Papers by Julius B. Lejju
African archaeological review/The African archaeological review, Jul 9, 2024
Archaeological and environmental research by an international and interdisciplinary team opens ne... more Archaeological and environmental research by an international and interdisciplinary team opens new perspectives into the settlement histories of Kansyore, Early Iron Age, and Bigo period peoples in the once forested regions of the Ndali Crater Lakes Region (NCLR) of western Uganda. The research examines the role of Kansyore agropastoralists and their Early Iron Age and Bantu-speaking contemporaries in remaking a once forested environment into a forest-savannah mosaic from circa 500 BC to the end of the first millennium AD. Archaeological settlement and subsistence evidence is examined within a framework of social interaction of Sudanic speakers with Bantu speakers, drawing on historical linguistics and environmental studies to arrive at a new synthesis of late Holocene history in western Uganda. This perspective also unveils the significance and chronology of Boudiné ware, a long enigmatic ceramic tradition that we identify as contemporary to Transitional Urewe and deeply influenced through social interactions with those making Kansyore ceramics and inhabiting the same landscape. Using archaeological evidence from fifteen sites and multiple burials spanning from 400 to 1650 calAD, new views of ceramic histories, lifeways, and
Recasting the Sangoan Stone Age Techno-Complex in the Stone Age Nomenclature at Sango Bay, Southern Uganda
This paper discusses the complex use of the term ‘Sangoan’ and its placement between the Early St... more This paper discusses the complex use of the term ‘Sangoan’ and its placement between the Early Stone Age (ESA) and Middle Stone Age (MSA) using data from Simba Hill in Sango Bay. The purpose is to examine whether the Sangoan is Acheulean, Middle Stone Age, or an independent lithic industry at Sango Bay. Four specific objectives guided the study: reviewing the Stone Age terminology, Sangoan lithic typology, technology, and environmental characteristics. A detailed literature review of the Stone Age nomenclature shows patterns and trends of the Sangoan terminology; while a combined lithic assemblage from the archaeological surface survey and excavation yielded heavy and light-duty lithic tools. The 13 sites identified within the 202.6km surveyed had 73 lithic artefacts, while the excavation unit yielded 1344 lithic artefacts. The results suggest that the Sangoan typology at Sango Bay has five general lithic categories of shaped tools, backed pieces, cores, and debitage. Typologically, the conventional Sangoan lithics at Sango Bay include lanceolates, picks, cleavers, discoids, becs, points and core axes. Technologically, the Levallois lithic reduction strategy characterises the Sangoan with unifacial and bifacial retouch and core technology elements. The toolmakers at Sango Bay used local raw materials, suggesting they were not highly mobile in terms of raw materials. Conclusively, therefore, the Sangoan is a transitional lithic industry.
Climate and Cultural Dynamics in the Great Lakes Region of Western Uganda during the Last ca. 1000 Yr. BP
EGUGA, Apr 1, 2018
<i>Heterocyphelium leucampyx</i>(<i>Arthoniales</i>, Ascomycota): another orphaned mazaediate lichen finds its way home
Lichenologist, Jul 1, 2017
Heterocypheliumis a mazaediate genus containing a single species,H. leucampyx. The species was or... more Heterocypheliumis a mazaediate genus containing a single species,H. leucampyx. The species was originally described from Cuba within the genusTrachylia(Arthoniales,Arthoniaceae) and later placed in various genera of the collective orderCalicialess. lat. For the past three decades,Heterocypheliumwas considered an orphaned genus (incertae sedis) within the Ascomycota, since morphology alone could not resolve its systematic position. In this study, we added molecular data with the aim of resolving this uncertainty. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of newly generated sequence data from the mitochondrial ribosomal RNA small subunit (mtSSU) and the RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene (RPB2) provide clear evidence thatHeterocyphelium leucampyxis nested within the orderArthoniales, in the familyLecanographaceae, sister to the genusAlyxoria.Heterocypheliumis a further example of parallel evolution of passive spore dispersal, prototunicate asci and the occurrence of a mazaedium in the Ascomycota, and another calicioid genus whose systematic placement could be eventually clarified by means of molecular data.Heterocypheliumis the fourth mazaediate genus inArthoniales, in addition toSporostigma,TylophorellaandTylophoron.
