乌干达即将通过转基作物法案

乌干达副总统EdwardSsekandi近日向科学家确认,将在第九届议会解散前通过2012国家生物技术和生物安全法案,该法案在2013年首次提出关于转基因生物技术（转基因）的优点时曾引发激烈争论.Ssekandi表示,乌干达需要生物技术来改变易遭受气候变化影响的农业和多种作物病害的情况,目前农民使用的技术并不能应对长期干旱以及作物和畜牧业疾病的爆发.

附子与干姜配伍对心阳虚衰大鼠血浆肾上腺素、血管紧张素Ⅱ、醛固酮及ANP、NT的影响

目的:研究附子与干姜配伍对心阳虚衰大鼠血浆肾上腺素(E)、血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)、醛固酮(ALD)及心钠素(ANP)、内皮素(ET)的影响,揭示二者配伍增强回阳救逆作用的机理。方法:采用盐酸普罗帕酮注射液静脉注射建立大鼠心阳虚衰证心力衰竭动物模型,用放射免疫分析法测定以上指标血浆的含量。结果:附子与干姜配伍对大鼠血浆肾上腺素、血管紧张素、醛固酮、心钠素及内皮素均有一定的调控作用。

A Limited Dependent Variable Analysis of Integrated Pest Management Adoption in Uganda

Integrated Pest Management （IPM） technologies can reduce pest damage to crops by emphasizing non-chemical control methods thereby reducing potential negative effects of chemicals on the environment while preserving profitability. This study investigates the adoption of eight IPM practices including intercropping, crop rotation, two improved varieties, incorporating a ＂striga chaser＂ in sorghum production, changing planting dates, altering planting density and fertilizer use. Explanatory variables include economic factors, social factors, management factors, and institutional factors. Results were consistent across logit and ordered logit analyses. Most factors affecting adoption across all crops and technologies are economic factors, including labor availability, technology resource requirements, technology complexity, and the level of expected benefits. Social factors are generally less associated with IPM technology adoption than either market or institutional factors. Results indicate that the evaluated technologies were scale-neutral and that farmer age and education level did not affect technology adoption.

Validating the Role of African Indigenous Vegetables for Food and Nutrition Security in Uganda

African indigenous vegetables （AIVs） play an important role in house hold food and nutrition security among many communities in Uganda. However, there is limited information on the value chain. Yet, the contribution of AIVs in terms of food and nutrition security is undisputable. A cross sectional survey targeting 60 respondents including farmers, key informants and extension officers was conducted to assess the systems of production system of the AIVs, profile an inventory and diversity of the cultivated AIVs in Agweng sub-county, Lira district. Semi-structured questionnaires and direct field observation were used to gather the necessary data. The findings revealed that AIVs form a very important part of the diets of the local populace both during the normal and off seasons as well as hard times among others. However, a number of constraints were reported to hinder the AIVs value chain including lack of quality seed, competition from exotic vegetables, low market demand, pests and diseases infestation, among others. The most commonly cultivated and consumed vegetables were cowpeas, hibiscus, pumpkins and crotolaria among others. The reasons for cultivation and consumption included source of food, high nutritive value and short maturity period. Other reasons were medicinal, resistance to pests and diseases, source of cash income and resilient to harsh weather conditions. In contrast, lack of quality seeds, bitterness, low market demand and difficulty in preparation contributed to their neglected use. Therefore, in the wake of climate change and variability there is need for deliberate investment to improve adaptability and acceptance of these vegetables. There is also need for sensitization of farmers on the benefits of AIVs, developing an effective means of improved seed production and distribution to replace the farmer-to farmer seed exchange and conservation of AIVs germplasm as the strategies to improve AIVs production in the study area.

Firm Risk Profile, Agency Incentives and Corporate Performance： Corporate Governance Perspective of Uganda

This paper focuses on the relationship between firm risk profile, agency incentives and corporate performance using correlation study and cross-sectional approach. We conceptualise firm risk profile using the balanced score card and differ from previous studies, on the above variables, by capturing the perceptual sets of strategic leadership of Ugandan firms who are members of corporate governance of Uganda. We post a significant negative relationship between firm risk profile and corporate performance, a significant negative relationship between firm risk profile and agency incentives and a positive relationship between agency incentives and corporate performance By employing Joseph and Scott （2006）＇s utilization of the balanced score card to identify the four forms of firm risk （namely, financial, customer, internal and learning and growth risks）, our results support the application of agency theory as a relevant theoretical framework for dealing with managers who are risk averse.

