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- ItemAssessing the role of indigenous soil conservation systems in farming: a case of Birere Sub-County, Isingiro District.(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2007-10) Katongole, HadijjahThe study assessed the role of indigenous soil conservation systems used in farming in Birere sub-County. Located in the new created Isingiro District, Birere sub-County is endowed with fertile soils which make farming the main economic activity being carried out. The farmers use indigenous methods in soil conservation though on a lower rate. It’s against such a background that this research was carried out. The general objective of the research was to find out the indigenous soil conservation systems used and how they conserve soils. The methodology used included the use of simple random sampling for selection of the study area, stratified random and systematic list sampling for selection of respondents. The methods of data collection included observation, questionnaires and interviews. Data were analyzed with the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Systems used in Birere sub-County among which are mulching, crop rotation, fallowing, intercropping and the use of compost manure among others. These techniques were used in the conservation of soils by adding fertility and controlling erosion among others. The findings also showed that there was a loss of indigenous knowledge due to factors such as the introduction of scientific methods of farming. The research recommends that the government should include indigenous knowledge in the schools’ curricula, make database for the storage of this important knowledge and communities should get involved in decision making so that there is awareness of the this rich diversity of knowledge. In conclusion it should be noted that the best farming system is one that protects the land against erosion and guards against the breakdown of the soil structure and the loss of the soil nutrients. A good farming system needs to take advantage of the tones of human, plant and animal refuse that are being produced daily
- ItemPeople-park conflicts: the case of Mt. Elgon national park, Eastern Uganda(Kampala International University,Scool of Engineering Science, 2007-10) Womuzumbu, MosesThe study mainly set out to analyze the causes of people — park conflicts in Mt. Elgon National Park in Uganda. The researcher based the study on the fact that National parks are vital in conserving and managing the physical, ecological and cultural resources for the benefit of present and future generations. It was mainly a field survey of a sample region / districts (Mbale, Sironko, Kapchorwa and Bukwo). The main objectives of the study were: to find out the causes of the conflicts in the park, investigate the effects of the conflicts to the people and to analyze strategies to manage the park-people conflicts and ensure park sustainability. A number of research instruments were used in the study: ranging from questionnaires, interviews, observation and review of related literature. The sampling techniques used were: random sampling and the stratified random sampling to ensure that all the population sub groups were fully and objectively involved in the study. The major findings of the study are that conflicts in Mt. Elgon National Park mainly caused by access to land, eviction,o restrictions to resource use, incitement by local politicians, lack of community participation in park management programmes and poor government policies. These challenges according to the study demand that there should be mechanism to bridge the existing gap between the local community and park management authorities. Local communities living around the park and entire communities (world) should be educated on the importance of the national parks as far as development is concerned. The research further reveals that to conserve national park in a sustainable manner for both present and future generations, park authorities should involve the local communities in the designing and implementation of park policies. The government also should come up with mitigation measures for park conflicts like: training the local residents to be park rangers, rather than deploying UPDF, poverty eradication programmes, resettlement of the evicted landless people.
