracts and further development for control of helminths in goats.Item Cross-sectional serosurvey of Leptospira species among slaughter pigs, goats, and sheep in Uganda(PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2024-03) Alinaitwe, Lordrick VelmaKivali; Aturinda, Christopher Joshua; Lubega, Ashiraf; Bugeza, James; Hoona, Jolly Justine; Wainaina, Martin; Richte, Martin H.Leptospira are a group of bacteria, including pathogenic types that cause a zoonotic disease called leptospirosis. In Uganda, domesticated animals are implied as the source of human Leptospira exposures, yet comparable animal data is only available for cattle and dogs. Knowing that control of leptospirosis requires an understanding of infection sources and factors influencing transmission, our study aimed at determining Leptospira seroprevalence, associated risk factors, and serogroups circulating among the other domesticated animals in Uganda. We detected a moderate seroprevalence, and several Leptospira serogroups among pigs and small ruminants from all regions of Uganda. We determined that pigs sourced from the Eastern and Northern regions were significantly more seropositive, and that being female, or adult (7 months old) was a risk factor for seropositivity among small ruminants. These results support existing reports in cattle and dogs and imply widespread Leptospira exposure among livestock in Uganda. The findings may inform future programs for the control of leptospirosis in livestock in Uganda.Item Evaluation of effectiveness and safety of Subolesin anti-tick vaccine in Ugandan multi-site field trial(NPJ Vaccines, 2024) Kabi, Fredrick; Marinela, Contreras; Semakula, Jimmy; MartaSánchez-Sánchez; Clara, Muñoz-Hernández; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Kasaija, Paul; Kirunda, Halid; Gabrieladela, Fuente; Ruben, Fernandez-Melgar; Marta, Rafael; Isabel, G. Fernández de Mera; Matovu, Moses; Kyakuwa, Ivan; Dhikusooka, Moses; Nsereko, Godfrey; Boma, Paul; Bugeza, James; Mwesigwa, Moses; Namukasa, Agnes; Obonyo, Philip; Ssekabunga, Nicholas; Adyero, Okeny E.; Rutaisire, Justus; Christian, Gortazar; José de la FuenteVaccines are the most effective and sustainable intervention to control ticks and tick-borne disease (TBD). Using a personalized vaccine design based on regional tick genotypes, a Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Subolesin protective antigen was used in a field trial evaluating tick vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety in cattle infested with multiple tick species in different Ugandan agro ecological zones. Vaccination with SUB was safe with a protective capacity against anemia and infection, and reduced the number of infested cattle, tick fitness (feeding and reproduction)with vaccine effectivenessagainstmultipletickspeciesbetween93.2%at167-196dayspost-vaccination(dpv)and 61.4% at 251–327 dpv. Total integrated vaccine efficacy/effectiveness was estimated as 98.8%. The Subolesin-based vaccine is protective against multiple cattle tick infestations under field conditions in Uganda. These results support registration and commercialization of the vaccine to reduce tick populations and associated risks for human and animal TBD and chemical acaracides in Uganda.Item Genome-wide diversity and structure variation among lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] accessions and their implication in a Forage breeding program(Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2021) Sserumaga, Julius Pyton; Kayondo, Siraj Ismail; Kigozi, Abasi; Kiggundu, Muhammad; Namazzi, Clementine; Walusimbi, Kato; Bugeza, James; Molly, Allen; Mugerwa, SwidiqMost orphan crops have not been fully sequenced, hence we rely on genome sequences of related species to align markers to different chromosomes. This hinders their utilisation in plant population improvement programs. Utilising the advances in the science of sequencing technologies, the population structure, relatedness, and genetic diversity among accessions can be assessed quickly for better exploitation in forage breeding programs. Using DArTseq technology, we studied the genetic and structural variation in 65 Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet conserved gene-bank accessions using 9320 DArTseqbased SNPs and 15,719 SilicoDart markers. These markers had a low discriminating ability with mean polymorphic information content (P.I.C.) of 0.14 with DArTseq-based SNPs and 0.13 with SilicoDart markers. However, the markers had a high mean call rate of 73% with DArTseq-based SNPs and 97% with SilicoDart markers. