Ronald Twongyirwe - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ronald Twongyirwe

Journal of business and socio-economic development, Sep 18, 2023

Global Environmental Change

Small-scale gold mining sustains millions of people's lives and yet it stimulates environ... more Small-scale gold mining sustains millions of people's lives and yet it stimulates environmental harms and social conflicts. Global environmental crises drive calls for fundamental change to how people live on the planet. For small-scale gold mining, this raises questions about whether current dynamics can provide a basis for sustainability transformations. Proposing the notion of gold lifeways to focus on the lived experience of mining and gold resources as relational phenomena, we ask what sustainability looks like from different miners' perspectives and probe the practice dynamics of current transformation. Our methodology is social science-led and transdisciplinary. From multi-sited and trans-regional research between South America and Africa, we draw cases from Suriname, Guinea Conakry, and Uganda. Our study finds that gold lifeways give expression to different strands of sustainability: sustaining everyday life in mining; discourses framing mining practices; and government repression of mining. Hence, as our empirical data demonstrates, miner perspectives on sustainability gain content not in isolation, but as part of gold lifeways embedded within different contexts and shaped by societal dynamics. Ultimately, the transformative potency of small-scale gold mining is located in personal lives and precarious dynamics rather than glittering promises of a sustainable future. Authors: Eleanor Fisher, Marjo de Theije, Carlos H.X. Araujo, Jorge Calvimontes, Esther van de Camp, Lorenzo D’Angelo, Cristiano Lanzano, Sabine Luning, Luciana Massaro, Januaria Mello, Alizeta Ouedraogo, Robert J. Pijpers, Raíssa Resende de Moraes, Christophe Sawadogo, Margaret Tuhumwire, Ronald Twongyirwe

African Geographical Review, Nov 14, 2023

<p>Tropical mountainous regions are commonly identified as landslide hotspots with ... more <p>Tropical mountainous regions are commonly identified as landslide hotspots with particularly vulnerable populations. Anthropogenic factors are assumed to play a role in the occurrence and impact of landslides in these populated regions, yet the relative importance of these human-induced factors remains poorly documented. In this work, we explore the impact of forest cover dynamics, agricultural land management practices, urbanisation, roads, and mining/quarrying activities on the occurrence of landslides and their associated risk in the North Tanganyika–Kivu Rift, an area that stretches at the border of four countries in Africa. Using a holistic approach that combines extensive fieldwork, optical and SAR/InSAR satellite remote sensing, time-series analysis, UAS image acquisition, historical photograph processing, citizen science and geomorphic marker understanding, our study demonstrates the role of human activities on the frequency, size and deformation patterns of landslides in the region, in both rural and urban environments. The interaction between uplift associated with the continental rifting in the region, fluvial incision, and the (human-induced) landslides are also key elements that are considered in our analysis. Overall, we highlight the need to consider the human context when studying hillslope instabilities in regions under anthropogenic pressure.</p><div></div>

Technical performance and carbon footprint of commercial dairy farms in South West Uganda, 2022

The aim of the present study was to evaluate technical performance and carbon footprint of 101 da... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate technical performance and carbon footprint of 101 dairy farms participating the dairy development project SNV TIDE in south western Uganda. Results showed that average 24-h milk yield per lactating cow was 7.1 ± 2.0 (SD) kg/cow/d, and estimated annual milk yield was 1626 ± 614 kg/cow/y. Average calving interval was 483 ± 64 days, mortality rate of adult cows was 3.2 ± 4.8 % per farm, and average culling rate of adult cows was 18 ± 15 % per farm. With regard to the carbon footprint of farms, estimated average greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity was 2.1 kg CO2-eq per kg fat and protein correct milk and 13.6 kg CO2-eq per kg live weight. Most important sources of GHG emissions were rumen enteric fermentation (83%), followed by manure (11%), and feed production (5%). GHG emission intensity was lower in specialized farms than in mixed crop-livestock farms; lower in farms with supplemental feeding besides grazing than in farms with grazing only; and in farms with crossbreds than in farms with HF as predominant breed. GHG emission intensity was highest in Ntungamo district (2.6 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM) and lowest in Kiruhura district (1.8 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM).