- ItemAn Expert System for Procurement Management for Local Governments in Uganda: A Case Study of Jinja District Water Development Department(Kampala International University, Master of Science in Systems Software Engineering, 2008-09) Kasuubo, EstherJinja District is currently being faced with the problem of manual data manipulation in the Procurement and Disposal Units. This is quite tedious and outdated management information system. The main objective of this research is to transform the current system into an expert system for the procurement management process. The main objective of this system is to automatically determine the best evaluated bidder, generate end of monthly reports such as procurement Reports/Returns and improve on the level of transparency in the Contracts and evaluation Committees, reduce on the level of fraud in the Procurement Process for the Procurement and Disposal Units (PDTJ) of Jinja District Local Government. The system was developed using Core C SHARP which is the one of the latest languages used in application development today. This language has an enriched library and will be backed up by MYSQL SERVER for database development using Microsoft Visual studio 2005. The current system has been slow and with a lot of loopholes in terms of lack of transparency and fraud within the User departments, Contracts and Evaluation Committees and hence a need for an automated system. It was found out that this system could be improved to get better results if implemented with newer technology of Management Information Systems for the procurement process as compared to other countries such as USA. Recommendations are to upgrade to a Web based system which is now the accepted standard of procurement for advanced countries. The main objective of this research is to design and develop an Expert System for Procurement Management and Disposal of Public Assets, Management Information System (MIS) refers to the mechanism for identifying, collecting, storing, analyzing, transferring and disseminating data and information used for reporting and decision making. The MIS can be used for planning and assisting with the day-to..~day implementation of activities as well as policy and strategy formulation and review
- ItemThe Role of Tangayika Catchment Reforestation and Education in Natural Resources Management in Kigoma District, Tanzania(Kampala international University School of Engineering science, 2008-10) Felix, E. KavejuruThe study explored the role of NOOs in natural resources management. a case of Tanganyika catchment reforestation and education (TAC’ARE) in Kigoma District. Tanzania. This was done to find out the extent to which TACARE contributes in natural resources management. The specific objectives were: to evaluate the activities of the NOOs in the study area. to find out strategies used and problems encountered b) NOOs when implementing the strategies of conserving natural resources. The study was conducted in four divisions in Kigoma district Tanzania. [wo divisions were selected in urban and other divisions in rural areas. The study was descriptive and it employed various methods such as observation, questionnaires. interviews and group discussions. Photography. useful literature re’ iev~ and internet search ~ere used as ‘veil. The findings of the research on the activities of TACARE in natural resources management include: forestry. agriculture, community development, health and environmental education for the youth. The findings indicate that the main activity of TACARE is the forestry reserves. It reveals that I AC’ARE is arresting the rapid degradation of the indigenous natural resources. The strategies employed by TACARE in natural resources management are: community participation. training. sectoral programming. networking and political influence. The findings re’ eat that community participation is the core strategy employed in the consen ation of natural resources. it was concluded that TACARE offers an innovative model of community centered conservation approach. which effectively addresses human needs while promoting conservation values. Communit) participation and training have helped TACARE to achieve its goals in implementing activities of conserving natural resources. In conclusion. TACARE has created an important impact on natural resources management. poverty reduction and development in the stud> area. despite insurncient funding.
- ItemThe Impact Of Communities On Conservation Of Gishwati Forest Reserve, Rwanda(Kampala International University, School of Engineering Science., 2008-10) Madeleine, NyiratuzaThis research has been conducted in communities adjacent to Gishwati Forest Reserve. It aimed at determining the impact of communities on conservation of this reserve. A sample of 120 respondents in 3 villages around the reserve was interviewed to find out the variation in the use of the forest by local people, the factors influencing their attitudes towards conservation and the measures which can be undertaken to reduce the impact of local people on conservation. It was found that people enter the forest in search of firewood, building materials, handcraft materials, vegetables, medical plants, honey, animals for hunting, space for planting crops and range land for grazing animals. The tests of Qui-Square and Student were used to analyse the variation in the use of the forest by local communities. The results showed that there is no significant difference in the use of the forest by local people taking into consideration sex (z20 002 df =1, p=O.962 (p > 0.05), family size (%2=1.173, df ~1, p=O.279). membership in farmers association (%23.650, df =1, p=O.56) and source of income (F 2.7 18, df ~1, p~ 0.213). However significant difference has been observed in the use of the forest considering age classes(%2=22.794, df =1, p=O.000), education (%2~35.227, df =1, p=O.000), occupation (F82.237, df 1, p~O.OOO) , ownership of land (~2 ~7 1.020, df =1, p-~O.OOO) and other assets (%2=58.131, df~1, p=O.000). Among the respondents Batwa