Publications
Indigenous knowledge for climate action at the Ekyisalhalha kya Karoro sacred site, adjacent to Rwenzori mountains national park in Kasese
Indigenous knowledge (IK) holds significant potential for climate change mitigation, particularly in regions where modern science has limited reach. A case study at the Ekyisalhalha kya Karoro sacred site near Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda demonstrates that traditional practices—such as rainwater harvesting, weather forecasting, and sustainable farming—can effectively address climate risks like rising temperatures, flooding, and desertification. The research highlights IK's accessibility and relevance for climate adaptation strategies, yet its underutilization in current interventions is noted. Using participatory qualitative methods, including interviews with cultural leaders, local authorities, and civil society representatives, the study underscores the need to re-energize and integrate IK into broader climate action frameworks.
Recent climate-driven ecological changes in tropical montane lakes of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, central Africa
A recent study reveals that tropical montane lakes in Rwenzori Mountains National Park, central Africa, have undergone significant ecological changes over the past 150 years due to climate warming and glacial recession. The research, using paleolimnological analysis from Lake Mahoma, found a shift in diatom communities towards more tychoplanktonic taxa, concurrent with declining nitrogen isotope values, suggesting increased thermal stratification linked to regional warming. Comparisons across three lakes showed unidirectional compositional turnover, indicating deterministic processes affecting diatom communities, primarily driven by competition for resources. The study also highlighted the influence of glacial history on sediment organic carbon sources, providing insights into the ecological impacts of climate change in these sensitive alpine ecosystems.
Status of illegal resource extraction within Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda: Baseline studies near four hydropower projects
Illegal resource extraction within Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda, is more pervasive and diverse than previously documented. A study near four hydropower projects identified 17 types of illegal activities, with medicinal plant collection and poaching being the most widespread. Poaching showed significant spatial variation across sites (p = 0.03) and increased with distance from park boundaries at two locations (p = 0.05). Community surveys revealed that 68% and 44% of respondents engaged in medicinal plant collection and poaching, respectively, while nearly all (98%) recognized the park as a vital source of natural resources. The findings, derived from in-park plot assessments, nonplot-based methods, community surveys, and ranger patrol records, highlight the need for extended patrols deeper within the park to mitigate illegal activities effectively. This baseline study provides critical data for monitoring temporal and spatial changes during the hydropower projects' duration.
A theoretical framework for investigating ecological problems associated with biodiversity conservation in national parks: A case of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda
A theoretical framework was developed to address the complex ecological problems associated with biodiversity conservation in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda. This framework integrates multiple interlinked variables to guide research questions, design, and data interpretation, enabling reasoned predictions or exploratory directions. The study highlights the importance of such frameworks in understanding the 'when, how, and why' of ecological phenomena, particularly in complex situations involving human behavior and conservation challenges.
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