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Item Social innovations and drivers in flood early warningsystems: A community-based transboundary perspectivefrom Elegu flood plain in Northern Uganda(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2025-03) Canwat, VincentEarly warning systems play significant roles in disaster risk reduction and management. However, a global picture of how they function on the ground, especially in developing countries, is lacking. This study assessed social innovations and drivers in the community‐based transboundary flood early warning systems in the Ugandan context. The study found that the community‐based transboundary flood early warning system generated three social innovations: new inter‐community relations, new community‐local resource relations, and new housing and bedding structures. New inter‐community relations were driven by the transboundary nature of the flood and kinship. New community‐local resource relations were driven by the lack of government support for the early warning system. New housing and bedding structures were driven by the uncertainty about the flood at night. The study confirms the importance of social market failure in driving social innovations and the role of community‐based flood early warning systems in promoting the utilisation of local resources. The effectiveness of transboundary early warning systems in extending lead time and reducing losses was also confirmed. However, the early warning system was found to be effective only during day time. The study, therefore, recommends government intervention in bridging the early warning system gap by installing telemetry.Item Land use land cover dynamics and its implications for ecosystem services and livelihoods of Budongo forest adjacent communities(IOP Publishing, 2025-03-11) Kule, Cosmus;; Waiswa, Daniel;; Obua, Joseph ;; Twinomuhangi, Revocatus;; Babweteera, Fred;; Eryenyu, DavidA deeper understanding of land use land cover (LULC) dynamics is essential for the sustainable management of the environment and its natural resources, and importantly how the changes affect the provision of ecosystem services and community livelihoods. This study examined the spatio-temporal LULC dynamics around the Budongo Central Forest from 1995 to 2022 and the implications these changes have on the provision of ecosystem services and the livelihoods of local communities. Data were collected using a hybrid approach involving satellite image classification, post-classification change detection, interviews with 156 respondents and 17 key informants. Survey data were subjected to descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions. The study results reveal a decline in areas covered by wetlands, forests and grasslands due to the expansion of commercial sugarcane plantations, compounded by an increase in the population emanating from migrant workers. While the area under subsistence agriculture had a marginal expansion, local communities perceived that the changes in LULC resulted in a decline in households’ food availability, water availability and soil fertility. The study concludes that changes in LULC are associated with significant losses in natural assets and ecosystems. These loses in natural assets have significant effects on the livelihoods of community members. Therefore, there is a need for instituting a participatory land use planning approach in the affected communities to mitigate the effects of the LULC changes. This will also help in fostering sustainable natural resource management within the affected communities.Item Future success and ways forward for scientific approaches on the African Great Lakes(Journal of Great Lakes Research, 2023) Lawrence, Ted J.; Achieng, Alfred O.; Chavula, Geoffrey; Haambiya, Lloyd Haninga; Iteba, Jacob; Kayanda, Robert; Kaunda, Emmanuel; Migenim Z. Ajode; Muvundja, Fabrice A.; Nakiyende, Herbert; Nyamweya, Chrisphine; Obiero, Kevin; Pierre, Denis Plisnier; Harris, Phiri; Claver, Sibomana; Stephanie, SmithThe seven African Great Lakes are some of the most critical freshwater, large-lake systems in the world, providing essential services, food, drinking water, and other livelihood support to over 62 million people. Like most freshwater systems around the world, these lakes are strained by anthropogenic stressors, leading to degradation of these biologically important, and human-dependent resources. Despite their importance, these lakes suffer from insufficient research approaches which are short-term, disparate, and unharmonized. Further, a lack of monitoring, data and information exchange, education and training, and gender balance in research, all lead to insufficient knowledge on which to better manage and protect these lakes. While past efforts have resulted in some knowledge accumulation, there is a need for new approaches to understanding and managing these lakes: bottom-up, harmonized, and long-term processes. This paper, and those within this special section of the Journal of Great Lakes Research, highlight new, highly collaborative efforts of freshwater experts representing each riparian country of each