people were found to be the poorest and to use the forest more than other groups of people. In search of how to reduce the use of the forest by local people, the conservation program should put more effort on them and on households of non educated people, those who have no assets, young people, farmers and unemployed people and on people who own land less than iha. Taking into account sex, family size, membership iii fanners association or source of income, the program should equally intervene to all local people as it has been found that there is no significant difference in the use of the forest by local people considering these characteristics. The attitudes of local people toward conservation have been found to be negative. People who reported that the effect of conservation on their activities are crop raiding and lack of forest products have been considered as people who have negative attitudes towards xi conservation and they represent 85.8% of all the respondents. Those (14.2 %) who reported that the effects of conservation are increased rainfall in the region, reduced erosion and increased safe breathing air have been considered to have positive attitudes towards conservation because they knew the importance of the forest. The relationship between the attitudes of local people towards conservation and the factors: the big issues that face the households, knowledge of the conservation project, the work in conservation and the lack of benefit from buffer zone was tested . The tests of Qui-square, Student and Contingency Coefficient showed that there is no significant difference in attitudes of local people towards conservation if the factors: issues facing the households (C= 2 0.093. p~ 0.901), knowledge of conservation project (% = 0.508, df =1, p=0.476), work in conservation (F— 1.908, df 1, p=O.20l) and benefit from buffer zone (F— 0.001, df=1, p=l .000) are taken into consideration. This may be due to the fact that all households use the forest, and very few people have positive attitudes towards conservation. Respondents gave some measures to reduce the conflicts with conservationists. These are: fencing the reserve to reduce crop raiding by monkeys, providing them with employment so that they can buy the alternatives of what they get from the forest, increasing their agricultural land to produce more and put the surplus to market, compensating them for the land taken by buffer zone and where possible allowing them to use the reserve. This study revealed that people adjacent to Gishwati Forest Reserve live under poverty line. Serious measures should be undertaken to reduce the impact of their poverty on conservation by providing the alternatives of what they get from the reserve. Development projects should be multiplied in the region to improve the livelihoods of the people, family planning should be encouraged to reduce the populations, local people involvement should be counted for, education should be reinforced and conservation coordination enhanced.
- ItemKnowledge based software Model for the management and treatment of malaria patients: a case of Rakai Referral Hospital(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2008-10) Ssegawa E. James, Kiggundu; Ssegawa E. James, KiggunduMalaria is an infection or disease caused by bacteria parasites (Plasmodium Falciparum — causes severe Malaria, plasmodium Vivax, Plasmodium Ovale, and Plasmodium Malariae), transmitted by bites of infected anopheles (female) mosquitoes to humans. These vectors comprise of two types in Africa particularly in Uganda, i.e. anopheles fenestus and Anopheles gambaie (‘example Anopheles arabiensis,,); feeds on man inside the house mainly at dusk, mid-night and dawn and rests indoors and makes them effective transmitters (vectors) of the disease. People in both urban and rural areas have consistently become prone to repetitive attacks of malaria, causing a lot of deaths and significantly increasing the poverty levels of the rural poor. Malaria is a national problem; it causes a lot of maternal pre-natal and antenatal disorders, anemia in pregnant mothers, low birth weights for the newly born, convulsions and epilepsy among the infants. Cumulatively, it kills about one million children every year in sub-Saharan Africa. It has been estimated to account for 25-35% of all outpatient visits, 20-45% of acute hospital admissions and 15-35% of hospital deaths. Uganda is the leading victim country, for which Rakai and Masaka districts are the most affected. So it is not clear whether these abhorrent situations and episodes of recurrences and failure to cure from the disease are a result of poor diagnosis, prescription and dosaging, treatment habits and compliance of the patient’s to the drugs or the ethical domain of the stake holders in relation to the main stream methodology of malaria management. The research is aimed at offering an alternative approach to manage and deal absolutely with problem by using a knowledge based software model of Artificial Intelligence (Al) that is capable of performing common-sense and cognitive reasoning, so as to take decisions like the human brain would do to provide instantaneous expert solutions so as to avoid speculative simulation of the problem during differential diagnosis in the most accurate and literal inferential aspect. This system will assist physicians in many kinds of medical diagnosis, prescribing treatments and doses, and in monitoring patient responses, basing on the body weight and age group of the patient it will be able to provide instantaneous and timely information options, alternative ways and approaches to influence decision making during case analysis. The computerized system approach, a new model in Uganda termed as “Software Aided Treatment” (SAT) will try to change the moral and ethical approach and influence conduct so as to improve the skills, experience and values (social and ethical) in the administration and management of the disease and drugs (combination therapy and generics) by both the patient and the health worker.
