Joseph Obua

Patterns of crop raiding by primates around the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda

Abstract Crop raiding by primates in particular and wild animals in general is a significant source of people-forest conflict around the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. Crop loss to wild animals undermines local support for conservation efforts in this area. Patterns of primate crop raiding were studied over a period of 14 months in six villages (five adjacent to the Budongo Forest Reserve and one that is approximately 3,500 m from the forest edge). Data were collected via a questionnaire survey. Additional information was obtained from the relevant local government offices. Chimpanzees Pan troglodytes, baboons Papio anubis, other monkeys, bush pigs Potamochoeus procus and porcupines Hystrix cristata were reported by farmers to be the major causes of crop losses by wildlife. Of farmers, 73% reported suffering crop damage caused by primates, and 79% considered baboons to be the most destructive of all crop raiding species. Drought, insect pests, poor sowing, plant diseases and accidental fires were other sources of crop losses to farmers, though the risk of crop damage particularly by primates is perceived as the most serious potential cause of losses. Using chimpanzees as a case study, patterns of crop damage across the year are compared with seasonal fluctuations in availability of wild foods.

Leafing, flowering and fruiting of Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. nilotica in savanna parklands in Uganda

Vitellaria paradoxa leafing, flowering and fruiting patterns were monitored in Otuke county (Lira district), northern Uganda, over a period of 25 months. The monitoring revealed that leaf shedding takes place in the middle of the dry season and the trees are in full leaf by the onset of the wet season. New leaves continue to appear on the new shoots while old leaves persist during the leaf-fall period. The pattern of leafing and leaf loss, flowering and fruiting are unimodal with major peaks in flowering and fruiting, although in the study area rainfall is bimodal. Flowering was concentrated in months when the atmospheric relative humidity begins to rise from an initially low value (around November), peaks three months later and usually ends when rainy conditions persist. Flowers produced during the rainy season usually abort. Fruiting starts at the end of the dry season (December/January) and peaks from February to April. Seed matures during the rainy season (March to May) and fruit harvesting occurs mainly from May to August, when the soil is well supplied with plant available water but coinciding with high pre-growing season famine risk in the community.

Visitor characteristics and attitudes towards Kibale National Park, Uganda

Abstract Since the introduction of ecotourism to Kibale National Park in 1992 its visitor numbers have risen to about 5000 per annum, creating the need for proper planning and management. A visitor survey — the first major study to be carried out in Uganda — was therefore conducted with the aim of assessing visitor characteristics. The survey found that over 90% of visitors were from overseas and many were on vacation and visiting for the first time. Their visits were planned and they came mainly to view the chimpanzees, the main attraction at Kibale. Most visitors felt the recreational facilities at Kibale were of low standard and several changes were proposed, but some visitors indicated that the park should be kept as it is. It was concluded that these views should be considered in the planning and management of Kibale if sustainable ecotourism is to prove a realistic goal. Greater visitor control has been proposed as well as further research into visitor behaviour.

Traditional farming and plant species diversity in agricultural landscapes of south-western Uganda

An effort was undertaken in Bushwere Parish (Mbarara district, south-western Uganda) between 1999 and 2000 to develop sustainable and participatory approaches to plant biodiversity conservation at the farm level. One hundred farmers were interviewed on their socio-economic profiles and plant use strategies. Plant diversity was assessed in 400 plots of 5 m × 5m established in 53 field types of seven land-use categories. The most species-rich land-use category was under annual crops (149 plant species) while the most species-rich field type was planted with bananas (118 species). Shannon diversity and Sorensen’s similarity indices were used to compute species diversity and similarity, respectively, between field types and land-uses. The most plant diverse land-use was natural woodland, the least fallow. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that occurrence of species, field type or land-use depended upon environmental factors such as elevation, position on the slope and soil type. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that species utility and occurrence were related to the socio-economic status of farmers. Plant species were most diverse in land-uses located on hill tops and steep slopes. Farmers should therefore be advised on how to maintain plant diversity in agricultural landscapes.

