School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (SFEGS) Collection

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https://dissertations.mak.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12281/6449

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    Enhancing the role of the Uganda National Museum Botanic Garden in biodiversity conservation.
    (Makerere University, 2024) Amito, Trinity Kirabo
    This study investigates the role of the Uganda National Museum Botanic Garden in enhancing biodiversity conservation through a mixed-method research design. The objectives were: 1).To explore the perception of tourists and other stakeholders regarding the role of the botanic garden in biodiversity conservation; 2).To identify the challenges faced by the botanical garden in fulfilling its objectives in education, conservation, and tourism; and 3).To identify strategies for enhancing the effectiveness of botanic gardens in achieving conservation goals. By employing purposive sampling for key informants and random sampling for visitors, data were gathered from 100 respondents including staff, community members, and government officials. Combinations of quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized for data collection, incorporating surveys, key informant interviews, and observational techniques. The findings show that visitors have limited awareness of the garden's conservation efforts, which impacts their appreciation of its biodiversity role. A considerable number of visitors rated their overall experience as average, indicating deficiencies in educational programming and facilities. The study highlights the importance of social media and word of mouth in raising awareness about the garden, suggesting that these channels can effectively market conservation education initiatives. Respondents proposed actionable strategies, including enhanced marketing efforts, engaging educational programs, and improved facilities to address existing challenges. The study concludes with targeted recommendations for developing educational programs, evaluating current initiatives, and implementing a comprehensive social media strategy to elevate the garden's visibility and effectiveness in biodiversity conservation. These insights serve as a foundation for enhancing the role of the Uganda National Museum Botanic Garden and promoting sustainable tourism while fulfilling its conservation objectives.
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    Contribution of agroforestry practices to food security : a case study of Nyero Sub-County in Kumi District
    (Makerere University, 2025) Ogwang, Emmanuel
    Agroforestry is a land management system where trees are strategically integrated with agricultural crops and animals on the same piece of land. Much as this system has been carried in Kumi district for a long time, its potential contribution to food among local farmers remains limited. This study, thus investigated the contribution of agroforestry practices to food security in Nyero Subcounty, Kumi District. The study employed a mixed research design in which data were collected through household interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 60 farmers were sampled using simple random sampling techniques from four randomly selected villages, ensuring a comprehensive representation of local agroforestry practices. The collected data were checked, coded, and entered into SPSS for analysis and presented as descriptive statistics in form of tables and graphs. The major reported agroforestry practices in the area included home gardens, woodlots, silvopastoral and windbreaks reported 53.3%, 28.3%, 26.7% and 21.7% of the respondents respectively. The most preferred tree species for enhancing food security included Mangifera indica (Mango Tree), Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange Tree), Tamarindus indica (Tamarind Tree), Persea americana (Avocado Tree), and Eucalyptus sp, Anacardium occidentale (Cashew Tree) Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit Tree), Cordia africana, Prunus africana and Markamia lutea reported by 73.3%, 40.0%, 36.7%, 36.7%, 36.7%, 35.0%, 25.0%, 16.7%, 10.0% and 1.7% of the respondents respectively. Uses of agroforestry trees for food security were in the form of fuel wood, windbreaks, shade, timber production, fruits, medicine and household income. Agroforestry contributed to food security in various ways ranging from steady food supply, its role in providing a constant supply of fuel wood, generating of income, nutritional diversity, medicine, forage for livestock, enhanced water management and risk mitigation reported by 65.0%, 46.7%, 45.0%, 18.3%, 08.3%, 03.3%, 03.3% and 01.7% of the respondents respectively. The management strategies for agroforestry practices in the area included pest and disease management, weeding, spacing, thinning, mulching, intercropping and fertilizer application among others. Income generation was the major factor influencing the attitude of farmers towards agroforestry practices for food security, followed by fuel provision and soil erosion control reported by 65%, 26.7% and 18.3% respectively of the respondent. Other factors included improved microclimate, increased crop yields, reliable food sources, availability of land, windbreaks, extension services, ready market and reliability of agroforestry reported by 18.3%, 13.3%, 10.0%, 08.3%, 06.6%, 05.0% and 03.3% of the respondent respectively. Challenges faced in practicing agroforestry were pests and diseases, harsh climate, and low product prices reported by 71.7%, 51.7% and 28.3% of the respondents respectively Opportunities for management of agroforestry practices to overcome the challenges were spraying of the crops and animal, planting drought resistant crop varieties, fencing of the farm, watering of the seedling, improving post harvesting techniques, providing training and education and promoting intercropping as reported by 83.0%, 66.7%, 62%, 41.6%, 31.6%, 28% and 25.0% of the respondents respectively. Household size had significant influence (pvalue=0.000). on the belief that agroforestry has to provide food throughout the year. Empowering local communities with knowledge and skills essential for using agroforestry to improve their food security status would be essential. There is, thus, a need to establish training programs aimed at equipping farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement agroforestry practices that enhance food security.