- ItemSolid waste management in urban areas: the case of Arusha municipality, Tanzania.(Kampala International University, College of engineering and applied science, 2008-10) Fausta J., MowoThe study examined the management of solid waste in Arusha Municipality, northern Tanzania. The specific objectives were: to identify types of solid wastes generated, methods used in solid waste disposal, causes and the effects of poor solid waste management on people and the environment. The study was carried out in two wards, namely Unga Limited and Ngarenaro, which were randomly selected from 17 wards of the Arusha municipality, A descriptive research design was used for the study; whereby questionnaires for the households and key informants’ interviews were employed for data collection. Simple random sampling was used to select 110 households while 10 key informants were purposively selected from the municipal officials basing on their leadership roles. The findings indicated that 75% of solid waste generated by the Arusha municipality is organic. Out of 259 tons generated daily about 60% is not disposed, posing health problems to people and the environment. Open dumping is the common method of waste disposal used, leading to scattered and striking heaps of solid waste in the study area. The major causes of poor solid waste management were inadequate funds and limited awareness on environmental sanitation education, Land degradation, environmental pollution and diseases were the major effects associated with poor solid waste management. The study recommends that, the Arusha Municipal Council (AMC) should; encourage sorting of solid wastes at the source to reduce big volumes generated: consider constructing solid waste collecting bays for waste disposal to avoid the scattering of waste in open spaces, streets and water streams; use landfills instead of the open dumping system currently used; involve communities and the private sector in solid waste management; and strengthen environmental sanitation education. As a long-term plan, AMC should consider recycling of solid wastes as a lasting solution to improve solid waste management in the municipality. More research on the impact of plastic bags used for solid waste storage to the environment is recommended
- ItemAutomation of microfinance savings and loan system case study: country side micro finance(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2008-10) Oroma, Josephat OlingCountry Side Micro finance Ltd is one of the Institutions that have been facing problems. The problem faced by this institution is the paper work that is carried out in order to have the organization carry out its operations so as to maintain business processes going on. This has led to the organization to have a lot of delay in handling, disseminating and updating information regarding the monitoring, evaluation and analysis of information that was gathered about the institution and its clients from the daily activities and hence much time than necessary is lost in the slow manual process and bureaucratic procedures and methods. This is the reason the researcher saw it necessary to carry out the research and come out with recommendations at the end. During the research, the methodology that was used to carry out the study was not different from the usual method used in most researches and studies. These are the methods used to gather data from the population using the following methods like interview, questionnaires, cxisting documents and observation. When the data was collected, it was then analyzed so as to come up with the requirements for the system to be built to solve the existing problem. It was found out that, Country Side Micro finance does not have not computerized systems in place to handle their operations. It is therefore recommended that the institution fully adopt a computerized system so as to help organize their operations and monitor and evaluate the performance of the institution in order to keep track of the loan and savings systems.
- ItemImproving efficiency and cost effectiveness in transactional processing systems in Uganda using a web based approach: Case Study — Nakana Coffee Factory Limited(Kampala International University, School of Engineering Science, 2008-10) Namugeye, FlorenceThis research was set out to design a dynamic website for Nakana Coffee Factory to enable both staff and clients interact with information in an accurate and efficient form. The principles and steps exposed to information systems design were followed. The researcher used Object Oriented Analysis methodology, where design was found lacking, and principles espoused to structured system analysis were considered. Data collection was through interview and reading.The data collected were analyzed using UML for conceptual drawing and user interface requirements. System design was done in two phases, user interface design using macromedia Dreamweaver, and database design using MySQL database. The complete system runs or was tested with the help of Apache server and implemented.The prototype system running however could be improved using ORACLE in case thedatabase grows bigger
- ItemDesign and Implementation of a Computerized Digital Video Library Information System: A Case Study in Movie Land Entertainment Limited, Uganda(Kampala International University, masters degree of science in software system engineering, 2008-10) Feiswal Abdalla, Abdallaie advances in the data capturing, storage, and communication technologies have ade vast amounts of video data available to consumer and enterprise applications. wever, interacting with multimedia data, and video in particular, requires more than )nnecting with data banks and delivering data via networks to customers’ homes or fices. Still there are limited tools and applications to describe, organize, and manage ~ieo data. The fundamental approach is to index video data and make it a structured edia. Manually generating video content description is time consuming—and thus ore costly—to the point that it’s almost impossible. Moreover, when available, it’s ibjective, inaccurate, and incomplete. ~iis research sought out to design a system for MovieLand Entertainment Limited to )mputerize~ the manual based system currently in place. The system would be able to fer automatic content-based indexing of videos in the company and will act as data pository for easing the renting process. ie research used Object Oriented methodology to conduct the research. Data llection was done through interview, observation and questionnaire, the data was ~ialyzed to come up with the required information to develop the system. The research 5ed PHP and Dreamweaver to design the interface and MySQL to design the 3tabase. The research came up with a full operational model rental system which can be implemented by Movie land Entertainment Limited for a computerized system. he researcher recommends that the system be implemented and the users of the (stem be trained so that they can operate efficiently and further upgrade of the system so that it can interact with clients and able to contain digital movies online.
