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Effects of thermal acclimation and ecological background on the physiological responses of juvenile Oreochromis esculentus (Graham, 1928). Implications for the species adaptive capacity to global warming
(Aquaculture Research, 2021-10-12) Nagayi, Jane Kalule Yawe; KisakyeJohn , Joseph; Tenywa Mwanja, Matthew; Nattabi; Opio Alfonse
Climate change is a recognized global concern in the 21st century. Water temperature elevation is likely to affect fish physiological and ethological function, causing great economic losses for fisheries resources and aquaculture production. Fish are particularly vulnerable to climate change as they are unable to control their body temperatures with changes in environmental temperature. This study assessed the effects of thermal acclimation in three juvenile populations of Oreochromis esculentus on the critical thermal maximum CTmax, cortisol, biochemical and haematological responses to acute temperature increase (0.3°Cmin−1). Fish from Senya farm, Lake Kacheera and Lake Nabisojjo were acclimated at 25°C, 28°C, 31°C and 34°C for 21 days at Kajjansi aquaculture research and development centre KARDC. The CTmax and blood cell counts increased, while plasma cortisol, glucose and proteins decreased at higher acclimation temperatures. Two-way ANOVA showed significant differences among treatments in CTmax, cortisol, proteins and erythrocytes indices, but not in glucose and leucocytes. However, significant variations among populations were only showed in CTmax. Overall, these results suggest that O. esculentus can respond to higher climate change induced temperatures, when allowed time for acclimation. Since temperature adaptation not only depends on the parameters assessed in this study, we recommend further investigations into metabolic rate and digestive enzymatic activity.
Population characteristics of Oreochromis esculentus in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins. Implications for conservation and improvement of the stocks
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Afr. J. Ecol., 2006) Nagayi-Yawe, K. J.,; Ogutu-Ohwayo, R; Kizito, Y. S; Balirwa, J. S.
The tilapiine fish Oreochromis esculentus, is endemic to only lakes Victoria and Kyoga and a few satellite lakes in the two lake basins. It was the most important commercial fish species during the first half of the 20th century in the two lake basins but because of over-exploitation and competition with introduced tilapiines, its stocks declined and, by 1980s, O. esculentus was virtually absent from the two main lakes. Lakes Mburo, Kachera, Kayanja and Kayugi in the Lake
Victoria basin, and Nabisojjo, Kawi and Lemwa, in the Lake Kyoga basin, where remnants of the species survived were investigated using experimental fleets of gillnets from 1997 to end of 2002 with the objective of determining the species length frequency distribution, condition factor, feeding and breeding to guide its management, conservation and enhancement.
Fish caught in Lake Kayugi, where diatoms dominated in the stomach contents attained the largest size, were most fecund and had a high value of condition factor K.These findings suggest that diatoms were vital in the survival of O. esculentus. However, with the recent shift of algal communities from diatoms to blue-green algae in most aquatic systems, assimilation of blue-green algae by O. esculentus should be investigated.
Prevalence of Commonly Consumed Drugs in Mbarara City, Uganda
(EAST AFRICAN NATURE & SCIENCE ORGANIZATION, 2026-02-23) Habimaana, Samuel,; Kemigisha ,Chalrotte; Nnamuyomba, Proscovia; Ntambi Emmanuel; Adaku ,Christopher
Pharmaceutical consumption is rising globally, with significant implications for environmental pollution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In sub-Saharan Africa, weak prescription control, widespread self-medication, and insufficient wastewater treatment amplify risks of pharmaceutical residues entering aquatic systems. Studies in Uganda have detected active pharmaceutical ingredients in urban waters, including River Rwizi, a critical domestic and agricultural water source for Mbarara City. However, systematic data linking patterns of drug consumption to environmental risks in Mbarara City remain scarce. Through a descriptive cross-sectional survey, drug use prevalence across public and private healthcare outlets in Mbarara City was assessed, focusing on 30 essential medicines listed in the Uganda Clinical Guidelines (2023). Data was collected from 81 drug outlets in strategically selected clusters adjacent to the River Rwizi and analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results show extremely high prevalence of paracetamol (97.5%), amoxicillin (96.3%), ibuprofen (93.8%), azithromycin (86.4%), ciprofloxacin (82.7%), metronidazole (84.0%), coartem (80.2%), eftriaxone (77.8%), and doxycycline (76.5%), indicating a narrow subset of medicines that dominate urban consumption. These drugs address the city’s burden of febrile illnesses, malaria, and bacterial infections, but their widespread and unregulated use heightens risks of AMR development and pharmaceutical pollution.
