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The Lira University Institutional Repository is a digital platform for collecting, preserving, and disseminating the intellectual and scholarly output of the University.

It provides access to theses, dissertations, journal articles, conference papers, learning materials, reports, university publications, and other research outputs produced by the Lira University community.

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Recent Submissions

Understanding the dynamics and spread of African swine fever virus at the wildlife-livestock interface: insights into the potential role of the bushpig, Potamochoerus larvatus
(Suiform Soundings, 2014) Ståhl, K; Ogweng, P; Okoth, E; Aliro, T; Muhangi, D; LeBlanc, N; Atimnedi, P; Berg, M; Bishop, R.P.; Rasmussen, H.B.; Masembe, C
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a serious animal disease of pigs, causing high mortality in domestic swine. In Africa, the presence of a sylvatic cycle involving wild pigs and soft ticks means that the risk of introduction of ASFV into domestic swine is always present. Although warthogs are considered the main wild vertebrate host of the virus in the endemic African setting, they are not the only wild African suids with a potential role in ASF epidemiology. The bushpig, Potamochoerus larvatus, is an elusive, nocturnal pig known to be susceptible to ASF, and with a natural interface epidemiology and serve as a link between the sylvatic and nonsylvatic cycle. This paper presents initial results from an ongoing study investigating the role of the bushpig in the epidemiology of ASF at the wildlife-livestock interface. African swine fever (ASF) is a fatal, haemorrhagic disease of domestic pigs
Ancestry and Genome-wide Association Study of Domestic Pigs that Survive African Swine Fever in Uganda.
(Springer, 2024) Ogweng, Peter; Bowden, Courtney F.; Smyser, Timothy J.; Muwanika, Vincent B.; Piaggio, Antoinette J.; Masembe, Charles
African swine fever (ASF) is endemic to Uganda and causes annual outbreaks. Some pigs survive these outbreaks and remain asymptomatic but are African swine fever virus (ASFV) positive. The potential heritability and genetic disparities in disease susceptibility among Ugandan pigs are not fully understood. In a 12-year study, whole blood and tissue samples were collected from 212 pigs across 19 districts in Uganda. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to determine ASFV infection status and genotyping was completed using a commercial porcine array. The point prevalence of ASF was calculated for each district, and breed composition origins were quantified for the sampled pigs by implementing established ancestry analyses. Genome-wide associated studies (GWAS) were conducted using all available domestic swine samples (full study population; n=206) as well as a reduced dataset (farm-level study population; n=129). This study revealed a greater number of ASFV-positive pigs in border districts than in non-border districts, a high level of admixture among domestic pigs sampled from Ugandan smallholder farms, and 48 loci that were associated with ASFV infection status. The discovery of 48 significant SNPs and 28 putative candidate genes may imply the possibility of heritability for resistance to ASFV. However, additional investigations in ASFV-endemic regions are required to fully elucidate the heritability of ASFV susceptibility among surviving pigs in Uganda.
The effectiveness of community‑led initiatives in livestock disease control: a case of African swine fever in rural areas of Uganda
(Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2021) Ogweng, Peter; Masembe, Charles; Okwasiimire, Rodney; Keeya, Ibrahim; Vincent, Muwanika Bampalana
Proper implementation of biosecurity is currently the only control measure of African swine fever (ASF) in the absence of an effective vaccine or drug against the disease. Despite the efforts that Uganda’s local and central governments have invested to reduce livestock diseases, ASF outbreaks still persist in the country. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of community-led initiatives in the control of ASF in Mukono District, central Uganda. In Mukono district, a community-led pilot program was initiated where stakeholders in the pig value chain organized themselves into an ASF control task force to enforce on-farm and pig value chain activities intended to limit the spread of ASF. Semi-structured interviews with pig famers (n = 211) were conducted in two areas with contrasting practices: one with active community-initiated and monitored ASF control initiatives since 2016 (Kasawo and Namuganga) and the other without such initiative as the control (Mpunge and Ntenjeru). A significant decline (Wilcoxon ranked sign test: Z = − 5.412, p = 0.000) in the annual frequency of ASF outbreaks in both Kasawo and Namuganga sub-counties was observed after the implementation of community-led initiatives.The level of practice of most ASF control measures was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in sub-counties that instituted community-led ASF control initiatives than in the control sub-counties. The results of this study demonstrate the power of community-led initiatives in reducing ASF disease outbreaks in endemic areas.
Genome Sequences of Five African Swine Fever Virus Genotype IX Isolates from Domestic Pigs in Uganda
(Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2018) Masembe, Charles; Sreenu, Vattipally B.; Filipe, Ana Da Silva; Wilkie, Gavin S.; Ogweng, Peter; Mayega, Francis Johnson; Muwanika, Vincent B.; Biek, Roman; Palmarini, Massimo; Davison, Andrew J.
Complete genome sequences of five African swine fever virus isolates were determined directly from clinical material obtained from domestic pigs in Uganda. Four sequences were essentially identical to each other, and all were closely related to the only known genome sequence of p72 genotype IX.
Barriers to adoption of aflatoxin mitigating strategies: Insights from a case study of Uganda’sWest Nile region
(World Mycotoxin Journal, 2026) Odur, S.; Okello, W.; Alumai, A.; Mahuku, G.; Ejobi, F.; Akello, J.; Onyilo, F.
Aflatoxin contamination in staple crops presents considerable health risks and economic losses for smallholder farmers in Uganda. This study assessed the knowledge and awareness of aflatoxin contamination and mitigation strategies among smallholder farmers in the West Nile region. A survey of 393 farmers, supplemented by four focus group discussions with 60 participants, was conducted. Quantitative results revealed that only 21.9% of farmers were aware of aflatoxins, while 24.6% were aware of mitigation strategies. Multivariate analysis indicates that age (P < 0.001), gender (P = 0.015), and education level (P < 0.001), are significant predictors of awareness. Qualitative findings from thematic analysis indicated that limited technical knowledge, financial constraints, and insufficient agricultural extension services are barriers to aflatoxin awareness and mitigation. The study underscores the need for improved agricultural extension services, hands-on training, and policy interventions to promote effective aflatoxin management practices, including the use of biological control products, such as Aflasafe, among smallholder farmers in Uganda.