Muni Repository (MR)
This repository contains open access publications of Muni University Library.
Objectives:
- To digitally collect, preserve and provide electronic access to scholarly works and research output of Muni University.
- Increase the visibility and impact of our research, making it easy for researchers, students, policymakers and journalists to reference, replicate, and re-use the work.
- Issue permanent, unique and trustworthy identifiers when creating URLs to access the resource without concern that the location of the resource may change.
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- Contact the library through email: libsupport@muni.ac.ug
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Recent Submissions
Leveraging the internet of things, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence for sustainable forest management
(Mesopotamian Academic Press, 2025-01-17) Ali, Guma; Mijwil, Maad M.; Adamopoulos, Ioannis; Ayad, Jenan
Sustainable forest management is vital for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. Human-induced stresses on forest ecosystems demand innovative approaches to ensure long-term health and productivity. This study explores how cutting-edge technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), remote sensing, and artificial intelligence (AI), enhance sustainable forest management practices. Researchers reviewed 196 studies published between 2021 and 2024 from IEEE Xplore Digital Library, MDPI, Taylor & Francis, ScienceDirect, Frontiers, Springer, SAGE, Hindawi, Nature, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar. The findings highlight IoT devices like drones, enabling real-time data collection on temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and tree growth, facilitating continuous forest monitoring. Remote sensing technologies, utilizing satellite imagery and aerial surveys, deliver high-resolution data for large-scale forest assessments, including forest cover changes, biomass estimation, and early detection of illegal logging. When integrated with AI, these tools enhance predictive modeling, data analysis, and decision-making, leading to more effective forest management strategies. The study also identifies challenges such as data security concerns, bandwidth limitations, interoperability issues, and high costs. Despite these barriers, IoT, remote sensing, and AI present transformative potential for improving forest resilience, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. These technologies are crucial in preserving forest ecosystems and mitigating climate change impacts by advancing real-time monitoring, optimizing resource allocation, and enabling data-driven decisions.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) gene family in Triticum aestivum L.
(Springer Nature, 2025-12-11) Kesawa, Mahipal Singh; Kherawat, Bhagwat Singh; Reager, Madan Lal; Badu, Meenakshi; Kabi, Mandakini; Mohanty, Ankita; Raju, Kalidindi Krishnam; Lenka, Sangram K.; Alamery, Salman Freeh; Al-ateeq, Talak K.; Masika, Fred Bwayo; Hong, Choo Bong
Background: Post-translational modification of proteins by SUMO is critical for a wide range of cellular and developmental processes. Although SUMO proteins have been extensively studied in animals and, to some extent, in Arabidopsis, their precise functions in other crop plants are still largely unknown.
Results: In this research, we identified 31 TaSUMO genes in genome of wheat. Phylogenetic tree unveiled that genes clustered into thirteen subfamilies. Chromosomal mapping unveiled the dispersal of 31 TaSUMO genes across 11 wheat chromosomes. The eleven pairs of duplicated gene were identified in the SUMO family. Ka/Ks ratio revealed that 8 duplicated TaSUMO genes went through purifying purification. Furthermore, it was noted that TaSUMO genes displayed significant conversation in their gene structure. In addition, analysis of promoters uncovered the presence of numerous cis-regulatory elements in the promoter region of the TaSUMO genes. The differential expression patterns were observed among TaSUMO family members across various tissues and in response to multifaceted stress conditions. Moreover, this investigation explored the miRNAs targeted to TaSUMO genes and expression profile in various tissues.
Conclusion: Thus, the results of this study establish a strong basis for further investigation of the functions of TaSUMO genes across different tissues, developmental stages, phytohormone responses, and diverse stress in wheat.
Effect of food insecurity on hazardous alcohol consumption and psychological well-being among people with tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda
(Elsevier, 2025-11-27) Izudi, Jonathan; Appeli, Saidi; Bajunirwe, Francis
Rationale: Food insecurity (FI), hazardous alcohol consumption (HAC), and poor mental health are common among people with tuberculosis (TB), yet empirical evidence on their interrelationships remains limited.
Objective: We evaluated the effect of FI on HAC and psychological well-being among people with pulmonary TB in Kampala, Uganda.
Methods: We collected data across five TB clinics and constructed a quasi-experimental design. FI was the exposure, measured using the FI Experience Scale (FIES). FIES scores range between 0 and 8, and individuals were classified as food insecure if they scored ≥ 4. The primary outcome was HAC, assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) tool. Participants with AUDIT scores ≥ 16, indicating high-risk drinking or possible alcohol dependence, were categorized as having HAC. The secondary outcome was psychological well-being measured using the World Health Organization’s Five Well-Being Index, with a total score of <15 indicating poor psychological well-being. We used doubly robust estimation to report causal risk ratios (RR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI).
Results: Of 818 participants, 475 (58.1 %) were from food-insecure households, 153 (18.7 %) had HAC, and 316 (38.6 %) had poor psychological well-being. FI was independently associated with HAC (RR 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.21–1.69), but not poor psychological well-being (RR 1.06, 95 % CI: 0.81–1.37).
Conclusion: FI is associated with a higher likelihood of HAC but not psychological well-being among people with TB in Kampala, Uganda. Given their high prevalence, there is a need to address food insecurity, HAC, and poor psychological well-being within TB control programs.
Deformations and simultaneous resolution of determinantal surfaces
(Oxford University Press, 2025-11-25) Makonzi, Brian
This paper uses reconstruction algebras to construct simultaneous resolution of determinantal surfaces. The main new difference to the classical case is that, in addition to the quiver of the reconstruction algebra, certain non-commutative relations, namely those of the canonical algebra of Ringel, are required. All the relations of the reconstruction algebra except the canonical relation are then deformed, and these deformed relations together with variation of the geometric invariant theory (GIT) quotient achieve the simultaneous resolution.
Mobile money and the dynamics of income inequality
(Research & Innovation Initiative, 2025-11-29) Eton, Marus; Ocan, Johnson; Ogwel, Bernard Patrick; Andama, Felix Adiburu
Purpose: This article examines the relationship between mobile money adoption and income inequality in Arua City, Uganda. Although mobile money is often promoted as a tool for financial inclusion, its distributional outcomes remain underexplored.
Methods: The study uses a mixed qualitative approach, combining household surveys, econometric analysis, and interviews to examine how mobile money affects income disparities. This methodology provides a comprehensive quantitative insight into usage patterns, household income distribution, and individual experiences.
Results: Results indicate that mobile money facilitates financial participation, enhances household resilience, and expands economic opportunities, particularly for marginalized groups. However, unequal uptake driven by differences in education, digital literacy, and access to complementary financial services creates a paradox: while mobile money reduces some barriers to inclusion, it simultaneously risks amplifying socioeconomic divides.
Implications: The study advances the literature on digital finance by highlighting the context-specific mechanisms through which mobile money influences income inequality. Policy implications point to the need for targeted interventions that strengthen digital capabilities, expand access across income groups, and ensure that financial innovation contributes to equitable development.