- ItemMedicinal plant use in and around kibangu fores1 Kinondoni District Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2009-07) Msafiri Johnson, GwambayeThis study examines medicinal plants and the extent to which they are used in meeting heath care needs in Kinondoni District, Kibangu Forest reserve in Tanzania. It aimed at documenting the most common Medicinal Plants (MP) in order to generate necessary data on knowledge, beliefs and accessibility of the community to assess whether they may be among the determinants for using medicinal plants. A questionnaire survey, market survey, literature review and observations were used to collect information from the people and the field. A total of twelve (12) Medicinal Plants where identified. Many of the Medicinal remedies were double therapies preparations. Analytically, qualitative and quantitative data was done using software which included MS Excel and contents method in which only ideals were recorded and put into meaning in accordance the study. Quantitative data was tested using Chi-square to test its efficacy. The study shows that most people in the area have no knowledge on collection, preparations, dosage and identification of the most Medicinal plant remedies where by 68 respondents had knowledge while 205 respondents had no knowledge of medicinal plant use. The community members believe in the power of Medicinal plants in preventing and controlling diseases and infections. The study concluded that, medicinal plants play an important role in providing primary healthcare to the rural communities and poor urban people; however community knowledge on the medicinal plant use was cited as the hindrance to the full utilization of the medicinal plants in the study area. It is recommended that in achieving the use of medicinal plants available, communities adjacent to the forest reserve should be sensitized on the importance of sustainable use of medicinal plants through seminars, workshops, drama, music or video shows and establishment of small scale industrial development organizations to process medicinal plant products.0000000000
- ItemChemical and bacteriological assessment of piped and borehole water in Des salaam city, Tanzania(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2009-10) Mary. C., KayomboThis study was undertaken to determine the quality of water by determining the e physicochemical parameters, chemical parameters and bacteriological properties of piped water, and boreholes water in Dar es Salaam city, as well as determination of the seasonal variation of raw water quality. Piped water samples were purposively collected at the point of treatment to the point of use. However all the operational boreholes water samples were sampled. Chlorine, conductivity, temperature, pH and Total dissolved solids were analyzed direct from the sites while Colour, Turbidity, Alkalinity, Total hardness, Alminium, Iron, Manganese, Ammonia, Nitrates, Chlorides, Calcium, Total coliforms and Faecal coliforms were analyzed in the laboratory following the standard procedures for water analysis. The results showed that, piped water was of better quality compared to that of the borehole as most of the values analyzed were within the maximum permissible limit according to WHO (2008) and current Tanzanian standards. The major contaminants in underground water were calcium derived geochemically, faecal coliforms and total coliform attributed to anthropogenic activities. Values for conductivity were much high for the borehole samples, with the highest mean value of (1241.5±1086.98) ps/cm recorded at Mzimuni Primary School while for the piped was (I52.35±48.65)ps/cm recorded at Upper Ruvu plant. The low values from the piped water were due to efficient water treatment process done by DAWASCO. The chemical elements analyzed in piped water, were all below the permissible limit except aluminium which had the highest mean value of (I.43±1.17)mg/l at House hold 1 which was above 1.0mg/I of that of Tanzanian standard maximum permissible limit of drinking water whereas those obtained from the borehole, were within the permissible limit. The highest mean value for total coliform was 3.66±0.58/lOQml from the piped water at City Botanical Garden and 3.33±2.08/100m for House hold 3, and 3±1/lOOmI, from the boreholes at Shauri Moyo. The highest value for faecal
- ItemAn admissions management system for Nursing schools (AMSNS): a case study of Kibuli school of nursing and midwifery(Kampala International University, 2010) Babirye, AnnaThe study focused on the developing An Admissions Management System for Nursing Schools, to provide for management oriented reporting. The purpose of this study was to examine what students and staffs perceive are the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed admission system. The main research problem was due to the fact that the school uses a manual system of admitting students, keeping records in files and books with no backups and difficulty accessing students’ records. The objective of this study was to analyze and design an application to solve difficulties faced while dealing with student’s information in the admission.
