Browsing by Author "Junior Senyonga Kasima"

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A Framework for Managing Water Quality From Hand-dug Well: A Case of Mutukula Town Council, Uganda
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-11-13) Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe; Maxmillan Mpewoa; Junior Senyonga Kasima; Kheria Mfuranzima
Effective management of windrow-based composting technology in developing cities is a major challenge, especially for municipal authorities mandated to offer these services. Poorly managed waste composting systems could affect the quality of compost and cause complex environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of compost of a waste composting facility in Mukono municipality, central Uganda. Mature compost samples were collected from windrows in the waste composting facility and the samples analysed for physicochemical parameters (temperature, moisture content, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and potassium) and for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper) and metalloids (arsenic). To assess the quality of the compost, the analysed results of the samples were compared with common ranges for compost quality. Concentration of heavy metals ranged between 0.01 mg/l (cadmium) and 0.4 mg/l (copper). Except for alkaline pH (9.1), which was higher than the recommended range for mature compost quality, all physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were within common ranges for compost quality. Moisture content and pH correlated with heavy metals, 0.75 and 0.78, respectively. Mean total nitrogen and phosphorus were 0.8% and 0.4%, respectively, while organic matter was 21.7% and potassium 0.3%. Compost quality did not differ between seasons (P = 0.05). Based on the study results, continuous investigative research is recommended to safeguard the compost quality.
Compost quality of a peri-urban waste composting facility: A case of Mukono municipality, Uganda
(Taylor & Francis, 2023-08-21) Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe; Maxmillan Mpewo; Junior Senyonga Kasima; Kheria Mfuranzima
Effective management of windrow-based composting technology in developing cities is a major challenge, especially for municipal authorities mandated to offer these services. Poorly managed waste composting systems could affect the quality of compost and cause complex environmental impacts. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of compost of a waste composting facility in Mukono municipality, central Uganda. Mature compost samples were collected from windrows in the waste composting facility and the samples analyzed for physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, moisture content, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and potassium) and for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper) and metalloids (arsenic). To assess the quality of the compost, the analyzed results of the samples were compared with common ranges for compost quality. Concentration of heavy metals ranged between 0.01 mg/l (cadmium) and 0.4 mg/l (copper). Except for alkaline pH (9.1), which was higher than the recommended range for mature compost quality, all physicochemical parameters and heavy metals were within common ranges for compost quality. Moisture content and pH correlated with heavy metals, 0.75 and 0.78, respectively. Mean total nitrogen and phosphorus were 0.8% and 0.4%, respectively, while organic matter was 21.7% and potassium 0.3%. Compost quality did not differ between seasons (P = 0.05). Based on the study results, continuous investigative research is recommended to safeguard the compost quality.
Evaluation of Agricultural Waste-Based Briquettes as an Alternative Biomass Fuel for Cooking in Uganda
(East African Nature & Science Organisation, 2024-02-27) Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe; Junior Senyonga Kasima; Maxmillan Mpewo; Miria Frances Agunyo
Wood fuel has been adopted as a feasible alternative to cooking energy sources in efforts to replace fossil fuels. However, the exorbitant use of wood fuel has raised concern as it is the major cause of forest cover loss in Uganda. Briquettes have been recommended as sources of cooking energy with potential to substitute wood fuel. Unfortunately, sawdust, a product of deforestation, is the primary material used in making briquettes in Uganda. This instead augments the problem of fuel-induced deforestation. Agricultural wastes could potentially be converted into briquetting materials for generation of cooking energy, although these are less studied in Uganda. Thus, this study established the potential of agricultural wastes as alternative briquetting materials for use in cooking. Four fuel types: charcoal from Mangifera indica, firewood of Eucalyptus grandis, carbonized and non-carbonized briquettes from agricultural wastes, all from within Mukono District were used for the study. Laboratory based experiments were used to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of the fuels. Data were analysed using R software, Ver. 4.2.3. Carbonised briquettes’ mean performance measures were higher than conventional fuels (p≤0.05) and non-carbonised briquettes. The amount of energy required to attain experimental boiling point of water was higher (p≤0.05) in conventional fuels and non-carbonised briquettes than in carbonised briquettes. Duration to boil 5 litres of water was least with the conventional fuel sources. All the fuel sources’ emissions exceeded the maximum range recommended for indoor carbon monoxide levels. However, the particulate matter emission was lower in carbonised briquettes and charcoal than the other fuel sources. Agricultural waste-based carbonised briquettes could effectively be used as an alternative cooking energy source in Uganda. The study recommends conducting cost benefit analyses on the use of agricultural waste-based briquettes as cooking energy sources.