African Great Lake through formal advisory groups. These papers are the result of harmonized efforts and collegial agreements as to what issues need to be addressed foremost, written by those on the ground. While each lake has specific, prioritized lists of issues, five overarching issues must be addressed to achieve success on these lakes: providing agency and coordination of African freshwater scientists; increase long-term monitoring; strengthen education and training of existing and future experts; enhance information and data exchange; and ensure stronger gender balance in science and leadership positions.Item Impacts of Land Cover Changes on Catches of Nile Perch and Nile Tilapia on Lake Kyoga, Uganda(Fishes, 2023) Nambi, Rebecca Walugembe; Getahun, Abebe; Muyodi, Fredrick Jones; Rukuunya, EdwardIn East Africa, Nile perch and Nile tilapia are major commercial fish species, providing reliable protein and income sources. However, their stocks are dwindling on Lake Kyoga due to land use and land cover (LULC) changes within the surrounding catchment. Thus, this paper aims at assessing the land use land cover on Lake Kyoga and its immediate catchment and how those changes affect the water quality and the local fish catches. The Iso-Cluster tool in ArcGIS was used to analyze Landsat images from the years 1989 to 2021 to obtain LULC information. The LULC classes were classified into water, wetland, agricultural land, rangeland, and settlements. Correction using a 2-tailed test of the water quality parameters with the LULC classes indicated a strong positive correlation of TN with water (0.71), a strong negative correlation of TP with rangelands (−0.83), and a strong positive correlation of Chl-a with settlement (0.98) at a 0.05 confidence level. The correlation of the recorded fish catch data with fishing gear showed a strong negative correlation with cast and monofilament nets. Continued use of illegal fishing gear was ranked number 1 of the causes of LULC by the stakeholders. Thus, the fisheries managers should collaborate with local stakeholders to boost declining fish catches for improved livelihoods and sustainable management.Item Public Perceptions of Water Quality in the Lake Bunyonyi SubCatchment, Western Uganda(Tanzania Journal of Science, 2023) Alex, Saturday; Lyimo, Thomas J.; Pamba, Siajali; Kangume, Susan; Turyatemba, JenifferLake Bunyonyi ecosystem plays vital roles in water resource conservancy and tourism. Nevertheless, the rapid increase in human population and the unrelenting human activities are threatening the values, functions, and ecological integrity of the lake. In this study, the public perceptions of drinking water quality and its health implications in the Lake Bunyonyi Sub-catchment, Western Uganda are presented. A closed-ended questionnaire was administered to 267 respondents living within one Kilometre away from the lake shores. Besides, observation and interview methods were used to complement data collected by the questionnaire method. Results indicate that the prominent activities around the lake are peasantry and small-scale businesses attributed to soil fertility and rural tourism. Despite the lake being a popular source of drinking water in the sub-catchment, the quality of its water suffers from diffuse pollution and little has been done to avert it. This study recommends regular surveillance and water quality testing to increase people’s awareness of water quality. Besides, the local authorities should train people the alternative environmentally-friendly farming practices like afforestation with correct tree species and agro-forestry practices to increase vegetation cover and reduce soil erosion debris washed into the lake system. Environmental-friendly household water treatment methods (biosand filtration and solar disinfection) should be promoted to improve the quality of drinking water.Item Decadal Trends and Common Dynamics of the BioOptical and Thermal Characteristics of the African Great Lakes(PLoS ONE, 2014) Steven, Loiselle; Andre´ s Co´ zar; Adgo, Enyew; Ballatore, Thomas; Chavula, Geoffrey; Jean, Pierre Descy; Harper, David M.; Kansiime, Frank; Kimirei, Ismael; Langenberg, Victor; Ronghua, Ma; Sarmento, Hugo; Odada, EricThe Great Lakes of East Africa are among the world’s most important freshwater ecosystems. Despite their importance in providing vital resources and ecosystem services, the impact of regional and global environmental drivers on this lacustrine system remains only partially understood. We make a systematic comparison of the dynamics of the bio-optical and thermal properties of thirteen of the largest African lakes between 2002 and 2011. Lake surface temperatures had a positive trend in all Great Lakes outside the latitude of 0° to 8° south, while the dynamics of those lakes within this latitude range were highly sensitive to global inter-annual climate drivers (i.e. El Niño Southern Oscillation). Lake surface temperature dynamics in nearly all lakes were found to be sensitive to the latitudinal position of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone. Phytoplankton dynamics varied considerably between