Browsing by Author "Kwikiriza, Gerald"

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    Growth performance of Monosex Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles at different stocking densities in cages at Lake Bunyonyi in South Western Highland Agro-Ecological Zones (SWHAEZs)
    (International Journal of Fishery and Aquatic Studies, 2016) Kwikiriza, Gerald; Barekye, A.; Muhereze, R.; Makuma, K. A.; Tibihika, P. D.
    Stocking density is among the critical factors affecting fish growth. Although cage culture is gravely being promoted by the government, information regarding the impact of stocking density on fish growth performance of juveniles in cages in Uganda is limited. This study examined the growth performance of Monosex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles at various stocking densities in cages. The fish of mean wet weight and total length of 1.1±0.1g and 1.3±0.1cm respectively were transferred from nursing ponds in aerated containers to experimental cages at three stocking densities (1000, 1250 and 1500 juveniles/m3). The fish were fed on 45% crude protein formulated diet and total length and wet weight were determined weekly for eight weeks. During each sampling event, water quality parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH) were measured at the surface and 1.5-2.0 meter depth, before, within and after cages to assess the effect of cages on the water quality in and around the farming area. Results indicate that juveniles stocked at 1000/m3 were significantly heavier and larger than those in higher stocking densities which, in turn were not different from each other. Better performance of fish at lower stocking density could be attributed to availability of space which reduces crowd-related stress, less competition for food and less loss of energy due to the antagonistic behavioral interactions, among others. Likewise, the survival rate was higher (74.0%) at 1000/m3 stocking density than 69.8% at 1250/m3 and 63.1% at 1500/m3 because of reduced mortalities at lower densities. Further, the cage system appeared not to affect water quality parameters measured probably because of low production level and the high circulating nature of water around the farming area. The study demonstrates that increasing stocking density of Nile tilapia juveniles in cages reduces growth and survival rate, hence, growth and survival of O. niloticus juveniles in cages are density-dependent. Thus, culture of Monosex tilapia juveniles at a density of 1000 fish/m3 cages can be considered ideal for augmented production of the fish under South Western Highland Agro-Ecological Zone’s context. However further studies at increased feeding rates are recommended for improved survival and growth rates and thinning of juveniles to avoid wastage of resources.
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    Profitability of apple enterprise among small-holder farmers in South Western Highland Agro-Ecological Zone (SWHAEZ) of Uganda
    (Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 2017) Rwaheru Aheisibwe, Ambrose; Etiang, Joseph; Ashaba, Denis; Kwikiriza, Gerald; Mwesige, Rose; Muhereze, Ronald; Barekye, Alex
    The study evaluated the socio-economic viability and factors influencing profitability of apple enterprise under smallholder farming system in Uganda. A sample of 52 apple farming households was randomly selected in the districts of Uganda: Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu and Rukungiri. Data were collected with the use of structured questionnaires, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and multiple regression model. The results showed that apples were planted on small scale with only 6% of land allocated to total apple enterprise in 2011. However, land allocation to apple enterprise is increasing and the enterprise currently covers 20% of farm lands. The dominant varieties among apple farmers are Golden Dorset, 56.1% and Anna, 40.9%. Men constituted 74.5% of the apple farmers, while the mean age of apple farmers was 57 years, with an average experience of over 10 years. Gross margin of apple enterprise in Kabale and Kanungu district had a positive ratio of return on investment of 1.5 and 1.7, respectively. Kisoro and Rukungiri districts had a negative ratio of return on investment of (0.9 and 0.3, respectively). Ordinary least squares (OLS) results indicated that the gender of the respondent, family size, access to credit, influence of birds, type of apple variety, number of apple trees planted, amount of labor used and quantity of inorganic fertilizers applied were significant determinants of net income in apple production. There is need to reduce the labor costs in apple establishment and management, promote strategies that encourage the youth to participate in apple farming. Research has to come up with an effective but affordable remedy against the negative influence of birds in apple production. Farmers need to be linked to financial providers for credit access at low interest rate in order to facilitate routine apple management practices.
