Theses and dissertations (Master and Doctoral)

Permanent URI for this community

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11951/8

Browse

Filter results by year or month

Now showing 1 - 20 of 317

An Assessment of Causal Factors of Accidents and Injuries in Powerline Construction Projects in Uganda. A Case Study in Luuka, Kaliro, Iganga And Bugweri Districts
(Uganda Christian University, 0012-09-23) Brian Muhimbura
ABSTRACT Although, the construction industry contributes to national economic growth, it has been associated with unsafe working environments due to the exposure of workers occupational hazards and injuries. This study assessed the types, prevalence and causal factors of accidents amongst powerline construction workers in Eastern Uganda. A mixed research approach was employed and data collected using both structured and unstructured interviews Descriptive statistics approaches including Chi-square tests and multiple regression model were employed to analyze quantitative data and qualitative data analyzed using thematic analysis. Occupational accidents at worksites included electrocutions, slip, falls from height, overhead power contacts, struck by, struck against and car accident. Injuries included skin pierces, skin peel-offs, swellings and skin cuts. Fatal cases originated from struck-by accidents in (76.4%) and car accidents (23.6).Overhead power contacts (25.2%), struck-by accidents (23.2%) and electric shock (16.4%) accounted for most non-fatal accidents. Only 52% of workers had ever sustained an occupational accident while 69% of them workers had ever sustained an injury. Struck-by accidents (26.5%), struck against (25.7%) and slip accidents (18.6%) were more prevalent accidents while Skin pierce (26.5), skin peel offs (22.8%) and swellings (21.9%) formed the prevalent injuries. Low experience and expertise of workers (68.9%), poor weather conditions (33%), poor conditions & usability of equipment (20.4%), poor communication amongst the workers (25.2%) formed the originating, shaping and immediate influence on accidents. The Duration of work at the powerline construction worksite significantly influenced occupational accidents (P= 0.014). Monthly income (P=0.015), site location (P=0.049), electrician job (P=0.048) and mate electrician job (P=0.034) significantly influenced work-related injuries amongst workers. Investing in work place safeguards and promoting safety behaviour amongst employees should be prioritized by employers.
Journalists Experience in Covering Corruption. A Case of Daily Monitor Newsroom
(Uganda Christian University, 0023-05-24) Lydia Nanyondo
The purpose of the study was to explore the practices among journalists covering corruption in Uganda. Its specific objectives included understanding the experiences journalists face in covering corruption, exploring the challenges of journalists in covering corruption and exploring the influence of Journalistic practice in covering corruption issues within Uganda. The study adopted a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews to collect data from a sample of 12 Journalists from Daily Monitor Media House. The data was collected through in-depth interviews using an interview guide and during analysis and inductive thematic approach was adopted. Oe of the key findings of the study was Journalists faced institutional challenges such as institutional incarceration, lawsuits, equipment destruction and fear for life.