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a high within populations variance (99.4%), indicating a high gene exchange or low genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.0057) among the populations. Structure analysis showed three allelic pools in variable clusters of DK = 3 and 6. Phylogenetic tree of lablab accessions showed three main groups with variable membership coefficients. Most pairs of accessions (40.3%) had genetic distances between 0.10 and 0.15 for SilicoDart markers, while for DArTseq-based SNPs, (46.5%) had genetic distances between 0.20 and 0.25. Phylogenetic clustering and minimum spanning analysis divided the 65 accessions into three groups, irrespective of their origin. For the first time, this study produced high-density markers with good genom coverage. The utilisation of these accessions in a forage program will base on the information from molecular-based grouping. The outcomes uncovered the presence of noteworthy measure of variety in Uganda, CIAT and ILRI accessions, thus demonstrating an opportunity for further marker-trait-association studies.Item Knowledge Attitude and Practices towards Cystic Echinococcosis among Pastoral Communities in Greater Kapoeta South Sudan(Journal of Veterinary Medicine Research, 2017-05) Wumbiya, S. D.; Mutebi, Francis; Eneku, Wilfred; Nasinyama, G. W.; Skjerve, Eystein; Muwonge, Adrian; Musso, Munyeme; Mugasa, Clare; Nabadda, Daisy; Mirembe, Bernadette; Ambrose, Jubara; Bugeza, James; Wizaso, Mwansinga; Kankya, C.Background: Cystic Echinococcosis/Hydatidosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease of major public health importance globally. The disease is endemic in pastoral communities of developing countries because of poor hygienic conditions, illegal home and backyard slaughtering of animals coupled with the presence of stray dogs and poor veterinary services among others. In South Sudan, the magnitude and factors associated with persistence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) are not well documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge attitudes and practices of the pastoral community towards persistence and maintenance of cystic echinococcosis among domestic animals and humans in Kapoeta county Eastern Equatoria state, South Sudan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted and a semi-structured questionnaires, observation, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informants interviews were used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAPs) of the pastoral community. Results: Out of the 353 respondents, only 6(1.7%) knew about CE, 41.9% and 78.5% had seen the disease in man and animals respectively, and a larger proportion (87%) of respondents were not aware that other animals also suffer from CE. Only 41.9.% perceived themselves at risk of acquiring CE from dogs. Practices identified as potential risk factors for CE included dogs left to move freely (96.7%), presence of stray dogs (79.9%), no deworming of dogs (95.1%), home slaughtering (58.9%), lack of meat inspection (95.5%), Dogs having free access to livestock slaughter facilities (83.3%), sometimes washing hands before eating food (62.9%), use of untreated water (84.4%), dogs left to feed on their own (93.5%) and do not dispose off dogs feces (95.1%). FGDs revealed that people do not perceived themselves at risk of infection from dogs, and that people think CE is caused by witchcraft. Conclusions: The study clearly showed that there is a knowledge gap about the disease, and the predisposing factors that are responsible for the persistence and maintenance of CE within Kapoeta pastoral community were present. These are wide range of modifiable factors, which should constitute targets for control. There is therefore a need for community education about CE through the One Health Approach.Item Livelihood profiles and adaptive capacity to manage food insecurity in pastoral communities in the central cattle corridor of Uganda(Scientific African, 2022-03) Mayanja, Maureen Nanziri; John, Morton; Bugeza, James; Akiiki, RubaireAdaptive capacity is the capabilities, resources and institutions of a country or region to implement effective adaptation measures. This article aims to highlight pastoral communities’ differential adaptive capacity to buffer household food insecurity. We use mixed methods including case households and key informants to provide qualitative data on determinants of adaptive capacity. Subsequently cluster analysis is applied to combine survey data from respondent households on the basis of the livelihood capitals. Three distinct, heterogeneous livelihood profiles are identified. The Minimally-endowed face