The National Research Repository of Uganda - NRU

Welcome to the National Research Repository of Uganda, abbreviated as "NRU". NRU was established in 2021. NRU is a collection of scholarly output by researchers from the UNCST Community, including scholarly articles and books, electronic theses and dissertations, conference proceedings, journals, technical reports and digitised library collections. It is the official Institutional Archive (IA) of UNCST.

Copyright Information:

For information about the publishers' copyright policy on archiving your articles online or in an institutional archive, visit the Sherpa Site at http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo.php The site gives a summary of the permissions normally given as part of each publisher's copyright transfer agreement. If you wish to publish your research findings in the NRU, please contact NRU administrator at admin@uncst.go.ug for details. NRU operates both open access and closed access models. Access to fulltext has been restricted in adherence to the UNCST Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Copyrights policies.

Other Useful Resources:

Africa Portal is an online repository of open access library collection with over 3,000 books, journals, and digital documents on African policy issues. This is an initiative by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Makerere University (MAK), and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Please visit the Africa Portal at http://www.africaportal.org/library.

~
 

Communities in NRU

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 5 of 12

Recent Submissions

Item
Quantifying mpox transmission and control: A regional analysis of vaccination strategies in East Africa
(Elsevier B.V, 2025-03) Rabiu, Musa;; Fagbemigun, Bosede;; Fadugba, Sunday ;; Shatalov, Michael;; Malesela, Kekana;; Adeniji, Adejimi
Africa is home to the endemic mpox disease, especially in the tropical rain-forest regions of Central and West Africa. Although it is mostly found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reports of it have also come from other neighboring African nations. To understand the dynamics of mpox, we studied its spread in Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, and Kenya before and after the implementation of interventions. Using a Bayesian framework, a simple mathematical model of Susceptible-Infected-Recovered type was calibrated and fitted to the 2022 mpox data covering the period before the introduction of intervention strategies. The model was then re-stratified to incorporate key epidemiological features, including vaccination with imperfect efficacy, partial immunity, exposure, and demographics. The transmission of mpox varied throughout East Africa, with Uganda exhibiting the highest basic reproduction number = 2.51, suggesting the possibility of a rapid spread. Despite having the highest initial infection count and the lowest (1.23), Congo may have had delayed detection. The moderate values (1.35 and 1.88) in Rwanda and Burundi have implications for prompt intervention to control epidemics. Transmission and vaccination rates have a non-linear relationship with the thresholds required to contain mpox outbreaks. Our model shows that in high-transmission settings, substantially higher vaccination coverage (exceeding 80 % at an effectiveness of 70 %) is required to reduce the control reproduction number below unity, whereas in moderate-transmission contexts, coverage above 40 % may suffice. These quantitative thresholds provide actionable guidance for tailoring vaccination strategies to different epidemiological conditions. In particular, sustained vaccination strategies that achieve coverage above the threshold predicted by our model (approximately 80 %) can guarantee mpox eradication, even in situations with strong transmission rates. While real-world complexities such as heterogeneous risk groups and behavioral factors may affect outcomes, these findings shed light on potential quantitative thresholds and provide a foundation for more detailed, population-specific modeling of mpox interventions.
Item
Implementing Reverse Logistics Practices in the Supply Chain: a case study analysis of recycling firm
(Mbago, M., Ntayi, J. M., Mkansi, M., Namagembe, S., Tukamuhabwa, B. R., & Mwelu, N. (2025). Implementing reverse logistics practices in the supply chain: a case study analysis of recycling firms. Modern Supply Chain Research and Applications., 2025-05-06) Mbago, Musa; Ntayi, Joseph M.; Mkansi, Marcia; Namagembe, Sheila; Tukamuhabwa, Benjamin R.; Mwelu, Noah
The global focus on supply chain efficiency underscores the importance of frameworks like the Supply Chain Operations Reference model, which integrates reverse logistics (RL) into supply chain management. This study explores the understanding of RL among recycling firms, key drivers behind its practices, implementation effectiveness and RL success factors in developing economies. Using a phenomenological philosophy and a qualitative multiple case study approach, the research examines leading recycling firms in East Africa, particularly in Uganda. Semi-structured interviews with practitioners yielded contextual insights analyzed through thematic and cross-case analysis to uncover key themes and patterns. RL emerges as a multidimensional process and strategic initiative aimed at environmental and operational goals. Key drivers include environmental concerns, economic incentives, regulatory pressures and technological advancements. The implementation of RL necessitates a holistic approach that encompasses material collection, product recovery and discard. The findings emphasize that successful RL implementation relies on management commitment, strategic partnerships, technological investments, and collaboration with stakeholders. Moreover, community engagement and skilled personnel, continuous adaptation and cost management are crucial for sustaining RL operations.
