Masika, Fred BwayoAnywar, GodwinKesawate, Mahipal SinghDdamulira, GabrielKawuma, CaroAndama, MorganAjoma, CharityRamathan, IddiAmugoli, Otuba MosesCaku, JimmyAlicai, TitusNuwamanya, EphraimTugume, Arthur K.2026-04-192026-04-192026-04-13Masika, F. B., Anywar, G., Kesawat, M. S., Ddamulira, G., Kawuma, C., Andama, M., ... & Tugume, A. K. (2026). Unlocking Ugandan pumpkin landrace diversity: integrated morphological and nutritional profiling for food security and breeding innovation. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 12(1), 2648437.2331-1932https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/964This study provides a comprehensive national dataset on pumpkin diversity in Uganda, documenting a wide range of morphological characteristics and nutritional profiles. The results inform the breeding of nutrient-dense, locally adapted varieties. By facilitating germplasm conservation, crop improvement, and resilient food systems, the study advances SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Additionally, the findings align with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV by promoting agro-industrialisation, agricultural research, and nutrition-oriented value addition to enhance food security and rural livelihoods.Pumpkins (Cucurbita spp.) are vital for food and nutritional security in Uganda, yet their full potential remains underexploited due to the limited characterization of traits. To address this, 91 landraces, 21 Cucurbita pepo and 70 Cucurbita moschata were collected from 19 districts across major agroecological zones, evaluated for morpholological and nutritional diversity. Results revealed wide phenotypic variation with fruit weights ranging from 0.5 to 10.0 kg and shapes varying from discoid (L/D 0.44) to highly elongated (L/D 4.00). Fruit size and shape were independent axes of variation. Regionally, Buganda and Bunyoro landraces produced larger fruits, averaging 3.84 kg and 4.07 kg, while West Nile landraces formed a distinct nutrient-rich cluster, with high dry matter (22.8%), lipids (3.75% fresh weight (FW), fiber (3.34% FW), and carbohydrates (4.07% FW). District-specific differences were also observed, with Mpigi landraces rich in phenolics content (0.062 ± 0.0023 g GAE/100 g), and Mukono landraces rich in proteins (0.000887 g/100 g). Importantly, external morphology poorly predicted internal nutritional quality, highlighting the need for direct biochemical profiling in breeding programs. This study provides Uganda’s first nationally structured dataset on pumpkin diversity, offering a scientific foundation for targeted germplasm conservation, nutrient-enriched cultivar development and policy interventions to strengthen food systems across diverse agroecological zones in Uganda.enCucurbita spp.Morphological characterizationNutritional compositionGeographical variationGermplasm conservationDiversityFood securityArticle