The Journal of Fair Trade, 2019

Collective marketing is an avenue through which farmers could receive higher returns from their p... more Collective marketing is an avenue through which farmers could receive higher returns from their produce. Bukonzo Joint Co-operative Union exemplifies this: it has obtained both Fairtrade and organic certifications and, by following the Fairtrade ethos and offering farmers a guaranteed (and often) higher price, potentially has a strong role in livelihood improvement, poverty reduction, social inclusion and rural development. In this study, we showcase the role of collective marketing, explore the challenges and analyse the relevance of finance institutions in the development of co-operatives. Our qualitative study shows that collective marketing mixed with the Fairtrade ethos could strongly encourage social enterprise development and could lead to livelihood improvement in marginalised areas. However, one of the most important barriers is limited finances for the production of high-quality coffee, purchasing members’ coffee under the Fairtrade label and investment in infrastructure: ...

<p>The Kigezi highlands, southwestern Uganda, is a mountainous tropical reg... more <p>The Kigezi highlands, southwestern Uganda, is a mountainous tropical region with a high population density, intense rainfall, alternating wet and dry seasons and high weathering rates. As a result, the region is regularly affected by multiple natural hazards such as landslides, floods, heavy storms, and earthquakes. In addition, deforestation and land use changes are assumed to have an influence on the patterns of natural hazards and their impacts in the region. Landscape characteristics and dynamics controlling the occurrence and the spatio-temporal distribution of natural hazards in the region remain poorly understood. In this study, citizen science has been employed to document and understand the spatial and temporal occurrence of natural hazards that affect the Kigezi highlands in relation to the multi-decadal landscape change of the region. We present the methodological research framework involving three categories of participatory citizen scientists. First, a network of 15 geo-observers (i.e., citizens of local communities distributed across representative landscapes of the study area) was established in December 2019. The geo-observers were trained at using smartphones to collect information (processes and impacts) on eight different natural hazards occurring across their parishes. In a second phase, eight river watchers were selected at watershed level to monitor the stream flow characteristics. These watchers record stream water levels once daily and make flood observations. In both categories, validation and quality checks are done on the collected data for further analysis. Combining with high resolution rainfall monitoring using rain gauges installed in the watersheds, the data are expected to characterize catchment response to flash floods. Lastly, to reconstruct the historical landscape change and natural hazards occurrences in the region, 96 elderly citizens (>70 years of age) were engaged through interviews and focus group discussions to give an account of the evolution of their landscape over the past 60 years. We constructed a historical timeline for the region to complement the participatory mapping and in-depth interviews with the elderly citizens. During the first 24 months of the project, 240 natural hazard events with accurate timing information have been reported by the geo-observers. Conversion from natural tree species to exotic species, increased cultivation of hillslopes, road construction and abandonment of terraces and fallowing practices have accelerated natural hazards especially flash floods and landslides in the region. Complementing with the region’s historical photos of 1954 and satellite images, major landscape dynamics have been detected. The ongoing data collection involving detailed ground-based observations with citizens shows a promising trend in the generation of new knowledge about natural hazards in the region.</p><div></div>

