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CHARACTERIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SELECTION INDICES FOR GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF UGANDAN INDIGENOUS CHICKENS
(Gulu University, 2025) Beyihayo Geoffrey Akiiki
ABSTRACT
Indigenous chicken (IC) farming is constrained by their innate slow growth rate and low eg production. To date, Ugandan IC have not been appropriately characterized, and low-cost
breeding tools are lacking for their genetic improvement.
Therefore, this study assessed the phenotypic and genetic diversity, estimated genetic parameters, and designed selection indices for the genetic improvement of growth and egg production traits of IC. Phenotypic diversitywas assessed based on morphometric measurements of 576 IC sampled across the 9 agroecological zones of Uganda. To assess genetic diversity, whole blood was collected from the same IC for DNA extraction and subsequent genotyping based on 15 microsatellites. To estimate genetic parameters and construct selection indices, measurements of body weight, shank length and reproductive traits of hens corresponding to three consecutive generations were recorded. Phenotypically, Ugandan IC ecotypes were not unique from each other. Genetically, Ugandan IC ecotypes belong to two major population clusters and were characterized by large genetic admixture. The first cluster, population one, comprises the Teso, Nsoga, and Gisu ecotypes, while the Madi, Nganda, Nyoro, Lango, Acholi, and Ankole chickens belong to the second cluster, population two.
Weight of hens at four weeks of age (W4) and weight at on-set of lay (WOL) were components of the top-ranked selection indices in the equal (w1) and broad sense heritability (wh2) weight categories. Selection index I17 = 3.25W4 – 176.59SL4 + 0.84W12 + 22.12SL12 + 0.38WOL + 21.89EW + 2.51EN, with the highest genetic advance, is recommended for genetic improvement of growth and egg production traits.Incorporating more traits in the index increases the value of genetic advance, the number of
generations, and years required to achieve the breeding objectives. In conclusion, shank length at 8 and 12 weeks of age is a phenotypic marker of higher body weight at first egg and eggyield, respectively. It is recommended that genetic parameters of qualitative traits such as broodiness be estimated and consequently incorporated in the selection indices.
Conflict Over Environmental Resources: Tensions between the Refugees and Host Communities in Adjumani District, Northern Uganda
(2026-09-28) Okello Moses Rubangangeyo
This study analyzed the complex dynamics of environmental resource-related conflicts between refugees and host communities in Adjumani District, Northern Uganda.
Its general objective was to analyze the extent to which the influx of South Sudanese refugees had created these tensions. Specifically, the research aimed to investigate the factors that contributed to these conflicts, assess their socio-economic impact on both refugee and host populations, and analyze the effectiveness of existing policies and interventions designed to address them.
The study employed a qualitative research design. Data were accurately collected through 8 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), 2 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and 31 household interviews conducted with both refugee and host community members. The primary data was complemented by a comprehensive review of relevant secondary literature and policy documents.
Data analysis utilized a thematic approach, incorporating verbatim quotes to capture the real lived experiences and perspectives of the participants.
Findings revealed that intense competition over increasingly scarce environmental resources, particularly land, water, and firewood, exacerbated by environmental degradation and inadequate resource management, significantly fuelled tensions. These conflicts had profound socio-economic consequences, including disrupted livelihoods, increased poverty, strained social cohesion, and heightened safety concerns, particularly for vulnerable women and girls. While various conflict resolution mechanisms and environmental restoration efforts were in place, the study identified critical gaps in policy implementation, resource limitations, and a notable lack of equitable host community involvement, which often led to further resentment.
The study concluded that environmental resource conflicts in Adjumani were complex and deeply affected both refugee and host populations, indicating that current interventions, despite their good intentions, were often insufficient or inequitably applied.
It recommended the urgent need for more inclusive and context-specific policies, equitable resource management practices, and strengthened community-based conflict resolution mechanisms that meaningfully engaged all stakeholders.
A limitation of this research was its specific geographical focus on Adjumani, which might limit the direct generalizability of findings to all refugee-hosting contexts. Future research could explore quantitative measures of resource depletion or long-term impacts of specific policy interventions to build upon these insights.
URBAN RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR PUBLIC GREEN SPACES IN LIRA CITY.
(Gulu University, 2025) Eper Ceasor
ABSTRACT
Urban public green spaces play an essential role in enhancing environmental sustainability,
social well-being, and economic vibrancy within cities. However, rapid urbanization across
Sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, has placed increasing pressure on these spaces, leading
to their degradation and conversion for other uses. This study examined urban residents’
perceptions and willingness to pay (WTP) for public green spaces in Lira City, and further
analyzed how proximity to these spaces influences surrounding land values.