Mobilization of Ugandan Diaspora for National Development: A Case Study of Ugandans in Zambia
(Uganda Christian University, 0024-03-29) Joshua Ashaba
This study investigated the mobilization of Ugandans in diaspora for national Development using a case study of Ugandans in Zambia. The specific objectives of the study were to: assess how existing mobilization mechanism of Ugandans in Zambia influence their participation in national development, assess how awareness of the role of foreign Mission in Tanzania affect the mobilization of Ugandans in Zambia to participate in National Development, find out how inclinations (social, economic and professional) of Ugandans in Zambia affect their mobilization to participate in National Development, assess how leadership structure of Ugandans in Zambia affect their mobilization to participate in National Development. The study adopted a case study approach so as to provide an opportunity for an in-depth study of particular stake holders in the mobilization and foreign mission of Ugandans in diaspora. Data was obtained, analyzed and a meaningful generalization was made with in Uganda in both quantitative and qualitative measures. The study sample was drawn from a population of 125 participants who included Ministry of Foreign & Internal Affairs officials 10, Foreign Mission in Tanzania 15 and Ugandans in Zambia 100. The sample size was Ministry of Foreign & Internal Affairs officials 10, Foreign Mission in Tanzania 14, Ugandans in Zambia 80 and the total was 104. The study applied questionnaires and interviews as instruments of data collection. This research adopted thematic analysis to classify and interpret the gathered data. The major finding from this study show that Ugandans in Zambia are not effectively mobilized to participate in national development. The mobilization mechanism, awareness of the role of foreign Mission in Tanzania, Social, Economic and Professional inclinations among Ugandans in Zambia and leadership structure of Ugandans in Zambia have limited the participation of Ugandans in Zambia towards national development. The existing mobilization mechanism of Ugandans in Zambia limit their participation in national development because; There are problems in mobilizing Ugandans in the diaspora (73%). These create gaps that hinder their effective mobilization to participate in national development. Ugandans in Zambia are not mobilized through a registered and recognized association. The existing associations that unite Ugandans in Zambia are not legally registered (92%). Although Ugandans in Zambia are registered in a diaspora association (79%). Many Ugandans in Zambia are not aware of the legal status of these associations, which limit their mobilization to participate in national development. Uganda has no diaspora mobilization strategy (50%), that is Uganda lacks a clear known diaspora mobilization policy to guide and mobilize Ugandans in the diaspora to participate in national economic development. The diaspora associations in Zambia do not hold regular mobilization meetings to enable Ugandans in Zambia to know how to participate in national development (62%). There is no investment plan to support potential Ugandans in Zambia to invest in Uganda (62%). There are no annual home coming visits organized to show how Ugandans in the diaspora can spot investment opportunities in the country (63%). On a positive note the diaspora in Zambia remit funds to Uganda. They send funds to Uganda to support their families and therefore contribute to national economic development (92%), a practice that needs to be promoted. Ugandans in Zambia have an association through which they are mobilized for national development (100%) something worth nurturing. Ugandans in Zambia are aware of the existence and mandate of the Foreign Mission in Tanzania (62%). Ugandans in Zambia collaborate with the Foreign Mission in Tanzania on their diaspora issues (54%). Knowledge about Ugandan diaspora is not sufficient to foster collaboration (92%). Ugandans in Zambia are not registered with their Foreign Mission in Tanzania (100%). Therefore, they cannot be traced easily and mobilized for national development and response emergence. The Ugandan mission in Tanzania serves a large geographical area which compromises its effectiveness (84%). The cost to reach the Uganda mission in Tanzania from Zambia is a limiting factor (92%). Therefore, many Ugandans are burdened by distance and transport costs to reach the Ugandan mission in Tanzania. There are immigration limitations between Tanzania and Zambia that prevent Ugandans in Zambia to contact the Ugandan Mission in Tanzanian (67%). Diaspora Services Department (DSD) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has limitations when handling diaspora issues They have technical, logistical and human capacity to comprehensively handle diaspora challenges (63%). There is little information is known about Ugandans in Zambia (100%). There is no attached mission agency that mobilizes Ugandans in Zambia (62%). Ugandans in Zambia have means through which they send money to Uganda to support in national development (85%). They send money to their relatives and for other development projects, from which government taps money in form of VAT and other taxes from purchase of goods and services. Ugandans in Zambia are fully informed about the developments taking place in the country (67%). There are strong