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Permaculture and Agroforestry as Sustainable Food Production and Climate Change Adaptation Approaches: A Case of Uwepo Farm, Jinja Uganda
(International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR), 2026) Ntafakabirhi Aganze; Clovis Musinguzi Danson; Shimakalo Mafutala Israel
Sustainable agriculture remains essential to addressing escalating food insecurity and climate risks in SubSaharan Africa. This study investigated the contribution of permaculture and agroforestry systems to food production and climate change adaptation using Uwepo Farm and its surrounding communities in Jinja, Uganda. A mixed-methods approach, including household surveys, key informant interviews, participatory observation, and focus group discussions, was conducted on a sample size of 40 smallholder farmers practising permaculture and agroforestry at Uwepo main farm and within surrounding communities (n = 40). The results suggest that permaculture and agroforestry significantly enhance resilience to climate impacts, boost food security, and improve livelihoods. It was also evident that there is increased crop diversity, improved soil nutrient status, reduced vulnerability to drought, and enhanced livelihood resilience among smallholder farmers in communities around the Uwepo training hub engaged in permaculture and agroforestry, as well as at the Uwepo model farm, compared to the past 10 years. Statistical analysis revealed that 62.5% of farmers reported improved food availability, and 37.1% earned their primary income from permaculture and agroforestry products. Integration of trees, composting, water flow management, and Aquaponic systems significantly contributed to soil conservation and diversified yields. Despite notable adoption barriers, including limited irrigation access and insufficient financial support to farmers, the study concludes that permaculture and agroforestry offer scalable and climatesmart pathways for Uganda’s agriculture. Strengthened extension services, youth engagement, and policy incentives are recommended to accelerate adoption.
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Modelling and Navigation of Solar Electric Power Potential and Generation in the Four Regions of Uganda
(2021-08) Mundu Muhamad Mustafa
The modelling and navigation of solar electric power potential and generation in the four regions of Uganda was aimed at enhancing the potential use of Uganda’s colossal renewable solar energy resources by integrating the power generated from it to the already existing renewable hydropower and conventional power generation to boost the national grid supply to rapidly realize sustainable development goals. Thus, a holistic study was carried out on climatological and meteorological distribution within the four regions of Uganda to fish out the hot spot places with high probability of sunshine hours, clearness index and wind speed for solar deployment. This quest was proceeded with the acquisition of quadragenarious baseline satellite data for 122 districts from 1984 – 2018 from National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources and AccuWeather for weather forecasts. Moreover, the on-station (measured) data was acquired from four weather stations (Lira, Tororo, Kampala and Mbarara districts) from Uganda National Meteorological Authority and the department of physics, Makerere University. Subsequently, the data acquisition was followed by data filtration, organization and development of models. The Haversine algorithms and Biharmonic equations were used to develop models which are functions of terrestrial coordinates on the Earth’s surface. The analysis was supported by Microsoft Excel, Matlab/Simulink, OriginLab 8.0 and PVGIS. Besides, the test rig facility consists of two PV generators, pre-calibrated digital multi-meters, electrical clamp multi-meter, thermocouples, non-contact infrared sensors and digital anemometer. The common statistical tools for analytical validation used in the present study include the 𝑅2 for goodness of fit, RMSE, MAPE, MARE and APD. The coefficient of determination 𝑅2 for all the models developed were all approaching unity which indicates the strength of the models developed. There was good agreement between the simulated and on-station data. The empirical and comparative validation with the locally stationed meteorological data and globally existing models, support the robustness of the present models. The findings were as follows: (i) clearness index ranges for the different regions of Uganda: Northern (0.5288−0.6077), Eastern (0.5609−0.6077), Central (0.5123−0.6224) and Western (0.5123−0.5893), (ii) the relative sunshine hours models validated with the statistical tools; RMSE (0.0635-0.2248) and MAPE (0.1620-2.5413) compared well with the previous studies. (iii) the navigation results for sunshine hours show the order of regional distribution as; 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛>𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑛>𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙>𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛 region, (iv) that northern and eastern regions are favoured with SPP of 823.9 – 831.6 𝑊𝑚−2 and 829.2 – 822.2 𝑊𝑚−2, respectively whereas the central and western regions are less favoured with 822.5 – 809.0 𝑊𝑚−2 and 797.8 – 788.5 𝑊𝑚−2, respectively. That; Biharmonic equation has the capacity to model solar power potential field problems, in this case, northern and eastern regions are most favoured with solar power potential than the central and western regions though the central region has strong winds in some locations of up to 3.49 𝑚𝑠−1. Furthermore, the study also revealed that in terms of solar power generation, the most favoured region are of the order; northern region (132.8 𝑊𝑚−2), eastern region (132.7 𝑊𝑚−2), western region (127.2 𝑊𝑚−2), and central region (119.6 𝑊𝑚−2). Generally, the study provided a road map for deployment of solar facilities, for policy making and agrometeorology development in Uganda and other parts of the world with similar climatological features.
