Browsing by Author "Mpewo, Maxmillan"

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    Heavy metal and metalloid concentrations in agricultural communities around steel and iron industries in Uganda: implications for future food systems
    (ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS AND BIOAVAILABILITY, 2023-06-19) Mpewo, Maxmillan; Kizza-Nkambwe, Sarah; Kasima, Junior Senyonga
    Poor management of effluents from steel and iron industries could increase element concentrations in the environment and threaten the health of consumers of food products from these areas. The current study assessed element concentration and physicochemical properties of soils, water, and vegetation from within 200 m around three steel and iron industries. A workable grid-based sampling design guided soil and plant sampling; upstream-downstream water quality comparisons were adapted with upstream as a control sample. Analyses were conducted following procedures by USEPA method 3051A. Element concentration was in the order Mn>As>Zn>Cr>Pb. The concentrations reduced with increase in distance from the industry. There was moderate-to-strong pollution of soils for As, and transfer factor for all elements was >1. In conclusion, industrial activity might have contributed to increased element concentrations in the soils, vegetation, and water sources around the industries. Agrarian activities may only be safely carried out 151m away from the industries.
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    Indigenous Technical Knowledge and Its Potential Application to Uganda's Pig Sub‐Sector
    (Wiley‐VCH GmbH, 2024-10-22) Kasima, Junior Senyonga; Kidega, Kenneth; Mugonola, Basil; Muyinza, Harriet; Kizza‐Nkambwe, Sarah; Beyihayo, Geoffrey Akiiki; Nokrach, James; Mpewo, Maxmillan; Kisaame, Marx; Ndyomugyenyi, Elly Kurobuza
    Uganda's pork consumption is speculated to exceed any other livestock meat consumption by 2050. However, the current trend in pig production may not meet the demand due to pig production constraints such as recurrent disease incidences and high feeding costs. The proposed modern practices are not cost-effective, especially for resource-constrained pig farmers. This review, therefore, synthesises previous studies on the practicability of integrating Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) in pig production to mitigate the prevailing pig production challenges in Uganda. By employing ITK, smallholder farmers have realised that indigenous pig breeds are disease-resistant and suit the prevailing harsh tropical conditions. In addition, affordable plant-based concoctions have been developed to cure diseases in pigs. For example, Centella asiatica has been identified as a potential purgative for diarrhoeal infections. Integrating pigs in cropping systems has also been adopted as a low-cost alternative to effectively feed pigs for optimal performance. Fortunately, most of the ITK options for solving pig production challenges are feasible in Uganda. Thus, ITK should be embedded in the country's extension system to increase smallholder farmers' awareness about its potential of improving pig production. An ITK-modern technology integration would probably meet the acceptance and be suitable for commercial pig producers.