Natural Sciences
PAIRWISE Project Engages Mbarara Stakeholders on Antibiotic Resistance
Most of the antibiotics used to manage diseases in humans and livestock end up in the environment. Antibiotics (ATBs), Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (ARB), and Antibiotic Resistance (ARGs) have spread in almost all habitats globally. The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recognize the problem of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and thus recommend: Prudent use of antimicrobials; and a “One Health Approach” to mitigate the problem. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a situation where bacteria develop resistance against antibiotics intended to destroy them.
Antibiotics in the environment may induce AMR in bacteria, hence the risk of transfer to humans and wildlife. AMR reduces effectiveness of antibiotics, leading to higher costs of treatment, severe illnesses, and deaths. Globally, about 1.2 million people died in 2019 due to complications of AMR; Sub-Saharan African region alone had 255,000 deaths (Murray et al., 2022, The Lancet, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0).
The Strategic Research Agenda by the Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) calls for transnational studies on AMR in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Indeed, the role of livestock, wildlife and migratory birds in the spread of AMR has previously been under-emphasized, yet they are major reservoirs of ARB and ARG.
The PAIRWISE Project is being implemented in three countries in Europe, and two in Africa. PAIRWISE is investigating the risks posed to human health and the environment by pollutants and pathogens present in water resources. The project also aims to investigate the dispersal of ATB, ARB and ARG downstream Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) by comparing different geographical/climatic regions, wastewater management practices and types of water bodies.
Project partners include; National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Sweden; Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Norway; Linköping University (LiU), Sweden; Doñana Biological Station, Higher Council for Scientific Research, Spain; National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water, and Forestry, Tunisia; Faculty of Medicine Ibn Al-Jazzar Sousse, Tunisia; and the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, Uganda.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 869178-AquaticPollutants, Joint Programming Initiative on Anti-microbial Resistance (JPIAMR), www.waterjpi.eu; and JPI Oceans, www.jpi-oceans.eu. For Uganda, the three-year project is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, www.aphrc.org coordinates the funding in Uganda.
In Uganda, the research activities are being conducted by researchers from the College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University including: Prof. Charles Masembe (Principal Investigator), Dr. Robinson Odong, Dr. Peter Akoll, Mr. Mayega Johnson (Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences) and Mr. John Omara (Department of Biochemistry and Sports Sciences) as team members. The study area in Uganda includes the catchment of River Rwizi, Lake Mburo National Park, and River Aswa.
The research will contribute towards better understanding of the factors which influence the occurrence and spread of AMR in water systems, livestock farms, and birds. It will also contribute towards the Government of Uganda’s framework to combat the threat of AMR, through the National AMR Action Plan; design policies to reduce the risks of AMR, and the costs incurred for animal and human disease management.
Makerere University PAIRWISE Consultative Meeting in Mbarara
On 31st May 2022, the project team from the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences led by Prof. Charles Masembe (Principal Investigator) held a consultative meeting to get buy-in and introduce the PAIRWISE Project to the key stakeholders in Greater Mbarara and River Rwizi catchment. The meeting also aimed to receive input from key stakeholders regarding the use of antibiotics in Greater Mbarara district and River Rwizi catchment, to document challenges of Antimicrobial Resistance and identify potential sites for fieldwork.
The meeting was attended by administrators, senior health, water and environmental officers in Mbarara City and District including:
- The District Chief Administration Officer represented by Mr Bakashaba Innocent
- Mr David Nuwagaba, the District Natural Resources Officer
- Mr Tumwebaze Herbert, Environment Officer, Mbarara City
- Dr Oriokot Francis, Deputy Director, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital
- Dr Akashaba Andrew, Mbarara District Veterinary Officer
- Mr Mwesigye Joseph, Environment Officer, Mbarara District
- Mr Katongole Joseph, a farmer in Mbarara District
Mr Ayebare Calist, Fisheries Officer, Isingiro District, and a fresh graduate (May 2022, Makerere University 72nd Graduation) assisted in organizing the Stakeholders meeting. During the meeting, Dr Robinson Odong on behalf of Prof. Charles Masembe shared the project overview with participants, outlining the challenges of AMR, and expectations from the research. Stakeholders brainstormed and listed the commonly used antibiotics and the potential sites for sample collection. The research will take the One Health Approach, encompassing aspects of human, animal and environmental health.
Capacity Building under PAIRWISE Project
As part of the PAIRWISE capacity building component, the project is supporting research activities of two graduate students: Ms. Ndinawe Ruth Pamela (Master of Science in Molecular Biology) studying “The dispersal of antimicrobial resistance bacteria and genes through aquatic birds under different climatic and geographical conditions”; and Mr. George Katende (Master of Science in Immunology and Clinical Microbiology), studying “Characterization of clinically important antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes in river waters upstream and downstream of WWTPs and hospital effluent” https://cns.mak.ac.ug/blog/call-applications-msc-scholarship-under-pairwise-project.
