School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) Collection
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ItemAntimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from local chicken in Bumbobi sub-county, Mbale District(Makerere University, 2026)Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health concern, with Escherichia coli serving as an indicator organism for monitoring resistance in livestock. These study aimed to establish antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Escherichia coli isolates from local chicken Cloacal swabs in Bumbobi Sub County. One hundred fifty seven Cloacal swabs were randomly collected from local chickens however one hundred samples were cultured following standard protocols for a period of three months. Isolates of E. coli were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing on different antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The overall prevalence of E. coli in local chicken was 85.0%. Ampicillin showed highest resistance (89.4%) and least in ciprofloxacin (2.4%), with no statistical significant difference among the antibiotics used in the isolates of E. coli (p> 0.585). However, Multidrug resistance (MDR) of E. coli isolates (10.6%), showed slightly high significance different (p < 0.05). These findings reveal a high burden of AMR in E. coli isolates from fecal samples of local chickens, which poses a risk to animal and public health. Therefore, strengthened antimicrobial stewardship, farmer education on prudent antibiotic use, and continued AMR surveillance are recommended to mitigate the spread of resistant E. coli.
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ItemKnowledge, attitude, and practices regarding foot and mouth disease vaccination among cattle farmers in Mukono Central Division, Mukono District(Makerere University, 2026)This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cattle farmers regarding FMD vaccination in Mukono Central Division, Mukono District. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 158 cattle farmers using a structured questionnaire administered face to face covering, sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of FMD transmission and clinical signs, attitudes towards vaccination, vaccination practices, and barriers to vaccination uptake. All respondents (100%) had heard of FMD and FMD vaccination, The most commonly recognised clinical signs were blisters in the mouth (62.7%), hypersalivation (59.5%). Direct contact with infected animals was the most frequently recognised transmission route. Regarding other susceptible species, most of the farmers knew goats while one quarter did not know other affected species. Only 64 farmers (40.5%) reported that their cattle had been vaccinated, whereas 94 (59.5%) had not. The main reported concerns were vaccination cost and effectiveness. More than half of farmers reported that vaccination services were difficult or very difficult to access, and 66.5% had never received formal training on FMD vaccination or control. All farmers reported that vaccination was conducted only during outbreaks. Vaccination status was significantly associated with farming experience, age, number of cattle owned, knowledge of other susceptible species, perceived vaccine effectiveness, reported vaccination concerns, affordability, accessibility, and response time following disease reporting. The study revealed that while cattle farmers in Mukono Central Division have good general awareness and positive attitudes toward FMD vaccination, actual practice remains low and important gaps in detailed disease knowledge. Vaccination practices were largely outbreak-oriented, while cost, limited access to vaccination services, inadequate training, and concerns about vaccine effectiveness presented important barriers. Addressing these factors through routine farmer education using local languages, practical demonstrations, community-based vaccination campaigns subsiding or farmer-group cost-sharing, and appropriate vaccination schedules. may improve routine vaccination uptake and strengthen sustainable FMD control in Mukono Central Division and similar cattle-producing areas of Uganda.
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ItemPrevalence and host related risk factors of haemonchosis in sheep In Nakapelimoru Subcounty, Kotido District, North Eastern Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)Haemonchus contortus is widely acknowledged as one of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematodes causing significant economic losses in small ruminant production systems. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Nakapelimoru sub-county, Kotido district, North Eastern Uganda to determine the prevalence and associated hostrelated risk factors of haemonchosis in sheep. Fecal samples were collected from 355 randomly selected sheep across three parishes (Kopsang, Kalobor, and Lookorok) and examined using the simple test tube floatation method and coproculture. The overall prevalence of strongyle eggs was 49.58 % (176/355) while the specific prevalence of Haemonchus contortus confirmed via coproculture and larval identification was 25.35 % (90/355). Statistical analysis using the Chi-square test revealed no significant association (P > 0.05) between Haemonchus infestation and host risk factors including sex (P = 0.958), age (P = 0.650) and body condition score (P = 0.841). These findings indicate that Haemonchus contortus is widespread across the sheep population regardless of individual host attributes emphasizing the critical need for broad-based, whole-flock control and prevention strategies within this pastoral system.