Heavy Metal and Metalloid Concentrations in Agricultural Communities Aroundsteel and Iron Industries in Uganda: Implications for Future Food Systems
(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-11-13) Maxmillan Mpewoa; Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe; Junior Senyonga Kasima
Poor management of effluents from steel and iron industries could increase element concentrations in the environment and threaten the health of consumers of food products from these areas. The current study assessed element concentration and physicochemical properties of soils, water, and vegetation from within 200 m around three steel and iron industries. A workable grid-based sampling design guided soil and plant sampling; upstream-downstream water quality comparisons were adapted with upstream as a control sample. Analyses were conducted following procedures by USEPA method 3051A. Element concentration was in the order Mn>As>Zn>Cr>Pb. The concentrations reduced with increase in distance from the industry. There was moderate-to-strong pollution of soils for As, and transfer factor for all elements was >1. In conclusion, industrial activity might have contributed to increased element concentrations in the soils, vegetation, and water sources around the industries. Agrarian activities may only be safely carried out 151m away from the industries
Indigenous Technical Knowledge and Its Potential Application to Uganda's Pig Sub-sector
(Wiley‐VCH GmbH, 2024-10-22) Junior Senyonga Kasima; Basil Mugonola; Harriet Muyinza; Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe; Geoffrey Akiiki Beyihayo; Kenneth Kidega; James Nokrach; Maxmillan Mpewo; Marx Kisaame; Elly Kurobuza Ndyomugyeny
Uganda's pork consumption is speculated to exceed any other livestock meat consumption by 2050. However, the current trendin pig production may not meet the demand due to pig production constraints such as recurrent disease incidences and highfeeding costs. The proposed modern practices are not cost‐effective, especially for resource‐constrained pig farmers. This review,therefore, synthesises previous studies on the practicability of integrating Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) in pig pro-duction to mitigate the prevailing pig production challenges in Uganda. By employing ITK, smallholder farmers have realised that indigenous pig breeds are disease‐resistant and suit the prevailing harsh tropical conditions. In addition, affordable plant‐based concoctions have been developed to cure diseases in pigs. For example, Centella asiatica has been identified as a potentialpurgative for diarrhoeal infections. Integrating pigs in cropping systems has also been adopted as a low‐cost alternative toeffectively feed pigs for optimal performance. Fortunately, most of the ITK options for solving pig production challenges arefeasible in Uganda. Thus, ITK should be embedded in the country's extension system to increase smallholder farmers'awareness about its potential of improving pig production. An ITK‐modern technology integration would probably meet theacceptance and be suitable for commercial pig producers
Soil Physical and Chemical Properties Under Shea Tree (Vitellaria Paradoxa) at Different Stages of Growth
(East African Nature & Science Organization, 2025-11-13) Gertrude Ogwok; Sarah Kizza-Nkambwe; Junior Senyonga Kasima; Maxmillan Mpewo; Peter O. Alele
Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is one of the dominant agro-forestry species in Otuke district of Northern Uganda. Due to its economic importance and, in line with the numerous threats the tree is faced with, there is an urgent need for measures to to conserve species, for example, through incorporating annual food crops in the Shea tree parkland. This, however, requires a better understanding of tree-soil-food crop interactions. A number of studies of this aspect either considered only the mature Shea tree gardens or did not provide a clear distinction between the physiological states of the Shea tree. This was the motivation for this study where we compare variation in soil properties under mature and young Shea tree gardens with sites not having trees in Okwang sub-county, Otuke district. Five soil samples (up to 15 cm deep for top soil and 15-30 cm for sub-soil) were obtained per treatment using a soil auger. Our results show that in the top soil, only percent sand varied among the treatments, while, in the sub-soil, only percentage nitrogen and average phosphorus varied among the treatments. We also found that percentage top soil organic matter and percentage of sub-soil sand had negative strong correlations with maize and soybean yields, while percentage sub-soil clay had a strong positive correlation with maize and soybean yield. We conclude that variations in soil physical and chemical properties under Mature and Young Shea gardens only occur for those properties that have a direct link to tree residues