School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

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Can Governance in Revenue Sharing Be a Pathway for a Win-win Situation between People’s Livelihood Improvement and Conservation?
(Council for Innovative Research, 2015-05) Twinamatsiko, Medard
This paper establishes the importance of good governance in improving local livelihoods and support for conservation. The study uses empirical realities from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an afromontane Gorilla sanctuary that was recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a world heritage due to its rich biodiversity. Governance is an important procedural dimension of equity that entails decision making processes and how local people are involved in matters that most affect them. The paper uses a Policy Arrangements Approach to illustrate the procedural dimension of the Justice and Equity Framework. A mixed method approach was used to generate results in this paper. Household surveys, key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions were employed for data collection. Linear and Multi Logistic Regressions were used to determine the level of significance and relationships that exist between governance, people‘s livelihoods and conservation support. Polychoric Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to generate indices of livelihood improvement and conservation support. Results revealed that meaningful involvement, leadership composition on committees, local capacity, information flow and awareness and accountability significantly influence people‘s livelihoods and conservation of Bwindi. Local people are not only concerned about distributive equity in benefit sharing but also the procedural dimension. This entails being part of revenue sharing projects from the design phase to the evaluation phase. The study recommends the use of equity framework in revenue sharing in order to increase greater involvement of local people in decision making processes.
Impacts of climate change on crop production. A case study of Tisai Island, Ongino Sub County, Kumi District
(School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2015-07) Akurut, Marion
Climate change in Tisai Island is one of the constraints on crop production and has become so rapid especially in the last 10 to 20 years. According to this study, climate change refers to the average weather or statistical description of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands of millions of years (30 years). The main objective of the study was to explore the impacts of climate change on crop productivity in Tisai Island and the specific objectives were; to find out the causes of climate change, to establish the effects of climate change on crop productivity, to identify the measures used in mitigating climate change effects on crop productivity, and to examine the measures used in increasing crop productivity amidst climate change. The sampling methods were random sampling and judgmental sampling and the sample size was 50 respondents. The instruments for data collection were; questionnaires, interview guides and observation which helped in identifying different climate change phenomenon. During the study, the researcher found out that climate change in Tisai Island is caused by many factors like charcoal burning, bush burning, fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. This has led to various effects such as unreliable rainfall, extreme temperatures, increased pests and disease, floods and soil infertility. However, some mitigation measures are being implemented by the government and nongovernmental organizations to curb down the situation and they are; strict laws and policies, public awareness and participation, afforestation and reforestation and public participation. In conclusion, climate change in Tisai Island is caused majorly by deforestation and bush burning and to a small extent caused by fossil fuel combustion resulting to high temperatures, floods, droughts and unreliable rainfall. However these have been mitigated by measures like awareness creation, public participation, laws and policies, afforestation and reafforestati on. The researcher therefore recommends that development projects like rural electrification programmes, modern agricultural programmes should be extended in the area to help in regulating human activities Iike de forestation, bush burning and charcoal burning. The National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) together with the government and other organizations should carry out various projects like afforestation and reafforestation and irrigation. Fines and charges should put in place to combat environmental degradation. Public awareness should be increased through adverts on radios, posters and carrying out freely attended seminars and also Farmers should also be provided with fast maturing crop varieties to increase their yields. Lastly promotion of Food security by encouraging people to store food for their families in the granaries
Lean Concepts and Methods : 3P
(IJSRCSEIT, 2016) Abdu, Yusuf Abdulfatah; Onu, Peter
Nowadays competitive business environments, introduce new products of the global market, ahead of the competition and evaluate optimized procurement of goods from the global point of view, are essential. Accomplish businesses develop and strengthen their market position by manufacturing the highest quality of finish products more efficiently, at the minimum cost, and bringing them to market rapidly. Review the development step of a new product and need to start production preparation process (3P) based on Just-in-Time (JIT) within a small amount of time and in a timely fashion. Production Preparation Process 3P is an advanced lean approach required simulation, visual thinking, and kaizen for quick design for manufacturability. This work focuses on to minimize wastage of product, process design and used to eliminate waste in existing processes. However, this method is using within companies such as metals, petro- chemical, automobile industry and similar industries due to the demand for new products have increased. The reason for this research was to show the lean concepts, which can be efficient, effectively planned and managed.
