Browsing by Author "Ssemakula, Edward"

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Bee Keeping and Coffee Production as Potential Alternative Livelihoods for Coffee Farmers in Sheema District
(International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR), 2023-02) Bamuhangaine, Nicodemus; Ssemakula, Edward; Bahame, Davidlivingstone B; Aine, Ferdinand
To ensure sustainable living standards for coffee farmers, integrating coffee plantations with bee keeping would be a potential alternative livelihood option since beekeeping contributes additional incomes from the sale of honey and other bee products without compromising coffee production. Therefore, the study aimed at assessing the contribution of integrating coffee and bee keeping to coffee farmers’ incomes, attitude and perception of farmers on integrating coffee with bee keeping, technologies coffee farmers use while integrating coffee with bee keeping and the challenges farmers face while integrating bee keeping. The study utilized a cross section research design and a sample of 210 respondents was chosen using simple random sampling and questionnaire, interviews and observation were used to collect primary data from the respondents. It was established that adoption of bee keeping integration resulted in an improvement in income from 6.7% in 2020 to 7.1% in 2021 and this was statistically significant (P<0.05). Farmers had a positive perception of integrating bee keeping with coffee and majority perceived it as source of additional income, require few resources to commence, the necessary skills can be quickly transferred, hives are made from local resources and not labour intensive 210 (100%). The study findings also established that most farmers were not using innovative technologies and the major technologies farmers were using included; possession of top bar or Langstroth p=0.022, provision of supplemental feeds p=0.04 and engaging in bee pollination services and pollen collection p=0.046 as compared with the time spent while integrating bee keeping in coffee plantations.The study further established the challenges farmers face while integrating coffee with bee keeping as; poor management skills, shortage of honey forage, diseases pests and predators, lack of awareness about valuable contribution of bees, lack of trainers and training opportunities, lack of new research information, inadequate bee keeping equipment, price fluctuations and lack of grading system, bee hive theft, weak producer organizations and lack of clear policies to protect the producers from pesticide poisoning. The study recommended provision of constant trainings, formulation of participatory policy that would encourage conservation of pollinators and farmers to be equipped with knowledge and tools to enable them to make informed decisions.
Effects of Urban Agriculture on the Socio-Economic Status of Farmers in Cities of Sub-Sahara Africa. A case of Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria: A Review
(East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2024-01) Ninsheka, Leonard; Ssemakula, Edward; Tiyo, Christopher; Kalibwani, Rebecca; Kityo, Ronald; Mugizi, Wilson; Byamukama, Willbroad
This paper reviews the current literature concerning the effect of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of urban farmers in Sub-Sahara African Cities. The main objective of this review is to examine the impacts of urban agriculture on the socio-economic status of urban farmers in Sub-Sahara African Cities. Specifically, the paper reviews the impact of urban agriculture on income and food security as well as the benefits and challenges affecting urban Agriculture development in selected cities of sub-Saharan African countries. This paper reviews different articles and papers on urban farming in Sub-Sahara Africa and globally. The review posits that there is scanty information on how urban agriculture affects farmers' socio-economic status in sub-Saharan Africa. How farmers derive their social and economic status by engaging in urban agriculture, and the types and motivations of farmers are not clear. The review suggests that understanding the factors that are crucial for food security, income and related benefits in urban agriculture is essential to developing the right technologies and policies.
The Growth,Reproduction and Survival of Biomphalaria Species in the Field and Laboratory Conditions at Lake Albert in Western Uganda
(International Journal of Development Research, 2016-05) Kazibwe, Francis; Ssemakula, Edward
Bilharzia or Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection of man and is caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. The parasite is transmitted through specific aquatic intermediate hosts in arious freshwater habitats. In terms of socioeconomic and public health importance it is regarded Second to malaria among the parasitic diseases affecting man in tropical and some sub-tropical Countries of the world. To understand the disease transmission patterns better; a study was carried Out on the population dynamics of the snail types (Biomphalaria species) that are responsible for the transmission of the disease. This paper discusses the results of the study that was carried out at Lake Albert, which is one of the most affected areas by Bilharzia disease in the country. The growth, reproduction and survival of two Biomphalaria species at Lake Albert were monitored in the field and laboratory for thirteen and fourteen weeks respectively. Field and laboratory growth curves were constructed for the two Biomphalaria species, Biomphalaria stanleyi and Biomphalaria sudanica. The snails from the natural environment for both species showed a rapid and steady increase in size until they reached maximum growth at about the fourteenth week. As the snails matured, maximum egg production capacity was achieved from the tenth week onwards. The growth of snails in the laboratory was much slower especially for B. sudanica, and the snails never attained the shell diameter levels of the snails in the natural environment within the same period. It took an extra week for snails in the laboratory to reach maturity and to start egg production. By the end of the fourteenth week, the laboratory snails did not appear to haveachieved a level of maximum egg production. There was a negative correlation between the mean generation time and the intrinsic rate of natural increase. These observations stress the importance and requirement of optimum conditions in the habitat of snails for them to maintain their numbers. With global warming and the attendant floods, occurring in many areas of the tropics including Uganda, fertile ground for multiplication of the snails with eventual possibility of spread of bilharzia, can be a big threat. There is a need to be vigilant and identify possible resurgence in snail population that may lead to the spread of bilharzia.
Prevalence, Risk Factors and Prevention of Depression in the Adult Population in Mbarara District, Uganda
(Research Square, 2021-11-30) Waswa, Bright Laban; Ssemakula, Edward; Baikirize, Moses; Talbert, Muhwezi; Kiconco, Allen
Background. This study concerns the prevalence, risk factors and prevention of depression in the adult population in three sub-counties in Mbarara district. Depression is a common mental disorder which presents with a wide array of symptoms including loss of energy, poor sleep, poor eating habits, fatigue, irritability and social withdrawal. The main objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression and to identify measures that can be implemented to reduce risk factors of the disease among adults in Nyamitanga, Rugando and Rwanyamahembe sub-counties in Mbarara district. Methods. A cross-sectional design was used to capture data from a study sample size of 383 participants who were involved in completion of screening tests for depression. Scores from a 7-item version of Hopkins Symptom Checklist for Depression were averaged and the probable depression determined for each participant using a cut-off of 1.75. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between depression outcomes and socio-demographic, behavioural and medical history variables. Results. The analyses revealed that the prevalence of depression among adults in the area stands at 27.7%. Depression was significantly associated with discrimination (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.22–4.45, P = 0.010), household size (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.32–0.93, P = 0.026), level of education (primary education: AOR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.15–0.88, P = 0.024; secondary education: AOR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.12– 0.76, P = 0.011; tertiary education: AOR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.15–0.92, P = 0.032) and drug-abuse related problems (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI = 1.34–14.74, P = 0.015). Measures for reducing the development of depression (which were identified by study participants) include guidance and counselling, awareness campaigns and self-help projects, improved access to quality medical services as well as stress management and spiritual care services. Conclusions. These findings show that depression prevalence in the study area, estimated at 27.7%, is high and worrying. Previous studies carried out in Mbarara district and other parts of Uganda have also reported similarly high estimates. They also show that discrimination, household size, level of education and drug-abuse are important risk factors associated with the prevalence of depressive disorders. Strategies targeted at early interventions and ultimately depression prevention need urgent attention in order to reduce risk factors of the disease.