The Extractive Industries and Society, 2022

Journal of Land Use Science, 2020

Agricultural Systems, 2019

Abstract The Garden Store Approach (GSA) was introduced in the tea sub-subsector in the Kigezi su... more Abstract The Garden Store Approach (GSA) was introduced in the tea sub-subsector in the Kigezi sub-region to establish tea in places where the crop was not traditionally grown. In this approach, the Lead Agency (LA) and Nursery Bed Operators (NBOs) planted and maintained tea gardens for the farmers for the first six months, and later withdrew following payment by the District Local Governments. Young tea gardens were left to farmers, and in most places, the gardens were “choked” by weeds as a corollary of abandonment. To illuminate the nature of the politics and the weed problem in the area – our objectives are two-fold: 1) to profile farmers who planted tea under the GSA in Kigezi sub-region; and 2) to illuminate farmers' reasons for reluctance to control weeds in their tea gardens. We employed mixed methods. A questionnaire was administered to a total of 1208 tea farmers (households) that benefitted from the GSA in 4 districts: Kanungu (n = 466), Kisoro (n = 235), Kabale (n = 353) and Rubanda (n = 154). The households were categorised into 3 (based on the weeding status of their gardens): 1) unweeded, 2) weeded and 3) both weeded and unweeded. Household data were analysed using Principle Components Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA). Our data show that farmers with “sufficient” land sizes, moderate income and household sizes were more likely to participate in the GSA. The main reasons for not controlling weeds were: 1) a lack of finances to control weeds (28% to 65%), 2) the Lead Agency's (LA) failure to fulfil their promise of controlling weeds (7% to 14%), 3) while 4% to 9% highlighted a lack of labour as the main challenge. Issues of market access, large size of tea gardens, poor sense of ownership of the tea gardens, ignorance about tea management were also outstanding. The study shows that well–intended development can be captured by highly placed political actors: the weaknesses and failures in the tea weed management and the poor state of the tea was mostly rooted in the fundamental flaws embedded in the GSA. Although the motivation of tea expansion was well founded, the GSA created large uncertainties. Significant effort is required through a focused extension system, to train farmers on weed management and other agronomic practices. More broadly, extension systems should be organic, specific to farmer needs, and deliberate efforts should be made to divorce technical advice from mere amassing of political capital.

Weather and Climate Extremes, 2019

Land Use Policy, 2015

ABSTRACT Deforestation within and outside protected areas is widespread in Western Uganda, but qu... more ABSTRACT Deforestation within and outside protected areas is widespread in Western Uganda, but quantification of such forest changes is rare. In this study, spatio–temporal forest cover patterns in the Northern Albertine Rift Landscape were reconstructed for the period 1985–2014, over a range extending from Bugoma forest in the South of the region to as far as Murchison Falls National Park in the North, an area approximately 225km North-South by 63km East-West. We examine both the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the land cover changes. Seven 30 x 30m resolution, ortho–rectified, cloud–free Landsat images obtained from the USGS archive were analysed at the landscape– and three smaller scales. Forest classification using Landsat imagery appears robust; similar amounts are obtained from a UK-DMCii image (22m resolution) taken a day before the Landsat scene in Dec, 2010. Our results show that larger–scale aggregate measures of total change can obscure more local patterns, in which protected areas and the national park maintain or grow forest cover, whilst the forest corridor areas that are not protected suffer drastic losses. Time–series show that the loss continues nearly linearly into the present around Bugoma, but seems to level off around Budongo Forest after 2010, apparently because almost all forested corridor areas have been cleared. At the landscape scale, between 1985 and 2014, the data suggest approximately 0.4% of initial cover was lost per year. However, this was mostly a result of the large protected forest blocks remaining relatively stable; deforestation was mostly situated in the corridor and riverine areas. Local–scale losses were most prominent in unprotected forests around Budongo and Bugoma, with annual losses at a much higher average rate about of 3.3% per year in each case. The annual rates of loss are higher than Uganda’s average (1-3%). Forest cover in the protected zones expanded only marginally, with annual average increases of order 0.03% and 0.5% in Budongo and Bugoma reserves respectively. Our results suggest that forest protection in the gazetted areas is successful, and the protection policy is working, but these forests are being isolated by large losses immediately outside the protected zones, in the forest corridors. This may have severe social and ecological consequences – both within and outside protected forests.

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2015

Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2010

The change from natural forest cover to tea and Eucalyptus is rampant in protected areas of weste... more The change from natural forest cover to tea and Eucalyptus is rampant in protected areas of western Uganda. The objectives were; to examine the trend in land-use /cover change and determine the effect of these changes on the physico-chemical properties of soils around Kibale National Park. The trend in land use/cover change was assessed by analyzing a series of landsat images. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were used for land-use/cover reconstruction. Three major land uses were included; woodlot (Eucalyptus grandis; 5 years old) ), tea (57 years old) and natural forest used as a control. Each of these land-uses were selected at two different North facing landscape positions and were replicated three times. A total of 36 composite soil samples were taken at 0–15 and 15–30 cm depth from natural forest, Tea plantation and eucalyptus on three ridges. Results showed that small scale farming, tea and eucalyptus plantation and built up area have increased over time,...

