Abstract:

Indigenous cattle constitute a major source of livelihood and socio-cultural heritage for several
rural household communities located in the different agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Uganda.
These AEZs have landscape attributes and environments that have a potential to influence, over a
long period of time, the type of cattle, productivity levels and disease occurrence patterns. The
overall goal of this study was to generate knowledge to improve disease control and enhance
food security in Uganda. The study envisaged four specific objectives including the
determination of the patterns of morphometric traits variations, geographic distribution and
genetic population structure of T. parva infection, and the spatial distribution of Brucella
antibodies among indigenous cattle breeds in Uganda.
Firstly, the patterns of morphometric trait variations of female indigenous cattle populations in
the contrasting AEZs of Uganda were investigated. The main findings indicate that indigenous
cattle morphometric traits vary with age, breed and AEZ. These variations are useful for
indigenous cattle classification in terms of productivity, diversity, adaptation to the different
AEZs in Uganda. These findings benefit sustainable indigenous cattle utilisation and
conservation schemes.
Secondly, a nationwide distribution of non-clinical T. parva infection among indigenous cattle
breeds was investigated. The findings have shown that indigenous cattle (Ankole) populations of
the southern western (Pastoral Rangelands, Southwestern farmlands and Western highland
ranges) exhibited significantly higher prevalence of non-clinical T. parva infection (36 - 43%,
95% CI: p < 0.05) compared to the East African shorthorn zebu of the reference Northeastern
savannah grassland (17%) AEZs. These findings constitute critical baselines for development,
deployment and appraisal of novel control strategies for East coast fever (ECF).
Thirdly, the population structure of T. parva was investigated and the findings have revealed
high genetic diversity of the surveyed parasite populations ranging from 0.643 ± 0.55 to 0.663 ±
0.41 among the Central and Western AEZs, respectively. Similarly, significant pairwise
population genetic differentiations (p < 0.05) were observed with Fst values varying from 0.048
to 0.173 between the eastern and northern, eastern and western populations, respectively.
These findings are critical for the enhancement and appraisal of the Infection and Treatment
Method (ITM) control strategies in Uganda.
xiv
Keywords: Agro-ecological zones, Brucella antibodies, Indigenous cattle, Theileria parva,
Sustainable improvement and conservation, novel control strategies
Fourthly, the spatial distribution of Brucella antibodies among indigenous cattle populations was
investigated. The results indicate that a significantly high sero-prevalence (19.6%) and risk of
brucellosis occurs in the Northeastern drylands (OR: 3.40, 95% CI: 1.34, 8.57, p = 0.01) among
the East African shorthorn zebu (EASZ) compared to the reference category of the Kyoga plains
AEZ. Brucellosis is furthermore perpetuated by poor hygienic practices at birth, during abortion
of advanced gestation and keeping cows for long periods within the herds. Morphometric traits,
distribution and population genetic structure of T. parva, and the spatial distribution of B.
abortus antibodies follow specific patterns among indigenous cattle populations. These patterns
provide suitable guidance for the deployment and appraisal of control strategies of ECF,
brucellosis and conservation of indigenous cattle in Uganda.