social ties between Ugandans in Zambia (54%). However, Uganda lacks clear statistics of the Ugandans in Zambia (85%). Ugandans in Zambia feel neglected economically and socially (85%). Uganda diaspora in Zambia have a negative attitude towards the development that is taking place in the country (80%). There is no good economic network among Ugandans in Zambia (69%). There exists no well-known professional bond between Ugandans in Zambia (48%). Ugandans in Zambia have an active association that brands Ugandans in Zambia (79%). Ugandans in Zambia are a sources of investment capital to Uganda (54%). Ugandans in Zambia have a leadership structure through which they are effectively mobilized (54%). Ugandans in Zambia are eager to associate with one another (73%). However, the leadership structure of Ugandans in Zambia limit diaspora mobilization to participate in National Development in the following ways; The diaspora leadership in Zambia is not as strong as in other parts of the world (61%). Leadership is a challenge in the mobilization of Ugandans in Zambia (52%). The Diaspora Services Department (DSD) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not effectively execute its full mandate of mobilizing Ugandans in Zambia (92%). Government does not actively support the economic integration of Ugandan nationals in Zambia (69%). Uganda government does not fully engage Ugandans in Zambia to participate in national development (92%). Leaders of Ugandans in Zambia do not encourage them to productively contribute to national development (58%). In answering the practical question of how can Ugandans in Zambia be effectively mobilized to participate in National Development, based on the research findings, the research makes the following recommendations; The existing mobilization mechanism can be improved to enable Ugandans in Zambia participate in national development in the following ways; Ugandans in Zambia should be mobilized through a registered and recognized association. The existing associations that unite Ugandans in Zambia should be legally registered. The Ugandans in Zambia who are registered in a diaspora association should be sensitized and made aware of the legal status of these associations. Uganda should develop a diaspora mobilization strategy, that is Uganda should have a clear known diaspora mobilization policy to guide and mobilize Ugandans in the diaspora to participate in national economic development. The diaspora associations in Zambia should hold regular mobilization meetings to enable Ugandans in Zambia to know how to participate in national development. There should be an investment plan to support potential Ugandans in Zambia to invest in Uganda. There should be annual home coming visits organized to show how Ugandans in the diaspora can spot investment opportunities in the country. Government should promote and appreciate a system that acknowledges the diaspora in Zambia that remit funds to Uganda. Thank them for sending funds to Uganda that support their families and contribute to national economic development. Ugandans in Zambia should nurture the association that mobilizes them for national development. The Ugandan foreign mission in Tanzania should conduct more sensitization awareness missions to Ugandans in Zambia on its existence and mandate. More collaboration efforts between Ugandans in Zambia and the Foreign Mission in Tanzania on their diaspora issues.
Legal Framework for Oil Extraction and Its Impact on the Environment in Protected Areas in Uganda: A Case Study of Masindi District
(Uganda Christian University, 0024-05-07) Godwin Agaba
This study comprehensively examines the relationship between the legal framework governing oil extraction and the resulting environmental impact of oil activities within protected areas in Masindi District, Uganda. Guided by specific objectives, it scrutinizes the nexus between exploration and production licenses and environmental impact, assesses the effectiveness of environmental regulations, explores the correlation between health and safety standards and environmental impact, and compares successes, weaknesses, and existing gaps in the current legal framework. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches, with a sample size of 159 respondents selected using simple and purposive sampling techniques from a population of 233 participants. Quantitative data analysis includes descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation, while qualitative data is analyzed through content analysis. Findings reveal a slight positive relationship between exploration and production licenses and environmental impact, and a high positive correlation between health and safety standards and environmental impact in protected areas of Masindi District. The study concludes that the interplay between exploration and production licenses, environmental regulations, health and safety standards, and the legal framework highlights complex dynamics. While successes in environmental protection and community consultation exist, weaknesses persist in safety prioritization and transparency. Recommendations include strengthening community engagement, improving safety measures, and increasing transparency in licensing processes to ensure sustainable oil extraction practices and minimize environmental impacts. Further research is needed to address existing gaps and enhance the effectiveness of regulations.
