Browsing by Author "Mugonola, B"

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    Pig Production in Gulu and Omoro Districts of Northern Uganda
    (Stechnolock Veterinary Science, 2021) Kasima, JS; Mugonola, B; Ndyomugyenyi, EK
    The potential of pig production to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers is constrained by inadequate use of pig production technologies. Technologies like the use of artificial insemination (AI) to improve breeds have been suggested to improve pig production. Pig production in Northern Uganda, however, remains low suggesting limited use of such technologies. Three technologies (Indigenous Micro-organism (IMO) technology, artificial insemination and use of feed formula from dominant locally available feedstuffs) were introduced to the smallholder farmers in Gulu and Omoro districts of northern Uganda. Prior to implementation, however, it necessitated that the status of pig production among farmers be established against which the impact of the initiative to introduce these technologies will be assessed. This paper therefore aimed at determining the status of pig production in northern Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 109 purposively selected pig farmers recruited to participate in technology implementation. 59.6% were males, aged between 36-64 years (53.2%), married (78%), with household size of 7-9 members (42.2%), had attained primary education (58.7%) and had 1-5 acres of land (54.1%). The average herd size was 4.6 pigs with 67.4% farmers keeping local pigs. Piglets dominated the herds in both districts with 89% farmers keeping pigs as the main livestock species. Income generation was the primary reason for keeping pigs. Piggery was constrained by expensive feeding (82.6%) and diseases (47.7%). 93.6% farmers fed pigs on local feedstuffs with no definite formula, 59.6% housed their pigs but none used either artificial insemination or indigenous micro-organism technologies. In conclusion, there exists limited knowledge on, and use of the three technologies. There is therefore need to train farmers on these technologies and later assess their acceptance and adoption, and their impact on status of pig production.
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    Seasonal variability in food and nutrition security among children 0-3 years in Karamoja sub-region of Uganda
    (African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2022-09-09) Muggaga, C; Ongeng, D; Mugonola, B; Okello-Uma, I; Kaaya, N.A.; Taylor, D
    Optimal nutrition and good feeding of infants and young children are among the most important determinants of their health, growth and development. Due to unimodal climate in Karamoja sub-region, north eastern Uganda, achieving food security remains a development challenge in the area impacting negatively on the nutrition and health status of infants and young children. The current study, therefore, is important in providing the basis for season-based interventions to improve food and nutrition security in Karamoja sub-region. A longitudinal study involving 267 lactating mothers during harvesting season and 380 during planting season was conducted. Data were collected using Individual level Dietary Diversity questionnaire, 24-Hour Dietary Recall, and Anthropometry and were analyzed statistically. The findings indicated that except Abim district, 77.8-97.8%of the lactating mothers never attended school; 75- 100% depend on subsistence farming. Lactating mothers (29.9-41.9%) introduced complementary foods to their infants at 6 months, while the age at first introduction of any food to the infant was mostly between 4-6 months. Dietary quality of complementary foods was low across all the districts; 6.7-38.9% of the children ate foods from four or more of the seven food groups in the previous day (Minimum Dietary Diversity) in both seasons. Complementary foods were characterized by plant food sources. With exception of milk and milk products, proportion of children who consumed animal-sourced foods was low, ranging from 0% in meats to 8.9% in fish and sea foods. Energy and nutrient intakes varied according to age groups of the children across districts and season. The proportion of children below -2 Z-score also varied according to districts and it is generally higher during the planting season than the harvesting season. The median of the z-scores for height-for age and Mid Upper Arm Circumference for age ranged from -1 to -2.5. In conclusion, there were variations and disparities in dietary diversity, energy and nutrient intake as well as nutrition status of infants and young children across season and districts in Karamoja sub-region of Uganda. Therefore, interventions to combat malnutrition among children 0-3 years need to take into account seasonal variations for each of the geographical locations in Karamoja sub-region.