Fire control as a simple means of promoting tropical forest restoration

Tropical deforestation is occurring at an alarming rate. The loss of these forests contributes significantly to total global carbon dioxide emissions and accelerating rates of climate change; moreover, many deforested lands lose fertility and are abandoned. Demands to protect biodiversity and reverse climate change call for efforts to reforest such lands, and one method is through fire control, as fire suppresses tree regeneration. Unfortunately, the success of fire control is often not known for tropical regions because research efforts must span decades. We compared above ground biomass in two plots of regenerating forest that were protected from fire for 12 and 32 years in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Tree biomass of the plots was substantial, and while the biomass of the 12- and 32-year plots did not differ significantly, the 12-year plot had a higher biomass in the small diameter classes in comparison to the 32-year plot. Twenty-four tree species were growing in 12-year plot, while 46 grew in the 32-year plot. We conclude that fire exclusion is a promising approach for tropical forest restoration, and we demonstrate that it is cost-effective relative to programs that plant tree seedlings.

Combined Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Chemical and Biological Properties and Maize Yield in Rubona, Southern Rwanda

Effects of Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner, Tithonia diversifolia Hensley A.Gray and Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f green manure applied independently or combined with triple superphosphate (TSP) on soil chemical and biological properties that influence maize yield were evaluated on an Ultisol of Rubona, Rwanda. Treatments compared in randomised complete block design were the control, limestone at 2.5 t ha–1, TSP at 25 and 50 kg P ha–1, leaf of Calliandra, Tithonia and Tephrosia applied independently at 25 and 50 kg P ha–1 and each combined with TSP at equivalent rates of 25 and 50 kg P ha–1, respectively. Lime led to significant increases in soil pH followed by Tithonia combined with TSP at a rate of 50 kg P ha–1. All treatments significantly reduced exchangeable acidity and aluminium compared to the control. A combination of organic materials with TSP at a rate of 50 kg P ha–1 improved soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and phosphorus (MBP). Compared to TSP applied alone, only the combination of Tithonia with TSP increased labile inorganic P fractions by 1.6–52.2%. In the fourth season, application of Tithonia green manure combined with TSP at a rate of 50 kg P ha–1 resulted in higher maize yield (25% increase) than TSP and Tithonia (9% increase) applied alone. Plant quality residues, labile inorganic P fractions, soil organic carbon, MBC and MBP values were correlated with maize yield, confirming the crucial role of plant residues quality and the soil properties in improving maize yield.

Mineral composition of Tamarindus indica LINN (tamarind) pulp and seeds from different agro‐ecological zones of Uganda

Abstract Mineral composition of dry Tamarindus indica LINN pulp and seeds was evaluated on samples collected from three different agro‐ecological zones of Uganda (Lake Victoria Crescent, and Eastern and West Nile). The objective of the study was to evaluate the mineral composition of T. indica pulp and seed samples from across Ugandas different agro‐ecological zones and land use types. Separately grounded samples of T. indica pulp and seeds were analyzed for Zn, Fe, Mg, P, Na, K, and Ca. The univariate analysis of variance in the General Linear Model was used to compare differences in mineral composition. Treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) in Post Hoc Tests. The results showed that there were significant differences (p ≤ 0.005) in mineral composition levels of T. indica pulp and seed samples between the different agro‐ecological zones with the exception of P and Na (for pulp). The T. indica pulp and seeds samples from the Lake Victoria Crescent zone and wild land use type had generally higher mineral levels than T. indica samples from other agro‐ecological zones and different land use types. As mineral composition levels were generally higher in the seed than the pulp samples, consumption of T. indica seeds should be promoted. There is also need to conserve individual species both on‐farm and in the wild population, but T. indica mineral concentrations (both pulp and seeds) were higher in the samples from the wild population, making them good for human and animal diets.