Reduction in the Water Level of Lake Victoria and Its Implications on Livelihoods in Rwanjaba Lakeshore Community,Uganda

This paper examines the livelihood challenges experienced in Rwanjaba Lakeshore Community during the period of low water level in Lake Victoria between 2004 and 2007 and identifies the livelihood coping strategies that were adopted to address them.A total of 55 households were randomly sampled and the data collection methods included household questionnaires and participant observations.The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science(SPSS) and the results presented with the help of descriptive statistics.The livelihood challenges experienced during the low lake water level included fish shortage(34.5%),household food scarcity(23.6%),sex for fish(18.2%),family breakdown(12.7%),increased theft(7.2%) and accidents due to the exposed rocks in the lake(3.6%).The livelihood coping strategies adopted to redress the challenges included causal labour(32.7%),maize roasting(23.6%),sand mining(18.2%),selling of snacks(12.7%),selling household property(9.1%) and resorting shop and market credits(3.6%).The paper proposes a number of recommendations for improving the livelihood of the community ranging from policy reforms to the diversification of activities.

Farmers＇ Coping Mechanisms for Common Bean Production under Water-Logged Soil Conditions in Uganda-Rwanda Boarder Region

Common bean （Phaseolus vulgaris L.） is a staple food and income crop in eastern Africa, especially within the Uganda-Rwanda boarder region where it constitutes a major component of food security. Unfortunately, bush beans are severely affected by frequent water-logging which persists over a considerable period of the year. In spite of this, farmers have continued to cultivate bush bean though with miserable yields. The study aimed to identify farmers＇ indigenous coping mechanisms to the climatic predicament, as a foundation for nurturing and subsequently designing appropriate management strategies for improved bean production in the region. A household survey was conducted in Kisoro district, in a location representative of the ecological conditions of Uganda-Rwanda region. 96 respondents were selected randomly at village level from a list of 500 households provided by the extension workers. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Findings showed that farmers possess vital coping mechanisms including construction of ridges, fertiliser application and chemical control of pests and diseases to expedite plant growth, and construction of drainage channels. It is clear that farmers＇ indigenous coping mechanisms need further nurturing and refining to improve their performance in dealing with water-logging crisis in the region.

Reduction of Tobacco Smoking Health Risk Through an Appropriate Media Based Communication Strategy in Uganda

The health impacts of tobacco consumption are well documented and have gained acceptance worldwide. Today, a substantial, preventable burden of tobacco attributable diseases exists in most countries, though in most of the cases, unknown. Smoking accounts for almost half of the deaths in middle age in some regions. In Uganda, translating findings into policy action is slow and involves several stakeholders. It will continue to require support from tobacco control campaign groups. This paper analyses secondary literature on tobacco smoking and later provides an appropriate medium based communication strategy that can be adopted to counteract the persuasive smoking evil adverts of tobacco companies as well as creating awareness among the population of the health impacts caused by smoking.

Audience-Performer Interface as a Battlefield of Expression： A Study of Ateso Oral Narratives

The purpose of the study was to investigate and illustrate the challenges faced by performers and audiences during Ateso oral narratives in Ateso speaking communities in Uganda. The study used ethnographic and discurssive analyses methods of research. The topic was Audience-Performer Interface as a Battlefield of Expression： A Study of Ateso Oral Narratives. Ethnographic method of study was used in Ateso speaking communities of Serere, Ngora, Bukedea and Pallisa districts of Uganda. The author stayed with communities for four to seven days in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The study analysed the interpretational dimensions of the oral narrative episodes. Questionnaires and focused group discussions were used to solicit data from a total of 20 （33.3%） out of 60 persons. The study saw that there was dire need to revive the cultural media of communication in Teso. In Serere, Bukedea and Ngora there was more of unpleasant intrusion than in Pallisa and Serere. Performers should consider their audiences complementary to the narration and establish rapport. Audiences should appreciate the efforts of the narrators to keep the cultural norm of story-telling alive in Teso. The Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda should encourage local languages at all levels of education.