The Effects of COVID-19 on Staff Motivation
(Uganda Christian University, 0030-09-23) Lynn Comfort Kemigisha
This study investigates the Psychological Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Staff Motivation, focusing on Mengo Hospital. Employing a convergent parallel mixed research design, the research collected qualitative and quantitative data concurrently through returned questionnaires from 60 participants. The study identified various psychological effects, including fear of family infection, isolation, concerns about compensation, mental exhaustion, and increased work burden. Notably, a negative correlation between the psychological effect of COVID-19 and employee motivation was observed. To mitigate these effects, the study suggests counseling, training, provision of protective equipment, and community health education to combat nurse stigmatization. Recommendations include government appreciation and rewards for frontline workers, such as nurses, to maintain motivation and adequate compensation. Additionally, the Human Resource Department at Mengo Hospital is advised to grant leave allowances to prevent burnout during peak pandemic times. The researcher calls for government efforts to recruit more health workers and provide subsidized education to ensure a sufficient workforce during crises like epidemics and pandemics.
The development of Neo-traditional religion: The Baganda experience.
(University of Aberdeen, Scotland, 1980) Bukenya, Dunstan K.
Kiganda traditional religious experience has no name because the experience is far too pervasive to be narrowed down to a specific system which could be defined separately from the rest of life experiences. In this dissertation the author explores the development of the Baganda neo-traditional religious experience in Central Uganda. The author high lights the on-going historical process of development change and adaptation in Kiganda religion both in its pre-alien religious contact and in its present state. The author affirms that this experience has clearly developed into a newness in the continued Kiganda religious beliefs and practices due to alien contact. The author asserts that the Christian and colonial political revolutions of the 1890s and 1900 respectively left Kiganda religion publicly powerless though of course not dead. The author recommends the traditionalization of Christian symbols, establishment of neo-traditional nationalistic movements and Luganda language movement.
The Chemical Composition of Haplochromis spp.
(Loughborough University of Technology, 1981) Ssali, William Mamiima
The Haplochromis genus constitutes about 80% by weight of the fish in Lake Victoria yet only small amounts are utilised directly for food. There are over 150 species of Haplochromis, in the lake forming a species flock and any typical catch is made up of a mixture of many species. Morphological resemblance of the species makes identification of individual species very difficult. Little information has been published about the chemical composition of Haplochrornis. The present study provides chemical composition data for lioid. protein and other nutritionally important constituents of Haolochromis as an aid to the processing of the resource and its nutritional evaluation. Four batches of Haplochromis from Lake Victoria were received. The first batch was analysed only for total lipid. Fish from the other three batches, caught over a five month period, were each split into four weight groups. Data were obtained for the weight distribution in the batches, the relationship between weight and length of the fish, weight and maximum depth of the fish and for the proportions of head, gut and headless gutless portions in the different weight groups.
Towards an indigenous understanding and practice of baptism amongst the Baganda, Uganda.
(Uganda Christian University, 1982) Mutebi, Wilson B.
The coming of independence and the feeling of nationalism amongst African peoples in the middle of the 20th century also brought the desire for religious independence. The author in this dissertation presents an indigenous understanding and practice of baptism amongst the Baganda of Central Uganda. The author observes that Christianity in Africa is to a large extent wrapped in Western culture. The author asserts that though Christianity in Buganda has taken root, it has not destroyed the indigenous religion and that the indigenous religion continues to have an influence among the Baganda. The author stresses that there is a useful relationship between the Kiganda rites performed in the early period of childhood and baptism. The author high lights the fact that contemporary Baganda Christians have one leg in the Church and the second into the traditional religion. The author recommends the Church leadership in Buganda to employ a positive and understanding approach and study carefully the Kiganda beliefs and practices so as to include the values of Kiganda traditional religion in the life of the Church.
Conditional inference
(1984-08) Senyonyi, John M.