The findings indicate an urgent need for integrated pharmaceutical stewardship, improved wastewater treatment, and environmental monitoring of the River Rwizi. By establishing a baseline of commonly consumed drugs in Mbarara City, this study provides essential evidence for guiding rational drug use policies, waste management strategies, and interventions to safeguard both public health and aquatic ecosystems.
Liver and renal biochemical profiles of people with sickle cell disease in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies
(MBC., 2023-08) Awor Silvia; Bongomin Flexi; Kaggwa Mark Mohan; Pebalo Francis; Epila Jackie; Malinga Geoffrey Maxwell; Oryema Christine; Nnamuyomba Proscovia; Abola Benard; Ongwech Acaye; Musoke David
Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by a painful vaso-occlusive crisis due to the sickling of red blood cells in capillaries. Complications often lead to liver and renal dysfunctions, contributing to morbidity and mortality, particularly for children under 5. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the liver and renal functions of people with SCD (HbSS) compared to those without it (HbAA) in Africa.
Methods The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022346771). We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords “liver function”, “renal function”, “sickle cell disease”, and “Africa”
on 6th May 2023 for peer-reviewed articles with abstracts in English. We included case-control studies comparing SCD (HbSS) with controls without hemoglobinopathies (HbAA). We used the random-effect model to calculate the pooled average values for the blood tests of people with SCD in RStudio version 4.2.2. Results Overall, 17 articles were analyzed from five African countries involving 1312 people with SCD and 1558 controls. The pooled mean difference of liver enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) was 8.62 (95% CI − 2.99–20.23, I2 = 97.0%, p < 0.01), alanine transaminase (ALT) 7.82 (95% CI − 0.16–15.80, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) − 2.54 (95% CI − 64.72 – 59.64, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01) compared to controls. The pooled mean difference for the renal biochemical profiles creatinine − 3.15 (95% CI − 15.02; 8.72, I2=99%, p < 0.01) with a funnel plot asymmetry of t = 1.09, df = 9, p = 0.3048 and sample estimates bias of 6.0409. The pooled mean difference for serum urea was − 0.57 (95% CI − 3.49; 2.36, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01), and the estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate was 19.79 (95% CI 10.89–28.68 mL/min/1.73 m2, I2 = 87%, p < 0.01) compared to controls. Conclusion People with SCD have slightly elevated liver enzymes and estimated glomerular filtration rates compared to controls in Africa. With all the heterogeneity (I2) > 50%, there was substantial variation in the reported articles’ results.
Trace Elements in Marketed Rastreneobola Argentea and Clarias Werneri Caught from Selected Aquatic Ecosystems in Uganda
(International Journal of Current Trends in Engineering & Technology, 2015-08) Nnamuyomba, Proscovia; Mbabazi, Jolocam; Ntale, Muhammad
Samples of two fish species Rastreneobola argentea and Clarias werneri from Lake Victoria, Lake Kyoga and Nakivubo and Lubigi wetlands were analysed for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer - Perkin-Elmer Model 2380.
The results revealed that Zn concentrations were the highest in both species, followed by Cu; Pb and Cd being the lowest. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in R. argentea from Lake Victoria ranged between 20.5- 115 µg/Kg, 175 - 495 µg/kg, 15 - 77.5 µg/Kg and 2.5 - 4.45 µg/kg respectively, mean while their concentrations in the same fish species from Lake Kyoga ranged between 12.5 - 37.5 µg/kg (Cu), 35-100 µg/kg (Zn), 5-12.5 µg/kg (Pb), 0.5-1.5 µg/kg (Cd) dry weight. In C.werneri, heavy metals varied between 197-337.5 µg/kg (Cu), 235-670 µg/kg (Zn), 60-77.5 µg/kg (Pb) and 2.5-6.98 µg/kg (Cd) in Lubigi wetland and in Nakivubo wetland, concentrations of heavy metals ranged between 7521320 µg/kg for Cu, 1230-1437 µg/kg for Zn, 85-97.5 µg/kg for Pb and 2.2-7.75 µg/kg for Cd. Heavy metal concentrations obtained in this study were below permissible limits issued by WHO/FAO.
Therefore, the consumption of these fish species may not pose any threat to human health. However periodic monitoring of these metals in the fish caught from water bodies located in urban areas is highly essential to public health