Journal of business and socio-economic development, Sep 18, 2023

Global Environmental Change

Small-scale gold mining sustains millions of people's lives and yet it stimulates environ... more Small-scale gold mining sustains millions of people's lives and yet it stimulates environmental harms and social conflicts. Global environmental crises drive calls for fundamental change to how people live on the planet. For small-scale gold mining, this raises questions about whether current dynamics can provide a basis for sustainability transformations. Proposing the notion of gold lifeways to focus on the lived experience of mining and gold resources as relational phenomena, we ask what sustainability looks like from different miners' perspectives and probe the practice dynamics of current transformation. Our methodology is social science-led and transdisciplinary. From multi-sited and trans-regional research between South America and Africa, we draw cases from Suriname, Guinea Conakry, and Uganda. Our study finds that gold lifeways give expression to different strands of sustainability: sustaining everyday life in mining; discourses framing mining practices; and government repression of mining. Hence, as our empirical data demonstrates, miner perspectives on sustainability gain content not in isolation, but as part of gold lifeways embedded within different contexts and shaped by societal dynamics. Ultimately, the transformative potency of small-scale gold mining is located in personal lives and precarious dynamics rather than glittering promises of a sustainable future. Authors: Eleanor Fisher, Marjo de Theije, Carlos H.X. Araujo, Jorge Calvimontes, Esther van de Camp, Lorenzo D’Angelo, Cristiano Lanzano, Sabine Luning, Luciana Massaro, Januaria Mello, Alizeta Ouedraogo, Robert J. Pijpers, Raíssa Resende de Moraes, Christophe Sawadogo, Margaret Tuhumwire, Ronald Twongyirwe

African Geographical Review, Nov 14, 2023

<p>Tropical mountainous regions are commonly identified as landslide hotspots with ... more <p>Tropical mountainous regions are commonly identified as landslide hotspots with particularly vulnerable populations. Anthropogenic factors are assumed to play a role in the occurrence and impact of landslides in these populated regions, yet the relative importance of these human-induced factors remains poorly documented. In this work, we explore the impact of forest cover dynamics, agricultural land management practices, urbanisation, roads, and mining/quarrying activities on the occurrence of landslides and their associated risk in the North Tanganyika–Kivu Rift, an area that stretches at the border of four countries in Africa. Using a holistic approach that combines extensive fieldwork, optical and SAR/InSAR satellite remote sensing, time-series analysis, UAS image acquisition, historical photograph processing, citizen science and geomorphic marker understanding, our study demonstrates the role of human activities on the frequency, size and deformation patterns of landslides in the region, in both rural and urban environments. The interaction between uplift associated with the continental rifting in the region, fluvial incision, and the (human-induced) landslides are also key elements that are considered in our analysis. Overall, we highlight the need to consider the human context when studying hillslope instabilities in regions under anthropogenic pressure.</p><div></div>

Technical performance and carbon footprint of commercial dairy farms in South West Uganda, 2022

The aim of the present study was to evaluate technical performance and carbon footprint of 101 da... more The aim of the present study was to evaluate technical performance and carbon footprint of 101 dairy farms participating the dairy development project SNV TIDE in south western Uganda. Results showed that average 24-h milk yield per lactating cow was 7.1 ± 2.0 (SD) kg/cow/d, and estimated annual milk yield was 1626 ± 614 kg/cow/y. Average calving interval was 483 ± 64 days, mortality rate of adult cows was 3.2 ± 4.8 % per farm, and average culling rate of adult cows was 18 ± 15 % per farm. With regard to the carbon footprint of farms, estimated average greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity was 2.1 kg CO2-eq per kg fat and protein correct milk and 13.6 kg CO2-eq per kg live weight. Most important sources of GHG emissions were rumen enteric fermentation (83%), followed by manure (11%), and feed production (5%). GHG emission intensity was lower in specialized farms than in mixed crop-livestock farms; lower in farms with supplemental feeding besides grazing than in farms with grazing only; and in farms with crossbreds than in farms with HF as predominant breed. GHG emission intensity was highest in Ntungamo district (2.6 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM) and lowest in Kiruhura district (1.8 kg CO2-eq/kg FPCM).