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Natural Sciences
Two Nutrifish-sponsored PhD students win awards of best oral presentations at ICAFA
Two of the NutriFish-sponsored PhD students, Nakiyende Herbert and Julliet Nafula Ogubi won the awards for the best and second-best oral presentations in the young scientists’ category at the International Conference on Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (ICAFA) held in Jinja, Uganda from 1st-3rd September 2022. The conference was organized under the theme “Breaking new grounds to recognize and celebrate the contribution of small-scale fisheries towards food security and nutrition”.
Supported by the International Research Development Centre (IDRC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) through their joint programme, Cultivate Africa’s Future Fund (CultiAF), NutriFish aims to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable groups that cannot afford expensive commercial fish but are in critical need of high quality nutritious diets. The Project is coordinated by Dr. Jackson Efitre, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University.
The title for Nakiyende Herbert’s presentation was: “Are small pelagic fisheries a blessing or curse? Understanding fisher community perceptions towards light fishing on Lake Albert, Uganda”.
Light fishing, the technique of catching fish by light attraction was introduced to Lake Albert, Uganda around early 2000s, to target two small pelagic species (SPS), Engraulicypris bredoi (muziri) and Brycinus nurse (ragoogi). The introduction of light fishing coincided with a period when stocks of large-bodied fishes, such as Tilapia spp, Lates niloticus, Bagras bajad, Alestes baremose, and Hydrocynus forskahlii in the Ugandan waters of Lake Albert had started to decline. Although Lake Albert is shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), light fishing is prohibited in DRC waters. This study evaluated socio-ecological consequences of light fishing on the fisheries and lakeside communities of Lake Albert in Uganda, to inform sustainable management. Data was collected in April 2021 from three landing sites (Ntoroko, Kaiso, and Dei), through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Light fishing has transformed the lake’s annual fish catch from < 60,000 tonnes (t) in early 2000s, mainly of large species to about 330,000 t, dominated by SPS (60 – 80%) by 2021. The SPS light fishery currently engages over 30% of total fishing boats and 60% of fishers in the Ugandan waters of the lake. The technique has also led to conflicts with fishers targeting the large-bodied species, the main concerns being: i) excessive light fishing effort; ii) competition for fishing grounds; iii) high by-catch (~10%) dominated by juveniles of the large species; and iv) destruction of passive fishing gears used in the large-bodied species fisheries. To ensure co-existence in the multi-species fishery and continued livelihood benefits (employment, income, and food) of the SPS light fishery, resting and closed periods and light-fishery effort control were proposed by 95.4% of respondents. Detailed scientific investigation of the light fishing methods is recommended, to guide on the proposed closed season and fishing effort controls.
Julliet Nafula Ogubi’s presentation was on: “Spoilage mechanisms and associated drivers in post-harvest loss management in freshwater small pelagic fishes in Africa”.
Small pelagic fishes (SPFs) are steadily being recognized for their contribution to livelihoods, food and nutritional security especially in developing countries. The SPFs are schooling fishes with a total length of 20 cm, preserved mainly by open sun-drying. Despite the bulk harvests, post-harvest losses associated with spoilage continue to hamper their availability, accessibility and consumption. A review of available literature on similar marine species revealed that spoilage commences immediately after harvest and progresses through three cascading but overlapping processes: autolytic (enzymatic), microbial and chemical reactions causing physical, quality, nutritional and economic losses. Spoilage in SPF is accelerated by i) their large surface to volume ratio; ii) the reliance on fluctuating sun radiation for drying which depends on prevailing weather condition; c) limited drying spaces for large quantities landed. With regard to magnitude of losses, spoilage-related quality deterioration and nutritional changes in fish are rarely evaluated, hence associated economic value is lacking. The magnitude of losses attributed directly to the spoilage mechanisms have not been determined in freshwater SPFs, yet cost-effective interventions target significant processes. Handling practices, especially stacking and mixing of different fish hauls as drivers of spoilage mechanisms have not also been evaluated. In addition, the effect of prolonged trips and lack of controlled temperature on-board, are less understood. Therefore, an urgent in-depth assessment of quality and nutritional losses and the associated economic value; the contribution of each spoilage mechanism to the magnitude of losses and the effect of handling practices on the rate of spoilage among freshwater SPFs is needed.
Natural Sciences
Dr. Perpetra Akite wins British Ecological Society Marsh Award for Ecologists in Africa
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