uncertain access to livelihood capitals; Large-herd Landlords are endowed with physical and financial capital –ownership of land and large numbers of livestock; while the Land-rich are endowed with natural capital – access to large sizes of land. This denotes different types of adaptive capacity and underscores the need for agricultural extension, technology trans- fer and other interventions to be differentiated based on the variance in adaptive capacity and challenges of the existing heterogeneous livelihood clusters. We argue that if such differences are not first identified, development strategies including those of agricultural extension could fail in their attempts to ensure sustainable household food security. Rather than being a homogenous community, pastoralists in the central cattle corridor of Uganda belong to three heterogeneous livelihood profile clusters. Each cluster is differentially endowed with livelihood capitals which denote different types of adaptive capacity. As an empirical study done at household level, this work contributes insights that can be considered in designing and undertaking studies of other rural communities, prior to planning and execution of interventions.Item Occurrence of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Serotypes in Uganda and Tanzania (2003 to 2015): A Review and Implications for Prospective Regional Disease Control(Journal of Agricultural Science, 2020) Kerfua, Susan D.; Dhikusooka, Moses T.; Mulondo, Alice L.; Bugeza, James; Kabi, Fredrick; Gabriel, Shirima; Kusiluka, Lughano; Ayebazibwe, Chrisostom; Cleaveland, Sarah; Haydon, Daniel T.Endemic foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) presents a global economic challenge to the livestock industry. The progressive control pathway for FMD (PCP-FMD) specifies successive steps through which a country/region can reduce FMD virus circulation and impact. These steps are reliant on understanding and obtaining knowledge on FMD epidemiology, to inform development of appropriate disease interventions like vaccination and quarantine programs. Currently, Uganda and Tanzania are in the early stages of the PCP-FMD. This review was undertaken to determine FMDV serotype distribution in Uganda and Tanzania between 2003 and 2015. The paper also presents the vaccine strains used in both countries for the same period viz avis the circulating topotypes. The review highlights four (O, A, SAT 1 and SAT 2) and five (O, A, SAT 1, SAT 2 and SAT 3) serotypes that occurred in Uganda and Tanzania respectively in the thirteen year period. Observations revealed that reported circulating serotypes O and A in the two countries belonged to similar topotypes, East African 2 (EA-2) and AFRICA respectively. The SAT 1 viruses in Tanzania belonged to topotype I and differed from the Ugandan SAT 1s that belonged to topotype IV. Similarly, the SAT 2s in both countries belonged to different topotypes: IV in Tanzania and I in Uganda. This review additionally, underscores the spatial distribution of FMDV serotypes in Uganda and Tanzania and highlights regions in both countries that had high serotype diversity. The paper recommends definitive disease diagnoses, molecular serotype characterisation and matched vaccination deployment for improved disease control.Item Participatory evaluation of delivery of animal health care services by community animal health workers in Karamoja region of Uganda(PLoS ONE, 2017) Bugeza, James; Kankya, Clovice; Muleme, James; Akandinda, Ann; Sserugga, Joseph; Nantima, Noelina; Okori, Edward; Odoch, TerenceAn evaluation exercise was carried out to assess the performance of Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) in the delivery of animal health care services in Karamoja region, identify capacity gaps and recommend remedial measures. Materials & methods Participatory methods were used to design data collection tools. Questionnaires were administered to 204 CAHWs, 215 farmers and 7 District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) to collect quantitative data. Seven DVOs and 1 Non Government Organization (NGO) representative were interviewed as key informants and one focus group discussion was conducted with a farmer group in Nakapiripirit to collect qualitative data. Questionnaire data was analyzed using SPSS version 19. Key messages from interviews and the focus group discussion were recorded in a notebook and reported verbatim. Results 70% of the farmers revealed that CAHWs are the most readily available animal health care service providers in their respective villages. CAHWs were instrumental in treatment of sick animals, disease