lakes, with increasing and decreasing trends. Intra-lake differences in both surface temperature and phytoplankton dynamics occurred for many of the larger lakes. This inter-comparison of bio-optical and thermal dynamics provides new insights into the response of these ecosystems to global and regional drivers.Item Carbon Dioxide and Methane Fluxes from Various Vegetation Communities of a Natural Tropical Freshwater Wetland in Diferent Seasons(Environmental Processes, 2021) Were, David; Kansiime, Frank; Fetahi, Tadesse; Hein, ThomasEmission of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) is of interest in tropical wetland studies because the high and relatively stable temperatures year-round enhance both primary productivity and organic matter decomposition. Nonetheless, there is scarcity of data on emission of these carbon-based greenhouse gases from tropical wetlands. We investigated CO2 and CH4 fluxes from a natural tropical freshwater wetland in Uganda under different dominant vegetation communities, i.e., Cyperus papyrus (Papyrus), Typha latifolia (Typha) and Phragmites mauritianus (Phragmites), during the dry and wet seasons. Gas samples were collected using static chambers and analyzed by gas chromatography. Fluxes (mg C m−2 h−1) of both CO2 and CH4 from Papyrus (732.9 ± 48.7 [mean ± standard error] and 14.1 ± 0.8, respectively) and from Typha (759.7 ± 51.4 and 13.5 ± 1.2, respectively) insignificantly varied (p > 0.05) during the dry season. However, CO2 and CH4 fluxes from both vegetation communities during this season were significantly lower and higher (p < 0.05), respectively, than in Phragmites (871.8 ± 56.7 and 8.7 ± 0.5). During the wet season, no significant variation (p > 0.05) occurred among the three vegetation communities for both CO2 and CH4 fluxes (Phragmites: 691.9 ± 55.8 and 15.6 ± 1.1, Typha: 682.0 ± 53.3 and 16.3 ± 1.2, and Papyrus: 651.2 ± 49.0 and 17.1 ± 1.7, respectively). Water level was the main driver of CO2 and CH4 fluxes from the wetland, suggesting its importance in any efforts to regulate fluxes of both gases in tropical wetlands. We estimated total annual CO2 and CH4 emissions from Uganda’s wetland soils in the ranges of 159.5 × 106–180.2 × 106 t C (tonnes of carbon) and 278.9 × 104–359.7 × 104 t C, respectively.Item Assessment of heavy metal pollution in the urban stream sediments and its tributaries(International journal of environmental science & technology, 2010) Sekabira, K.; Origa, H. Oryem; Basamba, T. A.; Mutumba, G.; Kakudidi, E.Globally, aquatic ecosystems are highly polluted with heavy metals arising from anthropogenic and terrigenous sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the pollution of stream sediments and possible sources of pollutants in Nakivubo Channel Kampala, Uganda. Stream sediments were collected and analysed for heavy metal concentration using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The degree of pollution in Nakivubo channelized stream sediments for lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, manganese and iron was assessed using enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index and pollution load index. The results indicated that (1) the sediments have been polluted with lead, cadmium and zinc and have high anthropogenic influences; (2) the calculation of geo-accumulation index suggest that Nakivubo stream sediments have background concentration for copper, manganese and Fe (I geo ≤ 0); (3) factor analysis results reveal three sources of pollutants as explained by three factors (75.0 %); (i) mixed origin or retention phenomena of industrial and vehicular emissions; (ii) terrigenous and (iii) dual origin of zinc (vehicular and industrial). In conclusion, the co-precipitation (inclusion, occlusion and adsorption) of lead, cadmium and zinc with manganese and iron hydroxides, scavenging ability of other metals, very low dissolved oxygen and slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH in stream water could account for the active accumulation of heavy metals in Nakivubo stream sediments. These phenomena may pose a risk of secondary water pollution under sediment disturbance and/or changes in the geo-chemistry of sediments.Item An evaluation of the environmental impact assessment practice in Uganda: challenges and opportunities for achieving sustainable development(Heliyon, 2020) Taako, Edema George; Kiemo, Karatu; Andama, EdwardEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a broad process that emerged from the National Environment Policy Act, 1970 in the U.S. Its primary objective is to generate information on the likely impacts of a project on all aspects of the environment and used in agency decision making and in the long run protect the environment and achieve sustainable development. EIA practice in Uganda was formally established through the National Environment Act, 1995 and now in practice for over 25 years. However, there is increasing level of water pollution especially Lake Victoria, rivers, streams, aquifers and soils. This research reviewed the institutional, legal and regulatory framework for EIA, related literature and