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ItemThe prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal nematodes among goats in Lamiyo Subcounty, Agago District(Makerere University, 2026)Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) constraint goat production, particularly in smallholder farming systems. Despite the importance of goats to household livelihoods in Northern Uganda, there is limited information on GIN prevalence, worm burden, predominant nematode types and associated risk factors in Lamiyo subcounty, Agago District. This study determined the prevalence and infestation intensity of GIN, identified predominant nematode types and assessed the associated risk factors of gastrointestinal nematodes among goats in Lamiyo Subcounty, Agago District. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2026 in goats aged six months and above. A total of 224 goats from 54 goat-keeping households were sampled. Information on animal characteristics, housing, grazing durations and deworming history was also collected using a pretested questionnaire to assess potential risk factors. The overall prevalence of GIN infestation was 92.9% and Strongyle-type nematodes were predominant, occurring in 87.1% of goats, followed by Strongyloides spp. at 53.1%. The mean fecal egg concentration (FEC) was significantly higher for Strongyles (646.2 EPG) than for Strongyloides spp. (95.3 EPG). The GIN prevalence did not differ significantly among the four parishes (p > 0.05). However, housing floor type and grazing duration were significantly associated with GIN infestation. Goats kept on raised floors had lower odds of infestation than those housed on earthen floors (aOR = 0.5, p = 0.021), while goats grazing for more than 7 hours per day had lower odds of infestation than those grazing for six hours or less (aOR = 0.3, p < 0.001). The high prevalence of GIN may be attributed to earthen housing floor type and short grazing duration (less than 7 hours). The study demonstrates that GIN are highly endemic and constitute an important constraint to goat health and productivity in Lamiyo Subcounty. Integrated control measures, including strategic and targeted deworming under veterinary guidance and use of slated housing type are recommended. Further studies should identify GIN to species level, assess seasonal variation in worm burden and investigate anthelmintic resistance across Northern Uganda.
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ItemChicken Farmer's preference on use of commercial or self-compounded feeds in Bombo Town Council, Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)This study investigated chicken farmers' preference on use of commercial versus self compounded feeds in Bombo Town Council, Luweero District, Uganda. Feeding costs account for 60–75% of total variable production expenditures in poultry enterprises, yet limited empirical evidence exists on how farmers navigate between commercial and on-farm mixing options in this peri-urban context. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to survey 102 poultry farmers selected through multistage sampling across five parishes. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Chi-Square tests within SPSS (Version 27). The findings revealed that exclusive reliance on commercial feeds is exceptionally rare (6.9%), while a substantial majority (68.6%) employs a blended feeding strategy, purchasing commercial starter feed for the early brooding phase before transitioning to self-compounded rations. Among commercial feed users, broiler starter was the dominant product choice (89.6%). For self-compounding farmers, broken maize (100.0%) served as the primary cereal energy source, fish meal (92.6%) as the leading animal-protein ingredient, and soya bean meal/cake (44.2%) as the principal oil-seed source. Contrary to expectation, perceived feed quality (68.6%) rather than cost (55.9%) was the most frequently cited driver of feed choice, although 91.2% of respondents still rated feed cost as “very important.” Self-compounding farmers faced significant technical constraints: 74.7% lacked appropriate mixing equipment and 69.5% lacked sufficient knowledge of correct ingredient ratios. Furthermore, 28.2% of respondents reported direct experience of feed adulteration, most commonly attributed to low-quality ingredients (81.8%) rather than physical contaminants. Inferential analysis revealed highly significant relationships between feed type and production outcomes (p < 0.001). Feed type was strongly associated with both bird growth rating (χ² = 66.710, df = 6) and overall production rating (χ² = 80.800, df = 4), with farmers relying exclusively on commercial feed most likely to rate growth as “faster,” and blended-strategy farmers overwhelmingly rating growth as “average.” Scale of production (χ² = 15.411, df = 4, p =0.004) and occupation (χ² = 14.385, df = 6, p = 0.026) were also significantly associated with feed type choice. The study concludes that mixed feeding represents a rational economic adaptation to market price volatility and ingredient access, but its effectiveness is undermined by persistent technical capacity gaps and inconsistent feed quality assurance. Recommendations include developing practical training modules for on-farm ration formulation, establishing community based feed quality monitoring networks, strengthening regulatory enforcement against adulteration, and promoting access to low-cost mechanical mixing technologies. Keywords: commercial feeds, self-compounded feeds, feed preference, poultry production, Bombo Town Council, Uganda