Evaluation of Control Strategies for Cymbopogon nardus in Grazing Areas of Uganda

Cymbopogon nardus is an invasive grass weed in the grazing lands of Uganda affecting growth of desirable species and impeding movement of livestock. Farmers have for long used manual removal with a hand hoe to control the weed to allow growth of palatable species. In order to reduce on the drudgery associated with the hand hoe, a trial was set up to evaluate removal with a hand hoe, use of fire and spraying the weed with glyphosate herbicide to control Cymbopogon nardus. Eight treatments associated with the different control strategies were replicated on four sites in the land use system. Both manual removal with a hand hoe and spraying with glyphosate herbicide were effective in controlling Cymbopogon nardus with 95% and 92% kill of Cymbopogon tussocks, respectively. The differences between the two control methods were not significant. Plant species biodiversity recovery was faster in the manually controlled plots than in those sprayed with glyphosate, but the number of species was not significantly different. The frequency of occurrence of species was however significantly different with manually controlled plots registering a higher frequency of the species. Fire had no effect as a control strategy, but instead increased the number of tussocks, growth vigour of the re-growth, flowering and hence seed setting. After three seasons, no significant difference was observed in species biodiversity between manual and herbicide control. These results suggest that herbicides could effectively be used to control Cymbopogon nardus to cut on costs and avoid the drudgery normally associated with manual control.

A Phytosociological Study of Hydrocotyle mannfi and Centella asiatica Weed Community in Kampala （Uganda, Eastern Africa）

A phytosociological study of a weed community dominated by Hydrocotyle mannii and Centella asiatica was carried out in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda from 2000 to 2002. The Zurich-Montpellier School of Phytosociology method was used with special emphasis on floristic and synecological structure as well as on dynamic aspects. This community was found to grow on shady moist roadsides and is about 15 cm high. In total, 54 species were recorded; most of them are annual, anemochorous and widespread. The Hydrocotyle mannii and Centella asiatica community is described as a new weed association： Hydocotylo-Centelletum asiaticae Mosango ass. nova.. Hydrocotyle mannii, Centella asiatica, Dichondra repens and Sida veronicifolia have been recognized as the character species of this association. The Hydrocotylo-Centelletum is a pioneer association. It has been ascribed to the alliance Eleusinion indicae Leonard 1950 which includes plant communities growing on shady roadsides. In terms of ecological succession, it appears to be evolving to the Asystasia gangetica herbaceous fallow association which belongs to the alliance Panicion maximi. It belongs to the order Ruderali-Euphorbietalia Schmitz 1971 and the class Ruderali-Manihotetea Leonard in Taton 1949.

Occurrence and Effects of Pineapple Mealybug Wilt Disease in Central Uganda

Pineapple mealybug wilt disease （PMWD） is one of the latest outbreaks of diseases attacking pineapple in Uganda. However, its occurrence and effects have not been documented and quantified, yet the disease poses a serious threat to the pineapple industry. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the occurrence and effects of PMWD on pineapple in central Uganda. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to solicit information from 82 respondents consisting of farmers, opinion leaders, key informants, political and technical leadership during May 2011. PMWD was observed in all the fields surveyed but with varying incidences and severities. In addition, PMWD was more common during the dry seasons than the rainy seasons where higher incidences were associated with high mealybug populations. PMWD manifested as a syndrome characterized by yellowing of leaves, stunting, wilting and rotting of roots. The effects of PMWD were variable but yield reductions and low plant populations were widely reported. Although, the occurrence of PMWD was reported to the different level of authority in the districts, very little was done to curb its spread.

