6 research outputs found
The biological integrity of streams and channels draining into the Rwizi River system in Western Uganda
No full textRwizi River, often called the life-line river, supports over five million people in Western Uganda and is a major contributor of freshwater to Lake Victoria. Surrounded by a large and rapidly growing population, the river has suffered anthropogenic disturbances whose impact on the integrity of the system is a subject of concern. Aquatic macroinvertebrates, used globally to monitor both short- and long-term environmental conditions, were thus used to assess the biological integrity of streams and channels draining into the river system. Macroinvertebrates were sampled for six months in 2017 encompassing the wet and dry seasons using the kick net sampling method. The macroinvertebrates were identified morphologically using peer reviewed identification keys and their pollution sensitivity scored using the Tanzanian River Scoring System (TARISS). The Shannon diversity index was computed per site and related to average score per taxon (ASPT). We collected a total of 5442 macroinvertebrates belonging to 54 families dominated by Chironomidae (29.1%). Macroinvertebrate diversity increased with ASPT (r = 0.57; N = 131; P = 0.000). The water quality was generally poor and was not affected by the season (t = 1.03; df = 64; P = 0.303) though sites had different water quality (F = 11.32; df = 20; P = 0.000) attributed the degree of anthropogenic disturbance. We concluded that river Rwizi system is highly degraded and thus recommend restoration of the entire catchment. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are good indicators of long-term conditions but less sensitive to short-term changes. Multiple approaches, biological and chemical, are encouraged during the restoration process
Freshwater Macroinvertebrates taxa collected from River Rwizi in south-western Uganda in the dry and wet seasons in 2017
No full textRwizi river, a major contributor to the waters of L. Victoria, is an important freshwater reserve and supports a large and rapidly growing population in Western Uganda. Though it is referred to as a life-line river, it is greatly disturbed by human activities but scanty information exists on extent of damage the river faces. A comprehensive study was made using biological and and physico-chemical aspects of the water to assess water quality along the river system. These data are for benthic macroinvertebrates of the Rwizi system from 21 sites sampled for six months, three in the wet season and three in the dry season. The data sheet contains the date of data collection, site name, season (wet or dry), macroinvertebrate orders and abundances under each macroinvertebrate family collected using the kick-sampling method. This data was used to compute diversity indices and to assess impact of human activity on water quality in urban, peri-urban and rural areas. The Bioassessment used was The Tanzania River Scoring System (TARISS) and classification of taxa was to the require level of classification (Baetidae and hydropsychidae further classification is not included here)
Assessment of three medical and research laboratories using WHO AFRO_SLIPTA Quality Standards in Southwestern Uganda: a long way to go
No full textIntroduction: While the laboratory represents more than 70% of clinical diagnosis and patient management, access to reliable and quality laboratory diagnostics in sub-Saharan Africa remains a challenge. To gain knowledge and suggest evidence based interventions towards laboratory improvement in Southwestern Uganda, we assessed the baseline laboratory quality standards in three medical and research laboratories in Southwestern Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey from October, 2013 to April, 2014. Selected laboratories, including one private research, one private for profit and one public laboratory, were assessed using the WHO AFRO_SLIPTA checklist and baseline scores were determined. Results: The three laboratories assessed met basic facility requirements, had trained personnel, and safety measures in place. Sample reception was properly designed and executed with a well designated chain of custody. All laboratories had sufficient equipment for the nature of work they were involved in. However, we found that standard operating procedures were incomplete in all three laboratories, lack of quality audit schemes by two laboratories and only one laboratory enrolled into external quality assurance schemes. The SLIPTA scores were one star for the research laboratory and no star for both the public and private-for-profit laboratories. Conclusion: While most of the laboratory systems were in place, the low scores obtained by the assessed laboratories reflect the need for improvement to reach standards of quality assured diagnostics in the region. Therefore, routine mentorship and regional supportive supervision are necessary to increase the quality of laboratory services
Assessment of three medical and research laboratories using WHO AFRO_SLIPTA Quality Standards in Southwestern Uganda: long way to go
No full textPrevalence of antibodies to Brucella species in commercial raw bovine milk in Southwestern Uganda
No full textPrevalence of Antibodies to Brucella Species in Commercial Raw Bovine Milk in Southwestern Uganda
No full textThe purpose and objective of this research was to explore the prevalence of antibodies against Brucella species in raw milk samples collected in Southwestern Uganda, one of the biggest milk producing regions in the Country. We hypothesized that there is a high level of antibodies in milk samples from this region. This builds more evidence to other studies in the region on the level contamination of raw milk