Morphological traits of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.): Indicators of diversity, selection and germplasm dispersion in Uganda
Scientific African
Tropical Medicine and Health
Background Malaria remains a major global health challenge and a serious cause of morbidity and m... more Background Malaria remains a major global health challenge and a serious cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, limited access to medical facilities has perpetuated the reliance of indigenous communities on herbal medicine for the prevention and management of malaria. This study was undertaken to document ethnobotanical knowledge on medicinal plants prescribed for managing malaria in Rukungiri District, a meso-endemic malaria region of Western Uganda. Methods An ethnobotanical survey was carried out between May 2022 and December 2022 in Bwambara Sub-County, Rukungiri District, Western Uganda using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 125 respondents (81 females and 44 males) were randomly selected and seven (7) key informants were engaged in open interviews. In all cases, awareness of herbalists on malaria, treatment-seeking behaviour and herbal treatment practices were obtained. The ethnobotanical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, inf...
African Journal of Agricultural Research, Apr 6, 2017
Application of maturity indices and optimal harvest time improves handling and marketing operatio... more Application of maturity indices and optimal harvest time improves handling and marketing operations and minimizes pre and postharvest losses for tomato products. Growth patterns of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), cv. Ghalia 281, were therefore analyzed to determine nondestructive maturity indices for optimal harvest regimes. Propagation experiments were run in central Uganda in 2015. A total of 216 tomato fruits were tagged and their diameter, height and color recorded daily prior to physico-chemical and nutritional analyses at Makerere University Food Science and Technology laboratory. The longest fruit (5.55 cm) was from breaker, while the shortest (4.95 cm) was in light red samples. Total soluble solids were highest at breaker (5.40 °Brix) and red (6.00 °Brix) and was lowest at turning stage (4.00 °Brix). Green tomatoes had the highest carbohydrate content of 5.99 g/100 g, followed by breaker tomatoes with 5.71 g/100 g, while the lowest CHO (4.17 g/100 g) was observed from tomatoes at turning stage. The pH decreased from 4.98 (green) to 4.60 (light red). Protein content was highest (13.05%) from red tomatoes and lowest in pink samples (10.22%). Fruit diameter was negatively correlated with fruit color (r =-0.748, P≤0.05) and °Brix (r =-0.787, P≤0.05). A highly negative correlation occurred between fruit age and pH (r =-0.949, P≤0.05). There was a high positive correlation between fruit diameter and total titrable acidity (r = 0.959, P≤0.05). Optimal harvesting should occur at breaker for distant markets and fruit with red outer colour be proposed for local consumers. Maturity indices for determining harvest time of tomato is a combination of fruit age, diameter and color, because these correlate significantly with physico-chemical and nutritional characteristics including total soluble solids (TSS), total titrable acidity (TTA) and protein content.
International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 2022
Socioeconomic, political, and policy decisions by the government may influence the socioecologica... more Socioeconomic, political, and policy decisions by the government may influence the socioecological changes of the land use and land cover pattern for rangeland people over time. This paper examines the historical political, policy, and socioeconomic decisions that influenced land use and land cover changes in the former pastoral community in Sanga-Lake Mburo Rangeland Ecosystem in South Western Uganda. Data on historical events were documented from literature and supplemented by an opportunistic discussion with Sanga residents. Data on land use and cover change detection between 1987 and 2020 were provided by Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS images and from field observations. Images were processed using QGIS version 3.20.1 employing a semi-automatic classification plugin. Political decisions and government policies related to land tenure and reforms, socioeconomics, and demographic changes were noted as underlying drivers of land use and cover changes. The overall accuracies for...
