Browsing by Author "Opio, Simon"

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    Determining livestock keepers' phenotypic preferences and breeding selection criteria used for indigenous livestock in Katakwi and Kotido districts, Uganda.
    (Busitema University, 2026) Opio, Simon
    This study assessed livestock keepers preferred phenotypic expressions and breeding selection criteria for indigenous livestock under mobile production systems in Katakwi District (Teso sub-region) and Kotido District (Karamoja sub-region), Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 384 livestock keepers, with 192 respondents from each district. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, 95% confidence intervals, Welch independent-samples t-tests, Pearson chi-square (χ²) tests, Cramér’s V, weighted rank scores and the Relative Importance Index (RII), with statistical significance assessed at p < .05. Transhumance (48.2%) and nomadism (38.8%) were the dominant production systems. Body size was the highest-rated phenotypic expression (mean = 3.46 ± 0.75; 86.7%, 95% CI: 83.0%–89.8% rated it important/very important), while disease resistance was the highest-ranked breeding-selection criterion (RII = 0.484), followed by body size (RII = 0.452) and fertility (RII = 0.384). Production system was not significantly associated with high importance ratings for any of the seven measured phenotypic expressions (all p > .05), indicating broadly similar preference patterns across transhumant, nomadic and sedentary systems. District differences were observed for horn size rating distributions (χ² = 8.80, p = .032), top-five mention of walking ability (χ² = 7.63, p = .006), market price as a reason for preference (χ² = 4.89, p = .027) and disease as a reported challenge (χ² = 9.78, p = .002). Disease (78.9%), drought (77.6%) and feed shortage (72.1%) were the leading constraints. The study concludes that livestock keepers mainly prioritise adaptive, reproductive and productive traits, while measured phenotype preferences were generally consistent across mobility systems. Community breeding programmes, veterinary services, improved feed and water resources, farmer training and access to suitable breeding males are recommended.