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.
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- 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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Recent Submissions
Harvesting, preparation and preservation of commonly consumed wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda
(East African Nature & Science Organization, 2026-07-09)
Wild and semi-wild food plants (WSWFPs) continue to contribute significantly to food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in many rural African communities, although indigenous knowledge associated with their use remains poorly documented. This study investigated local methods used in harvesting, preparation, preservation, and storage of commonly consumed WSWFPs in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, western Uganda. Data were generated through eight focus group discussions conducted with knowledgeable community members from Mutunda and Kiryandongo sub-counties. Information collected focused on indigenous harvesting practices, food preparation procedures, preservation methods, and shelf-life of selected WSWFPs. Findings indicated that communities employed diverse harvesting techniques depending on the plant part required, including hand-picking, uprooting, digging, cutting stems, collecting fallen fruits, climbing trees, and shaking branches. Preparation procedures varied widely across species but commonly involved sorting, washing, wilting, chopping, boiling, steaming, frying, and mixing with groundnut or simsim paste. Preservation was dominated by direct sun drying, while additional methods included blanching before drying, salting, smoking, wrapping in banana leaves, and storage in cool, moist conditions. Shelf-life varied considerably according to species and preservation technique, ranging from only a few days for fresh materials to several months for dried products. The study demonstrated that indigenous knowledge systems remain central in sustaining the utilisation of WSWFPs within rural communities. However, erosion of traditional knowledge, environmental degradation, and changing food preferences threaten the continuity of these practices. Sustainable utilisation of WSWFPs in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom requires improved harvesting, preparation, and preservation practices. Communities should adopt non-destructive harvesting methods, strengthen food preparation knowledge, and promote hygienic preservation techniques such as sun drying, blanching, smoking, and proper storage. Documentation of indigenous knowledge, establishment of community processing centres, and integration of WSWFPs into food security programs are essential.
Losers and winners in the academe: The Psychological burdens and benefits of elective academic leadership in universities
(East African Nature & Science Organization, 2026-07-09) Atibuni1, Dennis Zami; Olema, David Kani; Kibanja, Grace Milly
Elective academic leadership is trending across higher education institutions worldwide. Postulates of being elected in the political academe, rather than being selected (or appointed), as is the case in the classical academe, are associated with benefits of enhanced credibility, effectiveness, accountability, and representation. However, elective academic leadership comes with burdens for individuals and institutions. This conceptual review article, developed using a semi-systematic literature review methodology, examines the psychological benefits and burdens of elective academic leadership in universities. The paper posits the centrality of academic leadership in the academe, traces the origins of elective academic leadership, and explores the context of the political rather than classical academic leadership. We argue that investment in politicising academic leadership is a recipe for stress and pressure to perform, additional workload and responsibility, high expectations from colleagues and students, and potential burnout and emotional exhaustion among the leaders. The paper therefore proffers strategies for a paradigm shift from an intrigue-laden political academic leadership to a merit-based classical academic leadership. Implications for policy and practice are also discussed.
Combination of different intervention strategies for malaria mosquito vector control in Uganda: A review of secondary data of two districts with moderate to high disease transmission
(Public Library of Science (PLOS), 2026-07-06) Okek, Erick Jacob; Nambatya, Winnie; Nakalembe, Loyce; Awor, Silvia; Musinguzi, Benson; Drasiku, Amos; Obondo, Sande James; Lukindu, Martin; Lutwama, Julius; Kayondo, Jonathan; Ocan, Moses
Background
Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) used either singly or in combination are the main mass mosquito vector control measures for malaria control. Despite their widespread use, malaria transmission rates remain high, the burden is unacceptably huge, and yet the disease is completely preventable. This study measured the impact of compounds used in different types and campaigns of IRS and ITNs, different permutations of IRS + ITNs on malaria test positivity rates in high disease transmission settings of Yumbe district and Gulu district.
Method
The Ministry of Health’s District Health Information System 2 (DHIS 2) records on distribution of ITNs, IRS schedules and malaria cases by gender, age and geographical location (Gulu and Yumbe districts) collected over a five-year period (DHIS 2 records accessed on 11th February 2025) were used in the final analysis. Data collection was done using a checklist developed in an Excel spreadsheet. Data on the following were extracted; socio-demographic characteristics, number of monthly malaria tests, monthly numbers of positive malaria tests, the type of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) distributed, the type of Indoor Residual Spray (IRS) applied and the time points that the interventions were deployed. The data was exported into STATA ver 17.0,cleaned and additional variables generated prior to the interrupted time series and Difference in Difference analysis. The monthly malaria test positivity rate (TPR) was calculated while adjusting for variability in rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. A regression analysis and graphical plots using the Generalized Estimation Equation (GEE) population average models were performed.