Lean Concepts and Methods : 3P
(International Journal of Scientific Research in Computer Science, Engineering and Information Technology, 2016) Yusuf, Abdulfatah Abdu1; Onu, Peter
Nowadays competitive business environments, introduce new products of the global market, ahead of the competition and evaluate optimized procurement of goods from the global point of view, are essential. Accomplish businesses develop and strengthen their market position by manufacturing the highest quality of finish products more efficiently, at the minimum cost, and bringing them to market rapidly. Review the development step of a new product and need to start production preparation process (3P) based on Just-in-Time (JIT) within a small amount of time and in a timely fashion. Production Preparation Process 3P is an advanced lean approach required simulation, visual thinking, and kaizen for quick design for manufacturability. This work focuses on to minimize wastage of product, process design and used to eliminate waste in existing processes. However, this method is using within companies such as metals, petro- chemical, automobile industry and similar industries due to the demand for new products have increased. The reason for this research was to show the lean concepts, which can be efficient, effectively planned and managed.
Toxic metal levels in food crops grown from dump-sites around Gulu Municipality, Northern Uganda
(International Journal of Social Science and Technology, 2016-07) Twinamatsiko, Richard; Mbabazi, Jolocam; Twinomuhwezi, Hannington
This study investigated heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) contamination levels of soils and crops. Soil and plant samples were collected from farms around the dump sites in Gulu Township Pece wet land and other samples from Katikamwe wet land in Bushenyi which served as a control site. The samples from both sites were well prepared, digested and the level of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results showed that metal levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in Pece wet land were significantly higher than those in similar food crops from rural control sites with the exception of zinc in cocoyam. Despite the higher values of these metals than those of the control sites, its only lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) that exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum permissible levels. It was also observed that heavy metal uptake depend on plant species and soil quality.
Public health analysis of mental and emotional needs of adolescents in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
(FTST, 2016-09) Ezebuiro, V.O.; Opara, J.A.
The study identified the mental and emotional health needs of adolescents in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria with special reference to Rivers State. Four specific objectives with corresponding research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study utilized cross-sectional research design. The study covered a population of 1,559,615 adolescents in Rivers State. A sample of 1,632 adolescents filled the questionnaire but data from 1375 copies of completed questionnaire representing 84 per cent return rate were used for analysis. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to draw the sample from the population. The instruments for data collection were a questionnaire and focus group discussion guide. Means and standard deviation were utilized to answer the research questions, while t-test and ANOVA were utilized in testing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Qualitative data generated from the focus group discussion were used to substantiate the quantitative data. The finding of the study revealed that adolescents in Rivers State have mental and emotional health needs always; both male and female, age groups 10-15years, 16-18years and 19-24years; and urban and rural adolescents have the needs always. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that programmes should be put in place in order to meet and satisfy adolescents mental and emotional health needs.
Design and Construction of RFID Wireless Car Security System
(IJSES, 2017) Hassan, Abdurrahman S; Saleh, Mubarak Auwwal
This project implements the function of wireless car security system using RFID. An ATMEGA8 microcontroller, RFID reader, RFID tag is used for the smooth implementation of the scheme. The ATMEGA8 microcontroller was used to serve as the entire control of the system which holds the unique RFID card number and controls the system as a whole. A driver is used to secures the car ignition system, and the buzzer was used to alert the vehicle owner whenever there is an intrusion attempt. Consequently, with this kind of system, the security of our automobiles can be more sensitive to secure and protect our vehicles more from any intrusion and theft in electronic-based approach.