Ethnobotany and Antimicrobial Activity of Gouania longispicata Engl
Journal of Complementary Medicine Research, 2020
Background: Gouania longispicata Engl. (Family: Rhamnaceae) has been used for traditional medicin... more Background: Gouania longispicata Engl. (Family: Rhamnaceae) has been used for traditional medicine applications for the treatment of over 42 ailments including allergy, tooth decay, mastitis and syphilis. The common use of G. longispicata in traditional healthcare systems echoes its relevance in light of modern pharmaceutical perspectives. Aim: To determine the ethnobotany and antimicrobial activity of G. longispicata, which is traditionally used in Bwambara sub-county. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2018, using questionnaires to collect ethnobotanical data on Gouania longispicata Engl. Air dried powdered plant material was sequentially extracted using hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity were done following standard procedures. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, steroids, resins, and phenolic compounds in different plant extracts. Methanol fraction inhibited growth of all bacterial strains under study, while aqueous extract and aqueous fraction showed activity against the fungal strains under study and only one bacterial strain Streptococcus pneumoniae. The most susceptible microorganism was Streptococcus pneumoniae with MICs of 1.95 mg/mL for methanol fraction, 15.6 mg/mL for aqueous fraction and 31.25 mg/mL for aqueous extract. Conclusion: The local population has used G. longispicata to treat various ailments for a long time. The antimicrobial activities of the various extracts provide a baseline for its use in the treatment of various diseases. Toxicity and structure elucidation of the bioactive compounds in the various extracts need to be studied.
East African Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2019
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is a fruit tree crop largely grown in tropical regions for its edib... more Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. is a fruit tree crop largely grown in tropical regions for its edible fruits. Though listed among underutilized crops, the demand for jackfruit in Uganda has increased. Amidst the increase in demand, the crop faces strong selective pressure and yet there is no documentation of the varieties and distribution of the crop in the country. This study therefore aimed at determining the varieties and distribution of jackfruit in Uganda using folk knowledge to provide a baseline for its production, booming market and conservation. A cross-sectional survey involving 349 participants comprising of 205 jackfruit traders and 144 jackfruit farmers from three political regions and three agro-ecological zones was conducted. Data were collected through face to face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and direct observations. Classification of jackfruit varieties, geographical location of the source of jackfruits for traders and the time of harvest of the f...
Journal of Biogeography, 2019
AimDetermine the extent to which remote, high‐altitude (Afroalpine) aquatic ecosystems in tropica... more AimDetermine the extent to which remote, high‐altitude (Afroalpine) aquatic ecosystems in tropical Africa have been impacted by global and regional‐scale environmental change processes.LocationTwo volcanic crater lakes (Bisoke and Muhavura) in the Afroalpine zone, Albertine (Western) Rift, central Africa.MethodsSediment cores were collected from Bisoke and Muhavura lakes and dated using radiometric techniques. A range of sediment‐based proxies was extracted from the cores and quantified. Sedimentary data were subjected to statistical analyses that contributed to the identification of influential environmental variables and their effects on diatom assemblages, the determination of variations in spatial beta diversity and estimates of the rate of compositional turnover over the last c. 1,200 years.ResultsSediments from the two sites provide evidence of the sensitivity of remote, Afroalpine aquatic ecosystems to perturbation. Climate variability has been a major driver of ecological ch...
Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2019
As population increases in urban areas, the domestic and industrial activities increase resulting... more As population increases in urban areas, the domestic and industrial activities increase resulting in an increase in the volumes of wastewater and anthropogenic pollution, hence posing a threat to public health and environment. This study assessed the physical chemical quality of two main sewage plant effluents discharging into River Rwizi. Effluent water samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, colour, turbidity, total suspended solid, total iron, phosphates, alkalinity, magnesium, calcium carbonate, temperature, pH, ammonium, electrical conductivity, chloride and nitrates. Parameters were analyzed following standard methods of APHA (1985). The values obtained were compared with EPA (2001), NWSC (2015) and NEMA (1999) standards for waste water. Results showed that the mean values most of the parameters tested were higher than the recommended EPA, NWSC and NEMA standards. The mean colour was 1627.67˚C and 1414.33˚C in Kakoba and Taso sewage effluents respectively compared to EPA (20-150), NWSC (500) and NEMA (300) standards (p > 0.05). The mean alkalinity was 1390.17 mg/l and 1308.33 mg/l for Kakoba and Taso respectively compared with EPA (400) and NWSC (800) standards. DO had a mean concentration of 68.27 mg/l and 63.03 mg/l in Taso and Kakoba respectively compared to EPA and NEMA standard of 5 mg/l. Mg was 243.29 mg/l and 246.49 mg/l in Kakoba and Taso sewage effluents respectively compared to NEMA standard for waste water of 100 mg/l (p > 0.05). The mean pH was 8.26 and 8.16 in Taso and Kakoba sewage effluents respectively compared to NWSC and NEMA standard of 6.0-8.0. Phosphate mean concentration levels were 32.2 mg/l and 27.11 mg/l for Taso and Kakoba respectively compared to standards of EPA (0.5-0.7 mg/l) and NEMA (10 mg/l).
Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 2017
Local knowledge on maturity indicators is important in determining optimal time of harvesting fru... more Local knowledge on maturity indicators is important in determining optimal time of harvesting fruits and vegetables. These farm products are increasingly becoming a valuable source of livelihood for many rural families through household consumption and trade. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of literature on the integration of local knowledge and practices in improving maturity assessment techniques with the view of promoting optimal harvesting and consumer acceptability of fruits and vegetables in Uganda. A study was undertaken between April and September 2014 to prioritize viable fruits and vegetables, ascertain socioeconomic characteristics influencing maturity assessments, assess local knowledge on maturity indicators and document maturity assessment challenges faced by fruit and vegetable farmers, transporters and traders in Kampala, Rubirizi and Sheema districts. A total of 102 respondents were interviewed as corroborative measure to field visits and focused group discussions involving 27 participants. The findings indicate that passion fruit, watermelon and pineapple were the most preferred fruits while tomato, cabbage and eggplant were highly ranked among vegetables. About 99% of the respondents were knowledgeable about fruit and vegetable maturity indicators. The knowledge of maturity indicators appears to be associated with gender, age, education level, marital status, household size and occupation of the respondents. The maturity indicators used include colour for pineapple (100%, N=102), passion fruit (100%), tomato (90%) and watermelon (11%). Size is used as a maturity indicator for pumpkin, eggplant and cabbage by 100%, 85% and 50% of the respondents, respectively. Respondents felt that the maturity indicators they use are inaccurate (53%) and are influenced by pest and disease infestation (40%), weather (5.8%) and soil (1.4%) conditions. To leverage adoption, participatory design and development of noninvasive maturity assessment tools is, therefore, recommended.
African Journal of Plant Science, 2017
Fruit and vegetable maturity at harvest influences transportation and storage requirements as wel... more Fruit and vegetable maturity at harvest influences transportation and storage requirements as well as market value. However, small scale farmers in Uganda lack technologies for maturity assessment leading to high pre-and post-harvest losses and low financial returns from fruit and vegetable farms. This study, therefore, assessed the development of fruits (pineapple, passion fruit, watermelon) and vegetables (cabbage, egg plant, pumpkin and tomato), determined optimal maturity indices and fabricated and tested nondestructive tools for maturity assessment. Propagation trials and testing of tools were undertaken at Nangabo and Kangulumira sub counties in central Uganda. The findings show that eggplant, passion fruit, pineapple and pumpkin underwent 3 distinct development stages during which their diameter, length and outer colour changed. Cabbage remained green, but its bulb diameter and length varied with maturity. Watermelon had 4 development stages with significant (P≤0.05) changes in morphology and outer colour. Tomato fruits had 6 distinct outer colour changes. Age and colour were maturity indices for passion fruit. Fruit age and diameter were the maturity indices for watermelon. Age, diameter, length and colour were the maturity indices for pineapple, tomato and eggplant. Cabbage and pumpkin share indices including: age, diameter and length. A farm record book (FRB) was designed for documenting phenology and maturity stages of studied fruits and vegetables. A calibrated calliper (CC) and Calibrated tape (CT) were fabricated for assessing the morphological development in pineapple, tomato, eggplant, cabbage, pumpkin and watermelon. Customized colour charts (CCC) were designed for monitoring colour changes as passion fruits, pineapples, tomatoes and eggplants mature. On-farm trials show that CCCs were the most effective tools for monitoring passion fruit (80%), pineapple (64%), tomato (60%), eggplant (68%). Similar studies involving several cultivars and maturity determination tools are, therefore, recommended.
Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering A, 2016
Bio-proxies provide relevant information on ecosystem health and environmental dynamics. In this ... more Bio-proxies provide relevant information on ecosystem health and environmental dynamics. In this study, diatom assemblages of two cores collected from the Ugandan side of Lake Victoria at Napoleon Gulf ("NAPG1" (GPS, 00º25'44.5" N, 033º14'10.4" E)) and Sango Bay ("SAGB2" (GPS, 00º51'48.0" S, 031º42'47.8" E)) provide evidence of long term changes in the Lake Basin from ca 10,500 years to present. Diatom information was supported by phytolith data from the same cores. The period from ca 10,500-8,100 calyrBP experienced moderate precipitation, strong turbulence with reduced forest cover in the lake's catchments. During the phase ca 8,100-6,600 calyrBP, the lake basin experienced increased precipitation but with reduced mixing of the water column. This period was also characterized by increased forest vegetation cover as reflected by phytolith assemblages. The period from ca 5,900-1,400 calyrBP was characterized by regular changes in precipitation, turbulence and vegetation taxa in the catchment areas. The phase from ca. 1,800 calyrBP to present was characterized by significant increase in Fragilaria and Nitzschia species as well as increase in Nitzschia: Aulacoseira ratio which may be attributed to human involvement in the ecological functioning of Lake Victoria ecosystem.
Open Journal of Soil Science, 2017
This paper presents results of soil analysis for samples extracted from Makerere University Agric... more This paper presents results of soil analysis for samples extracted from Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo. The study was aimed at ascertaining the suitability of MUARIK soils for fruit (pineapple, passion fruit and watermelon) and vegetable (cabbage, eggplant, tomato and pumpkin) growth, yield and maturity. Soil morphological, physical and chemical properties were probed by excavating a 1.86 meter soil profile pit and sampling soils in 9 equidistant locations at MUARIK. The soil morphology and physical properties were described using the Munsel colour chart and USDA classification system while chemical parameters were determined in Makerere University Soil Laboratory following procedures described by Okalebo et al. [1]. Three pedon layers (RSK-H1, RSK-H3 and RSK-H5) had gradual boundaries while RSK-H4 was continuous. However, RSK-H2 and RSK-H6 had abrupt boundary layers. The texture of the profiles was clayey (52%). The soils were acidic with a pH of 6.08 (sub soil) to 6.12 (top soil). On comparison with standard requirements for target fruits and vegetables, the site was deficient in most of the minerals including P (8.88-12.42 pmm), Ca (6.46-7.92 pmm), K (0.06-0.47 pmm), Mg (1.37-1.70 pmm), Na (0.17-0.23 pmm), N (0.18-0.19 pmm), and soil organic matter (4.53%-4.81%). Sand and clay had the highest negative significant correlation (r = −0.94, p < 0.01) in the top soil. The highest positive significant correlation was observed between Ca and Mg both in the topsoil (r = 0.96, p < 0.01) and subsoil (r = 0.99, p < 0.01). MUARIK is suitable for growing cabbage and pumpkin. However, for improved growth, yields and maturity, the soils should be amended with manure (watermelon), lime (passion fruit and tomato) and sulphur (eggplant and pineapples).
Late Holocene trends of sediment based heavy metal concentrations in Lake Victoria: Ecological impact assessment
Quaternary International, 2016
A 10000 14C yr diatom record from Napoleon Gulf and Sango Bay, Lake Victoria
Quaternary International, 2016
Journal of ethnopharmacology, Jan 25, 2016
Globally 387 million people currently have diabetes and it is projected that this condition will ... more Globally 387 million people currently have diabetes and it is projected that this condition will be the 7th leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. As of 2012, its total prevalence in Central America (8.5%) was greater than the prevalence in most Latin American countries and the population of this region widely use herbal medicine. The aim of this study is to review the medicinal plants used to treat diabetes and its sequelae in seven Central American countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama. We conducted a literature review and extracted from primary sources the plant use reports in traditional remedies that matched one of the following disease categories: diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, urinary problems, skin diseases and infections, cardiovascular disease, sexual dysfunctions, visual loss, and nerve damage. Use reports were entered in a database and data were analysed in terms of the highest number of use reports for diabetes mana...
Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Subsistence Agriculture, Climate Risk Management, and Mitigation of Community Vulnerability in Changing Climate, Lake Victoria Basin: A Case Study of Rakai and Isingiro Districts, Uganda
Nile River Basin, 2014
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Papers by Julius B. Lejju