Browsing by Author "Ssanyu, GA"

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Response of endemic Clarias species’ life-history biometrics to land use around the papyrus-dominated Mpologoma riverine wetland, Uganda
(Taylor&Francis Online: African Journal of Aquatic Science, 2014-10-02) Ssanyu, GA; Kipkemboi, J; Mathooko, JM; Balirwa, J
The Mpologoma River wetland is highly negatively impacted by rice growing and yet it provides habitat to endemic Clarias species that are important to the wetland fishery. Variations in life-history biometrics of small Clarias species at various wetland sites in relation to land-use changes within the wetland were studied in 2012. Four sites exposed to different land uses were sampled for vegetation, water quality and small Clarias species’ life-history biometrics. Water conductivity was significantly higher at the highly disturbed site, ranging from 140 to 480 µS cm−1. Limiting nutrient levels, particularly phosphorus, were higher at the least disturbed sites. Two small Clarias species were identified. Mean total length and weight of Clarias liocephalus, the most abundant species (66%), were 16.81 cm (SD 4.03) and 33.77 g (SD 19.63), respectively, whilst those for Clarias alluaudi (34%) were 17.83 cm (SD 4.49) and 39.94 g (SD 22.99), respectively. Mean total length, weight and fecundity of both species were significantly higher at the highly disturbed sites than at the least disturbed sites. Habitat disturbance intensities due to land use conferred population-level benefits such as higher values of life-history biometrics of Clarias species at the highly disturbed sites in the wetland.
River health and management through an indigenous knowledge lens : the case of Mayanja River, Uganda
(African Journal of Aquatic Science, 2026-07-17) Ssanyu, GA; Mutekanga, N; Kiwanuka, M; Kabasa, M; Onyango, J; Melcher, A; Bauer, A; Kitaka, N
Despite the recognition of integrated water resources management approaches, their limited adoption is partly due to gaps in the community-centered models. The increasing degradation of the culturally attached Mayanja River catchment presented the need to explore the values, cultures, beliefs, and management approaches that have preserved the river’s health until now. A qualitative survey on indigenous knowledge was done among the mainly Baganda ethnic group, where elders and younger participants gave views on the river status, values, culture and management actions of the river. Overall, participants expressed a clear distinction between the degraded and non-degraded river status using water and biodiversity characteristics. These characteristics agreed with the scientific phenomenon of degradation despite the differences in the ontological backgrounds of the participants. Elders noted that the supernatural origin of the Mayanja River myth contributed to norms that preserved the river and it compelled the locals to participate in river management actions. The outside interests and loss of culture led to discredited traditional beliefs and limited community action on the river among young participants. The exceptional insights into the cultural and social organisational aspects of the river among elders can be embraced to supplement the existing community river health management strategies.