A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. Data were collected from 397
households, 60 property owners, and key informants, including city officials, planners, and
green space managers. Structured questionnaires and contingent valuation methods were
applied to capture quantitative insights, while interviews provided qualitative depth.
Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, as well as binary and multinomial
logistic regression in SPSS and STATA. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed.
Findings revealed that awareness of public green spaces was high (97.5%), though frequent
usage was limited. Residents valued green spaces highly, especially for environmental
(M=4.32) and recreational (M=4.11) benefits, with a composite perception index mean of 4.01.
Socio-demographic factors had a limited influence on perceptions, with education showing a
modest effect. Willingness-to-pay analysis indicated that 67.5% of respondents were prepared
to contribute financially, with income being a strong predictor of WTP. Reasons for
unwillingness included mistrust in fund management and economic constraints. Regarding
property dynamics, respondents living closer to Mayor’s Garden and Akii-Bua Stadium
reported positive impacts on land values, a finding confirmed through multinomial logistic
regression, which showed that proximity significantly increased the likelihood of perceived
property value appreciation.
The study concludes that public green spaces are highly valued by residents, both socially and
economically, but their sustainability depends on adequate financing, inclusive planning, and
effective governance. It recommends strengthening institutional commitment, promoting
community participation, and adopting innovative financing mechanisms such as publicprivate
partnerships to support maintenance and enhancement. These insights contribute to
evidence-based urban planning and policy, reinforcing the role of green spaces in achieving
sustainable city development in Uganda and other rapidly urbanizing contexts in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
African Values in Global Ethics and the Emerging New World Order
(Journal of Research in Philosophy and History, 2018-10-10) Lajul, Wilfred
Global ethics is the universal aspiration of the citizens of the world towards minimum common values, standards, and basic moral attitudes, shared by all for a better world order. While ethics is the rational justification of the principles of right and wrong. Contrary to the view that the emerging new world order is the intensification of international relations, globalization, or the advent of a cryptoclastic secretive world government conspiring to rule the world, this paper believes that the emerging new world order is a result of human effort to subjugate nature to the laws designed by human reason. It is the attempt of human beings to create themselves and their own laws. It is this effort to manipulate
nature to give answers to human problems, which has produced the kind of modern technologies that has turned the world into a global village and made easier international relations. In this process, African traditional values will either be rejected as irrelevant, trans-valued to higher levels, or Africans are deemed to acquire some completely new values to regulate their affairs. However, contemporary society faces peril if it ignores some of these basic African values like, respect for life, the environment, and nature.
Remain or return? Dual citizenship and uncertainity: the case of South Sudanese refugees in Lamwo District, Northern Uganda
(Gulu University, 2026) Achiro Flavia
Uganda remains Africa’s largest hosting country for many refugees from different African
States such as South Sudan, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, and others with refugees from South Sudan constituting the largest percentage of the total refugee populations. This study and question on Remain or return? Dual citizenship and uncertainty, was carried out in Palabek refugee settlement in Lamwo district, Northern Uganda. The study was guided by three objectives including (a) to examine factors that influence the pursuit for dual citizenship (b) to explore and describe the perceptions of South Sudanese refugees towards dual citizenship and (c) to understand and document how the practice to dual citizenship can be strategized.
A qualitative research approach was employed and data collected over a period of three weeks. A case study design was used with attendant methods being interviews and focus group discussions. Case study research design allowed for an understanding of phenomena in real life situations and for the collection of a great deal of information regarding the topic. Furthermore, the key informants identified for this study were purposively selected and included the Refugees, the Woman Leader, Refugee Welfare Committee 3 & 2, Office of the Prime Minister, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Immigration office.
The key findings showed that there is inadequate knowledge about dual citizenship amongst the refugees. Another finding was that refugees hardly have access to dual citizenship programs as; some of them have resorted to intermarriage to easily acquire dual citizenship.
To remedy this, the research recommends that awareness on dual citizenship should be introduced in the settlement to enable the refugees know their rights. Secondly, the authorities working in the settlement handling refugee affairs especially OPM and UNHCR should work closely with the refugee local leaders and other organizations advocating for the right to citizenship by refugees. With this partnership, it will help to harmonize the gaps surrounding the right to dual citizenship.