Odeke, Daniel2026-09-072026-09-072026Odeke, D. (2026). Occurrence of rice blast disease in major rice growing districts in eastern and nortern Uganda. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.https://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/9382Undergraduate research reportRice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, remains one of the most destructive constraints to rice production in Uganda, particularly among smallholder farmers. This study assessed the occurrence of rice blast disease in major rice-growing districts of Eastern and Northern Uganda by examining farmers' knowledge, attitudes and management practices, and determining disease incidence and severity across different rice ecologies. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 118 smallholder rice farmers in Pallisa, Tororo, Namutumba, Serere, Iganga, Kaberamaido, Nwoya and Lira districts. Through the utilization of questionnaires that were structured and field assessments that used a W-pattern of sampling as well as a severity scale of disease, data was collected. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, ANCOVA, generalized linear model and correlation analyses were conducted at a significance level of 5% using SPSS. From the findings, 72.9% of farmers could identify the symptoms of blast but 33.1% had received training that is formal about managing diseases. 89.8% of the respondents reported that every season, rice blast occurs. The dominant ecology in production was rain fed lowland (51.7%) which recorded the highest incidence mean of blast (35.1%) with a score of severity of 5.38. The lowest incidence was recorded in irrigated lowland (23.4%). Among the ecologies, blast incidence was significantly different (p=0.002p=0.002p=0.002) and districts (p<0.001p<0.001p<0.001). Iganga recorded the highest incidence (47.7%) while Lira recorded the lowest (15.2%). The incidence of blast was significantly affected by the ecological conditions and the variety of rice. The application rate of nitrogen on the other hand was not a significant predictor after adjustment. In conclusion, the study reports that rice blast remains widely spread in Eastern and Northern Uganda with occurrence of disease being strongly influenced by the ecological of rice and choice of the variety. Recommendations from this study include occurrence of extension strengthening, resistant variety promotion and improvement of productivity of rice among the smallholder farmers.enOther