This study investigated the efficacy of government policies in advancing environmental conservation in Kabale district, Uganda. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, a comprehensive mixed-method approach rooted in pragmatism philosophy was utilized to explore this phenomenon. Through simple random sampling, 347 respondents engaged in Sustainable Land Management practices were selected from a target population of 2639 within Rubaya, Butanda, Kamuganguzi, and Kitumba Sub-counties. Additionally, 25 key informants were purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The questionnaire was self-administered to ensure diverse perspectives from the 347 participants actively involved in sustainable land management practices such as agroforestry, crop rotation, trenches and check dams and mulching, resulting in 280 completed and returned questionnaires. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. The research findings reveal a positive correlation between government policies and environmental protection. The quantitative analysis, particularly the regression study, demonstrates a statistically significant and positive relationship between government policy and environmental preservation. These results align with qualitative insights gleaned from interviews, where participants acknowledged existing government policies but highlighted challenges in their execution due to inadequate funding and human resources. Consequently, the null hypothesis (H05) asserting no significant relationship between current government policies and environmental protection in Kabale district, Uganda, was refuted. The study concludes that government policy exerts a substantial impact on environmental conservation in Kabale district, Uganda. Recommendations stem from this conclusion, emphasizing strategies such as heightened awareness and education, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders, formulation and enforcement of supportive policies, establishment of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, continued support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the fostering of collaborative knowledge-sharing platforms. Policy improvements, intergovernmental coordination, resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and enhanced policy implementation mechanisms are advocated to fortify environmental conservation efforts. In summary, this study underscores the pivotal role of government policies in driving environmental protection in Kabale district, Uganda, while advocating actionable steps to optimize policy implementation, interorganizational coordination, resource allocation, stakeholder collaboration, and policy execution mechanisms for the betterment of environmental conservation endeavors.

The major objective of this study lied in finding out whether there was a relationship between Bush Burning and Soil Fertility in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District. Other objectives included: To ascertain the extent of Bush Burning in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District and to find out the level of Soil Fertility in Kisoro municipality, Kisoro District. The researcher found out that there is a very strong positive relationship between Bush Burning and Soil Fertility at r = 0.935 and since the sig. value (.000) was far less than 0.01, which is the maximum level of significance required declaring a significant relationship between Bush Burningand Soil Fertility, this implies that bush burning greatly influences the soil fertility of the area. Theresearcher also found out that the mean percentage of concerning the level of soil fertility in Kisoro municipality was 8.67%. The mean percentage is high hence indicating the high-level soil fertilityin Kisoro municipality, Kisoro district. The high level of soil fertility in the area is witnessed by the dark-soils allover Kisoro municipality, these are well drained, well aerated, well-structured and contains a lot of humus and organic matter required for crop growth. The researcher also found out that bush burning leads to effects like soil erosion, it leads to reduced rainfall, causes death ofsoil living organisms and destroys the soil structure. The researcher concluded on from the findingsthat the extent of bush burning is high and this is due to many factors which include high need for farming, settlement, road construction and high demand to get land for cattle rearing. The researcher recommended the government to provide enough support to NEMA in order to carry out the supervision of forested area all over the country by enforcing strict laws to protect forests for future generations against bush burning.

The major objective of this study lied in finding out whether there was a relationship between Family Planning and Population Growth in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from respondents about the relationship between Family Planning and Population Growth in Kisoro Municipality, Kisoro District, and the researcher considered 40 community members, 38 farmers, LC1 chairperson and a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Kisoro District. Data was analyzed by use of Microsoft excel and presented in form of frequency distribution tables and pie chart. SPSS Software was used to analyze data in the study. The researcher found out that there is a very strong positive relationship between family planning and population growth at r = 0.994 and since the sig. value (.000) was far less than 0.01, which is the maximum level of significance required declaring a significant relationship between family planning and population growth, this implies family planning greatly affects the population growth of an area. This is because in areas/countries where people use family planning methods, there is always enough child spacing and proper planning for the family/country and this in a long run makes the population of that area to grow slowly due to low birth rates unlike in areas where people don’t use proper family planning methods and produce a lot of children by not even putting into consideration of the limited resources available in the country, this results into a high increase in the population. It was also found out that among the factors influencing population growth in Kisoro Municipality includes political stability, availability of good health facilities like Kisoro Health Centre IV, good education and transport services, high birth rates than death rates, presence of market for produced goods, poverty and favorable government policies like low taxation.

The major objective of this study lied in finding out whether there was a relationship between deforestation and desertification in Busanza sub county, Kisoro District. Other objectives included: To establish the level of deforestation in Busanza sub-county and to find out the extent of desertification in Busanza Sub-County. The study adopted a descriptive and observational research design and simple random probability sampling technique were used to obtain a sample size 76 respondents of from Mubende Municipality using solvins formula. Objective one aimed at finding out the extent of Mineral Extraction in Mubende District. The researcher concluded on this objective from the findings that the extent of Mineral Extraction is at a higher extent (74.0%) and this is due to many factors which include high need for abundant minerals like Objective one aimed at finding out the level of Deforestation in Busanza sub-county, Kisoro District. The researcher concluded on this objective from the findings that the level of deforestation is high and this is attributed to high demand for timber and need more land for agriculture. Objective two aimed at finding out the extent of Desertification in Busanza SubCounty. The researcher concluded on this objective that the extent of desertification is very high and this is witnessed with long periods of sunshine. The third objective aimed at establishing at the relationship between Deforestation and Desertification in Busanza sub-county. The there is a high positive correlation/relationship between Deforestation and Desertification. The researcher concluded that deforestation is practiced at a high level in order to get timber and fire wood, this leaves the land bear and in a long run led to reduction in rainfall amounts which created desertlike conditions in the area like long periods of drought. The researcher recommended that farmers to practice good farming methods like afforestation, reafforestation and agro-forestry in order to conserve the forests.

