Browsing by Author "Akello, Sarah"

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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.
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    Nutritionally essential macro and micro mineral contents of aframomum angustifolium and physalis peruviana wild edible fruits of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, Uganda
    (East African Nature and Science Organization, 2026-05-21) Agea, Jacob Godfrey; Akello, Sarah
    Eating wild fruits can be really good for you and me, and not just because they taste great. Two types of wild fruits, Aframomum angustifolium and Physalis peruviana, were studied to see how many important minerals they have. These minerals, like calcium (Ca), potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe), are essential for our bodies to work properly. We used special machines to measure how much of each mineral was in the 15 samples of each fruit. K and Na were determined using the flame emission photometer; P was quantified spectrophotometrically, while Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Cu, and Zn were assessed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The findings were compared to the amounts found in common mangoes. It turned out that these wild fruits are actually better sources of many minerals than mangoes. They have more phosphorus, sodium and magnesium, which are all important for our health. One of the wild fruits, Aframomum angustifolium, had more calcium and potassium than the other, Physalis peruviana. Both of them had a lot of iron and zinc, which are crucial for preventing diseases like anaemia. Physalis peruviana was especially rich in manganese, another important mineral. The good news is that eating these wild fruits regularly can help people get the minerals they need. This is especially important for people living in rural areas who might not have access to a variety of foods. The government and local leaders should think about how to make it easier for people to grow and eat these wild fruits. They could create policies to support the use of wild fruits in farming and gardening. This way, more people can benefit from the nutritional value of these amazing fruits. By making wild fruits a bigger part of our diets, we can stay healthier and stronger.