Conditional inference is a branch of statistical inference in which observed data is reduced using either sufficient or ancillary statistics. This often simplifies inference about the parameters. In comparison to full likelihood methods, conditional inference theory’s performance still needs validating in many areas. Some of these are the concern of this thesis. While the definition of an ancillary statistic in single parameter models is unequivocal, the presence of accessory (or nuisance) parameters in a model presents problems in defining an ancillary statistic. Statistical literature abounds with definitions of ancillarity in this case. Some of the commonest and most useful of these are discussed and shown to be interrelated. This facilitates the choice of the strongest eligible ancillary in a problem, i.e. that which offers the biggest reduction of the sample space. The Pitman-Morgan test for variance ratios in bivariate normal populations with unknown correlation coefficient is shown to be a conditional test. We condition on sufficient statistics for the accessory parameters to eliminate them. The test statistic is then derived as an ancillary statistic for the accessory parameters. When a probability model depends on a number of accessory parameters which increases with the sample size, estimation methods based on the full likelihood will often be inconsistent. Using a partial likelihood instead has been suggested. Local maximum partial likelihood estimators are shown to exist, and to be consistent and asymptotically normal under mild conditions. These results also cover conditional and marginal likelihoods, thus considerably strengthening earlier results in this area. In planning statistical inferences, it is useful to choose a sampling scheme which provides only the essential data to our inferences. Jagers’ lemma proposes very general conditions under which maximum likelihood estimation from a subset of the data is identical with that from the full data. However, the lemma is incorrect as given. We show that an additional sufficiency condition repairs the lemma. It is further shown that this lemma cannot be extended to general exponential families.
Prolegomena to an African Theology: An Examination of the Sources and Methodology of Mbiti’s Theology.
(Uganda Christian University, 1987) Niringiye, David Z.
On May 26th 1985, over the Canadian broadcasting corporation, Dr. John Mbiti stated that the Christians in Africa have a faith but not a theology; and that Western missionaries agreed to contextualize Christianity in music and Church decorations but not in theology. Examining the sources and methodology of Mbiti’s theology, in this dissertation the author presents a prolegomena to an African theology. The author assesses Professor John Samuel Mbiti’s theology with particular reference to his doctrine of eschatology developed in his book. New Testament eschatology in an African background. The author high lights the fact that Mbiti’s theology lacks the dialectical tension and balance between creation, sin and salvation; and that Mbiti’s theology tends to emphasize continuity between Christianity and African religion and cultural experience over discontinuity, hence Mbiti’s theology being an inadequate statement of Christian belief that is both Christian and African. The author proposes an alternative methodology based on the Christ-event of incarnation, death and resurrection allowing for a construction of a theology that identifies and maintains the dialectical balance and tension between creation, sin and salvation. The author recommends that the Christ-event should be at the Centre of any theologizing in the African context that bears the name Christian.
The symbol of the Eucharist in the African context
(Uganda Christian University, 1988) Tovey, Phillip
One of the contemporary problems in the mission Churches in Africa is the indigenization or inculturation of worship and the Eucharist poignantly illustrates this problem. In this dissertation the author treats the problem. The author examines different theological approaches to the Eucharist as a symbol, the anthropology of the symbol, the Eucharist in Ethiopian Orthodox Church the rites of African Independent Church’s and studies the Roman Catholic Church. The author discusses the dialectical relationship between anthropology and theology. He recommends that it is the interrelationship of theology and culture that the existential problem of the African Church would find synthesis.
The Primacy of “Spirit” (Pastoral Studies) in Pastoral Care and Counseling of Basoga of Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 1992) Magumba, John P.
The traditional African therapy system under spirit-based care remained affective throughout the missionary era and it continues to appeal to some Basiga of contemporary era more than Christianity does. In this dissertation the author presents the primacy of “spirit” among the Basoga of Eastern Uganda as regards pastoral care and counseling. The author asserts that among the Basoga the spirits and their agents have power which the Christian careers and counselors do not have. The author affirms that among the Basoga their concepts and values about disease, health, and healing are influenced by beliefs and experiences of spirit power. The author recommends that listening to the Musoga parishioner and client would be necessary in addressing his or her true pastoral needs for therapy.
The Biblical View of the Unborn Child Psalm 139: 13–18
(Uganda Christian University, 1992) Ebong, Johnson O.