Climate change, food security and environmental security : A conflict inclination assessment of Karamoja region of Uganda
(CPC, 2017) Akiyode, Oluwole O.; Tumushabe, Anne; Katongole, Hadijjah; Onu, Peter
The study investigates the consequences of climate change on food security and environmental security in the Karamoja region of Uganda. It relates climate change to the conflict, insecurity and crises that have been witnessed in the region in the past years. It examines the implications of the change in the grazing pattern of the pastoralists and herdsmen in the time of recurrent drought and dry spells in Karamoja on the security of the region and other communities in Uganda and beyond. It relates the interplay of climate change, environmental security and food security to human security in Karamoja region. It also through focus group discussion (FGD) conducted in Kaabong District of the Karamoja region, identifies the presumed impacts of climate change on the environment and the people alongside its socio-economic implications. In the end, the study suggests proactive environmental security programmes in the Karamoja region which are expected to encourage sustainable mitigation and adaptation strate-gies in its communities, which will encourage its regional peace, security and stability.
Performance of Biomass Briquettes as an Alternative Energy Source Compared to Wood Charcoal in Uganda
(IJSES, 2017) Mahoro, Gloria Brenda; Eniru, Emmanuel Innocent; Omuna, Daniel; Abdu, Yusuf Abdulfatah
The environmental, financial and social questions, as well as the rapid increase in demand for energy fuels, emphasize the need to investigate and generate information on the performance of charcoal compared to briquettes as an alternative source of renewables in Kampala district. The study objective was to compare the performance of biomass briquettes as an alternative energy source to wood charcoal. The performance was measured using a modified water boiling test and a controlled cooking test. Data collected were analyzed using chi-square tests and cross tabulations on households’ socio-economic factors that promoted the popularity and use of briquettes or wood charcoal. Results from the modified water boiling test showed that the weight of wood charcoal, carbonized and non-carbonized briquettes consumed in boiling two litres of water is significantly different. From the controlled cooking test, the weight of charcoal used to cook dry beans is significantly higher than that of briquettes used to cook the same amount of beans. It was recommended that wood charcoal and briquettes perform similarly when used over short periods of time, but briquettes perform better over much longer periods.
Environmental health determination and assessment of physico-chemical characteristics in Oloshi River, Nigeria
(FTST, 2017) Opara, Jacinta A.; Okwodu, Nicholas E.
The Physico-chemical characteristics of the surface waters and sediment in Oloshi River, non-tidal fresh water were studied between July and December 2015. The Oloshi River drains and receives effluents from cassava mill treatment (starch mill) factory and oil companies in the area. The inhabitants are predominantly farmers and fishermen. All parameters were analyzed using standard methods for examination of water and waste water (ALPHA 1998). The results of water and sediment physico-chemical parameter lies between a mean range of 4.2- 4.4 for pH, 28.5°C for temperature, 1.4-4.8 NTU for conductivity, 1.4 – 4.9 NTU for turbidity, 3.9 – 4.4 ppm for Po4, 0.2 – 1.2 for No3, BOD= 1.1 ppm. The results showed low physico-chemical levels which do not pose serious health risk except for phosphate levels with a range of 3.89 to 4.4 ppm. With regard to seasonal variation, dry season recorded higher values than rainy season except for pH and No3 of the sediment parameter in which the rainy season recorded higher than dry season. Increased level of pollutants in the Oloshi River may have significant effect on the ecological balance of the River.
Assessments of the Forest, Poverty and Environmental Security Nexus in Uganda
(IJSES, 2017) Akiyode, Oluwole O.; Nwankwo, Levi I.; Iyalomhe, Felix O.; Abdu, Yusuf A.; Tumushabe, Anne; Omuna, Daniel
The environmental security and quality of every society are important in the determination of human development and socio-economic developments and its level of peace. The potential of environmental security of a location depends on the sustainable management of its forest. This is because of the ecological services being rendered by forest to the environment. Thereby, the societal system will need to encourage forest sustainability and security in order to continue to enjoy its ecological services. Forest utilization and poverty are interlinked, since the level of poverty may contribute to the rate of utilization of forest while the rate of utilization of forest contributes largely to environmental security and quality. The study examines the relationship between the level of poverty to the use of forest and its implication on environmental security using Uganda as a case. There has been a continuous reduction in the size of Uganda’s Forest Area (Percentage (%) of Land Area) since 1999. The study interconnects the continuous reduction of the Forest Area (Percentage (%) of Land Area) to the country’s well-being and livelihoods and suggests its implications on the environmental security and quality. The study advocates sustainable approaches to the management of forest.
