Browsing by Author "Obua, Joseph"
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Item Agroforestry potential of Acacia senegal in the rangelands of luwero and Nakasongola districts(Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2005) Agea, Jacob G.; Obua, Joseph; Namirembe, Sara; Buyinza, Mukadasi; Waiswa, DanielAgroforestry potential of Acacia senegal in the rangelands of Luwero and Nakasongola districts was assessed between November 2002 and February 2003. Proportion of farmland under A. senegal was assessed by farm transect walks. A structured questionnaire and interviews were administered to collect information on the socio-economic profile of the farmers and constraints and opportunities to management of A. senegal. Questionnaire responses were entered in SPSS and logistic regression used to show the effects of socio-economic variables on people's willingness to plant and manage A. senegal trees on thei.r farm. The proportion of farm land under A. senegal and other tree species is 16.78 %. Acacia senegal is a source of firewood, fodder, fencing post, soiJ fertility improvement, medicine and gum. Education, farm size, gender, occupation and ownership of domestic animals significantly influenced the local people's willingness to plant and manage A. senegal trees. Therefore, local people need to be mobilised and educated on the agroforestry potential and conservation value of Acacia senegal.Item Attitudes of Out-of-School Youths towards Tree Planting Activities in Central Uganda: A Case Study of Masaka District(Academy Science Publishers, 2009) Agea, Jacob G.; Nansereko, Susan; Obua, Joseph; Waiswa, Daniel; Buyinza, Mukadasi; Yikii, FredThis study assessed the attitudes of out-of-school youths towards tree planting activities in Masaka district, central Uganda. Data were collected using 104 semi-structured questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to show the influence of demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents on their attitudes towards tree planting. Summative attitudes index varied from 320 for those who liked very much tree planting activities to 6 for those who disliked very much tree planting activities. Opinions on willingness to plant and tender trees also varied widely from summative index of 305 for those who would very much plant and manage the trees to 5 for those who would very much not plant and manage the trees. Sex, age, education, occupation, distance to the nearest trading centre and land ownership significantly contributed to variation in the attitudes. Factors such as lack of capital; land and tree tenure security; long payback period from planted trees; bad beliefs, taboos and superstitions about certain trees hindered out-of-school youths’ efforts. There is a need to develop clear policies and by-laws to guide and induce the out-of-school youths to plant trees as a livelihood opportunity.Item Cultural knowledge of forests and allied tree system management around Mabira Forest Reserve, Uganda(African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), 2017) Mulugo, Lucy W.; Galabuzi, Charles; Nabanoga, Gorettie N.; Turyahabwe, Nelson; Eilu, Gerald; Obua, Joseph; Kakudidi, Esezah; Sibelet, NicoleThe cultural universe is sometimes confusing, surprising and murky, so many cultural maps get drawn, discussed and envisioned. A study was undertaken around Mabira Forest Reserve in central Uganda to identify the trees and shrubs culturally managed on-farm, assess the cultural practices of forest and tree system management and determine the relationship between farmer gender and forest and tree system management. We engaged 203 farmers in focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews to collect data. Qualitative data were jointly evaluated with farmers; quantitative data were analyzed in SPSS 20.0. The results showed a high likelihood for involvement of local people in tree or forest management for economic gain, as timber and fast-growing species were highly ranked. Food and medicinal species were also regarded as important, suggesting high prospects of integrating them into the local farming system or protecting them in the forest. Numerous cultural practices (including rituals, trenching, bark slashing, ring barking, spot weeding and use of organic manure and pesticides) of forest and tree system management were acknowledged. However, their knowledge was mixed and unclear about distinct cultural and supportive arrangements for natural forest and tree restoration. While gender was not a significant cultural attribute for knowledge of the forest and allied tree system management, age substantially affected farmer propensity for various timber products. Also farmer’s family size influenced the collection of tree wildings and fodder. We encourage considering gender disparities and livelihood needs including income, during selection of cultural practices for forest and tree restoration.Item Double jeopardy: bark harvest for malaria treatment and poor regeneration threaten tree population in a tropical forest of Uganda(African Journal of Ecology, 2015) Galabuzi, Charles; Nabanoga, Gorettie N.; Ssegawa, Paul; Obua, Joseph; Eilu, GeraldSeveral forest plants known to supply medicine are under pressure