- ItemUse of computerized web-based information system for determining losses in traditional electrical network management; case study Goma distribution electrical network(Kampala International University(KIU), 2010) Gahinda, Bakunzi JosephThe purpose of this study was to implement an effective Computerized Web-Based Infonnation System (CWIS) that help electrical network losses computation in order to monitor the perfomiance of the electrical network over time, to guide managers in making decisions for corrective and preventive maintenance in the existing electrical distribution network where technical and nontechnical losses were not accurately known. The apparent power, real power, unbalanced power in phases, power drawn by thefts, lower load of transfonners, bad calibrated meters, transformers located out of load gravity center are highly influencing losses in the electrical distribution network. The study particularly sought to compute losses in electrical distribution network where the use of manual information system does not show the losses incurred at all the stages of the generation, transmission and distribution in Goma elect1ical network system. The study was conceived due to the fact that existing studies did not compute losses in all elements of an electtical distribution network using a Computerized Web-Based Information System involving real data from metering system. The study was conducted using quantitative design, data being collected from January to ~December 2008 by means of observation, document analysis, questiom1aires and interviews from 13 interviewees selected from the target population of 26 informants. The data were analyzed using Descriptive Statistics method and empirical losses computation paradigm. The results from losses computation using empirical paradigm and Descriptive Statistics method for analyzing data have been presented in form of tables, bar and pie charts, and percentage. The study has established that system loss (14%), 15kv- 6.6kv feeder losses (7%), and losses (3.7%) in fifty five transfonners were higher than the standard one. Goma electrical distribution network perfonnance (86%) computed by the CWIS was less than the assumed one (90%). The computed system lagging power factor (0.84) was less than the standard one (90%).The study has established that the higher percentage of SNEL Staff scored 70% expressing that they have prefotred the use of Compute1ized Web-Based Infonnation System to compute losses. The study has concluded that the Compute1ized Web-BasedInfom1ation System should be used as electrical distribution network tool to compute losses over the time in order to highlight the activities of corrective and preventive maintenance necessary to reduce technical and non-technical losses. The study has recommended method and techniques to be used in order to reduce losses in all elements of Goma electrical distribution network. Recommendations were also made to enhance CWIS security. The study has recommended that the Computerized Web-Based Infom1ation System should be integrated into the future SNEL Automatic Real Time System (ARTS), Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Consumer Information Service (CISE), and Geographical Infonnation System (GIS).
- ItemCommunity perceptions towards compositing of municipal solid waste in Ewuata Village, Eruba Parish, vura Subcounty in Arua District(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2010-09) Amandua Ecebo, JosephRapid growth of businesses and population in and around Arua town has led to increased production of solid waste consequently giving rise to increased volume of waste dumped in recipient communities. The most attractive and environmentally friendly option to get rid of this huge pileup of garbage and subsequent ones is through composting. The perceptions of recipient communities are crucial to understanding how municipal solid waste management problems might be resolved. Since Arua municipality still uses open dumping system of waste management, there is need to compost this waste to reduce its volume and at the same time to provide compost and other benefits associated with composting to the community. The perceptions of communities in the dumping areas (recipient communities) are likely to influence the start-up and performance of such initiative. This study provides insights on how recipient community perceptions affect composting of municipal solid waste in the dumping areas of Arua district. A structured questionnaire survey was implemented in order to interview local residents in the dumping area. The results showed that imparting municipal solid waste composting knowledge to recipient communities enhances increased participation and hence the amount of waste composted. The general perception is that people are willing to compost if there are some prior benefits or incentives given to them; otherwise it is feasible to compost in recipient communities. Therefore any composting scheme introduced in the recipient communities of Arua must be accompanied by direct incentives from the government or NGOs to motivate the people and at the same time to mitigate some of the hindrances/constraints to composting.
