Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) aquaculture continues to significantly contribute to the growth of the aquaculture sector in Uganda. However, its production is beset by erratic and unreliable seed supply. Also, most hatcheries practice inbreeding of broodstock, resulting in inferior seed characterized by low growth rates. As such, a selective breeding program is necessary to readily avail fast-growing seed that respond to farmers’ needs. The present review consolidates available information on developing a Nile tilapia breeding program in Uganda. The article discusses the significance of genetic improvement, drawing lessons from successful Nile tilapia selective breeding programs in other countries. From a literature review, no systematic Nile tilapia selective breeding program was traceable in Uganda. Scanty information on the selective breeding efforts of the species was available, with little evidence of selection for improved performance. Overall, the national capacity for aquaculture research and development, including fish breeding and strain improvement, was weak and poorly funded. The review recommends purposive support for developing a systematic strain improvement breeding program, which will be a source of improved broodstock and seed for hatcheries and farmers, respectively. The program would guide the formulation of standard operating procedures for quality seed production towards ensuring sustainable aquaculture growth in Uganda.

Finger-millet response to micro-dosing with N and P fertilizer in the Semi-Arid areas of eastern Uganda is not fully known. Consequently, we conducted a field study at Kuju in eastern Uganda in 2016 long and short rains. The study determined the effect of fertilizer micro-dosing and weeding time on finger-millet performance. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with a split plot treatment structure. Weeding time constituted the main plot (weeding at 20, 30, 45 DAS (days after sowing) and 20 + 45 DAS while fertilizer rates (16.6 kg N ha-1 + 10.6 kg P2O5 ha-1; 10.6 kg P2O5 ha-1; 16.6 kg N ha-1; 0 N + 0 N and 83 kg N ha-1 + 52 kg P2O5 ha-1) constituted the sub-plots. Results of this study revealed that finger-millet grain yield was highest (2182 kg ha-1) at fertilizer micro-dosing (16.6 kg N ha-1 + 10.6 kg P2O5 ha-1) and lowest (950 kg ha-1) in plots with no fertilizer. Fertilizer micro-dose application (16.6 kg N ha-1 + 10.6 kg P2O5 ha-1) caused early flowering of finger-millet (52.2 days), whereas delayed flowering was recorded, where 16.6 kg N ha-1 (55.12 days) was applied. The interaction between time of weeding and fertilizer rates significantly (P < 0.05) increased finger millet growth and grain yield. The interaction of N and P fertilizer micro-dose with weeding once at 20 DAS had the highest finger-millet grain yield. Therefore, it is recommended that fertilizer micro-dosing can be used to enhance finger-millet productivity.

Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Levels in the Finger-Millet Growing Areas of Eastern Uganda