surveillance, control of external parasites, animal production, vaccination, reporting, animal identification, and performing minor surgeries. Regarding their overall performance 88.8%(191/215) of the farmers said they were impressed. The main challenges faced by the CAHWs were inadequate facilitation, lack of tools and equipments, unwillingness of government to integrate them into the formal extension system, poor information flow, limited technical capacity to diagnose diseases, unwillingness of farmers to pay for services and sustainability issues. Conclusions and recommendations CAHWs remain the main source of animal health care services in Karamoja region and their services are largely satisfactory. The technical deficits identified require continuous capacity building programs, close supervision and technical backstopping. For sustainability of animal health care services in the region continuous training and strategic deployment of paraprofessionals that are formally recognised by the traditional civil service to gradually replace CAHWs is recommended.Item Pastoral community practices, microbial quality and associated health risks of raw milk in the milk value chain of Nakasongola District, Uganda(Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice, 2020) Majalija, Samuel; Tumwine, Gabriel; Kiguli, Juliet; Bugeza, James; Ssemadaali, Marvin Apollo; Kazoora, Hebert Brian; Muwanguzi, Esther Namukose; Nantima, Noelina; Tuyiragize, RichardThe informal milk value chain in Uganda controls most of the raw marketed milk, albeit of poor quality. A study was conducted to assess the milk handling practices, the bacterial quality and the associated health concerns of raw milk along the informal milk value in Nakasongola District. The cross-sectional study used both qualitative and quantitative methods to obtain information from key players. The qualitative data was categorized and presented into emerging themes. Bacterial contamination of 200 milk samples was determined by morphological and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the disc diffusion method. Hand milking was carried out mainly by men (92.5%), and most never or rarely practised hand washing (67.5%) during milking. Milk was mainly delivered to mobile milk-collecting centres located under tree shades (50%). The quality of raw milk was affected by poor hygienic, handling and transportation practices. Most participants (75%) were aware of the dangers of drinking raw milk and the requirements to transport milk in metallic cans. Viable bacterial counts above the recommended limit were recorded in 76 samples (38%) that included Staphylococcus aureus (46%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (29%), Escherichia coli (12%), Streptococcus agalactiae (8%) and Salmonella spp. (5%). The overall antibiotic resistance was 45% (34/76), which included resistant isolates of S. aureus (17/34), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (11/22), S. agalactiae (3/6), Salmonella spp. (2/4) and E. coli (2/9). The raw milk contaminated with antibiotic drug-resistant bacterial pathogens is of public health concern. Thus, measures to improve the quality of milk need to be designed for the pastoral community in Nakasongola district.Item Prevalence and control implications of bovine trypanosomes in endemic areas of northern Uganda(Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2020-02) Wangoola, Robert Mandela; Wampande, Eddie; Susan, Welburn; Bugeza, James; Okwasiimire, Rodney; Baliddawa, Callistus W.; Waisw, CharlesAfrican animal trypanosomiasis (AAT), a disease complex caused by tsetse fly–transmitted Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. Congolese savannah ITS, and T. vivax, continues to inflict heavy losses to the animal industry in terms of decreased livestock production and productivity. Live bait technology and chemotherapy have been used as a control strategy in northern Uganda since 2006withminimalsuccess.Here, we report the results of a cross-sectional study carried out in Lango subregion, Uganda, to assess the species prevalence of bovine trypanosome in cattle using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of trypanosome ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Blood samples were collected from 1090 cattle by ear vein puncture and screened using a single pair of primers designed to amplify ITS ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Our results indicate an overall prevalence of 40.18% (438/1090, 95% CI 30.82–54.51). T. vivax constituted 32.66% (356/1090), T. congolense 2.39% (26/1090), T. brucei 1.28% (14/1090), T. godfreyi 0.09%(1/1090), T. brucei