- ItemEffects of anthropogenic activities on tree species diversity in Gishwati forest reserve, Western, Rwanda(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2010-09) Ishimo, YvetteThe study in Gishwati forest Reserve aimed at determining the effect of anthropogenic activities on tree species diversity. Three areas within the forest were described as Disturbed Forest (DF), Natural forest (NF) and secondary forest (SF) in consideration of level of human disturbance. Data collection was done using plot sampling based on enumerating tree species (with a diameter at breast height ≥10 cm) within the forest, and observations to improve on validity and reliability of the measurement. Four transects, ranging from 2 to 3.8 km in length and cutting through the disturbed and undisturbed portions of the study were established. The distribution of species within the sample plots was determined using percentage frequency, relative density and species abundance. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) and Pielou’s evenness index (~ were used to characterize species diversity in the sampling area. To determine if there was significant difference in tree species diversity between the disturbed and undisturbed areas of the Forest reserve, one-way Analysis of Variance (one-way ANOVA) test using SPSS package, version 16.0 was used to find if the means are different between different areas of the forest. Analysis of data collected from the 60 sample plots in the study area, revealed that 753 individuals trees were in existence: 44 species, 43 genera and 27 families. There was a difference in number of tree species and individual trees. The results showed 31 species with 235 tree individuals in disturbed forest, 40 species with 291 tree individuals in natural forest and 30 species with 227 tree individuals in secondary forest. The results revealed also that the differences in tree canopy density and tree diversity and DBH distribution are highly significant in three area of the forest.
- ItemAn Admissions Management System for Nursing Schools (AMSNS): A Case Study of Kibuli School of Nursing and Midwifery(Kampala International University, School of Engineering Science, 2010-10) Babirye, AnnaThe study focused on the developing An Admissions Management System for Nursing Schools, to provide for management-oriented reporting. The purpose of this study was to examine what students and staffs perceive are the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed admission system. The main research problem was due to the fact that the school uses a manual system of admitting students, keeping records in files and books with no backups and difficulty accessing students’ records. The objective of this study was to analyze and design an application to solve difficulties faced while dealing with student’s information in the admission. For the purposes of this study a descriptive design methodology was used to assess the experiences of the school and students involved in the KSNM admission program. The information required was gathered through; Observation, Existing documents, Interview, Questionnaire etc. to consider research design, research population, instrument, data gathering procedures and data analysis. The study found out most participants by type and age were students while lowest were staff and by designation were tutors while lowest were clinical instructors. Most students said that the old system is poor. The study concluded that an AMSNS is meant to be one of the most needed sources of benchmark information that would provide better performance for the school or organization at large. The researcher recommends that incase of any errors, documentation of the new system should always be updated and further user training.
- ItemFirewood scarcity challenges faced by rural women in Rwanda(Kampala International University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 2011-07) Habineza, AlphonseThe pattern and profile & energy use prevailing today raises important questions about linkages between energy and the economy, social issues, security and above all, environmental protection. Rwanda has a number of potential energy resources from blomass, hydro, solar, petroleum, methane gas, wind and geothermal. However, the major Issue in this regard Is the technological exploitation and scientific data on this potential. The widespread and inefficient use of traditional blomass with low technologies and methods like the three stones stove for wood, coupled with inefficient kllns for charcoal, contributes to the overexploitatlon of forest stocks, environmental degradation, and health problems. The study was mainly a field survey carried out in Ruklra sector of Ngoma District, Eastern Province in Rwanda. The objectives of the study were: to assess the challenges faced by Rwandan rural women in gathering fuel wood as a source of energy, to identify the different energy sources used for lighting and cooking, to establish the scientific firewood scarcity in the study area and to find out the environmental consequences of using firewood. A number of research instruments were used in the study: Questionnaires, Interviews, observations and review of related literature. The sampling technique used was systematic purposive sampling to ensure that all the targeted population was fully and objectively involved in the study. The major findings of the study are that the sources of energy used for cooking and lighting in rural areas are dry wood, charcoal, crop residues, paraffin, candle and biogas. The causes of firewood decrease are population growth, insufficient forests, lack of land for tree plantation and poverty, among others. lime consuming, heavy woridoads, lack of access to education or to income generating activities and exposure to Indoor air pollution are among the challenges faced by rural women. The main environmental impacts associated with firewood use and collection are forest destruction, soil erosion and indoor air pollution. Finally, the study reveals that sustaining our environment is crucial for both present and future generations and thus all attempts aiming at soMng energy problems in rural areas must involve women for their success.