Evaluating the Impact of Adoption of Improved Maize Varieties on Yield in Uganda： A Propensity Score Matching Approach

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of adopting improved maize varieties on crop yield in Uganda using propensity score matching （PSM） algorithms to control for hidden selection bias. The study employed cross-sectional household data collected in 2005/2006 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics （UBOS） across the country. Data were divided into two parts; the full sample and smallholder farmer sub-sample （those that cultivated less than 5 acres or 2 Hectares of maize in 2004 and 2005）. Then estimation was made of the difference in yields between the adopters and non adopters, the average treatment effect on the treated （ATT） for the full sample and smallholder farmer sub-sample. Matching methods were used to control for hidden selection bias and the standardized bias measure was used to check for the quality of matching. The results indicate that adoption of improved maize seed had a robust positive and significant effect on yields obtained by farmers. The results were consistent for both the full and smallholder farmer sub-samples. Sensitivity analysis using Rosenbaum bounds indicated that the ATT results were fairly robust to hidden selection bias. That is, the results were not sensitive to unobserved selection bias. Therefore it is confidently asserted that the estimated average difference in maize yields between the adopters and non-adopters was due to the effect of planting improved maize seed.

Economic Evaluation of Grain Amaranth Production in Kamuli District, Uganda

In Uganda, grain amaranth is relatively new and has generally not been considered as an important crop compared to other grain crops and legumes. This study was therefore conducted to determine factors affecting adoption of grain amaranth growing, factors affecting production, and economic returns on investment of its production. The study was carried out in Kamuli district where a total of 174 grain amaranth farmers and 90 non-grain amaranth farmers were randomly selected and interviewed. Using descriptive statistics, regression analysis （logit model and a Cobb-Douglas type production function） and profitability ratios, it was found that grain amaranth is produced on a small scale and yields are low. Farmer adoption of the crop was favoured by age, gender （female）, education of the farmer, and source of income. The output was positively affected by the amount of labour and manure used in production, while a negative relationship existed between output and male farmers. The crop was most viable under small acreages （0.02-0.04 ha） with positive returns to investment of 0.016. Its production should therefore be encouraged because of its income generation potential and since it requires small land.

Participatory Plant Breeding and Selection Impact on Adoption of Improved Sweetpotato Varieties in Uganda

This study analyzed the impact of participatory plant breeding （PPB） and participatory variety selection （PVS） on the adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties （ISPV） in central Uganda. The study quantitatively assessed how the two approaches influence farmers＇ uptake of the improved sweetpotato varieties and also determined other factors influencing this adoption. This was done by estimating a robust standard errors logit model. Both PPB and PVS positively and significantly influenced the likelihood of adoption of improved sweetpotato varieties at 5% and 10% levels, respectively. Other variables that positively influenced the adoption are extension services, training in sweetpotato production, farming experience, and off-farm income of the household. Farmers who participated in the plant breeding and variety selection processes were 37 and 6.7 times more likely to adopt the improved sweetpotato varieties than those who had not, respectively. Farmers who were trained specifically in sweetpotato production were 8.8 times more likely to adopt the improved varieties than those who had not received this type of training.

Physical Effectiveness of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in Drought Prone Areas of Western and Central Uganda

The effect of soil and water conservation （SWC） practices on controlling surface runoff and soil loss was studied in drought prone banana growing areas of Uganda, during the two major rainy seasons of 2014. The study was conducted at two sites-- Ntungamo （Southwest） and Sembabule （Central）, with comparable slopes of about 13%-25%. The treatments included mulch, manure, manure ＋ mulch and a control with no conservation. Results indicated that conservation practices of mulch and manure ＋ mulch significantly reduced surface runoff and soil loss by about 72%-85%, when compared to farmers＇ up-and-down cultivation practice （control）. It was also observed that significantly greater amounts of soil loss occurred from manure and control plots than the ones with mulch. Thus, the combination of manure and mulch is recommended for uptake by crop farmers in the study areas, if they are to overcome drought stress and adapt to changes in climate. More research is needed to quantify nutrient losses resulting from runoff under the different SWC techniques. Modeling such effects is essential in assessing the impacts of SWC practices on soil and crop productivity.

