Browsing by Author "Lutalo, Bernard"

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    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 - ScienceDirect, 2024-09-23) Matovu, Baker; Lee, Ming-An; Mammel, Mubarak; Lukambagire, Isaac; Lutalo, Bernard; Mwangu, Ronald Alex; Mwabvu, Bridget; Mim, Akther Tahmina; Bbira, Yasin; Lubega, Yasin; Muhoozi, Yosia
    Wetlands (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. Uganda
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    Response to land degradation in Muduuma Sub-County, Mpigi District Uganda
    (African Journals Online; G-Card, 2023-02) Lutalo, Bernard
    This study dealt with response to land degradation in Muduuma Sub-County, Mpigi District-Uganda. The study employed the cross sectional design due to its ability to collect data on more than one case from different respondents and at a single point in order to receive a body of quantitative data in connection with two or more variables. The target population was all the 9121 farmers of Muduuma Sub- County. However, only 114 of the total population was purposively sampled basing on the researcher’s judgment that only arable farmers were fit for the study. Data was collected through a questionnaire, an interview guide and a Focus Group Discussion Guide and it was analyzed through the descriptive statistics and the thematic approach. The study concludes that the majority of farmers had knowledge of land degradation. This was shown through the various actions taken to address the phenomenon despite having limited formal education. Methods used include organic manure, mulching, trenching, afforestation and fertilizers. Therefore, knowledge about causes and impact of land degradation to households is required. Once the population is more informed about the dangers of land degradation, it is easier to develop suitable soil management practices which in turn promote appropriate resource management practices for sustainable economic growth and development.