- ItemFirewood scarcity challenges faced by rural women in Rwanda(2011-07) Habineza, AlphonseThe pattern and profile of energy use prevailing today raises important questions about linkages between energy and the economy, social issues, security and above all, environmental protection. Rwanda has a number of potential energy resources from biomass, hydro, solar, petroleum, methane gas, wind and geothermal. However, the major issue in this regard is the technological exploitation and scientific data on this potential. The widespread and inefficient use of traditional biomass with low technologies and methods like the three stones stove for wood, coupled with inefficient kilns for charcoal, contributes to the overexploitation of forest stocks, environmental degradation, and health problems. The study was mainly a field survey carried out in Rukira sector of Ngoma District, Eastern Province in Rwanda. The objectives of the study were: to assess the challenges faced by Rwandan rural women in gathering fuel wood as a source of energy, to identify the different energy sources used for lighting and cooking, to establish the scientific firewood scarcity in the study area and to find out the environmental consequences of using firewood. A number of research instruments were used in the study: Questionnaires, interviews, observations and review of related literature. The sampling technique used was systematic purposive sampling to ensure that all the targeted population was fully and objectively involved in the study. The major findings of the study are that the sources of energy used for cooking and lighting in rural areas are dry wood, charcoal, crop residues, paraffin, candle and biogas. The causes of firewood decrease are population growth, insufficient forests, lack of land for tree plantation and poverty, among others. Time consuming, heavy workloads, lack of access to education or to income generating activities and exposure to indoor air pollution are among the challenges faced by rural women. The main environmental impacts associated with firewood use and collection are forest destruction, soil erosion and indoor air pollution. Finally, the study reveals that sustaining our environment is crucial for both present and future generations and thus all attempts aiming at solving energy problems in rural areas must involve women for their success.
- ItemThe effect of introduced tree species on the soils of Namwasa Central Forest Reserve, Mubende-Uganda(Kampala International University, School Engineering, 2011-09) Abdallah, MunubiHumans move tree species beyond their native ranges both deliberately and unknowingly. In areas around Namwasa central forest reserve, most of the trees have been cleared by charcoal burners and cultivators who are residents of the area. The study assessed the diversity and abundance of introduced tree species, assessed the effects of introduced tree species on some selected soil properties and evaluated how significant these trees are economically and ecologically. Floristic information on the tree species was obtained by transects made from five compartments of the forest reserve. Eight small sample plots of dimensions 30m by 15m were made on each transect line separated by a distance of lOOm using tape measures and marked with flagging tapes. Four introduced tree species namely Pinus caribaea, Pinus oocarpa, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus Urophylla and twenty two native tree species were identified. Random core soil samples (8cm diameter x 15cm height) were collected around the selected tree species in sample plots using a trowel and put in Ziploc bags and later transported to the Uganda government analytical laboratory for analysis. Soil samples were collected from both introduced tree species and the natural forest for comparison. Samples were analyzed for soil parameters such as texture, structure, pH, Mg, Pb, Cl, electrical conductivity, bulk density, No3, Ca, Mn, Cu, So4, P04, Fe, NH3, Na, K, Ni, Zn, and organic matter. Shannon Weiner index (H’) was -1.514, species richness (5) was 24 and species evenness (EH) was 0.477. ANOVA results indicated that introduced tree species significantly affect the selected soil properties. The coefficient results indicate that three introduced tree species have a significant effect on the selected soil properties. Correlation results indicated that ph is negatively correlated all other soil properties (r.<0). There is need to establish a monitoring and sensitization team to educate residents of Namwasa Central forest reserve to stop setting fires and charcoal burning in the forest reserve since they destroy plantations The planting of introduced tree species such as Eucalyptus which are tolerant to severe periodic moisture stress, low soil fertility is here by encouraged.