UMU Institutional Repository
The Uganda Martyrs University Institutional Repository (UMU-IR) preserves research output from the Uganda Martyrs University community
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Recent Submissions
Effectiveness of traditional approaches in management of desert locust(Schistocerca Gregaria Forskal) in arid areas of Isiolo and Laikipia Kenya
(Uganda Martyrs University, 2024) Mwikali, Pamela; Musinguzi, Simon Peter; Mwamburi, Lizzy
The Horn of Africa has witnessed an upsurge in desert locust invasions (Schistocerca gregaria Forskål). Curiously, the first-line of management is often based on traditional methods. We assessed the effectiveness the traditional methods of desert locust control in two rural arid areas in Kenya between 2019 and 2020 using a questionnaire survey. Large swarms of desert locusts were observed during the migratory, feeding, and developmental stages during the driest months. Most of the identified stages were adults and 3rd nymphal instars. The past desert locust preventive strategies among the respondents were early planting, high seed rates, early warning strategies, and information interchange. The physical/mechanical control strategies used by the respondents during the outbreaks included digging up eggs, handpicking, smoking, and baiting. The cultural desert locust control strategies used by the respondents were noise from beating drums, metallic containers, and motorbike hooting. These methods had low effectiveness in controlling desert locust populations. Traditional methods of locust control should not rely solely on desert locust management. There is a need to integrate these traditional methods with new methods for desert locust control only when the swarms are low.
What controls physical vulnerability to geo-hydrological hazards?: a contribution to quantitative assessment of landslide and flood risk in western Uganda
(European Geosciences Union, 2023-05) Sekajugo, John; Kagoro-Rugunda, Grace; Mutyebere, Rodgers; Kabaseke, Clovis; Mubiru, David; Namara, Esther; Kanyiginya, Violet; Bwambale, Bosco; Jacobs Jacobs, Liesbet; Dewitte, Olivier; Kervyn, Matthieu
Geo-hydrological hazards (landslides and floods) are often associated with significant damages on physical infrastructure like buildings and roads. Understanding the factors controlling the extent of damage is a prerequisite for quantitatively estimating risk and its spatial distribution, and advising on measures to reduce vulnerability. In this study we document the impact of 64 landslide and six flood events in four selected districts in western Uganda for the period May 2019 - March 2021 through extensive fieldwork. We quantify in economic value the physical damage of landslide and flood hazards on exposed buildings, roads and bridges. We then analyse the physical vulnerability based on damage ratios and determine the factors (building material, hazard characteristics and age of the building) that control the degree of damage using fractional logistic regression. Out of the 91 buildings affected by landslides, 54% were totally destroyed, and only 10% not or minorly damaged, for an average damage cost of 3,179 USD/building. For the 212 documented buildings affected by floods, 35% were totally destroyed, 28% had severe to moderate damage and the rest were minorly or not affected, with an average damage costs of 1,755 USD/building. The physical vulnerability of buildings to landslides depends on the size of the landslide, age of the building, type of building wall material and the steepness of the slope cut to establish an artificial foundation platform. On the other hand, the physical vulnerability of buildings to flood hazards is largely controlled by the flood depth, the distance from the river channel, slope, size of flooded area and type of floor material. The physical vulnerability functions developed in this study are being used as a new inputs into a regional quantitative model of geo-hydrological risks. Combining the hazard estimates with the most accurate information on exposure of physical infrastructure, will facilitate the identification of the types of events and the locations that require most attention for risk reduction.
Mobility justice: working through cross-disciplinary perspectives on technology and refugee youth in Uganda during a pandemic
(ACM DIgital Library, 2021-03-03) Clarke, Rachel; Tukundane, Cuthbert
In this article we discuss recent collaborative writing experiences between researchers in the U.K. and Uganda. In early 2020, our team began planning research with young Ugandan refugees on their mobile phone use. Subsequently, numerous pandemic lockdowns thwarted this research and we had to revise our plans. While this enforced physical immobility (at least in terms of air and road travel) initially limited possibilities for building new partnerships, it did open up opportunities for deeper reflection on critically informed sociotechnical mobilities, engaging us both pragmatically and conceptually with different disciplines as part of an international team. In this dialogue, we highlight the value of collaboration and collective sense making, recognizing differences in expertise, disciplines, and orientations, for understanding technological innovation in international development and refugee contexts.
Reclaiming the educative power of vocational placements: experiences from agriculture education practice in Uganda
(Wiley Online Library, 2021-05-06) Jjuuko, Robert; Tukundane, Cuthbert; Zeelen, Jacques
Amidst the global pressure on education systems to harness youth employability and transition to the world of
work, there is increased interest in vocational placements.
It is evident that Uganda's tertiary education sector, like
others in similar context, is struggling to optimise vocational placements for better students’ learning and labour
market outcomes. This article explores the “educative” potential of vocational placements offered as a component of
study programmes by a public tertiary agricultural training
institution in Uganda. It draws on data generated from a
qualitative case study that engaged 70 stakeholders namely
students, graduates, lecturers, administrators and workplace supervisors. Undertaken between 2016 and 2019,
the study reveals the complexities and prospects associated
with the design and delivery of vocational placements in
stressed education and labour market contexts. From a social constructivist perspective, we make contextual pedagogical propositions for unleashing the educative power of
vocational placements in Uganda and similar contexts.
Democratic consolidation and intelligence oversight in Uganda: implications for emerging democracies
(LAMBERT Academic Publishing (LAP), 2017-04-04) Asiimwe, Solomon Muchwa
The book is about intelligence oversight and the promotion of democracy. It explains intelligence management, primarily focusing on intelligence oversight institutions and mechanisms. The book brings out an assessment on the role of intelligence oversight institutions and mechanisms in the promotion of democracy. The book reveals that intelligence oversight in Uganda is not explicit because the intelligence legislation is also not clear about it. The only meaningful intelligence oversight is assumed to be done by the agency internal administration under the auspice of the President. The other existing institutions like Parliament, the Inspectorate of Government, the Judiciary, are not equal to the task of overseeing the intelligence services effectively. This is due to the uniqueness of the intelligence sector; in its nature and operations of working under total secrecy compared to other sectors of government. The book therefore, recommends for an intelligence review which should end up with recommendations for amending the intelligence law to harmonise it with other recently enacted laws aimed at consolidating democratic governance.