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    Prospects of Cage Fish Farming in South Western Uganda
    (Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2018) Kwikiriza, Gerald; Mwesigwa, Tony; Barekye, Alex; Abaho, Ivan; Rwaheru Aheisibwe, Ambrose; Mwesige, Rose
    The study was conducted to identify the constraints and potential opportunities of cage fish farming in South Western Highland Agro-Ecological Zone (SWHAEZ). 82 questionnaires were administered to six respondent groups (current cage fish farmers, potential adopters of cage aquaculture, farmers who have abandoned cage aquaculture, regional and district fisheries officers, and financial institutions) to obtain insight into the challenges in cage fish farming as well as opportunities that can be exploited to promote cage fish farming. People in relevant government institutions were also interviewed. Primary results show that lack of funds and lack of government extension services are key challenges in cage fish farming. Lack of funds incapacitates farmers’ failure to get aquaculture inputs like feed. It also accounted for the inability of potential adopters and farmers who have abandoned cage aquaculture to start or continue cage aquaculture respectively. Major opportunities identified include; availability of the market for the fish, willingness of the financial institutions to offer loans at a cheaper interest rate, availability of the extension services at the sub-county level. Our preliminary recommendations is that the government can also provide subsidies to most expensive inputs like feeds, seine-net, water testing kits and construction costs for aquaculture. There is need to empower and build capacity for the extension workers through improved good management practices like feed and feeding and record keeping.
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    Spring Water Quality in a Flood-Prone Area of Kampala City, Uganda: Insights Furnished by Sanitary and Limnochemical Data
    (Resources, 2024) Tenywa, Ronald; Omara, Timothy; Kwikiriza, Gerald; Angiro, Christopher; Ntambi, Emmanuel
    first_pagesettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessArticle Spring Water Quality in a Flood-Prone Area of Kampala City, Uganda: Insights Furnished by Sanitary and Limnochemical Data by Ronald Tenywa 1,Timothy Omara 2,*ORCID,Gerald Kwikiriza 3ORCID,Christopher Angiro 4ORCID andEmmanuel Ntambi 1,* 1 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara P.O. Box 1410, Uganda 2 Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda 3 Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (KAZARDI), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Kabale P.O. Box 421, Uganda 4 Centre for Water, Environment and Development-School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL, UK * Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed. Resources 2024, 13(10), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources13100133 Submission received: 7 August 2024 / Revised: 19 September 2024 / Accepted: 23 September 2024 / Published: 25 September 2024 Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Browse Figures Versions Notes Abstract For millennia, springs have provided water for drinking, domestic use, balneological treatment, liminality rites as well as tourist attractions. Amidst these uses, anthropogenic activities, especially urbanization and agriculture, continue to impair the functionality of springs. With the looming decadal climate change, freshwater springs could be a sustainable source of clean water for the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal 6. This paper presents the results of the sanitary inspection and assessment of limnochemical characteristics and quality of water samples (n = 64) from four freshwater springs (coded SPR1, SPR2, SPR3, and SPR4) in Kansanga, a flash flood-prone area in the African Great Lakes region of Uganda. Each sample was analysed for 17 parameters (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, fluorides, sulphates, chlorides, nitrates, orthophosphates, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, potassium, sodium, total, magnesium and calcium hardness) following the standard methods. Water quality index (WQI) was calculated to establish the quality of the water samples based on the physicochemical parameters measured. Based on the sanitary risk assessment results, the springs had medium- to high-risk scores, but most water parameters were within the WHO guidelines for potable water, except for nitrates (in SPR1 and SPR2), hardness levels (in SPR2), and dissolved oxygen (in all the samples). Sampling season and location had significant effects on the limnochemistry of the freshwater springs (p < 0.05). The water quality indices calculated indicated that the water from the springs was of good quality (WQI = 50–57), but there was a reduction in water quality during the wet season. The best water quality was recorded in samples from SPR4, followed by those for SPR3, SPR1, and SPR2. These results provide insights into the contribution of floods and poor sanitation facilities to the deterioration of spring water quality in Kansanga, and the need to leverage additional conservation strategies to support vulnerable communities in the area. Further studies are required to establish the risk posed by trace metals and microbes that may contaminate freshwater in the studied springs, especially following flood events.