and T. congolense 0.36% (4/1090), T. brucei and T. vivax 1.47% (16/1090), T. vivax and T. congolense 1.65% (18/1090), T. vivax and T. simiae 0.18% (2/1090), and T. vivax and T. godfreyi 0.09% (1/1090) of infections. Over 91.7% of infections involved single species, while 9.5% were mixed infections. Over 90.2% (37/41) of the mixed infections involved T. vivax as one of the species, while 53.7% (22/41) involved T. congolense. The high prevalence of AAT and the continued presence of T. brucei raise public health concerns because of the zoonotic implications. An integrated approach that involves mass treatment of cattle, vector, and animal movement control should be adopted to reduce the risk of both AAT and HAT.Item Sero-prevalence and factors associated with anti-Brucella antibodies in slaughter livestock in Uganda(Frontiers in Epidemiology, 2023-06) Bugeza, James; Kristina, Roesel; Ignacio, Moriyon; Mugizi, Denis; Alinaitwe, Lordrick; Kivali, Velma; Kankya, Clovice; Elizabeth, Anne Jessie CookBrucellosis is endemic in Uganda and is a major cause of production losses in livestock. Early detection and quantification of the disease is vital for its control and eradication. The aim of this study was to assess the sero-prevalence and factors associated with anti-Brucella antibodies in slaughtered livestock. Materials and methods: Sera from 886 cattle, 925 small ruminants, and 900 pigs were collected from regional abattoirs in Northern, Eastern and Central Uganda. To estimate sero-prevalence, sera were serially tested using a combination of the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and Native Hapten (NH) immunoprecipitation test. True sero-prevalence was estimated using the Rogan-Gladden estimator considering the sensitivity and specificity of the NH immunoprecipitation test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with seropositivity for anti-Brucella antibodies. Results and discussion: Small ruminants showed the highest seroprevalence (6.7%, 95%CI=4.2-7.1) followed by cattle (3.8%, 95% CI=2.4-4.9) and pigs (2.8%, 95% CI= 1.1-2.9). Seropositivity for anti-Brucella antibodies was associated with region of origin (OR=4.6,95%CI=1.49-17.75, p=0.013) for cattle; sex (OR=2.90, 95% C= 1.5-6.34, p=0.004), age (OR=4.04, 95% CI=1.07-8.52, p=0.006) and species (OR=2.53, 95% CI=1.08-6.98, p=0.048) for small ruminants; and finally sex for pigs (OR=2.88, 95% CI=1.07-8.52, p=0.041). Progressive control interventions must include both cattle and small ruminants since they play a bigger role in the maintenance and dissemination of Brucella. The interventions should adopt a risk based approach with regions at higher risk being given top priority. Bacteriological and molecular studies should be undertaken to clarify the role of pigs and the goat-cattle cross infections in the epidemiological cycle of brucellosis in Uganda.Item Sero-prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Bovine Brucellosis in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan(Scholars Journals of Agriculture and Veterinary Science,, 2016) Lita, Emmanuel P.; Nasinyama, George W.; Ochi, Erneo B.; Bugeza, James; Erume, JosephBrucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases of livestock and human in South Sudan. A cross sectional study was conducted in peri-urban Juba town and rural Terekeka County to estimate sero-prevalence and determine risk factors of bovine brucellosis. Ninety (90) respondents were randomly interviewed on demographic information and potential risk factors to brucellosis. Out of the 90 respondents interviewed, 44 were from 44 cattle herds in peri-urban Juba and 46 from 46 cattle herds in rural Terekeka County. Sera of 502 cattle were screened for Brucella antibodies using Rose Bengal Plate test. The positive sera on RBPT were then confirmed by competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. SPSS version-18 and frequencies were used for sero-prevalence. Chi square and binomial logistic regressions were used for analysis of risk factors. RBPT and c-ELISA tests showed positive reactors and an overall individual animal sero-prevalence of 23.