Abortion is a new phenomenon among contemporary Africans which has become a common practice among the young and adults alike. In this research work the author examines the biblical view of the unborn child according to Psalm 139:13-18, the author stresses the fact that the systematic and intentional destruction of the unborn child with the aim to relieve its mother from pregnancy, was a rare practice among traditional African societies. The author affirms that the biblical view portrays God as the source of life and that at every stage of human life, God has a purpose hence the need to preserve, protect and defend human life at all stages. The author recommends the Church leadership to help the Christians to read the bible and seek guidance from the word of God on life issues such as abortion, to teach and preach constantly the value of human life, to speak and write strongly about the practice of abortion, to form pro-life associations with the help of doctors who value life, and to help parents to promote the value of life among their children and teach them to respect human life.
The Death of Jesus Christ As Sacrifice in the Epistles of Paul and the Epistle to the Hebrews: A Comparative Study
(Uganda Christian University, 1997) Muhindo, Kalengyo
The concept and practice of sacrifice exist in the Old Testament setting and in some pagan communities of the Graeco-Roman world. In this dissertation, the author presents a comparative study of the death of Jesus Christ as a sacrifice as recorded in the epistles of St. Paul and the epistle of Hebrews. Putting more emphasis on the sacrifices for sin, the author explores the various backgrounds to the thought of sacrifice in Paul and the Hebrews. The author analyses the similarities and differences of the concept of sacrifice in Paul and the writer to the Hebrews. The author observes that both writers using cultic categories have transformed the understanding of atonement from the cultic to the personal level.
Indigenization of theology worship in the Anglican Church of Congo
(Uganda Christian University, 2000) Sabiti, Daniel T.
For J.M. Waliggo, inculturation means the honest and serious attempt to make Christ and message of salvation ever more understood by peoples of every culture, locality and time. In this dissertation the author presents indigenization of worship in the Anglican Church of Congo. In order to assess how African traditional music and prayer serve as a means to express the African traditional religious life, the author examines African traditional religious heritage. The author asserts that music and prayer are fundamental elements in divine worship and that they have been used in the biblical era and in the history of the Christian Church. The author recommends that if the Anglican Church of Congo wants to create worship which is relevant, authentic and meaningful to her Christians, she needs to indigenize her liturgy.
The Christian influence on the understanding of death among the Acholi
(Uganda Christian University, 2001) Ayela, Labeja .O. O.
Focus: For the Acholi people of Northern Uganda, traditionally death is a natural phenomenon which is inevitable and unquestionable. In this dissertation, the author assesses the Christian influence on the understanding of death among the Acholi. The author confirms that for the traditional Acholi human beings have no permanent existence in the physical or spiritual world and no future life in terms of resurrection. The author affirms that their traditional understanding of death contributes to fear, beliefs and practices in handling the sick, corpse, burial arrangement, funeral rites and inheritance of widows among the Acholi people. The author asserts that the advent of Christianity in Acholi in 1904 has greatly changed this understanding through the introduction of the concept of resurrection, and as a result superstition on the origin of death, the way of caring for the sick, and the dying, burial system, mourning, funeral rites, the inheritance of widows and life after death have a new meaning for the Acholi of contemporary era. The author recommends that in order to maintain the resurrection influence on the Acholi people, the Church must continue effective evangelization of the non-Christian Acholi and effectively nurture the Christian Acholi converts.
Ecclesiology among the Lugbara of Uganda
(Uganda Christian University, 2001) Erema, Samuel O. F.
Focus: When the Missionaries introduced Christianity among the Lugbara, they introduced western model of ecclesiology which is not appropriate to the Lugabra Christian spirituality. In this dissertation the author high lights ecclesiology among the Lugbara of North-western Uganda. The author decries the fact that African Christians inherited missionary models with the denominational divisions and individualistic way of life which properly belonged to the western Church-and as a result the African communal way of life was devalued and African Christians completely broke from their traditional societies. The author asserts that the missionary model has not fitted the African Christians and has failed to penetrate deeply to the heart of the African. The author recommends that the Church leadership in Africa should establish the African clan model ecclesiology which is most appropriate for the Lugbara Christian and African Christian in general.