Medicinal plants use in and around Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve, Western Uganda
(Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 2017) Musinguzi, Danson
This study assessed medicinal use, diversity, and conservation techniques for plant species used in the treatment of various ailments among the local communities living around Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve in Western Uganda. The objectives of the study were: (1) to assess the diversity, use, and conservation of medicinal plants in and around Kalinzu Central Forest Reserve; and (2) to evaluate the importance of medicinal plants to communities surrounding the tropical forest. Plant species were identified and their distinctiveness such as their mode of extract preparation, parts used, and ailments treated documented. In-situ study and information on plant species was obtained by using transects or quadrant methods, Semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Eighteen (18) plant species belonging to thirteen (13) families and sixteen (16) genera were identified by local communities for medical purposes. The utilization and preference of plant products included fruits, vegetables, medicines, fire wood, construction materials, and other purposes as 76.7% of the local people use the forest as a source for medicines. Shannon Weiner Index, H’ = 2.554 and Species Evenness, EH = 0.8836 were calculated. These values indicated uneven distribution of medicinal plant species especially in areas where there is no replacement. Adherence to traditional norms and cultures, inadequate medical services and other health care services put medicinal plants at the centre of basic primary health care. This has made it difficult to effectively implement conservation measures in Kalinzu central forest reserve due to the high dependencies on the forest products by the surrounding communities.
Urban environmental security in a continuously growing city in sub-saharan africa in the climate change era: a case of Kampala, Uganda
(American Journal of Environmental Policy and Management, 2017) Oluwole, Olusegun Akiyode
The total well-being of urban dwellers in a continuously growing city depends on its urban environmental security. However, climate change impacts may increase stress that may be affecting the continuously growing urban settings in Sub-Saharan African countries. This is mainly because of the inadequacy in planning and preparation for the consequences of the rapid urbanization in most of the continuously growing cities. The study investigates the urban environmental security in a continuously growing city in Sub-Saharan Africa using Kampala capital city in Uganda as a case study. The study relates infrastructural development to implications of rapid urbanization and climate change in Kampala. It also examines the relationship between urban food security and conditions of living of the residents. The study further analysis the indispensability of water security, forests and wetlands in Kampala capital city in the climate change era. The study advocates sustainable urban environmental security processes as a panacea to urban-related threats in a continuously growing city.
Performance of Biomass Briquettes as an Alternative Energy Source Compared to Wood Charcoal in Uganda
(International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Science, 2017) Mahoro, Gloria Brenda; Omuna, Daniel; Eniru, Emmanuel Innocent
The environmental, financial and social questions, as well as the rapid increase in demand for energy fuels, emphasize the need to investigate and generate information on the performance of charcoal compared to briquettes as an alternative source of renewables in Kampala district. The study objective was to compare the performance of biomass briquettes as an alternative energy source to wood charcoal. The performance was measured using a modified water boiling test and a controlled cooking test. Data collected were analyzed using chi-square tests and cross tabulations on households’ socio-economic factors that promoted the popularity and use of briquettes or wood charcoal. Results from the modified water boiling test showed that the weight of wood charcoal, carbonized and non-carbonized briquettes consumed in boiling two litres of water is significantly different. From the controlled cooking test, the weight of charcoal used to cook dry beans is significantly higher than that of briquettes used to cook the same amount of beans. It was recommended that wood charcoal and briquettes perform similarly when used over short periods of time, but briquettes perform better over much longer periods.