The study investigated the effect of farming practices on food security of small holder farmers: A case of Kiruhura District. Uganda. The key objective that guided the study was to assess the effect of moderate use of external inputs on food security of small holder farmers in Kiruhura District. A cross-sectional design using mixed methods approach was used to answer the study questions. The sample size for the study was 327 with 310 respondents participating in the study hence giving the average response rate of 91.4%. Stratified random sampling and purposive techniques were used to select the participants. Data analysis involved frequencies, means and inferential statistics such as correlations and the coefficient of determination. Findings revealed low adoption of small irrigation schemes and seed multiplication technology, along with limited access to quality seeds. The study concluded that moderate external input use affects food security. The study therefore recommends establishing model farms in each SubCounty in Kiruhura District, facilitated by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).

The study investigated the effect of non-use of external on food security of small holder farmers: A case of Kiruhura District, Uganda. The key objective that guided the study was to assess the effect of moderate use of external inputs on food security of small holder farmers in Kiruhura District. A cross-sectional design using mixed methods approach was used to answer the study questions. The sample size for the study was 327 with 310 respondents participating in the study hence giving the average response rate of 91.4%. Stratified random sampling and purposive techniques were used to select the participants. Data analysis involved frequencies, means and inferential statistics such as correlations and the coefficient of determination. Findings revealed that smallholder farmers heavily rely on rainfall for water and employ rudimentary tools, animal manure, and plant leaves for farming. Weather uncertainties limit year-round cultivation, impacting agricultural quality and contributing to food insecurity. The study suggests that non-use of external inputs hampers food security, recommending a government-led campaign, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries in Uganda, to raise awareness about modern farming methods.

This study examined the effect of Agroforestry on Environmental Protection in Kabale district, Uganda. The study anchored on the theory of change and the Systems theory. The study was based on these sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1(No poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation),), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The study employed a cross-sectional survey design and implemented a comprehensive mixed-method approach with pragmatism philosophy to examine the phenomenon. Simple random sampling was used to select 347 respondents from the target population of 2639 respondents who were engaging in agroforestry practices from Rubaya, Butanda, Kamuganguzi and Kitumba Sub counties in Kabale district, Uganda. Purposive sampling was employed to select 25 key informants who were interviewed. To capture a broad range of perspectives, self-administered copies of the questionnaire were distributed to 347 participants who were residents actively engaged in agroforestry practices. Out of 347 copies of the Questionnaire that were administered to the respondents, 280 questionnaires were filled and returned back. Quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques were applied to the collected data. Findings indicate a positive relationship between agroforestry and environmental protection. It was concluded that this research provides valuable insights into the impact of agroforestry Practices on environmental protection in Kabale district, Uganda. Recommendations include promoting awareness and education, strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, developing and implementing supportive policies, establishing monitoring and evaluation systems, sustaining support from NGOs, enhancing collaboration and knowledge-sharing platforms, advocating for policy support, and encouraging community-based initiatives for soil conservation. The study suggests improvements in policy implementation, intergovernmental coordination, resource allocation, stakeholder collaboration, and policy implementation mechanisms to enhance environmental protection efforts.

The major objective of this study lied in finding out whether there was a relationship between Tourism and infrastructure development in in Nkuringo Town Council, Kisoro District. Other objectives included: To find out the extent of Tourism performance in Nkuringo Town Council, Kisoro District and to find out the level infrastructure development in in Nkuringo Town Council, Kisoro District. The study employed a qualitative and quantitative research design and simple random probability sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample size 80 respondents of from Nkuringo Town Council, Kisoro District, Kisoro District using solvin’s formula The researcher found out that there is a very strong positive relationship between Tourism and Infrastructure development at r = 0.994 and since the sig. value (.000) was far less than 0.01, which is the maximum level of significance required declaring a significant relationship Tourism and Infrastructure development, this implies that when the level of Tourism is high, the level of Infrastructure development is also high, and when the level of Tourism is low, the level of Infrastructure development is also low. It was also found out that among the factors that have favored the development of tourism include the presence of numerous tourist attractions like Mountain Muhabura, well developed transport routes, favorable political atmosphere, skilled labour like tourist guides, favorable climatic conditions characterized with reliable rainfall, hospitality of the people in Kisoro District because they are welcoming and improved accommodation facilities like Miami Hotel. The percentage mean concerning the level of infrastructure development in Kisoro District is 24%. The percentage mean was low hence indicating the low-level infrastructure development in Kisoro District. This is because the area is highly mountainous which hinders the construction of infrastructures like roads.