Results
After controlling for monthly variation in rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity, the deployment of malaria vector control interventions in Yumbe district led to a much faster reduction in TPR of 0.006 units/0.56% per month; p < 0.00 (about 5 times faster than Gulu district). The 2020 distribution of Yorkool ITNs in Yumbe did not significantly change the long-term trend in TPR of the district relative to Gulu that maintained distribution of PermaNets ITN (trend change difference = 0.0111, beta = −0.0054, 95% CI:0.1145, 0.1038, p = 0.923). Fludora Fusion demonstrated a profound impact. The difference-in-differences interaction term was highly statistically significant, showing an absolute 21.2% drop in the Malaria Test Positivity Rate in Yumbe District relative to Gulu district (beta = −0.2123, 95% CI: −0.2801, −0.1444, p < 0.001). Following a co-deployment of Actellic 300 CS IRS+ Royal Guard ITNs in Yumbe and distribution of PermaNet ITNs in Gulu, the difference-in-differences interaction term was highly statistically significant, demonstrating an absolute 25.1% drop in the Malaria Test Positivity Rate in Yumbe District compared to Gulu district (beta = −0.2508, 95%CI:-0.3279, −0.1737,p < 0.001).
Conclusion
In areas of high malaria transmission, deployment of either ITNs alone, IRS alone, or in combination can be an effective tool for malaria case reduction. However, a more sustained and significant reduction is achieved through the simultaneous deployment of IRS and ITNs. Crucially, the efficacy of these combined interventions is highly shaped by the specific classes of insecticides and active compounds utilized within the deployed ITN types and IRS campaigns.
‘Dwete a Lango’: Lunar Timekeeping, Culture, and Sustainability in Northern Uganda
(East African Nature & Science Organization, 2026-07-08) Agea, Jacob Godfrey; Eton, Marus
In this paper, we examined the Traditional Lango Lunar Calendar (Dwete a Lango) as an indigenous knowledge system that historically guided agriculture, food security, environmental management, social organisation, and cultural practices among the Lango people of Northern Uganda. The study was motivated by the rapid erosion of indigenous knowledge resulting from westernisation, modernisation, formal education, globalisation, religious transformation, climate variability, and changing socio-economic conditions. Despite its historical significance in organising rural livelihoods and maintaining ecological balance, the Lango lunar calendar has received limited scholarly documentation and analysis. We adopted a qualitative ethnographic research design grounded in indigenous knowledge and cultural ecology theories. Data were collected through oral interviews, focus group discussions, and document review involving elders, cultural leaders, farmers, herbalists, historians, academics, and local government officials from selected districts in the Lango sub-region. Findings revealed that the calendar comprised thirteen lunar months, each linked to distinct environmental conditions, agricultural activities, food systems, rituals, hunting practices, ceremonies, and social behaviours. It also functioned as an indigenous meteorological system that enabled communities to anticipate rainfall patterns, schedule planting and harvesting, manage hunger periods, coordinate cultural events, and guide childbirth and child naming according to the lunar month. However, the study established that the use of the calendar has declined markedly, and in some areas disappeared entirely, owing to westernisation, climatic unpredictability, religious influences, youth disengagement, and weak intergenerational knowledge transmission. Nevertheless, important elements remain relevant for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, indigenous education, and cultural preservation. We conclude that revitalising the Lango lunar calendar could strengthen sustainable rural development, reinforce cultural identity, and enhance resilience through locally grounded knowledge systems. We therefore recommend systematic documentation, integration into educational curricula, promotion through community cultural revitalisation initiatives such as Itoogo me Lango, and supportive policies to preserve and sustain this valuable indigenous heritage.
Management and promotion of wild and semi-wild food plants in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda
(East African Nature & Science Organization, 2026-07-08) Akello, Sarah; Agea, Jacob Godfrey
Wild and semi-wild food plants (WSWFPs) continue to contribute significantly to household nutrition, livelihoods, and indigenous knowledge systems in many African rural communities, although information regarding their management and promotion in Uganda remains limited. This study examined local management practices, species selection criteria, challenges, opportunities, and improvement strategies associated with WSWFPs in Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. A cross-sectional research design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed in Mutunda and Kiryandongo sub-counties of Kibanda County. Data were collected from 385 randomly selected households using semi-structured questionnaires, complemented by eight focus group discussions involving knowledgeable community members. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in Microsoft Excel and MINITAB, while qualitative information was interpreted through thematic content analysis. Results indicated that most households did not intentionally manage WSWFPs, although several respondents practised low-input management approaches such as occasional cultivation, seed broadcasting, selective retention during weeding, transplanting naturally regenerated seedlings, and protecting preferred species within natural habitats. Women were the principal custodians of most management activities. Among the sixty-two recorded species, only thirteen were occasionally cultivated, mainly because of market demand, palatability, rapid maturity, cultural acceptance, and ease of management. Key limitations affecting wider promotion included poor market competitiveness, invasive growth habits of certain species, limited preparation knowledge, negative social perceptions, habitat degradation, and inadequate institutional support. Nevertheless, respondents identified opportunities linked to increasing nutritional awareness, expanding market demand, cultural importance, and ecological adaptability. Suggested interventions included establishment of community seed centres, public sensitisation campaigns, participatory research, policy support, domestication initiatives, commercialisation, and documentation of indigenous knowledge. The study concludes that WSWFPs remain important components of local food systems and biodiversity conservation but require stronger institutional recognition and sustainable management interventions. Integrating these species into national food security, conservation, and climate adaptation frameworks could strengthen rural resilience and sustainable livelihoods in Uganda.