Browsing by Author "Kakudidi, E."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Characterization of Soil Conditions for Wild Edible Plants’ Habitats in Semi-Arid Areas of Uganda
    (IJAIR, 2015) Kyakuwaire, M.; Ochwoh, V.; Kakudidi, E.; Tumuhairwe, J.
    Wild edible plants are known to supplement farm crops in rural African households, especially during famine periods. In Uganda, conservation of such plants is at stake. Their habitats are continuously being degraded or converted to other land uses. Assessment of soils on agriculture land is common, but limited for wild edible plants’ habitats. A study was done to characterize and compare soil physical and chemical properties of wild edible plants’ habitats and farmers’ gardens for the purpose of assessing the potential for cultivation of the plants on the gardens. Soils 0-20 cm and 30-50 cm deep were randomly sampled from the rhizosphere of the selected plants and from gardens of farmers. Soil samples were analyzed using published standard procedures. Fisher’s test was used to compare the soil conditions of the wild edible plants’ habitats for homogeneity, Pearson’s correlation coefficient to find association between the plants occurrence and their habitats soil conditions, and ANOVA to establish differences between the soil properties of the wild edible plants’ habitats and farmers’ gardens. The soil physical and chemical conditions of the different habitats where the wild edible plants naturally grow were similar (p>0.05), highly associated with the plants’ occurrence(r>0.5) and significantly more fertile (p<0.05) than farmers’ gardens. On-farm establishment of the wild edible plants could require soil amendment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Diversity and distribution of sedges on multivariate environmental gradients
    (African Journal of Ecology, 2004) Ssegawa, P.; Kakudidi, E.; Muasya, M.; Kalema, J.
    Relationships between environmental factors and the distribution patterns of sedges were studied in the wetland important bird areas of Uganda. Vegetation data were collected using the transect and quadrat methods. Four quadrats were located at each sampling point at 10 m intervals along the transect from dry land to open water. Relative abundances of sedges were recorded in each quadrat. Inventory sampling was done to record species that were not recorded on the transects so as to generate near complete species lists. Human influences on vegetation such as harvesting, fire and vegetation modification were examined along the transects. Soil samples were collected along the transects for analysis of P, K, Na, Ca, Mg and organic matter. Other parameters recorded from water samples included water levels, pH and water conductivity. Rainfall and altitude were also recorded. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to correlate the relative abundances of the species to measured environmental variables. Linear correlation of the environmental variables with principal components indicated that water levels, altitude and rainfall were major factors that influenced the abundance and occurrence of sedges in the different bird areas. Sedge distribution patterns are a function of local geological and edaphic factors; and human-induced exogenous disturbances.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Has the Evolution Process of Forestry Policies in Uganda Promoted Deforestation?
    (International Forestry Review, 2015) Galabuzi, C.; Eilu, G.; Nabanoga, G. N.; Turyahabwe, N.; Mulugo, L.; Kakudidi, E.; Sibelet, N.
    The dynamics in livelihood needs of people at the fringes of tropical forests have increased the stakes and management challenges of biodiversity worldwide. Since the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the importance of biodiversity has been emphasized in several international agreements. However, the incentives to implement such agreements in poor countries are lacking. The present study characterised the determinants of deforestation, and forest management practices within Mabira Forest Reserve (MFR) in central Uganda. This was done within the context of the evolution of the policy and legal frameworks of Uganda. Literature on MFR as well as the policy and legal framework on forests and related resources was reviewed. The results show that evolution of the forest policy was characterised by limited input from key stakeholders. Moreover, there has been political interference and limited sharing of benefits amid failure to harmonize the forestry policy with relevant policies of related sectors. Consequently, deforestation has continued. To address this anomaly, we encourage the involvement of all key stakeholders including local people in designing management guidelines and sharing benefits from forests as an incentive for participation to promote sustainable forest growth. This is crucial for the success of forest restoration programmes in the tropics.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    A Review of the Toxicity and Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plant Species Used by Herbalists in Treating People Living With HIV/AIDS in Uganda
    (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2021) Anywar, G.; Kakudidi, E.; Byamukama, R.; Mukonzo, J.; Schubert, A.; Oryem-Origa, H.; Jassoy, C.
    Introduction: Despite concerns about toxicity, potentially harmful effects and herb-drug interactions, the use of herbal medicines remains widely practiced by people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in Uganda. Objective: The objective of the paper was to comprehensively review the literature on the toxicity and chemical composition of commonly used medicinal plant species in treating PLHIV in Uganda. Methods: We reviewed relevant articles and books published over the last sixty years on ethnobotany, antiviral/anti-HIV activity, toxicity, phytochemistry of Vachellia hockii, Albizia coriaria, Bridelia micrantha, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, Erythrina abyssinica, Gardenia ternifolia, Gymnosporia senegalensis, Psorospermum febrifugium, Securidaca longipendunculata, Warburgia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum chalybeum and their synonyms. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Discussion: Most of the plant species reviewed apart from P. febrifugium, S. longipedunculata and C. sanguinolenta lacked detailed phytochemical analyses as well as the quantification and characterization of their constituents. Crude plant extracts were the most commonly used. However, purified/single component extracts from different plant parts were also used in some studies. The U87 human glioblastoma was the most commonly used cell line. Water, ethanol, methanol and DMSO were the commonest solvents used. In some instances, isolated purified compounds/extracts such as Cryptolepine and Psorospermin were used. Conclusion: Cytotoxicity varied with cell type, solvent and extract type used making it difficult for direct comparison of the plant species. Five of the eleven plant species namely, A. coriaria, C. sanguinolenta, G. ternifolia, P. febrifugium and Z. chalybeum had no cytotoxicity studies in animal models. For the remaining six plant species, the crude aqueous and ethanol extracts were mainly used in acute oral toxicity studies in mice. Herbalists reported only A. coriaria and W. ugandensis to cause toxic side effects in humans. However, selective cytotoxic plant extracts can potentially be beneficial as anticancer or anti-tumour drugs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Technologies and Conditions for Participation and Empowerment of Rural Communities in Restoring Degraded Sites in Mabira Forest Reserve, Central Uganda
    (World Agroforestry Congress, 2009) Eilu, G.; Galabuzi, C.; Mulugo, L.; Kakudidi, E.; Tabuti, J.R.S.; Sibelet, N.
    Forests and related tree based resources contribute to > 90% of the livelihoods of neibouring communities (FAO 1981) These resources are often degraded because the user local people are not empowered to rehabilitate them. The technologies to employ and conditions for local participation are often not clear. This study was conducted to i) identify the technologies that can be locally promoted to restore degraded forest sites; and ii) determine the conditions for empowering the local people to participate in forest restoration.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Traditional Knowledge on Tree Management and Forest Restoration of Mabira Central Reserve, Uganda
    (2nd World Agroforestry Congress, 2009) Mulugo, L.W.; Nabanoga, G.N.; Turyahabwe, N.; Eilu, G.; Galabuzi, C.; Tabuti, J.R.S; Kakudidi, E.; Sibelet, N.
    Tropical forest degradation and loss has escalated worldwide and Mabira forest is not exceptional ( Figure 1). Efforts are needed to reverse this situation by combining traditional forest management with new innovative approaches. This study was undertaken to identify appropriate forest restoration measures based on traditional forest restoration and tree management practices of local people around Mabira Forest Reserve (MFR).