Teaching the Bible Using Ugandan Cultural Resources With Specific Reference to the Old Testament
(Uganda Christian University, 2001) Maturu, Milly E.
The Uganda cultural resources have not been fully utilized for teaching the bible in Uganda. This statement necessitates the need of studying Ugandan culture, finding relationships between the Ugandan and biblical cultures, probing the weaknesses of historical critical method, and offering a plan for a new approach. The Uganda culture that the missionary forebears thought was pagan, some even satanic and thus had to be abandoned stands closer to the biblical culture than does western culture. In many instances Ugandan culture can bring a fresh understanding of the biblical text. The Lugbara socio-cultural worldview is presented as representative of Uganda worldview. Using this worldview a comparative study of the correspondence between major themes in the biblical and Ugandan worldviews is made. For instance this comparison is characterized by: purification through blood, the power of the word, the house of God, the family circle unbroken, and spirit possession.
The bible, growing landless-ness, and environmental degradation in modern Uganda: An encounter.
(Uganda Christian University, 2002) Olwa, Alfred
In modern Uganda two situations, in which a theme from the bible is understood to have immediate practical consequences in the lives of many people, is landlessness and environmental degradation. In this dissertation the author examines the problem of landlessness and environmental degradation in modern Uganda. The author asserts that the problem of growing landlessness and environmental degradation is relevant to the Church in modern Uganda. The author recommends that the Church leadership in Uganda in dealing with the problem should focus on justice and righteousness.
Effect of crop sanitation on banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) populations and associated damage
(Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands, 2003) Masanza, Michael
The banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a serious pest of bananas. However, its ecology is not well elucidated especially in East Africa where plantations are up to 50 years old and are under various management and cropping systems. No single satisfactory control strategy has been found. Detailed information on C. sordidus biology and ecology is needed to explain the population dynamics of this pest in order to develop a comprehensive package for the small-scale farmer to alleviate the pest problem. Cultural control forms the first line of defence in pest control. For instance, removal of crop residues after harvest by chopping is a widely recommended cultural strategy for C. sordidus control. However, the actual effect of these practices on the insect's population dynamics is not clear. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of crop sanitation on population dynamics of C. sordidus and its associated damage. Laboratory and field studies on the biology and ecology of this pest on crop residues were conducted in Uganda. We found that corms are most attractive to the weevils than any other type of crop residues. Oviposition occurred on residues up to 120 days after harvest, but mainly on freshly harvested residues up to 30 days, implying that residues should be left up to a month before destroying them. In the study on survivorship of C. sordidus in crop residues, our results revealed that the pest successfully completes its life cycle within crop residues and emerging adults from different aged residues are equally fit. As crop residues can be a source of C. sordidus infestation to the standing crop, they need to be destroyed. There is a general belief that covering banana stumps after harvest helps reduce weevils in banana farms. However, there was no data available to prove that this practice is useful. Moreover, the real effect of covering stumps remained unknown. Our studies reveal that covering banana stumps after harvest reduces oviposition on them in the wet season, but encourages oviposition in the dry season. Therefore, farmers may cover the stumps in the wet but not in the dry season. Also, our studies suggest that covering all stumps in the wet season may encourage C. sordidus to oviposit on the crop. Therefore, some residues should be left in the inter-mat alleys to attract weevils away from the crop. The residues can then be destroyed after three to four weeks. Removal and chopping crop residues in farmers' fields helped to keep C. sordidus populations and damage lower than when the residues were left to accumulate. In comparison, removal of all residues in young closed banana plots reduced C. sordidus populations but increased damage on growing plants and reduced the levels of natural enemies. The implications of these results on the role of crop sanitation in the integrated management of C. sordidus are discussed.

Browse

Browsing Theses and dissertations (Master and Doctoral) by Issue Date

Results Per Page

Sort Options