Oral Narrative an Underutilized Tool of Transformation： The Case of Ateso Folk Tales in Iteso Communities of Uganda and Kenya

The study explored the various performances of oral narratives in the Teso communities. In-depth interviews carried out with 68 respondents from 2009 to 2013, in six selected Teso districts in Uganda and Teso and Busia districts in Kenya, before and after performances, provided the data. In placing value and assessing the unquantifiable feelings of narrators and audiences, the study chose the methods of qualitative research and ethno-methodological philosophical analyses. Various levels of perceptions emerged from both the audiences and performers as they journeyed into both self and society. The study showed that the communities yearned for the communicative avenues of harnessing resources for solving various issues as they look into the future. Oral narratives motivated audiences through experiences of self discovery which spurred them to analogies of societal issues that haunted them. Both value and virtue were experienced at individual and group levels with a cultural identity and exposure to ethnic ties that bound them together in the struggle for a brighter tomorrow. The study recommends that a new society can be realized with movement from analogue to digital strategies for communication.

Ethnography of Women＇ s Perception of Their Workwear： Comparative Study between South Afi＇ica and Uganda

The study investigates women＇s perception of the workwear, and their awareness about how garment fit can affect one＇s body image. Drawing on the theory of practice, we propose an ethnographic account of women＇s perception of workwear and their preferred alternative. The study presents a comparative perspective of attitudes, and perceptions about the workwear of women in South Africa and Uganda explored through the habitus. We present pro-vocal recollections of women perceptions on the current workwear ideal for men which omits women＇ body physique. In particular, from the current personal protective equipment （PPE）, we examine ＂the overall＂ common attire at site and an integral part of the PPE. Overalls are designed following the men＇s physique, and women in work place are subjected to put them on yet, differences in body structure/shapes amongst women, namely, hour glass, bottom hourglass, spoon, and pear shape, are hardly considered. The identification of different female body shapes is made possible through the 3D anthropometric measurements using a Three Dimensional （3D） Body Scanner （TC2）. We develop endogenous explanations of what women would want to see as workwear based on the understanding of women found on site in men＇s workwear or without any work weal- in South Africa and Uganda. Using ethnographic design approach, we capture voices of 10 women from South Africa and Uganda through participant observation and unstructured interviews. We analyze data thematically to determine the patterns of their responses toward an appropriate workwear. Moreover, we （re）construct these responses into possible design models that would be ideal workwear for women, which gives them the pride, respect, dignity, and confidence as women.

When the Butter Got Done： The Resilience of Indigenous Design Processes During Dictatorial Regime in Uganda Between 1971-1978 and Their Continued Use in Kiruhura District in S.W. Uganda

Although African continent and Uganda in particular experienced the influence of the western economies which came with exploration, missionary work, and colonialism, and which put the indigenous design creativity to sleep, communities have continued to show resilience in utilizing indigenous design processes whenever there is a shift in the cosmetic African-West relationship. This paper describes and assesses how indigenous processes become fundamental and sustained a fragile economy of Uganda after the military takeover of government by Idi Amin in 1971. It looks at how Ugandan artisans employed their long forgotten skills in designing processes that allowed communities to function. For example artisans made spare parts for the abandoned factories, made soap, and processed salt for consumption. The paper takes a pro-vocal approach and traces how this worked, how it is still working even when the country is presumably peaceful with the majority of the population engaged in agriculture production. The author carried out an ethnographic study on 90 participants in Kiruhura district in S.W. Uganda to establish how families integrate indigenous design processes in their daily activities. The author investigated why families continue to use indigenous material cultural items such as carvings, pottery, baskets, and iron work yet government policy emphases commercial agriculture. Results indicate that most families still use indigenous design processes in agriculture, housing, and treatment because of the superficial and unstructured ability by most families to use western made technologies, and that many of them do not have the necessary resources to acquire the modern technology. Results further indicate that families have a special attachment to indigenous materials which gives them an identity and ownership and that some items work better than the Western designed products. The paper concludes that those indigenous design processes are fundamentally good opportunities for entrepreneur actions that could be viable household enterprises. In addition to improving household incomes, the author theorize that re-engaging indigenous design processes, may facilitate ownership, resilience, and creativity of indigenous African creativity and design processes that could lead to sustainable development.