worldwide. We carried out a study of four tree species (Warburgia ugandensis Sprague, Fleroya rubrostipulata (K.Schum.) Y.F.Deng, Syzygium guineense DC. and Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl.) that are highly demanded for malaria treatment. The study was undertaken between 2006 and 2009 in the Sango Bay Forest Reserve, southern Uganda. The aim was to determine the conservation status of trees targeted for malaria treatment. We assessed the level of damage inflicted on trees during harvesting of medicinal parts and determined the population density of target species in the forest. We used 95 plots established along nineteen transects. Survival of the most preferred species, F. rubrostipulata, is of particular concern as its population suffered from a combination of extensive damage due to poor methods of harvesting and poor regeneration. The density of trees with diameter ≥5 cm differed between species and sites, demonstrating different recruitment and survival strategies. Management of Protected Areas should augment strategies to monitor the legal and illegal harvest of medicinal plants, by adopting low impact harvesting methods, and designating the temporal and spatial patterns of harvesting. This might reduce tree damage and mortality.Item Ecology and Conservation of Acacia senegal in the Rangelands of Luwero and Nakasongola Districts(Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2005) Agea, Jacob G.; Obua, Joseph; Namirembe, Sara; Buyinza, Mukadasi; Waiswa, DanielEcology and conservation status of Acacia senegal in the rangelands of Luwero and Nakasongola Districts were assessed between November 2002 and February 2003. Sixty plots measuring 50 x 50 m were laid at 50 m intervals along six 1,000 m transects, and the diameter at breast height (DBH), of Acacia .fellegal trees measured. Each tree was visually assessed for physical damages as health indicators. Maturity class, terrain types and other trees growing together with Acacia senegal were identified and recorded. A structured questionnaire and interviews were used to collect data on the constr11ints and opportunities of conserving and managing Acacia Senegal. Data on the population structure, maturity class and stock density of Acacia senegal were analysed using MINITAB and DECORANA. The population structure of Acacia setiegal trees was unbalanced, with only 24% young trees (DBH < 8 em). Sixty five percent of trees were old (DBH > 8 em) and 84% physically damaged. Hills bad significantly (P < 0.05) higher tree density than plains and streams. Thirty-two tree species were recorded growing together with Acacia senegal in the rangelands and the most common were Acacia mel/ifera, Acacia hockii, Acacia seyaf, Combretum collillum and Conrhretum mol/e. Grazing livestock, bush fires, land tenure, tree tenure, pests and diseases were the major challenges to conservation of Acacia senegal in the rangelands. Collaborative conservation and management plan should be developed to conserve the species. Impacts of livestock grazing, settlement and farming on regeneration of Acacia senegal should be assessed before developing strategies for management and conservation.Item Effect of gap size and age on climber abundance and diversity in Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda(African Journal of Ecology, 2000) Babweteera, Fred; Plumptre, Andrew; Obua, JosephA study of the e¡ects of gap size and age on climber abundance and diversity was carried out in Budongo Forest Reserve in Uganda. Data were collected from compartments N5, W21, B1 and B3. Stump records were used to locate and estimate the ages of 78 gaps. Sample plots 5 5m were set up in the gaps to assess climber abundance and diversity. Climbers were more abundant and diverse in gaps that were more than 400m2, 15 months old and had more than 25% canopy opening. Momordica foetida was the most abundant climber species occurring on stems, branches and crowns of seedlings and saplings. There- fore, in order to keep natural regeneration free from climber tangles and produce good quality timber, clim- ber control should be a major activity in tropical high forest management.Item Effects of Hydrogel Amendment to Different Soils on Plant Available Water and Survival of Trees under Drought Conditions(Clean–Soil, Air, Water, 2010) Agaba, Hillary; Baguma Orikiriza, Lawrence Justus; Osoto Esegu, John Francis; Obua, Joseph; Kabasa, John David; Huttermann, AloysThe effect of super absorbent polyacrylate (SAP) hydrogel amendment to different soil types on plant available water (PAW), evapotranspiration and survival of Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Pinus caribaea, Araucaria cunninghamii, Melia volkensii, Grevillea robusta, Azadirachta indica, Maesopsis eminii and Terminalia superba was investigated. The seedlings were potted in 3 kg size polythene bags filled with sand, loam, silt loam, sandy loam and clay soils, amended at 0 (control), 0.2 and 0.4% w/w hydrogel. The tree seedlings were allowed to grow normally with routine uniform watering in a glass house set up for a period of eight weeks, after which they were subjected to drought conditions by not watering any further. The 0.4% hydrogel amendment significantly (p a 0.05) increased the