Inquiry-Based Learning and Environmental Education in Nigeria: An Analysis of Students’ Acquisition of Manipulative Skills in Geometric Construction
(SCHOLARS WORLD, 2017) Opara, Jacinta A.; Nguuma, Jimin
This paper perceives geometric construction as an important aspect of environment education. It examined the effect of IBL on students’ acquisition of manipulative skills in geometric construction in education zone B of Benue State, Nigeria. The study also investigated whether the skills acquisition could be affected by gender and ability levels. Sample for the study comprised of 300 Senior Secondary 1 students selected from six schools within Education Zone B of Benue State using a multi-stage sampling technique. The study adopted a quasi-experimental non equivalent pretest-posttest design. Intact classes were assigned to the experimental and control groups. Data was generated using Geometric Construction Manipulative Skills Test (GCMST) which was the research made essay test. The reliability of the instrument was computed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and found to be 0.98. The study was guided by three research questions and three hypotheses. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation to answer the three research questions and inferential statistics of Analysis of Covariance was used to test the three hypotheses. Hypotheses tested reveals that students exposed to IBL exhibited greater manipulative skills in geometric construction (F=392.69; p=0.002) than those exposed to conventional methods. In addition, male and female students taught using IBL did not differ significantly in acquisition of manipulative skills (F=1.58; p=0.211). Also, High and low ability students did not differ significantly in demonstration of geometric construction skills acquired (F=0.14; p=709). Based on these findings, the study recommended among others that mathematics teachers should use IBL in teaching students practical mathematics skills. It concluded that IBL is a framework for outcome-based education which is a trust towards greater learner-centred pedagogy therefore it should be considered a useful addition to the variety of existing mathematics teaching approaches that attempts to involve learners more in their own learning.
Industrial waste management: brief survey and advice to cottage, small and medium scale industries in Uganda
(International Journal of Advanced Academic Research | Sciences, Technology & Engineering, 2017-01) Godswill, Awuchi Chinaza
Cottage, small and medium scale industries in developing countries account for large share of employment and, in most cases, production. Recent growth of these classes of industries has been in response to high labour availability and low financial resources in most of these developing countries. However, the urban management program of UNCHS (Habitat), together with World Bank, UNDP, and other collaborating agencies, have pointed out the general lack of technical-know-how and adequate knowledge on waste management regarding the cottage, small and medium scale industries and their relative impact on the environment. The definition of micro (cottage), small and medium enterprises includes all types of enterprises irrespective of their legal form (such as family enterprises, sole proprietorships or cooperatives) or whether they are formal or informal enterprises to ensure inclusiveness (MTIC, 2015). A cottage industry has within 1 to 4 employees, small scale 6 to 50, medium scale 50 to 300, and large scale >300 employees.
The implications of sustainable development programmes on environmental sustainability in Nigeria
(IJAR, 2017-02) Akiyode, Oluwole Olusegun; Wilson-Osigwe, Menwo Ukechi; Oluwole, Raji Ibrahim
Human security and sustainable development all over the world hinges on successful environmental sustainability. Nigeria was a signatory to Agenda 21 in 1992 and has been introducing policies in its systems which include laws that serve the three tier governments (Federal, States and Local Governments) in its bid to achieve environmental sustainability. These laws and policies serves as instruments for environmental protection, planning, prevention and pollution control. This study analyses the state of Nigeria environment before the inception of the Millennium Development Goal MDG 7 which was to ensure environmental sustainability and examines what happens after the programmes took off and ended. It examines sustainable practices in Nigeria that supports and encourages environmental sustainability. It identifies challenges to the achievement of environmental sustainability in the MDG 7 programmes. It also classifies the emerging environmental issues in the country. At the end, it advocates forward strategies in the achievement of environmental security in Nigeria.