EIA documents especially EIA reports and conducted key EIA stakeholders survey using questionnaires to identify capacity and practice issues. The results revealed that, there was gap between law and practice arising from inadequate and ineffective public participation, weak follow-up, low key stakeholder's capacity, political interference, lack of SEA practice and not embracing EIA in a transboundary context. However, there is fairly good and comprehensive institutional, legislative and regulatory framework for EIA, good local governance structures, adequate staffing, robust national planning framework, active non-state actors and regional groupings. In order to maximize the potential of EIA as a means for achieving the SDGs, we recommended measures to address the challenges facing the EIA practice as well as utilize the existing opportunities within the context in which EIA is applied.Item Land-use and land cover, sediment and nutrient hotspot areas changes in Lake Tanganyika Basin(African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), 2016) Azanga, E.; Majaliwa M.; Kansiime, F.; Mushagalusa, N.; Karume, K.; Tenywa, M.M.The impact of global land use and land cover changes in relation to climate change and declining biodiversity has been a subject of interest in the recent years. Nonetheless, there is limited data capturing trends in land use and land cover changes in the Tanganyika catchment. This study characterized the trend in land use/ cover changes and examined the change in sediment and nutrients hotspot areas in the Kalimabenge microcatchment, for the last 40 years. Land use/cover change was quantified and reconstructed by analyzing a series of Landsat images taken in 1973, 1986, and 2010 using the Integrated Land and Water Information System (ILWIS) 3.3 software and field observations. Both supervised and non-supervised classifications were used in the classification of the Landsat images in order to obtain the land use/cover change map. Sediment and nutrient loading into the Kalimabenge micro-catchment were modeled using ArcSWAT software integrated in ArcGIS 9.3. ArcSWAT was calibrated using two years field observations at the river outlet into Lake Tanganyika. Results showed that the dominant land use/covers in the micro-catchment are cultivated land, followed by forest/tree plantations, grassland and built-up area. Grassland/savannah has declined gradually over time, forest/woodlot land increased gradually, built up areas acreage remained quasi similar, cultivated land followed a quadratic trend. The partial sources of sediments, runoff and phosphorous changed for the last 4 decades. These sources areas first decreased in 1986 and then increased in 2010. DetailsItem Social and individual factors mediate chimpanzee vocal ontogeny(Nature Publishing Group UK, 2025-03) Soldati, Adrian;; Fedurek, Pawel;; Dezecache, Guillaume ;; Muhumuza, Geresomu;; Hobaiter, Catherine;; Zuberbühler, Klaus;; Call, JosepAbstract Human language develops in social interactions. In other ape species, the role of social learning in vocal ontogeny can be typically underappreciated, mainly because it has received little empirical attention. Here, we examine the development of pant hoot vocalisations during vocal exchanges in immature wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) of the Sonso community of the Budongo Forest, Uganda. We investigated how maternal gregariousness, age, sex, and social context are associated with behavioural and vocal responses to other group members’ calls. We show that the older sons of gregarious mothers are more likely to orient their attention, respond vocally to the calls of others, and are overall more exposed to others’ calls compared to other immature individuals. This effect is strongest in the presence of adult males and when their mothers also respond vocally, suggesting that chimpanzee vocal development is enhanced by social and vocal exposure. Our findings are consistent with a more flexible and socially mediated chimpanzee vocal ontogeny than previously assumed and show some parallels with animal vocal learners and children language acquisition.Item The role of visual ethnography in co-producing climate information services in cities(Bristol University Press, 2025-03) Buyana, Kareem;; Walubwa, Jacqueline;; Mukwaya, Paul ;; Sseviiri, Hakimu;; Byarugaba, Disan;; Nsangi, GloriaDiverse approaches to climate information services are emerging as impacts escalate in an urbanising globe. However, the climate information services involving cities are mainly collaborations with actors from science, multilateral, national and municipal authorities. There are limited efforts to build on knowledge from residents in local communities about risk and response options, to steer collaborations on climate information services. This article examines visual ethnography as an enabler of climate information services that connect societal and scientific objectives at local scales in cities. Based on case study findings from Kampala city in Uganda, local-level framings of climate risks and responses were grouped into exploratory and intersectional