Item
Ureide Essay to Assess N2-fixation Abilities of Soybean (Glycine Max) Genotypes under Different Bradyrhizobium Strains
(Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 2017) Agoyi, Eric E.; Afutu, Emmanuel; Tumuhairwe, John B.; Chigeza, Godfree; Tukamuhabwa, Phinehas
The high protein content of soybean (Glycine max) seeds results in high nitrogen demand, causing a huge nitrogen uptake during plant growth. As a legume crop, soybean can fix atmospheric N through symbiotic associations with Bradyrhizobia and perform well in African nitrogen poor soils. This study aimed at establishing the ability of promiscuous soybean genotypes to fix nitrogen and devise the relationship between nodule scores and amount of nitrogen fixed. Twelve soybean genotypes were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum Strain USDA 110 (specific) and Bradyrhizobium sp. Strain USDA 3456 (native) and raised in pots in a greenhouse. At the R3.5 growth stage, nodules were scored and xylem sap was extracted, which xylem sap was used to carry out ureide, amino-N, and nitrates assays. The relative abundance of ureide was used to devise the proportion of nitrogen fixed by each genotype. The proportion of nitrogen derived from atmospheric N2 (Ndfa) ranged from 47.9 to 78.8% under USDA 3456 and from 36.7 to 78.7% under USDA 110. A strong correlation was found between nodule scores, especially nodules’ effectiveness, and Ndfa. The genotypes Wondersoya (78.8%), Maksoy 2N (78.4%), Namsoy 3 (78.3%), and Maksoy 3N (75.7%) had high nitrogen-fixing ability in response to USDA 3456. Promiscuous soybean genotypes can fix nitrogen equally under both native and specific Bradyrhizobium types. Nodules’ effectiveness can be a good predictor of biological nitrogen fixation. This study highlighted that crop improvement to boost soybean production in Africa should target promiscuous varieties for better yield with less inputs.
Item
Genetic variation and response to selection for storage root dry matter and associated traits in a population of yam bean (Pachyrhizus spp.) interspecies crosses
(Euphytica, 2021-03-22) Agaba, Rolland; Rubaihayo, Patrick; Tukamuhabwa, Phinehas; Mwanga, Robert O. M.; Tumwegamire, Silver; Ndirigwe, Jean; Gru¨neberg, Wolfgang
The goal of yam bean improvement in Africa is to develop superior high yielding and high dry matter cultivars that are preferred for adoption. In this study, the estimates of variance components, heritability and response to selection were studied in F3 yam bean families selected from interspecies crosses targeting improvement of storage root dry matter and associated traits. Breeding populations were generated using North Carolina II (NC II) mating design involving high dry matter P. tuberosus chuin cultivar, low dry matter P. ahipa and the high yielding P. erosus yam beans. The progenies were advanced through selfing from F1 to F2 population and then exposed to selection at 10% selection intensity to obtain 83 high dry matter lines. The selected lines were evaluated in an F3 trial using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) Namulonge, in Central Uganda. The results revealed significant (P < 0.001) genetic variation for storage root dry matter (RDM), storage root fresh yield (RFY), storage root dry yield (RDY), vine yield (VNY), fresh biomass yield (FBY), harvest index (HI), starch (STA) and protein (PRO) content. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were obtained for VNY, RDY, FBY, RFY, RDM and STA. Narrow sense heritability was higher than 0.5 and response to selection was 15.5 to 33.1 for RDM, RFY, RDY, VNY, FBY and STA, indicating rapid genetic progress is achievable and early generation selection would be effective to improve these traits. Significant (P < 0.01) positive genetic correlations were observed between RDM, RDY, RFY, VNY, FBY and STA ranging from 0.422 to 0.963 implying that simultaneous improvement of these traits is possible in the current yam bean populations.
Item
Yield Stability of Rust-resistant Soybean Lines at Four mid-altitude Tropical Locations
(Euphytica, 2012-03-15) Tukamuhabwa, P.; Oloka, H. K.; Sengooba, T.; Kabayi, P.
Asian soybean rust is a major threat to worldwide soybean production at present. Host plant resistance offers the most sustainable control strategy to resource poor farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and worldwide. Using 13 soybean lines bred for resistance to soybean rust, and 2 checks, yield trials were conducted at four regions of Uganda for four consecutive seasons to determine yield stability and reaction to soybean rust disease. An additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model was used to assess the yield stability of the soybean lines. Stable lines identified included MNG 7.13, MNG 8.10, and MNG 1.63, which showed the lowest environmental interaction. These lines also out-yielded the local checks by over 300 kg ha−1, indicating that they have potential to boost soybean yields in the tropics. Line MNG 8.10 showed adaptability to most of the locations and had the highest yield among the three most stable lines, making it the most promising line; it is therefore recommended for release to improve soybean production and productivity in the region.