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Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapies for HIV Treatment and Prevention: Efficacy and Implementation
(Newport International Journal of Biological and Applied Sciences (NIJBAS), 2026) Masika Anna Mahinda
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remained a persistent global health challenge despite significant progress in antiretroviral therapy. While daily oral antiretroviral regimens have substantially improved survival and reduced transmission, long-term adherence difficulties continue to compromise treatment and prevention outcomes. Long-acting antiretroviral therapies emerged as an innovative pharmacological approach aimed at overcoming these limitations. This review examined the biochemical rationale, clinical efficacy, and implementation considerations of long-acting antiretroviral therapies for both HIV treatment and prevention. A narrative review methodology was utilized to synthesize and critically analyze existing scientific literature on long-acting antiretroviral agents, including pharmacological studies, clinical trials, and implementation research. Evidence indicated that long-acting antiretroviral therapies achieved virologic suppression comparable to conventional oral regimens while offering advantages in adherence, patient satisfaction, and prevention efficacy. Injectable long-acting agents also demonstrated superior effectiveness in HIV prevention compared to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis. Nonetheless, challenges related to resistance risk, healthcare infrastructure, cost, and equitable access persist. Longacting antiretroviral therapies represented a transformative advancement in HIV care, but their optimal impact will depend on strategic implementation and health system adaptation.
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Immune-Mediated Toxic Reactions: The Contribution of ROS, Cytokines, and Autoantibodies
(Newport International Journal of Biological and Applied Sciences (NIJBAS), 2025) Zakaria Ali
Immune-mediated toxic reactions represent a significant subset of pathological conditions where dysregulated immune responses contribute directly to tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Central to these reactions are three interrelated mediators: reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and autoantibodies. ROS, generated by activated immune cells, cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, amplifying inflammatory cascades. Cytokines orchestrate immune cell recruitment and activation, but their excessive or persistent release can exacerbate tissue injury. Autoantibodies, hallmark features of autoimmune conditions, target self-antigens, inducing complement activation, cell lysis, and chronic inflammation. The interplay between ROS, cytokines, and autoantibodies creates a self-perpetuating cycle of immune-mediated toxicity, contributing to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, drug hypersensitivities, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Understanding the mechanistic roles of these mediators provides insight into disease progression and highlights therapeutic targets aimed at modulating oxidative stress, cytokine signaling, and autoantibody production. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune-mediated toxi reactions, emphasizing the integration of redox biology, immunology, and autoimmunity in the development of tissue injury and chronic disease.
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The Impact of International Capital Flows on Poverty in Uganda:1985-2022
(Kampala International University, 2023-06) Nowe Dorah
The study investigated the impact of International Capital Flows on poverty in Uganda. The study was guided by three specific objective, to ascertain the impact of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Foreign Aid on poverty and Remittances on poverty in Uganda in the period between 1985-2022. This study followed a Correlational research design showing the extent to which the relationship between the study variables exists. Time series data for the period 1985 - 2022. Secondary data was used in this study. The data was obtained from the Bank of Uganda Statistical Bulletin, UBOS and Financial review for various years. The study followed the Juselius (1990) Co-integration technique and error correction models to estimate the long and short-run relationships in the variables. The first step in analyzing the time series data was to perform unit root testing using Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) Test as suggested by Dickey and Fuller (1979). Further, to establish the short run effect of ICF on poverty, a vector error correction model (VECM) by Granger (1986) was used. On the study results, the Johansen co-integration trace shows that there was a long run relationship between ‘poverty-POVt, and other main variables included; GDP deflator (GDPDFt), Net Foreign Direct Investment (NFDIt), Net Remittances (NREMt), Net external debt (NEXDt), and Net official development assistance (NODAt). In the long run, the coefficient of foreign aid was negative and significant at 5 percent level. Another finding on the effect of remittances on Poverty in particular revealed that FA positively contributes to poverty reduction in an economy. In conclusion, the foreign aid had a significant negative and positive relationship with poverty levels respectively at 5 percent level; and a positive long run and positive effect relationship between International Capital Flows, labor force, capital formation, trade openness, foreign direct investment and poverty reduction. Therefore, the study recommends that BOU should continue its collaboration with relevant authorities to enhance quality of data on remittances and to assess the impact of remittances on Standard of living. Further, BOU should continue to develop its national payment systems and improve access to financial services. Policies should provide incentives that substantially reduce the price of using electronic payments.