framings. The exploratory framings are risks and response options directly linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 and 13 on cities and climate change respectively, while depicting some degree of contradiction. Intersectional framings are risks and response options demonstrating the interrelatedness of climate issues across different SDGs. Local communities do take on scientific information on impacts and adaptation barriers but also connect risks and responses to experiences of tested options, which sometimes only emerge during the process of visual ethnography and are not initially identified. Visual ethnography can be an important source of information not only on stressors experienced and priority actions by local communities, but can also be a climate solutions imagery, that contains positive adaptation stories with opportunities for enriching and complementing scientific inquiry on responses.Item Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 Quality Education and Online Learning(UP Carnegie Conference, Pretoria, South Africa, 2019-07-31) Nakaziba, Sarah; Munafu, Sylvia M.; Mutibwa, Lois N.; Nampomba, NorahItem How many reptile and amphibian species are in Uganda, and why it matters for global biodiversity conservation(PeerJ. Ltd, 2025-01) Hughes, Daniel F; Behangana, MathiasBiodiversity is unevenly distributed across the globe. Regional differences in biodiversity impact conservation through the allocation of financial resources, development of infrastructure, and public attention. Such resources are often prioritized to areas that are in more need than others. However, reasons for deciding which locations are more deserving are derived from an accurate knowledge of the number and composition of species that occur in each region. Regional differences in biodiversity, however, can reflect differences in the source of information consulted, rather than bona fide differences between areas. As a result, conservation resources may not be directed to regions in proportion to their actual need, especially if there is no consensus among sources of information. Here, we compared major sources of information on species of reptiles and amphibians that occur in Uganda, Africa. We found that none of the sources agreed on the total number, nor composition, of species in the country, with estimates for amphibians ranging more widely than those for reptiles. Notably, sources with similar species richness differed in species composition, which had an impact on the number of threatened species in the country. These results for a conspicuous group of vertebrates suggest that lesser-known groups are also likely misrepresented in sources, especially in other underexplored regions of tropical Africa. We discuss the implications for biodiversity conservation that are derived from inaccurate species lists that are commonly used by agencies, scientists, and practitioners. We argue that more critical evaluations of biodiversity resources, in addition to greater capacity building for field programs, taxonomy, and museum collections, will be essential to ensure that resources are allocated to regions that need them the most.Item Mobilizing Evidence-based Knowledge for Sustainable Wetlands Co-management and Co-governance amidst increasing Anthropogenic and Environmental Stressors: Key Lessons from Mityana District, Uganda(Elsevier B.V, 2024-12) Matovu, Baker; Lee, Ming-An; Mammel, Mubarak; Lukambagire, Isaac; Lutalo, Bernard; Mwangu, Alex Ronald; Mwabvu, Bridget; Mim, Tahmina Akther; Bbira, Yasin; Lubega, Yasin; Muhoozi, YosiaWetlands (covering about 1.5–1.6 billion hectares globally), are critical biodiversity and livelihood hotspots. Wetlands further replenish the global economy with $47.4 trillion/year worth of ecosystem services. By jealously guarding wetlands, progress toward sustainable development goals, and livelihood welfare are possible. Unfortunately, despite the promulgation of wetland governance mechanisms, 35 percent of the global natural wetlands have been lost since the 1970s. This could be worse in undocumented or explored wetland zones situated in remote tropical regions. In this study, we bring to the fore insights from 286 documents sourced from Scopus and engagements from 105 citizens in Mityana, to (i) map wetlands (including the current vulnerabilities and threats), and (ii) co-develop a wetlands management action pathway that could create sustainable co-management possibilities and sustainable livelihood futures. Findings revealed that although research on wetlands has increased for the last 31 years, since 2021, it has plummeted. In Uganda, wetland research and scholarship is predominantly situated around the Lake Victoria region. Most research focuses on natural or biological sciences. Emerging policy themes and trending research topics are shifting from key wetland management paradigms. From a total of 105 sampled wetlands scattered across fourteen (14) sub-counties in the Mityana district, critical wetland issues were unraveled. Mityana is crossed by two wetland systems (Lake Wamala and River Mayanja dominated by permanent papyrus and seasonal swamps