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    Examining the relationship between food quality and customer satisfaction at source the Nile hotel in Jinja city.
    (Makerere university, 2026-02-11) Atugonza, Lawrence
    This study investigates the relationship between food quality and customer satisfaction at Source of the Nile Hotel, Jinja, Uganda. It was guided by the following objective: assessed the different dimensions of food quality (taste, presentation, freshness, and safety), examined customer satisfaction levels concerning their dining experiences and analyzed the correlation between specific food quality attributes and overall customer satisfaction in the restaurant context. To achieve the set objectives, the study used a questionnaire and key informant interview approaches to collect data that was anlysed using a likert scale, descriptive and correlation statistics to understand the relationship between specific food quality attributes and overall customer satisfaction. The study that indicate high levels of overall dining satisfaction, and Food quality being served at the hotel suggesting that food quality and ambience drive positive guest experiences. In addition, loyalty intentions were strong, while service quality and speed showed greater variability, pointing to opportunities to standardize service delivery and improve throughput. Customers had a well perception of the environment and appreciated the menu diversity. Based on these findings, the study recommends targeted coaching to enhance responsiveness and professionalism, time-and-motion studies to optimize seating and flow (including considering tech-enabled ordering or staged service), seasonal menu rotations with plant-forward options and clear dietary labeling, and regular ambience audits with lighting, sound management, and cleaning protocols. The hotel administration should enhance responsiveness and professionalism through targeted coaching and role-specific competencies.
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    Benefits and challenges of practicing agroforestry in rhino camp refugee settlement, Madi-Okollo District.
    (Makerere University, 2025-08-01) Zacharia, Yafis
    Agroforestry is a valuable and sustainable land-use practice that integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, enhancing environmental, social, and economic well-being. In refugee-hosting areas such as Rhino Camp Settlement area, agroforestry holds significant potential to address pressing challenges, particularly food insecurity, while promoting sustainable livelihoods for both refugees and host communities. This study aimed to elicit local knowledge on the benefits and challenges of practicing agroforestry by Refugees in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement, Madi Okollo District so as to come up with proper recommendations for promoting agroforestry practice in the settlement areas. The specific objectives were 1) to assess the different categories of agroforestry adopted and their benefits in Rhino Camp settlement areas, 2) to describe the challenges faced by refugees, ways of minimizing the challenges and opportunities for increasing the adoption of agroforestry practice in the area, 3) to ascertain the socio-economic and demographic factors influencing the attitudes towards adopting agroforestry practice in the area. A descriptive research design was used in which sixty (60) households spread over two Zones were selected using snowball sampling techniques. Data were obtained through household interview, key informant interviews, photography and field visits. The collected data were checked, coded and entered into SPSS, analyzed and presented as tables and graph. Descriptive statistic such as frequency were run and hypothesis tested using chi-square. Of the major agroforestry being practiced in the area included boundary planting, home gardens, woodlot, silvopastoral and line planting. Agroforestry was also reported to significantly support livelihoods through income generation, food supply, provision of construction poles, shade, and firewood, while also contributing to household nutrition, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Reported challenges hindering the promotion of agroforestry in the area included limited land, animal destruction, scarcity of planting materials, and drought. The Refugees were overcoming these challenges by hiring land from the host communities, waiting for the favorable season to plant trees and using local seed for planting. Opportunities for increasing refugees’ participation in agroforestry ranged from the provision of planting materials, training programs, the emergence of NGO and an increase of government projects. Educational status and gender had significant (p-value=0.006 & p-value=0.039) influence on the willingness of the refugees to practice agroforestry. There is a need to mainstream agroforestry into humanitarian and development programs to reduce reliance on food aid and enhance self-reliance among refugees. Since the presence of NGOs, availability of planting materials, and training programs create favorable opportunities for promoting agroforestry, strengthening such interventions can accelerate the adoption of sustainable land management practices such as agroforestry in the area.