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI): (18.4 - 28.8) and 19.2%, 95% CI: (2.5 – 14.0), respectively in peri-urban Juba town. However, in rural Terekeka County the respective results showed seroprevalence of 40.5%, 95% CI: (34.5 – 46.4) and 39.3%, 95% CI: (33.3– 45.2). The overall herd level sero-prevalence on c-ELISA revealed 61.4% and 90.0% for peri-urban Juba town and rural Terekeka County cattle herds, respectively. The individual animal level risk factors in the study area revealed abortion history (OR= 4.941 and (CI): 2.077-11.753) and (OR= 6.251 and (CI): 2.920-13.379) significantly associated with brucella sero-positivity, respectively. No risk factor determined at herd level in peri-urban Juba town. However, in rural Terekeka County herds, number of cattle above 300 in a herd (p= 0.005, OR= 44.934) was significantly associated with brucellosis sero-positivity. Further epidemiological studies are needed for developing appropriate control strategies against bovine brucellosis in South Sudan.Item Seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and associated risk factors in Nakasongola district, Uganda(Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2019) Bugeza, James; Muwonge, Adrian; Munyeme, Musso; Lasuba, Phillip; Jacques, Godfroid; Kankya, CloviceA cross-sectional study was carried out between November 2015 and January 2016 to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies in cattle raised under communal, fenced farms and tethering systems and the associated factors. Seven hundred twentyeight bovine serawere collected and testedwith rose Bengal test as a screening test and the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a confirmatory test. Animal- and herd-level data were collected and binary logistic regression was used to assess the potential risk factors. True animal- and herd-level prevalence was highest in the fenced farms (4.5% (95%CI, 2.3–6.9) and 19.5% (95%CI, 8.2–32.7) respectively). The risks for natural brucellosis infection were sharing water with wild animals (OR = 0.21, 95%CI, 0.104–0.83), herd size (medium: OR = 0.089, 95%CI 0.017–0.449; large: OR = 0.024, 95%CI 0.003–0.203), fenced farms (OR = 3.7, 95% CI, 1.7–7.9), sex (OR = 0.03, 95%CI, 0.01–0.079), and lactation (OR = 0.013, 95%CI, 0.004–0.049). Changes in rangeland tenure and the shift towards intensive cattle production have influenced brucellosis epidemiology. Future studies should aim at identifying the infecting Brucellae and examining the role of wildlife in brucellosis epidemiology.Item Structure and milk hygiene of dairy cooperative value chains in an intensive production area of Uganda—A bottleneck of intervention(Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2023) Yoshiharu, Sugino; Bugeza, James; Bahame, David; Byaruhanga, Joseph; Haruka, Shimazaki; Masahiko, Anzai; Taishi, Kayano; Mwebembezi, William; Akashaba, Andrew; Shimada, Taku; Yasukazu, Muramatsu; Kohei, MakitaIn Uganda, informal raw milk sales dominate for domestic dairy consumption. This study was implemented to identify the structure of the dairy value chain starting from farms that participated in the Japan International Cooperation Agency Safe Milk Promotion in Mbarara project conducted between and, to assess the hygiene conditions along the chain, and thereby identify the bottleneck of dairy hygiene intervention. A longitudinal study was conducted in dairy farms in Mbarara District to compare the practice, prevalence of subclinical mastitis, and level of milk hygiene in– hygiene intervention in and, before and after the milking. California Mastitis Test was used for diagnosis with subclinical mastitis. Bulk milk samples were collected and a checklist was used to examine hygiene practices by observation. Across sectional study was conducted in milk collecting centers using a structured questionnaire to quantify the dairy value chain, and to sample milk from cooler tanks in Microbiological examinations of bulk milk from farms and collection centers were conducted using six point blood agar scoring and M Petri film, respectively. Participatory online appraisals with farmers and dairy cooperatives union were conducted to better understand the overall dairy value chains. The cooperatives sold milk to both formal and informal chains, but the sale of raw milk to Kampala was conducted by independent private traders. Within herd prevalence of subclinical mastitis significantly decreased from . % before the intervention to . % after (p < . ).However, the farm bulk milk score did not change ( . vs. . , p = . ). A significant increase in the total bacterial count was observed in the milk from collection centers (mean: . log CFU/ml) when compared to farm bulk milk (mean: . log CFU/ml; p < . ). Only . % of the samples from the centers met the microbiological criteria for processing for human consumption. Our findings suggest that intervention targeted only at mastitis does not lead to better public health due to the low level of hygiene in transportation and milk handling in milk collection centers. Systematic interventions are needed to improve post harvest dairy hygiene in Uganda.