Sugar alcohols: chemistry, production, health concerns and nutritional importance of mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and erythritol
(IJAAR, 2017-02) Godswill, Awuchi Chinaza
The sugar alcohols commonly found in foods are sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt, and hydrogenated starch hydrolysates. Sugar alcohols come from plant products such as fruits and berries. Sugar alcohols occur naturally and at one time, mannitol was obtained from natural sources. Today, they are often obtained by hydrogenation of sugars and other techniques. Sugar alcohols do not contribute to tooth decay. Consumption of sugar alcohols may affect blood sugar levels, although less than of sucrose. Sugar alcohols, with the exception of erythritol, may also cause bloating and diarrhea when consumed in excessive amounts. Mannitol and sorbitol are isomers, the only difference being the orientation of the hydroxyl group on carbon 2. Among production methods of mannitol are Industrial synthesis, Biosyntheses, Natural extraction, chemical process, microbial process. Most sorbitol is made from corn syrup, but it is also found in apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is converted to fructose by sorbitol-6-phosphate 2-dehydrogenase. Xylitol is a "tooth-friendly", nonfermentable sugar alcohol. It appears to have more dental health benefits than other polyalcohols. The structure of xylitol contains a tridentate ligand, (H-C-OH)3 that can rearrange with polyvalent cations like Ca2+. This interaction allows Ca2+ to be transported through the gut wall barrier and through. Xylitol is produced by hydrogenation of xylose, which converts the sugar (an aldehyde) into a primary alcohol. Another method of producing xylitol is through microbial processes, including fermentative and biocatalytic processes in bacteria, fungi, and yeast cells, which take advantage of the xylose-intermediate fermentations to produce high yield of xylitol. In the body, most erythritol is absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine, and then for the most part excreted unchanged in the urine. About 10% enters the colon. Because 90% of erythritol is absorbed before it enters the large intestine, it does not normally cause laxative effects. Chemical and fermentative processes have been introduced for large-scale production of erythritol. Erythritol can be synthesized from dialdehyde starch by high-temperature chemical reaction in the presence of a nickel catalyst.
Untapped wealth potential in fruit wastes for Uganda community
(International Journal of Advanced Academic Research | Science, Technology & Engineering, 2017-02) Oluwole, Ibrahim Raji; Onu, Peter
Uganda is a country rich in abundant arable lands that enhance growth of several agricultural products. About 70% of the country’s land mass is currently being cultivated with fruits and vegetables being the most predominantly. With high level of farming in the entire country, there is undoubtedly high level of waste generation from such produce. Proper disposal of the fruit wastes has subsequently been a perennial problem in Uganda due to high costs involved in contracting the effluent collectors as well as limited availability of landfills. They are often disposed unscrupulously as they carry no useful value in the minds of average local citizen. Thus, if the situation is not properly managed, fruit wastes can produce odor, soil pollution, harborage for harmful insects as well as several environmental issues asides resulting in greenhouse gas emission during decomposition; hence, huge amount of valuable untapped commodities that can result in wealth creation will be lost and subsequently causing serious ecological damages. Hence this study investigates and reviews the major composition of some fruit wastes, specifically banana, mango and pineapple, as well as the drivable biotechnological and industrial applications that could be exploited from proper waste recovery system in Uganda.The study concluded that banana, mango and pineapple wastes contain much reusable potentials to drive the idea of new and emerging technologies, such as green technology for biogas or bioethanol production to fruition in industrial, economic, social and ecological facet by providing raw materials for manufacturing, process and pharmaceutical industries; while also promoting the adoption of efficient farming system to improve overall profitability and competiveness.
Morphological and Microstructural Characterization of Organoclays from Low Smectite Containing Clays Materials
(Chemical Science International Journal, 2017-02-03) Nwankwere, Emeka Thompson
Two low smectite-containing clay materials were modified, using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMAB) as intercalating agents, under very mild experimental conditions, to investigate their potentials as suitable organoclays for industrial and environmental applications. Changes in the general morphological and microstructural characteristics were studied by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Brauner Emmet Taylor (BET) Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) before and after modification. The shift in XRD reflections after intercalation indicated that the HDTMA chains adopt monolayer and bilayer arrangements within the clay interlayers and were largely dependent on the reaction time and surfactant loading. This resulted in decreased specific surface area and increased pore sizes in the organoclay samples.

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