PAW by a factor of about three in sand, two fold in silt loam and one fold in sandy loam, loam and clay soils compared to the control. Similarly, the addition of either 0.2 or 0.4% hydrogel to the five soil types resulted in prolonged tree survival compared to the controls. Araucaria cunninghammi survived longest at 153 days, while Maesopsis eminii survived least (95 days) in sand amended at 0.4% after subjection to desiccation. Evapotranspiration was reduced in eight of the nine tree species grown in sandy loam, loam, silt loam and clay soils amended at 0.4% hydrogel. It is probable that soil amendment with SAP decreased the hydraulic soil conductivity that might reduce plant transpiration and soil evaporation.Item Efficacy of Forestry Conservation Policy on Rural Livelihoods in Uganda: Evidence from Mabira Forest Reserve(Medwell Publishing, 2009) Agea, Jacob G.; Obua, Joseph; Fungo, BernardA study was conducted from 2005-2007 in areas around Mabira Forest Reserve, Central Uganda. The objectives were to assess: awareness of the local communities about the current Forest Policy in Uganda, the local communities’ opinions about the efficacy of the current Forest Policy, and the capacity in terms of training to manage forest resources by local communities. Fifty-two households from 4 villages were interviewed in Najjembe sub-county in Mukono district that surrounding Mabira Forest Reserve. Questions were pre-determined and interviews guided. Individuals were interviewed for about 30-60 min. Primary data were subjected to content analysis, coded and subsequently analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS). About 78% of the respondents were aware of the current Forest Policy in Uganda. About 59% of the respondents said that utilization and socio-economic benefits is strongly supported by the Forest Policy. Half of the respondents disagree that local people have more access to forest products than before under the current Forest Policy. About the same number of the respondents disagree that the forest and tree cover has increased under the present Forest Policy. Capacity to manage forest resources by local communities was weak, majority of the respondents said that none of their household members had received any of training in natural and or plantation forest management. Many institutions including National Forestry Authority (NFA), National Environment Management Authority, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Local Governments and Civil Society Organizations were reportedly playing key roles in conservation and management of the forest. There is a need for campaigns in order to realign policies that allows for full participation of not only the government but also the local communities in forest conservation and management.Item Farmers’ Use of Indigenous Fruit Trees to Cope With Climate Variability in the Lake Victoria Basin Districts of Uganda(Current Research in Agricultural Sciences, 2022) Okullo, John B. L.; Omujal, Francis; Enuru, Thomas; Bigirimana, Celestin; Isubikalu, Prossy; Agea, Jacob G.; Bizuru, Elias; Obua, JosephThe escalating extreme weather conditions has forced rural farmers in Africa to rely disproportionately on Indigenous Fruit Trees (IFTs) to sustain their household food/nutrition security, employment and income generation. This paper analysed farmers’ use of IFTs to cope with climate variability in selected Lake Victoria Basin Districts of Uganda. Data were collected from farmers using questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. From 13 most preferred IFTs, focus was on the most popular and highly ranked five: Garcinia buchananii, Vangueria apiculata, Canarium schweinfurthii, Tamarindus indica and Saba comorensis. Preferences for these IFTs were influenced by their uses for food, medicine, timber, compound shade provision and marketability. Age, sex, education, occupation, family size, land size, non-farming activities, period of stay on the same piece of land, and income level significantly (P≤0.05) influenced choice of the preferred IFTs. Majority of the respondents had IFTs planted on-farms, along the roads to provide various goods/services and in marginal lands unsuitable for farming to diversify agriculture as a strategy to cope with climate variability. Given that the uses of IFTs in the five LVB districts are associated with farmers’ efforts to cope with climate variability, the goal of any climate-adaptive farmer-based project should support sustainable use of IFTs, in the short-term and foster innovations such as on-farm planting of IFTs and other fast-growing tree species to meet household demandsItem Impediments, opportunities and strategies to enhance trade of wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro- Kitara Kingdom, Uganda(International Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 2011) Agea, Jacob G.; Obaa, Bernard B.; Kimondo, James M.; Okia, Clement A.; Isubikalu, Prossy; Woiso, Dino A.; Obua, Joseph; Teklehaimanot, ZewgeThis study examined the impediments, opportunities and strategies to enhance trade of wild and semiwild food plants (WSWFPs) in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. Semi-structured questionnaire was administered face-to-face to sixty six (66) traders of WSWFPs in the formal markets: five (5) mobile hawkers and eleven (11) home-based/roadside traders. As a result of their small number, all traders that were found selling WSWFPs were interviewed. Data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics in excel spreadsheet and MINITAB statistical package. A number of challenges including high perishability, market dues, inaccurate consumers’ perceptions, seasonal shortfalls and unreliable supply, unorganized markets, little or no value addition, limited market information, and the inexistence of market promotional activities affected the trade in WSWFPs. However, the growing market demands, increasing focus of most service providers in creating awareness on WSWFPs, ever-changing perception on nutritional values of WSWFPs by the public, current government emphasis on value addition of traded agricultural products, little or no capital requirement for starting up trade in WSWFPs, and absence of restrictive regulations on sale of WSWFPs were regarded as good opportunities that could be exploited to enhance trade in WSWFPs. Key strategies for improved marketing WSWFPs included among other things, training gatherers and traders on value adding activities prior to sale, deliberate investment in promotional and awareness campaigns to expose the hidden benefits of WSWFPs, scrapping market dues levied on traders selling WSWFPs, helping gatherers and sellers to organise themselves to form viable supply and market groups, linking gatherers and sellers to good markets, as well as providing them with available market information. There is thus, a need for concerted efforts to implement some of these feasible marketing strategies to improve on the markets of WSWFPs in the kingdom.Item Intensive Tree Planting Facilitates Tropical Forest Biodiversity and Biomass accumulation in Kibale National Park, Uganda(Forest Ecology and Management, 2011) Omeja, Patrick A.; Chapman, Colin A.; Obua, Joseph; Lwanga, Jeremiah S.; Jacob, Aerin L.; Wanyama, Frederick; Mugenyi, RichardThe extensive area of degraded tropical land and the calls to conserve forest biodiversity and sequester carbon to offset climate change demonstrate the need to restore forest in the tropics. Deforested land is sometimes replanted with fast-growing trees; however, the consequences of intensive replanting on biomass accumulation or plant and animal diversity are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine how intensive replanting affected tropical forest regeneration and biomass accumulation over ten years. We studied reforested sites in Kibale National Park, Uganda, that were degraded in the 1970s and replanted with five native tree species in 1995. We identified and measured the size of planted versus naturally regenerating trees, and felled and weighed matched trees outside the park to calculate region-specific allometric equations for above-ground tree biomass. The role of shrubs and grasses in facilitating or hindering the establishment of trees was evaluated by correlating observed estimates of percent cover to tree biomass. We found 39 tree species naturally regenerating in the restored area in addition to the five originally planted species. Biomass was much higher for planted (15,675kg/ha) than naturally regenerated trees (4560kg/ha), but naturally regenerating tree regrowth was an important element of the landscape. The establishment of tree seedlings initially appeared to be facilitated by shrubs, primarily Acanthus pubescens and the invasive Lantana camara; however, both are expected to hinder tree recruitment in the long-term. Large and small-seeded tree species were found in the replanted area, indicating that bird and mammal dispersers contributed to natural forest restoration. These results demonstrate that intensive replanting can accelerate the natural accumulation of biomass and biodiversity and facilitate the restoration of tropical forest communities. However, the long-term financial costs and ecological benefits of planting and maintaining reforested areas need to be weighed against other potential restoration strategies.Item Mineral Composition Of Tamarindus Indica LINN (Tamarind) Pulp And Seeds From Different Agro-Ecological Zones Of Uganda(Food science & nutrition, 2017) Okello, Jaspher; Okullo, John B. L.; Eilu, Gerald; Nyeko, Philip; Obua, JosephMineral composition of dry Tamarindus indica LINN pulp and seeds was evaluated on samples collected from three different agro-ecological zones of Uganda (Lake Victoria Crescent, and Eastern and West Nile). The objective of the study was to evaluate the mineral composition of T. indica pulp and seed samples from across Uganda’s different agro-ecological zones and land use types. Separately grounded samples of T. indica pulp and seeds were analyzed for Zn, Fe, Mg, P, Na, K, and Ca. The univariate analysis of variance in the General Linear Model was used to compare differences in mineral composition. Treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) in Post Hoc Tests. The results showed that there were significant differences (p ≤ 0.005) in mineral composition levels of T. indica pulp and seed samples between the different agro-ecological zones with the exception of P and Na (for