respectively. Wetlands offer unique livelihood, cultural assets/capitals, and ecological benefits (including cultural/aesthetics meaning). An unfathomable rate of degradation is evident. Anthropogenic factors are the predominant threat drivers, especially eucalyptus planting. The loss of culturally valuable wetlands has increased socio-cultural-ecological grief, such as around Lake Wamala. Micro-level management actions are increasing, albeit mainly around accessible permanent wetlands. Most riparian wetland sedentary populations expressed willingness and interest in the co-management and governance of community wetlands. More robust actions and pathways are needed to create avenues for community co-management. The co-developed the sustainable wetlands management action pathway (SWeMAP) provides seven (7) coherent steps, including critical social science insights that could aid sustainable wetlands governance and management across geographies. As wetlands in Uganda have been gazetted as critical to sustainable development, the urgent co-development and financing of micro-level wetland action plans, including situational inventories could help create avenues for sustainable wetlands management.Item Climate shocks, adaptive mechanisms and household energy transition in Uganda(Springer International Publishing, 2024-11) Elasu, Joseph; Ntayi, Joseph Mpeera; Adaramola, Muyiwa S.; Buyinza, Faisal; Atukunda, Ronnette; Ngoma, MuhamadAbstract Nearly 41% of the global populace depends on unclean fuels for cooking. As a result, about 4 million premature deaths connected to household air pollution are registered annually. Worryingly, over 2.1 billion people are estimated to continue using unclean fuels by 2030 if no strong policy actions are taken to alter the status quo. Climate parameters including; temperature, solar radiation, wind, and moisture have been widely touted as having an impact on multidimensional energy poverty, their effect on household energy consumption and subsequent transition to cleaner fuels is seldom investigated in Uganda. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of climate shocks, and adaptation mechanisms on household energy transition in Uganda. The study adopted a panel data methodology employing an ordered logit model with random effects to estimate the effect of climate shocks and adaptation mechanisms on household fuel transition from high to low-pollutant cooking fuels in Uganda. The findings revealed that climate shocks, adaptation mechanisms significantly affect household energy transition in Uganda. The study recommended that policies aimed at enhancing detection and report of early warning signs should be emphasized. Furthermore, investing in an insurance scheme especially for people living in climate shock prone areas can help households to cope up with shocks are eventually transition to clean cooking fuels.Item Current water contact and Schistosoma mansoni infection have distinct determinants: a data-driven population-based study in rural Uganda(Nature Publishing Group UK, 2024-11) Reitzug, Fabian; Kabatereine, Narcis B; Byaruhanga, Anatol M; Besigye, Fred; Nabatte, Betty; Chami, Goylette F.Water contact is a key element of the system of human-environment interactions that determine individual exposure to schistosome parasites and, in turn, community transmission. Yet, there is a limited understanding of the complexity of water contact. We characterised patterns and determinants of water contact within the large-scale SchistoTrack study on 2867 individuals aged 5-90 years in Eastern and Western Uganda, employing Bayesian variable selection and advanced statistical modelling. We found a 15-year gap between the population-level peak in water contact (age 30) and infection (age 15) with practically no correlation (ρ = 0.03) between individual-level water contact and infection. Adults had higher water contact than children, and 80% of individuals with water contact lived within 0.43 km of water bodies. Domestic water contact was most common for children and women, while occupational water contact was most common for men. Water contact was positively associated with older age, fishing or fish mongering occupations, the number of water sites, and type (beach/pond/swamp), and lower village-level infection prevalence. Only older age and fishing were positively, though inconsistently, associated with infection status/intensity. By providing profiles of at-risk groups, and suitable water contact metrics, our research opens avenues for spatially-targeted interventions and exposure monitoring in endemic countries.Freshwater snails are the intermediate host of schistosomes, playing an important role in transmission. Here, the authors provide a detailed analysis of water contacts and other human-environmental variables in 38 villages in Uganda and provide profiles of at risk groups. Publicly Available Content DatabaseItem Effect of Quercetin on Cadmium Chloride-Induced Impairments in Sexual Behaviour and Steroidogenesis in Male Wistar Rats(Andrologia, 2017-04-27) Ujah A.G, Nna U.V, Leku B.C.,Osim E.E.Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) has been reported to cause reproductive toxicity in male rats, mainly through oxidative stress. This study examined its effect on sexual behaviour, as one of the mechanisms of reproductive dysfunction, as well as the possible ameliorative effect of quercetin (QE) on same. Thirty male Wistar rats (10 weeks old), weighing 270–300 g, were used for this study. They were either orally administered 2% DMSO, CdCl2 (5 mg/kg b.w.), QE (20 mg/kg b.w.) or CdCl2+QE, once daily for 4 weeks, before sexual behavioural studies. The 5th group received CdCl2 for 4 weeks and allowed 4-week recovery period, before sexual behavioural test. Rats were sacrificed after sexual behavioural studies. The blood, testis and penis were collected for biochemical assays. Cadmium increased mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies, but reduced their frequencies, compared to control. Serum nitric oxide increased, while penile cyclic guanosine monophosphate reduced in the CdCl2-exposed rats, compared to control. CdCl2 increased testicular cholesterol, but reduced 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-HSD activities, and testosterone concentration. QE better attenuated these negative changes compared to withdrawal of CdCl2 treatment. In conclusion, CdCl2 suppressed steroidogenesis, penile erection and sexual behaviour, with poor reversal following withdrawal, while QE attenuated these effects.Item Rangers on the frontline of wildlife monitoring: a case study on African lions in Uganda’s Nile Delta(Nature Publishing Group UK, 2024-10) Braczkowski, Alexander R; Namukose, Lilian; Musobozi, Silvan; Cornille, Orin; Mudumba, Tutilo; Drileyo, Gilbert; Broekhuis, Femke; Jingo, Sophia; Asimwe, Brenda; Luhonda, Peter; Atukwatse, Bosco; O’Bryan, Christopher J; McCallum, Hamish; Biggs, Duan; Gibson, Luke; Rwetsiba, Aggrey; Gopalaswamy, Arjun M; Lindsey, Peter; Elliot, NicholasRegular population monitoring of imperilled charismatic species such as large carnivores is critical for conservation. However, the role of monitoring in conservation is frequently diminished due to: 1) surveys being implemented in isolation, 2) limited on-ground-capacity leading to infrequent monitoring, and 3) inappropriate methods being applied. Wildlife monitoring is often resource-intensive and the utility and cost of different field protocols is rarely reported. In this study we deployed two standard field protocols aimed at collecting data on African lions within a spatial capture-recapture framework. For our first protocol, we trained Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers in search-encounter techniques, the industry gold standard for monitoring lions. The second protocol involved deploying 32 paired stations of state-of-the-art infra-red camera traps. During the search-encounter protocol, two rangers covered 2939 km in 76 days, recording 102 detections (30 individuals) in a ~ 256 km 2 area. The resulting density estimates (13.91 lions/100 km2, posterior SD = 2.34) yielded acceptable precision. Conversely, 64 camera traps over 1601 trap nights yielded two usable lion detections. We argue that where wildlife tourism rangers exist, they could be a powerful addition to future lion and wildlife census attempts across the continent. Our results confirm that the current technology of store-bought infra-red camera traps is not suitable for individual identification of lions, and therefore cannot be applied to analytical models that require unambiguous individual identities. However, we encourage the continued testing and advancement of infra-red camera trap technology since in many instances, this may be preferable to white-flash camera traps, which can yield individual identities for lions. Our study also shows the immense importance of the Nile Delta for African lions in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park, a protected area with both oil extraction and high rates of anthropogenic snaring pressure. A study on African lions in Uganda’s Nile Delta shows wildlife tourism rangers, an often-forgotten group in the scientific process, deliver strong density estimates. The study also shows infrared camera traps are weak at detecting lions.Item Revision of the Afrotropical genus Protoleptops Heinrich, 1967 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Ichneumoninae), with description of a new species from Burundi(Pensoft Publishers, 2024-10) Dal Pos, Davide; De Ketelaere, Augustijn; Di Giovanni, FilippoThis study presents a comprehensive revision of the genus Protoleptops Heinrich, 1967. We describe a new species, P. nyeupe Dal Pos & Di Giovanni, sp. nov. , from Burundi, marking the first documented occurrence of an Ichneumoninae species in the country. Additionally, we provide the first diagnostic description of the female P. farquharsoni Heinrich, 1967 and report a new occurrence of this species in KwaZulu-Natal. Furthermore, we document P. magnificus for Mpumalanga (South Africa) and P. angolae Heinrich, 1967 in Uganda, thereby extending the known range of the latter into East Africa. A detailed catalogue of all species within the genus Protoleptops is also included.