Abstract:
The East African region covering countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda,
Burundi and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo constitute the
East African plateau where bananas (Musa spp.) reach their greatest importance
as a staple as well as a cash crop. The plateau is home to a diversity of cultivated
Musa genotypes generally known as the East African highland bananas, chief of
which are the Lujugira- Mutika subgroup (AAA-EA). Traditionally the Lujugira
Mutika is referred to as Matooke that dominate the Great Lakes region of Kenya,
Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).