pulp). The T. indica pulp and seeds samples from the Lake Victoria Crescent zone and wild land use type had generally higher mineral levels than T. indica samples from other agro-ecological zones and different land use types. As mineral composition levels were generally higher in the seed than the pulp samples, consumption of T. indica seeds should be promoted. There is also need to conserve individual species both on-farm and in the wild population, but T. indica mineral concentrations (both pulp and seeds) were higher in the samples from the wild population, making them good for human and animal diets.Item Morphological Variations in Tamarindus indica LINN. Fruits and Seed Traits in the Different Agroecological Zones of Uganda(International Journal of Ecology, 2018) Okello, Jaspher; Okullo, John B. L.; Eilu, Gerald; Nyeko, Philip; Obua, JosephAn investigation was carried out on variations in the morphological traits of Tamarindus indica LINN. fruits (length, breadth,mass, and pulp mass) and seeds (number and mass) from the different agroecological zones and land use types of Uganda. Fruits were collected from the two land use types in the three agroecological zones and measured for various morphological traits. The study sites were located between 593 and 1,096 meters above sea level. ANOVA was used to test the differences in morphological traits of fruits and seeds between agroecological zones and land use types.The morphological traits relationship was determined using Pearson Correlation Coefficient (R).There were significant (P≤0.05) variations among the T. indica fruits and seed morphological traits within the agroecological zones and land use types. Lake Victoria Crescent agroecological zone recorded higher fruits morphological traits values. Wild and on-farm land use types were superior in fruits and seed traits, respectively. Many seeds per fruit (17) were recorded in Uganda (Eastern agroecological zone) than those recorded elsewhere. Significant uphill positive linear correlations between all morphological traits (P≤0.05) were observed, with the strongest relationships being between seed mass and seed number (R=0.79), fruitmass and fruit length (R=0.75), pulp mass and fruit mass (R=0.73), and seed mass and fruit mass (R=0.73). However, fruit breadth presented slightly weaker positive linear correlations with all other morphological traits. This is the first quantitative evaluation of T. indica morphological traits variation in Uganda. Dispersion/variation and correlation relationships suggest that all the studied morphological traits can be used for selection of plus trees for tree breeding improvement such as yield per tree. The observed variations are probably attributed to influence of agroecological zones’ factors, environmental factors, climate, land use types, and farming systems, a reflection of T. indica adaptation to different conditions showing high genetic and phenotypic differences to be exploited.Item Patterns of crop raiding by primates around the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda(Wildlife Biology, 2005) Tweheyo, Mnason; Hill, Catherine M.; Obua, JosephCrop raiding by primates in particular and wild animals in general is a significant source of people-forest conflict around the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. Crop loss to wild animals undermines local support for conservation efforts in this area. Patterns of primate crop raiding were studied over a period of 14 months in six villages (five adjacent to the Budongo Forest Reserve and one that is approximately 3,500 m from the forest edge). Data were collected via a questionnaire survey. Additional information was obtained from the relevant local government offices. Chimpanzees Pan troglodytes, baboons Papio anubis, other monkeys, bush pigs Potamochoeus procus and porcupines Hystrix cristata were reported by farmers to be the major causes of crop losses by wildlife. Of farmers, 73% reported suffering crop damage caused by primates, and 79% considered baboons to be the most destructive of all crop raiding species. Drought, insect pests, poor sowing, plant diseases and accidental fires were other sources of crop losses to farmers, though the risk of crop damage particularly by primates is perceived as the most serious potential cause of losses. Using chimpanzees as a case study, patterns of crop damage across the year are compared with seasonal fluctuations in availability of wild foods.Item Physicochemical composition of Tamarindus indica L. (Tamarind) Fruits in the agro-ecological zones of Uganda(Food Science & Nutrition, 2018) Okello, Jaspher; Okullo, John B. L.; Eilu, Gerald; Nyeko, Philip; Obua, JosephThe relationships between the physicochemical composition of Tamarindus indica pulp and seeds, and agro-ecological zones and land use types were assessed in Uganda. The objective was to determine the relationship between the physicochemical composition, agro-ecological zones, and land use types. The samples were processed by manually depulping the T. indica pods, sun-drying the pulp and seeds, and grinding into powder. The powdered samples were analyzed for β-carotenoids, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), calorific value, crude oil, acid, and peroxide values. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in the general linear model (GLM). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to relate the physicochemical properties to the agro-ecological zones and land use types. There were significant differences (p ≤ .05) in the physicochemical composition variables between agro-ecological zones and land use types. Land use types showed strong correlations with physicochemical properties while agro-ecological zones did not show correlations. The results show that in terms of general properties, T. indica pods provide a valuable, rich, and exceptional source of vitamin C, compared to many widely consumed indigenous and conventional fruits and vegetables. The pods from land use types characterized by natural habitats had relatively more nutrient levels than the land use types influenced by anthropogenic activities.Item Proximate composition of wild and on-farm Tamarindus indica LINN fruits in the agro-ecological zones of Uganda(J. Nutr. Health Food Eng, 2018) Okello, Jaspher; Okullo, John Bosco Lamoris; Eilu, Gerald; Nyeko, Philip; Obua, JosephProximate composition of wild and on-farm Tamarindus indica Linn fruits (pulp and seeds) were evaluated from three agro ecological zones and land use types in Uganda. The study objectives were: to compare the proximate composition of T. indica pulp and seeds among agro-ecological zones and land use types, and to determine the relationships between the pulp and seeds proximate composition variables among the agro-ecological zones and land use types in Uganda. Samples were analysed using standard procedures for moisture content, total ash, crude protein, crude fibre, crude oil and total carbohydrates. The results show that there were significant differences (P˂0.05) in the pulp and seeds proximate variables between agro-ecological zones except the seed ash content that showed significant difference between land use types. Only total ash contents showed significant interactions between agro-ecological zones and land use types while samples from the Lake Victoria Crescent agro-ecological zone were rich in proximate contents than other zones. The proximate composition revealed the presence of pulp and seed samples for: moisture content (27.40-31.60; 9.00-13.90%), total ash (4.60-5.00; 2.20-2.40%), crude protein (15.70-16.10; 4.30-4.50%), crude fibre (7.10-8.40; 8.00-9.00%), crude oil (0.27-0.29; 2.64- 2.98%) and total carbohydrates (50.20-56.20; 56.20-61.00%) respectively. There were no significant relationships among the proximate variables with agro-ecological zones and land use types. Both pulp and seeds showed good proximate contents, but the traditionally inedible seeds (thrown away after depulping) have more prospects and are recommended for consumption due to the high proximate contents than pulp, but first need to be processed before incorporation into human and animal diets.Item Responses to Malaria Incidence in the Sango Bay Forest Reserve, Uganda(Human Ecology, 2016) Galabuzi, Charles; Nsubuga Nabanoga, Goretie; Ssegawa, Paul; Obua, Joseph; Eilu, GeraldGlobally up to two billion people live without or with limited access to effective malaria treatment. We studied a malaria-vulnerable forest community in Uganda to assess the harvesting protocols of plants used to treat malaria in order to determine their utilization thresholds. Up to 232 people were involved in interviews, focus group discussions, and forest transects walks during data collection. Data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using SPSS 10.0 and MINITAB 12.0. Out of the 52 anti-malarial plants recorded, a total of 29 species were new to treating malaria in this region. Herbalists living furthest from the forest were of particular concern because they collected higher quantities than those closer. Men and women collected different plant species (Z = 5.36, P < 0.001) and the distances travelled by collectors (Z = 4.542, P < 0.001) affected the amounts gathered per visit. In the event of scarcity of plants for treatment, forest communities explore new alternatives. Retraining herbalists in less destructive harvesting procedures could reduce pressure on target species without restricting utilizationItem Status Of Forests In Uganda(African Journal of Ecology, 2010) Obua, Joseph; Agea, Jacob G.; Ogwal, Joseph JonesTrees, forests and woodlands cover about 14% of Uganda’s land surface. Over the last 30–40 years, growth in human population and corresponding increase in demand for forest products for domestic and industrial use, expansion of agricultural land, illegal settlements and weak forest management capacity have adversely affected the status of natural forests in Uganda, particularly the biodiversity. Until recently, little attention had been paid to development of commercial forests which should have provided alternative forest products and services to relieve the pressure on natural forests and conserve biodiversity. As a result, Uganda’s forests have been degraded, and in some cases, the biodiversity has been eroded. There is a need for regular data collection and monitoring of the status of the forests in terms of areal extent, distribution, plantation species introductions and biodiversity.