School of Biosciences Collection

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https://dissertations.mak.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12281/6446

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    Prevalence of honey bee pests and predators in apiaries in Arwoteck Subcounty in Amolatar district
    (Makerere University, 2026) Ongodia, Innocent
    Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are among the most important pollinators of flowering plants, playing a key role in provision of both direct and indirect value to the agricultural economy and, consequently, the global economy. However, they are exposed to a wide range of threats such as pathogens and parasites, habitat fragmentation, pesticides, and environmental stressors, which have led to the loss of a significant number of colonies. A decline in their colony numbers is worrisome as it can cause extensive economic consequences. Due to this, there has been a substantial increase in research exploring the factors that pose threats to honey bee health. However, this research has not been conducted in all bee keeping zones, especially in developing countries. The present study found it thoughtful to investigate the prevalence of pests and predators of honey bees in apiaries in Arwotcek sub-county, Amolatar district found in the northern part of Uganda. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design where purposive sampling was done among 40 beekeepers from four parishes (Ogenga, Aburkidi, Awac, and Anyamawele) in Arwotcek sub-county. The diversity of the bee pests and predators was computed using Shannon-weiner index while data on their abundance was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test at α=0.05. The 40 bee keepers sampled had both colonized and uncolonized bee hives, but with more uncolonized hives in their apiaries. Four different kinds of bee pests and predators were recorded. These were ants, small hive beetles, varroa mites, and wax moths. The highest diversity of bee pests and predators was recorded in Awac parish (0.10877), followed by Ogenga (0.009178). Significant differences in the abundance of bee pests and predators (Kruskal-Wallis statistic=11.401, p=0.022, df=4, Kruskal-Wallis test) at α=0.05 were registered. Small hive beetles were the most dominant in all the four parishes of Arwotcek sub-county followed by wax moths. In all the four parishes, the parishes where large numbers of bee pests and predators were registered are Ogenga and Aburkidi. These findings are pivotal as they portray a clear picture of the threats to beekeeping in Arwotcek sub-county. This is the first study at the sub-county level to determine the diversity and abundance of bee pests and predators in four beekeeping villages of Arwotcek sub-county. It is thus paramount that adequate knowledge on the presence of these pests and predators is generated, not only in Arwotcek sub-county but also in other beekeeping communities in Amolatar district. However, since the current study did not consider the measures being taken by bee keepers in Arwotcek sub-county, there is a need for a study focusing on the bee pest and predator prevention measures.
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    Analysis of Antibiotics Residue in Raw Cow Milk in Randomly Selected Farms in Moyo District, Northern Uganda.
    (Makerere University, 2025-07-15) ANZO, SIMON
    Antibiotic are commonly used veterinary medications but these residues especially in raw milk as in this study represent a significant public health concern due to their potential to causing allergic reactions, disrupt human gut micro biota, and most importantly contributing to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to analyze antibiotic residues in raw cow milk from randomly selected farms in Moyo District, Northern Uganda, and to investigate the correlation between antibiotic usage patterns and residue levels. Data collected from farmer surveys revealed that beta-lactams and tetracyclines are the most commonly used antibiotics, with many farmers lacking adequate knowledge of proper administration and withdrawal periods. Milk samples were screened using FTIR spectroscopy, detecting residues of both antibiotic classes in all samples. Residue levels ranged from 0.000737 to 0.024131 µg/kg for beta-lactams and 0.000131 to 0.123993 µg/kg for tetracyclines in farms that did not observe withdrawal periods, compared to significantly lower levels in farms that did. Though statistical analysis confirmed a strong, significant association (p < 0.05) between failure to observe withdrawal periods and elevated residue contamination, the residue levels were below the global Maximum Residue Levels but continued mismanagement could lead to future consequences. The study therefore highlighted critical gaps in farmer awareness and residue monitoring, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve antibiotic stewardship in order to ensure milk safety, and mitigate AMR risks in rural parts of Uganda that are mostly neglected.
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    Assessing the efficacy of aloe vera extract (barbadensis) and guava extract (psidium guajava) on xanthomonas campestris pv campestris at conas microbiology laboratory
    (Makerere University, 2024) Akeny, Goddy
    Bacterial diseases in plants have significant impacts on agricultural production worldwide. Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris is a Gram negative bacterium(Bonas et al., 2000) that causes a variety of diseases in plants, including bacteria spot diseases in tomatoes and black rot diseases in cruciferous vegetables. The control of this pathogen is challenging due to the development of resistance to the conventional chemical treatments(Itako et al., 2015). Therefore there is a growing interest in exploring alternative methods such as the use of plant extracts with antibacterial properties. Aloe Vera and guava are two plants known for their medicinal properties, including antibacterial activity. Several studies have reported the efficacy of Aloe Vera and guava extracts in inhibiting the growth of various bacterial pathogens. For example ,Aloe Vera extract has been shown to have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli(Azahra et al., 2019). while guava leaf extract has been found to inhibit the growth of Salmonella typhi and S.aureus(Biswas et al., 2013). This project is to find out the efficacy of Aloe Vera extract and Guava extract on Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris, a bacterial pathogen that causes diseases in a variety of plants. The research will involve conducting in the vitro experiments to assess the antimicrobial properties of these extracts against the pathogen. The study will involve the extraction of Aloe Vera and Guava extracts using ethanol of different concentrations. The extracts will then be tested against Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris to evaluate their inhibitory effects on bacterial growth. The results of this project which is inhibiting the growth of Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris will provide valuable insights into potential use of Aloe Vera and Guava extracts as natural antimicrobial agents for controlling Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris Infections.
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    Microbiological quality assessment of bottled drinking water in Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025) Mugeni, Hannington
    Access to microbiologically safe drinking water remains a critical component of public health, especially in rapidly urbanizing regions such as Kampala, Uganda. Bottled water has increasingly become a preferred source of drinking water for many urban dwellers due to concerns about the safety of piped or untreated water. However, the microbiological quality of bottled water remains under-investigated in Uganda. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of bottled drinking water sold in shops and supermarkets in Kampala using Total Plate Count (TPC) and mSuperCARBA™ methods. A cross-sectional experimental design was employed. A total of thirteen (13) different bottled water brands were collected from various retail outlets including supermarkets, kiosks, and street vendors across Kampala District. Due to laboratory resource limitations, only seven (7) of these samples were subjected to full microbiological analysis. Nutrient Agar was used for estimating the total bacterial load through standard plate count methods, while mSuperCARBA™ was used for the detection of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and other coliforms. Water samples were serially diluted (10⁻¹ and 10⁻²), and 0.1 mL from each dilution was plated in duplicate. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24–48 hours for TPC, and 35–37°C for 18–24 hours for pathogen detection on mSuperCARBA™ . Colony counts were recorded and used to calculate CFU/mL for each brand. Results revealed that Hema, Rwenzori, Ice Water, and Pot Water had no detectable heterotrophic bacteria,hence microbiologically safe and complied with WHO (2017) and Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS, 2020) . Krystal and Westlake recorded CFU values of exactly 100 CFU/mL technically compliant at borderline microbiological safety suggesting small post-production contamination. Hill Water, was non-compliant, registering a TPC of 300 CFU/mL implying possible flaws in post-treatment handling, bottling, or storage. Notably, no visible growth was observed on mSuperCARBA™ plates across all tested samples, suggesting the absence of E. coli and coliform contamination. Regulatory agencies such as UNBS and health authorities should strengthen post-market surveillance to ensure continued consumer safety.