The Journal of Fair Trade, 2019

Collective marketing is an avenue through which farmers could receive higher returns from their p... more Collective marketing is an avenue through which farmers could receive higher returns from their produce. Bukonzo Joint Co-operative Union exemplifies this: it has obtained both Fairtrade and organic certifications and, by following the Fairtrade ethos and offering farmers a guaranteed (and often) higher price, potentially has a strong role in livelihood improvement, poverty reduction, social inclusion and rural development. In this study, we showcase the role of collective marketing, explore the challenges and analyse the relevance of finance institutions in the development of co-operatives. Our qualitative study shows that collective marketing mixed with the Fairtrade ethos could strongly encourage social enterprise development and could lead to livelihood improvement in marginalised areas. However, one of the most important barriers is limited finances for the production of high-quality coffee, purchasing members’ coffee under the Fairtrade label and investment in infrastructure: ...

<p>The Kigezi highlands, southwestern Uganda, is a mountainous tropical reg... more <p>The Kigezi highlands, southwestern Uganda, is a mountainous tropical region with a high population density, intense rainfall, alternating wet and dry seasons and high weathering rates. As a result, the region is regularly affected by multiple natural hazards such as landslides, floods, heavy storms, and earthquakes. In addition, deforestation and land use changes are assumed to have an influence on the patterns of natural hazards and their impacts in the region. Landscape characteristics and dynamics controlling the occurrence and the spatio-temporal distribution of natural hazards in the region remain poorly understood. In this study, citizen science has been employed to document and understand the spatial and temporal occurrence of natural hazards that affect the Kigezi highlands in relation to the multi-decadal landscape change of the region. We present the methodological research framework involving three categories of participatory citizen scientists. First, a network of 15 geo-observers (i.e., citizens of local communities distributed across representative landscapes of the study area) was established in December 2019. The geo-observers were trained at using smartphones to collect information (processes and impacts) on eight different natural hazards occurring across their parishes. In a second phase, eight river watchers were selected at watershed level to monitor the stream flow characteristics. These watchers record stream water levels once daily and make flood observations. In both categories, validation and quality checks are done on the collected data for further analysis. Combining with high resolution rainfall monitoring using rain gauges installed in the watersheds, the data are expected to characterize catchment response to flash floods. Lastly, to reconstruct the historical landscape change and natural hazards occurrences in the region, 96 elderly citizens (>70 years of age) were engaged through interviews and focus group discussions to give an account of the evolution of their landscape over the past 60 years. We constructed a historical timeline for the region to complement the participatory mapping and in-depth interviews with the elderly citizens. During the first 24 months of the project, 240 natural hazard events with accurate timing information have been reported by the geo-observers. Conversion from natural tree species to exotic species, increased cultivation of hillslopes, road construction and abandonment of terraces and fallowing practices have accelerated natural hazards especially flash floods and landslides in the region. Complementing with the region’s historical photos of 1954 and satellite images, major landscape dynamics have been detected. The ongoing data collection involving detailed ground-based observations with citizens shows a promising trend in the generation of new knowledge about natural hazards in the region.</p><div></div>