Market conduct and performance of wild and semi-wild food plants traded in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda

This study assessed the market conduct and performance of wild and semi-wild food plants (WSWFPs) traded in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda. A rapid market survey (RMS) was conducted in 17 local markets in Kibanda County. Market prices and weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs were compared with some of the selected conventional food plants traded in the same locality. Weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs based on the usual units of the measurement (including bundles and heaps) within the markets were estimated per species sold. The profit margin was computed per traded species. Transport expenses were excluded in the cost computation because only 4% of the traders incurred transport expenses in form of hired bicycles. Out of 62 WSWFPs belonging to 31 botanical families documented as edible in the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, about 47% belonging to 12 botanical families were traded in formal and informal markets. Market information system was largely rudimentary and undeveloped, and traders rely mainly on information from fellow traders as well as their customers to make market decisions. Traded products were primarily delivered to markets on foot and using bicycles. Currently, there are no definite or formal mechanisms of setting prices of traded WSWFPs; most traders relied on the daily market demand, time and risks involved in gathering process, information of the price of substitute food and prices from other areas, knowledge of the past seasons’ prices, and on the costs incurred from the suppliers. With exception of few species such as Physalis peruviana and Basella alba , weekly volumes of traded WSWFPs were low as compared to most conventional food crops. On the other hand, prices of most traded WSWFPs were generally similar to those of alternative conventional food plants marketed in the area. Some WSWFPs like Hibiscus acetosella , B. alba and Hyptis spicigera (seeds), had higher market prices per unit measurement as compared to the related conventional food plants. Average weekly profits yielded from the trade of various WSWFPs were moderate and ranged from UGX 764.5 to 6754.2 (USD 0.38 to 3.36). The highest return came from species such as H. spicigera, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Aframomum angustifolium, Borassus aethiopum, B. alba, Solanum nigrum, Aframomum alboviolaceum and Canarium schweinfurthii . Key words : Market conduct, market performance, wild edibles, wild foods, Uganda

Physicochemical composition of Tamarindus indica L. (Tamarind) in the agro-ecological zones of Uganda

Abstract The relationships between the physicochemical composition of Tamarindus indica pulp and seeds, and agro‐ecological zones and land use types were assessed in Uganda. The objective was to determine the relationship between the physicochemical composition, agro‐ecological zones, and land use types. The samples were processed by manually depulping the T. indica pods, sun‐drying the pulp and seeds, and grinding into powder. The powdered samples were analyzed for β‐carotenoids, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), calorific value, crude oil, acid, and peroxide values. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in the general linear model (GLM). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to relate the physicochemical properties to the agro‐ecological zones and land use types. There were significant differences (p ≤ .05) in the physicochemical composition variables between agro‐ecological zones and land use types. Land use types showed strong correlations with physicochemical properties while agro‐ecological zones did not show correlations. The results show that in terms of general properties, T. indica pods provide a valuable, rich, and exceptional source of vitamin C, compared to many widely consumed indigenous and conventional fruits and vegetables. The pods from land use types characterized by natural habitats had relatively more nutrient levels than the land use types influenced by anthropogenic activities.

ILLEGAL RESOURCE USE AND RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE FROM KARUMA WILDLIFE RESERVE IN UGANDA

ABSTRACT Provision of land and resettlement of people living illegally in protected areas are important processes in economic empowerment of local communities and conservation of natural resources. This study highlights a prevailing natural resource management problem, that is, illegal settlement and resource use in Karuma Wildlife Reserve. The aim of the study was to assess whether or not voluntary resettlement of encroachers in the reserve could help to reduce illegal use of resources. This was accomplished by carrying out household interviews and visiting the resettlement sites. It was found that provision of land alone for settlement and farming cannot reduce illegal resource use. Local communities need financial support to carry out other alternative economic activities to improve their incomes and reduce dependence on protected resources. It was concluded that people living in abject poverty cannot support conservation of resources without alternative income generating activities. Moreover, local co...