Research Articles

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Browsing Research Articles by Author "Agea, Jacob Godfrey"

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    ‘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.
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    Incentives promoting scaling of improved seed varieties in Uganda
    (Springer Nature, 2026-06-30) Kalimunjaye, S; Akello, S.; Namanda, S.; Agea, Jacob Godfrey
    This paper aims to explore the current incentives driving the scaling out of improved cassava seed varieties in Uganda. This highlights a critical gap in the limited use of incentives in scaling out transformational technologies for vegetatively propagated crops such as cassava. The farmers involved in such technologies often realise economic benefits only after a significant period, typically through the sale of cuttings. These benefits are neither immediate nor visible, making them less effective in motivating adoption to scale. The aim of this study was to examine the types of incentives that promote the scaling out of research innovations within the cassava seed system in three selected districts of, Kiryandongo, Kamuli, and Serere in Uganda. Data were collected via a mixed-methods approach that included survey interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. A total of 170 respondents participated. The data were analysed using STATA18, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique was used. The results revealed that nonfinancial incentives such as field tours and training provided by research institutions were significant and contributed to the scaling of improved cassava seed varieties. These incentives were statistically significant at the p < 0.01 and p < 0.1 levels, respectively, in both the intervention and the non-intervention areas. Knowledge-based incentives are limited to less educated and rural communities, potentially limiting the effectiveness of such incentives. There is need to establish and invest in robust financial-incentive frameworks that support and sustain scaling pathways for research innovations within the cassava seed system.
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    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.