http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12283/365 2026-04-03T20:03:51Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12283/4677 Impact of climate variability on millet production in Pallisa district, eastern Uganda Oriada, Oseku Mathias Climate variability has posed serious threats to millet production in Pallisa district, yet the crop is vital in contributing to household income and food security. The study examined the impact of climate variability on millet production in Pallisa District. Specifically, the study: analyzed rainfall, temperature and millet production trends; assessed the effect of climatic factors on millet production; and examined the adaptation measures taken by millet farmers. The study used a descriptive research design. Secondary and primary data were used, in that secondary data informed primary data collection. Data on 30 years’ trend in rainfall and temperature were obtained from Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA), while data on the 10 years’ trend in millet production from Census data and Annual Agricultural Survey (AAS). Simple random sampling was used to collect primary data from 365 households using a structured questionnaire. Analysis was done in SPSS version 20. Findings indicate that in the period 1991 to 2021, low rainfall was received while the years; 1993, 2000, 2016, with 2000 experienced the least rainfall. In contrast, the year 1996 there was a lot of rain experienced. Maximum temperatures were experienced in 2000 and 2016. Furthermore, during this period the first season yields were higher than those of the second seasons. Climate variability had resulted in premature drying of crops, reduction in yield per acre, shift in planting and harvesting time, losses due to hailstorms, and increased pests. All the interviewed farmers were adapting to climate variability by utilising native species perceived to be resistant varieties, adjusting the sowing dates, diversification, and intercropping. Government and other stakeholders should consider investing in research and development to come up with highly yielding and resistant varieties, encouraging diversification, and development of irrigation schemes for sustained production and livelihood. Dissertation 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12283/4676 The effects of land conflicts on cassava production in Lobule sub-county, Koboko District, Uganda Bakole, Alex This study aimed to investigate the effects of land conflicts on cassava production in Lobule Sub-County, Koboko District. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey of 300 households, five focus group discussions (FGDs), and three key informant interviews (KIIs). Findings revealed that boundary conflicts (63.3%) and land inheritance conflicts (23%) were the most common types of land conflicts, alongside ownership and user conflicts. Key causes included unclear boundaries, lack of land registration, absence of formal user agreements, and corruption by some clan elders. Most conflicts (92.4%) were resolved at household and community levels, primarily by clan elders. Cassava production was predominantly small-scale, with land conflicts accounting for 69.9% of production challenges reported by respondents. Other challenges included climate change, pests, diseases, and poor cassava varieties. The conflicts extended beyond family to community, clan, and institutional levels, posing significant challenges to peaceful coexistence. Limited land availability and resource constraints hindered large-scale cassava production. Land conflicts reduced land size for cassava cultivation, discouraged investment on contested land, and led to shifts toward shorter-term crops such as maize. Recommendations include: Implement agricultural support programs targeting farmers in conflict-prone areas, securing land access and user rights for tenant farmers to encourage sustained cassava cultivation policy should aim to secure land tenure, introduce land conflict mediation services at the local level, and provide legal support to vulnerable groups such as women and tenant farmers, formal land registration clear demarcation of land boundaries through boundary tree planting, implementing these measures could mitigate the adverse effects of land conflicts on cassava production in Lobule Sub-County, Koboko District. Dissertation 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12283/4675 Effect of collaborative forest management on carbon stocks, species diversity and stem density in Mabira central forest reserve, Uganda Mugumya, Phillipson Collaborative forest management (CFM) is a form of forest governance in which local communities are involved in the superintendence and administrative processes related to forest resources. It is believed that forests under such management are better in tree diversity and conservation status thus hold more carbon stocks. The study assessed the influence of CFM on carbon stocks in Mabira central forest reserve. This was achieved through measuring carbon stocks in forested areas under CFM viz a viz non-CFM areas, determining tree species diversity in forested areas under CFM viz a viz non-CFM areas, and determining tree stem-densities in areas under CFM viz a viz non-CFM areas in Mabira Central Forest Reserve. Data were collected from alternating plots laid along transects running from north to south in the different purposively selected forest areas. Field carbon stock assessment followed the procedure described by Asseffa et al., (2013) Tree species diversity included species richness and species evenness as sampled among plots in the selected forest areas. Tree stem-density assessment was hinged on the method described by Eilu et al., (2004). The study findings show that non-CFM areas have a greater variability and wider spread carbon stock values compared to CFM areas. CFM areas also had lower species richness compared to non-CFM areas. CFM areas however, exhibited more species diversity and variability than non-CFM areas. CFM areas had higher average stem density stands (309 stems per hectare) compared to non-CFM areas. Recommendations for improving collaborative forest management (CFM) areas include implementing targeted interventions to enhance carbon sequestration, such as promoting reforestation and afforestation with high-carbon-storing species, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess carbon stock changes over time. Additionally, efforts should focus on enhancing biodiversity conservation by implementing more stringent protection measures and reducing human disturbance, while encouraging community participation in biodiversity monitoring and conservation education. Dissertation 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12283/4674 Farmers’ perception of the effects of climate variability on rice production and adaptation strategies Kaugule, Joseph The main objective of the study was to assess the farmers’ perception of the effects of climate variability on rice production in Limoto wetlands in Kibuku district. The research was cross- sectional in nature where both quantitative and qualitative approaches to produce data on historical trends and challenges of climate variability, farmers’ perceptions of the impacts of climate variability on rice production and factors influencing adaptation strategies that would allow rice farmers to shape sustainability and resilience to their livelihoods. Both purposive sampling and Simple random sampling were employed to select respondents from both rice farmers and key informants in the two sub-counties of Buseta and Kituti within Kibuku district comprised a population of 900 active farmers and were only 268 were sampled during the study, 160 were from Buseta Sub-County, while 108 were from Kituti Sub-County. Data on monthly temperature and rainfall for the period 1995–2024 were obtained from the department of Meteorological services, under the Ministry of Water and Environment. This period matches a minimum of 30 years. Rice farmers’ perceived impacts of climate variability on rice production relied on cross-sectional data from 268 rice farmers interviewed using a combination of semi structured questionnaires. The medians within each boxplot indicated a slight temperature upward shift over time, particularly from the 1990s to the 2010s. Contrastingly, the annual rainfall does not show any monotonic trend, despite substantial inter-annual variability. Statistical tests revealed that inter-annual variability in rainfall, with extreme anomalies observed in 2000 and 2016 had SPI values below -2, signifying severe drought years. Conversely, 1996, 2007, and 2019 had SPI values above +1.5 significantly wetter conditions. These findings were consistent with findings from responses obtained from FGDs and KIIs. The results from the analysis of minimum temperature were consistent with those of maximum temperature, where the decadal increase in maximum temperature was significant between the 1990s and 2010s. The medians within each boxplot indicate a slight upward shift over time, particularly from the 1990s to the 2010s. However, the 2020s appear to show a stabilization or slight reduction in median maximum temperatures. Contrastingly, the annual rainfall does not show any monotonic trend, despite substantial inter-annual variability. The demographic and socio- characteristics revealed education, social, and technological involvement to enhance adaptation. The study concluded that significant climatic shifts have occurred in both rainfall and temperature patterns, including the frequency of dry spells and elevated mean temperatures. It was also concluded by the results there is evident decline in rice kilograms over the last three decades. Dissertation 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z