Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) is a private university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church in Uganda. The University is owned by the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Bishops of Uganda. It is licensed by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education. UMU consists of seven faculties, two institute, six campuses, nine departments, and three schools. As of March 2022, total student enrollment is 4,632. Of these, about 1,500 students were residential, while nearly 3,000 students were enrolled in UMU's distance learning programs. The number of staff members was over 400.
Maize (Zea mays L.) is a critical crop for food security and economic well-being in Uganda, yet yields remain below the threshold among smallholder farmers (2–3 t/ha). This is attributed to nutrient-depleted ferralsols, as well as planting methods and land use types. Organic amendments, either alone or in combination with biochar, offer a sustainable alternative to conventional NPK fertilizers. This study compared eight treatments (Control, NPK, organic inputs alone, and organic + biochar combinations) to evaluate impacts on maize yield, soil chemical and biological properties, and economic viability for smallholder farmers. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used to measure yield, soil pH, organic matter, N, P, and K. Root colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, phosphatase). A cost-benefit analysis was carried out, including input costs, labor, revenue, profitability, and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR). The results indicate that treatments combining organic inputs with biochar (Bokashi + Biochar, Vermicompost + Biochar) and NPK delivered the highest yields (9.3–9.5 t/ha), outperforming the control (4.0 t/ha). These treatments significantly increased soil fertility indicators (organic matter, N, P, K) and microbial health. BCRs were favorable: NPK (5.7), Bokashi (1.9), Vermicompost (1.8), and combinations (≥ 1.4). Organic amendments combined with biochar achieved yields comparable to NPK under the conditions of this study, while improving soil chemical and biological properties. To support adoption by smallholders, local production of organic amendments and technical capacity must be strengthened.
Up to 60% of pediatric patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are unable to attain virologic suppression. Several findings showed insufficient levels of viral suppression among diverse populations in resource-limited areas, including Uganda. This study aimed to investigate the drivers of viral non-suppression among children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years in Masaka district, Uganda. An analytical cross-sectional design that was used based on health facility setting and 244 participants were interviewed. Data analysis was conducted using the statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), and the results presented in tables and figures. It was found that the level of viral non-suppression was 43.0% at baseline, defined as having a viral load of >= 1000 copies/mL. Six months after initiation of ART, the level of viral non-suppression rose to 50%. Individuals whose viral load was equal to or greater than 1000 copies/mL exhibited a 3.8-fold higher probability of having an unsuppressed viral load and individuals with WHO clinical stage I were found to have a 1.4 times higher likelihood of HIV viral non-suppression. Conclusively, the findings indicate that the baseline viral load and duration on ART are the main factors that predict viral load suppression in children and adolescents.
Risky sexual behaviour among adolescents remains a major public health challenge in Uganda. In Nebbi Municipality, high rates of teenage pregnancy, early sexual debut, and HIV infections have compounded the problem. This study sought to determine individual, environmental, and family-level drivers associated with adolescents' risky sexual behaviours. Analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to March 2022 using a mixed-methods approach. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 300 adolescents aged 10-19 years, who were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data were thematically coded and analyzed. We found that risky sexual behaviours were associated with multiple drivers, including school dropout (aPR = 2.27, 95% CI: 0.54-6.65), awareness of partner's HIV status (aPR = 8.22, 95% CI: 3.11-33.19), and traditional beliefs (aPR = 5.48, 95% CI: 1.73-17.39). Qualitative findings revealed that many adolescents lacked the power to negotiate safe sex, were influenced by peers, social media, and financial hardship. Adolescents in Nebbi Municipality remain vulnerable to risky sexual behaviours due to a combination of factors. Our study highlighted the need for targeted preventive interventions that strengthen parental support, promote safe sexual negotiation skills, and engage schools and community structures.
This short communication explores the intersection between agroecology and spirituality, drawing on field insights from faith-based agroecological initiatives in Uganda and the teachings of Laudato Si, Pope Francis's encyclical on integral ecology. We specificallyfocus on agroecological practices observed at institutions where agroecology is integrated with spiritual renewal through forest regeneration, ecological education, and inclusive market structures. We argue that these practices illustrate a form of "ecological conversion" that aligns with Laudato Si's call for ethical, social, and environmental transformation. The findings reveal that spirituality is notonly a motivating force but also a guiding framework that shapes agroecological principles, fosters community resilience, and bridges ecological justice with social equity. By engaging with both religious and indigenous cosmologies, such initiatives offer an inclusive and holistic model of sustainability. In this way, our paper contributes to the emerging discourse on faith-based agroecology, arguing that integrating spiritual values into agroecological transitions can enhance farmer agency, deepen ethical commitment, and support more just and sustainable food systems.
The diffusion of agricultural technologies, such as biofortified crops, is often non-linear, characterised by adoption, discontinuation, and re-adoption. This study examines the factors shaping these dynamic patterns for high-iron beans (HIBs) in Uganda. Based on cross-sectional survey data, we employed a multinomial logit model to categorise and analyse farmer adoption status. The results reveal that a combination of socio-economic and institutional factors significantly influences adoption behaviour. Specifically, the gender and age of the household head, as well as participation in off-farm income, were key socio-economic predictors. Regarding institutional factors, access to reliable markets and the presence of payback schemes emerged as the primary drivers. These findings suggest that overcoming adoption barriers requires addressing both the demographics of farmers and systemic constraints. We recommend a strategic pivot towards decentralising seed production by establishing certified community seed enterprises and enhancing training programmes that focus on both agronomic practices and market linkages to ensure the sustained cultivation of HIBs.
