School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) Collection
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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
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ItemPrevalence of tapeworm parasites in mountain gorillas (Gorilla Beringei Beringei) and olive baboons (Papio Anubis) in Bwindi-Mghahinga Conservation Area(Makerere University, 2026)Cestode are common gastrointestinal parasites of non-human primates and may influence wildlife health and conservation. Cestodes are gastrointestinal parasites that infect a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including rodents, ungulates, primates, elephants, and hyraxes. Although the epidemiology of cestode infections has been well documented in some host species, information on free-ranging primates remains limited. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Bwindi– Mgahinga Conservation Area (BMCA), Uganda, between November and December 2025 to determine the prevalence, diversity and egg burden of tapeworm infestations among mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and olive baboons (Papio anubis). A total of 273 fecal samples were collected, comprising 245 samples from mountain gorillas obtained from fresh night nests and 28 samples from olive baboons collected during daytime by following troop trails. Tapeworm eggs per gram (EPG) were quantified using the Mini-FLOTAC® technique, and cestode eggs were identified morphologically to the genus level. Mountain gorillas exhibited a markedly higher prevalence of tapeworm infection than olive baboons. Overall prevalence was 94.1% (222/236) in BINP and 100% (9/9) in MGNP for gorillas, compared with 25.0% (7/28) in olive baboons. Within BINP, gorilla prevalence ranged from 87.0% in Buhoma to 98.0% in Rushaga. Adults showed the highest prevalence (95.7%), while females had slightly higher prevalence (97.0%) than males (93.6%). Three tapeworm genera—Anoplocephala, Moniezia, and Bertiella—were identified in mountain gorillas, whereas only Bertiella species were detected in olive baboons. Mean tapeworm egg counts were significantly higher in gorillas from MGNP than BINP (319.20 ± 39.51 vs. 162.17 ± 11.80 EPG; p = 0.011). Within BINP, gorillas had significantly higher mean EPG than olive baboons (162.17 ± 11.80 vs. 4.29 ± 2.91; p < 0.001). Tapeworm egg burdens also differed significantly among gorilla sectors, with Rushaga recording the highest median EPG (p < 0.0001), while differences by age and sex were not statistically significant. These findings indicate a higher occurrence of tapeworm infections in mountain gorillas than in olive baboons and provide information on the distribution of cestode genera in sympatric primate populations within BMCA. However, because parasite identification was based on morphological characteristics of eggs, future studies incorporating molecular techniques are recommended to enable species-level identification and improve understanding of cestode diversity and transmission dynamics.
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ItemEvaluation of reproductive performance of breeding sows within selected parishes of Makindye Division, Kampala District(Makerere University, 2026)Reproductive efficiency and pre-weaning piglet survival are critical determinants of productivity and profitability in intensive pig production. However, limited data exist on these parameters among small-scale intensive farms in urban-peri-urban areas of Uganda. This study was set to; i. Characterise the litter size, age at weaning, weaning-to-service interval, Non- productive days, Inter- farrowing interval, litter index and the Piglets weaned per sow per year of sows managed under intensive production systems within selected parishes of Makindye Division, Kampala District. ii. Determine the prevalence and likely causes of pre-weaning piglet mortality in breeding herds within the study area. A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected parishes of Makindye Division, Kampala District. Ninety pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and reproductive data were collected from 151 breeding sow. Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, medians, and ranges) and frequency distributions were generated using STATA software. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations with pre-weaning mortality. All farms used intensive, confined housing, with crossbred sows predominating (91.1%). Mean litter size was 9.46 ± 1.95 total born (9.09 ± 1.88 born alive), and 8.78 ± 4.66 piglets were weaned per litter, yielding 14.09 ± 3.56 piglets weaned per sow per year. Pre-weaning mortality was reported by 54.4% of farms (n=49). Among affected farms, 69.4% of mortalities occurred within 0–2 days of life. The leading causes were diarrhea (42.9%) and crushing by the sow (38.8%). Reproductive performance was moderate but significantly limited by high early neonatal mortality. Strengthening farrowing supervision, hygiene, creep feeding, and neonatal care can substantially reduce losses. Extension services should prioritize practical training on these aspects to enhance productivity in urban- and peri-urban pig farming systems in Uganda.
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ItemFactors influencing the utilisation of poultry feed additives and farmer’s perceptions of their quality in selected parishes of Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District(Makerere University, 2026)Poultry production constitutes a critically important enterprise in Uganda, contributing substantially to household food security, income generation and rural employment. Although feed additives are widely recognized for their potential to enhance growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and disease resistance, their utilization among small holder farmers remains inconsistent and the quality of products available on local markets is poorly regulated. Against this background, the present study was designed to assess the factors influencing the utilization of poultry feed additives and to evaluate farmers’ perceptions of their quality among poultry producers in selected parishes of Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District. Across sectional survey design was adopted, and primary data were collected from 100 poultry farmers selected through a multistage purposive sampling from five parishes. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered via kobo Toolbox, and all analyses were carried out using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics, multiple response analysis and chi square tests. The findings revealed that vitamins, growth promoters and minerals were the most widely utilized additive categories, whereas probiotics and antioxidants were never used. Expected benefits for birds, price and professional advice emerged as the primary drivers of Utilizations, while high cost was most frequently cited barrier. Although farmers generally held positive perceptions of additive quality, a substantial proportion reported encountering poor quality products, checked only limited label information, and rarely reported quality concerns to regulatory authorities. It is concluded that, despite generally favorable perceptions of feed additive quality, significant challenges persist, including cost barriers, product quality inconsistencies, unsupervised use of growth promoters and week regulatory enforcement.it is recommended that the Animal feed Act ,2024 be expedited, that complaint reporting mechanisms be strengthened, and that targeted farmer training on responsible additive use be prioritized.