The Extractive Industries and Society, 2022

Journal of Land Use Science, 2020

Agricultural Systems, 2019

Abstract The Garden Store Approach (GSA) was introduced in the tea sub-subsector in the Kigezi su... more Abstract The Garden Store Approach (GSA) was introduced in the tea sub-subsector in the Kigezi sub-region to establish tea in places where the crop was not traditionally grown. In this approach, the Lead Agency (LA) and Nursery Bed Operators (NBOs) planted and maintained tea gardens for the farmers for the first six months, and later withdrew following payment by the District Local Governments. Young tea gardens were left to farmers, and in most places, the gardens were “choked” by weeds as a corollary of abandonment. To illuminate the nature of the politics and the weed problem in the area – our objectives are two-fold: 1) to profile farmers who planted tea under the GSA in Kigezi sub-region; and 2) to illuminate farmers' reasons for reluctance to control weeds in their tea gardens. We employed mixed methods. A questionnaire was administered to a total of 1208 tea farmers (households) that benefitted from the GSA in 4 districts: Kanungu (n = 466), Kisoro (n = 235), Kabale (n = 353) and Rubanda (n = 154). The households were categorised into 3 (based on the weeding status of their gardens): 1) unweeded, 2) weeded and 3) both weeded and unweeded. Household data were analysed using Principle Components Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA). Our data show that farmers with “sufficient” land sizes, moderate income and household sizes were more likely to participate in the GSA. The main reasons for not controlling weeds were: 1) a lack of finances to control weeds (28% to 65%), 2) the Lead Agency's (LA) failure to fulfil their promise of controlling weeds (7% to 14%), 3) while 4% to 9% highlighted a lack of labour as the main challenge. Issues of market access, large size of tea gardens, poor sense of ownership of the tea gardens, ignorance about tea management were also outstanding. The study shows that well–intended development can be captured by highly placed political actors: the weaknesses and failures in the tea weed management and the poor state of the tea was mostly rooted in the fundamental flaws embedded in the GSA. Although the motivation of tea expansion was well founded, the GSA created large uncertainties. Significant effort is required through a focused extension system, to train farmers on weed management and other agronomic practices. More broadly, extension systems should be organic, specific to farmer needs, and deliberate efforts should be made to divorce technical advice from mere amassing of political capital.

Weather and Climate Extremes, 2019

Land Use Policy, 2015

ABSTRACT Deforestation within and outside protected areas is widespread in Western Uganda, but qu... more ABSTRACT Deforestation within and outside protected areas is widespread in Western Uganda, but quantification of such forest changes is rare. In this study, spatio–temporal forest cover patterns in the Northern Albertine Rift Landscape were reconstructed for the period 1985–2014, over a range extending from Bugoma forest in the South of the region to as far as Murchison Falls National Park in the North, an area approximately 225km North-South by 63km East-West. We examine both the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the land cover changes. Seven 30 x 30m resolution, ortho–rectified, cloud–free Landsat images obtained from the USGS archive were analysed at the landscape– and three smaller scales. Forest classification using Landsat imagery appears robust; similar amounts are obtained from a UK-DMCii image (22m resolution) taken a day before the Landsat scene in Dec, 2010. Our results show that larger–scale aggregate measures of total change can obscure more local patterns, in which protected areas and the national park maintain or grow forest cover, whilst the forest corridor areas that are not protected suffer drastic losses. Time–series show that the loss continues nearly linearly into the present around Bugoma, but seems to level off around Budongo Forest after 2010, apparently because almost all forested corridor areas have been cleared. At the landscape scale, between 1985 and 2014, the data suggest approximately 0.4% of initial cover was lost per year. However, this was mostly a result of the large protected forest blocks remaining relatively stable; deforestation was mostly situated in the corridor and riverine areas. Local–scale losses were most prominent in unprotected forests around Budongo and Bugoma, with annual losses at a much higher average rate about of 3.3% per year in each case. The annual rates of loss are higher than Uganda’s average (1-3%). Forest cover in the protected zones expanded only marginally, with annual average increases of order 0.03% and 0.5% in Budongo and Bugoma reserves respectively. Our results suggest that forest protection in the gazetted areas is successful, and the protection policy is working, but these forests are being isolated by large losses immediately outside the protected zones, in the forest corridors. This may have severe social and ecological consequences – both within and outside protected forests.

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2015

Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2010

The change from natural forest cover to tea and Eucalyptus is rampant in protected areas of weste... more The change from natural forest cover to tea and Eucalyptus is rampant in protected areas of western Uganda. The objectives were; to examine the trend in land-use /cover change and determine the effect of these changes on the physico-chemical properties of soils around Kibale National Park. The trend in land use/cover change was assessed by analyzing a series of landsat images. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were used for land-use/cover reconstruction. Three major land uses were included; woodlot (Eucalyptus grandis; 5 years old) ), tea (57 years old) and natural forest used as a control. Each of these land-uses were selected at two different North facing landscape positions and were replicated three times. A total of 36 composite soil samples were taken at 0–15 and 15–30 cm depth from natural forest, Tea plantation and eucalyptus on three ridges. Results showed that small scale farming, tea and eucalyptus plantation and built up area have increased over time,...