Denis Nseka

Dr. Denis Nseka +256 782 462298 denis.nseka@mak.ac.ug

Denis Nseka holds a PhD in environmental Geography from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. Denis Nseka is a lecturer of Physical and practical Geography and is currently the coordinator for graduate programmes in the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences at Makerere University, Kampala Uganda. Between 2013 and 2019, Denis was the Secretary General for Uganda Geographical Association (UGA) which is an umbrella association for all professional Geographers in Uganda. He was responsible for mobilizing and registering association members, keeping association records, collaborating the association activities with the International Geography Union, conducting research through fieldwork excursions among others.

He has also been responsible for organizing Geography stakeholder’s workshops, seminars and public lectures. From 2012 to date, Denis has been the Assistant patron and coordinator for Uganda Geography Society (UGS). This is an umbrella body that brings together all undergraduate Geography students in Universities and Secondary Schools in Uganda. He has been helping students to organize outreach activities, seminars and workshops in schools and Universities around the country to discuss the discipline of Geography. From 2012 to date, Denis has also been the Assistant Patron for Makerere University Geography Society (MUGS) assisting the Head; Department of Geography Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, to coordinate undergraduate Geography student’s activities. He is a well-researched and published scientist in the field of geomorphology and natural hazards. He has conducted a series of research studies on slope morphology and processes, landslide occurrence, soil erosion processes, ecosystem services including river catchments, disaster risk management, land use and cover changes, community vulnerability and resilience, natural resources management, rural development, climate change adaptation among others.

Research Summary and Interests:

Nseka Denis areas of research expertise primarily lie in Geomorphology with focus on, ecosystem services including river catchments, disaster risk management, landslides and erosion processes, land use and cover changes, community vulnerability and resilience, water resources, land use and cover dynamics, Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Management.

Publications:
a. Journal articles:

1. Henry Musoke Semakula, Song Liang, Paul Isolo Mukwaya, Frank Mugagga, Monica Swahn, Denis Nseka, Hannington Wasswa and Patrick Kayima (2023). Determinants of malaria infections among children in refugee settlements in Uganda during 2018–2019. Journal of Infectious Diseases of Poverty; 2:31 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-023-01090-3.
2. Mande, M., Nseka, D. & Mugagga, F. (2022). Landslide susceptibility mapping using weights of evidence model on the slopes of Mount Elgon, eastern Uganda. East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 5(1), 97-114. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajenr.5.1.600.
3. Joyce Lunyolo, Denis Nseka, Isaac Mugume & Hosea Opedes (2021): Community interventions in landslide scar use in the upper Manafwa catchment, Eastern Uganda, International Journal of Environmental Studies, https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2021.1999685.
4. Nseka, D., Mugagga, F., Opedes, H., Ayesiga, P., Wasswa, H., Mugume, I., Nimusiima, A., & Nalwanga, F. 2021. The damage caused by landslides in socio-economic spheres within the Kigezi highlands of South Western Uganda. Journal of Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, https://doi.org/ 10.2478/environ-2021-0003, 9, 1: 23-34
5. Mugagga, F., Nakanjakko, N., Nakileza, B. & Nseka, D., 2020, ‘Vulnerability of smallholder sorghum farmers to climate variability in a heterogeneous landscape of south-western Uganda’, Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 12(1), a849. https://doi.org/10.4102/ jamba.v12i1.849
6. Denis Nseka, Vincent Kakembo, Yazidhi Bamutaze and Frank Mugagga. 2019. Analysis of topographic parameters underpinning landslide occurrence in Kigezi highlands of South Western Uganda, Journal of Natural Hazards. Springer, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-019-03787-x

b. Book chapters:

1. Denis Nseka, Vincent Kakembio, Frank Mugagga, Henry Semakula, Hosea Opedes, Hannington Wasswa and Patience Ayesiga (2022) Implications of Soil Properties on Landslide Occurrence in Kigezi Highlands of South Western Uganda. In Landslides (Eds Yuanzhi Zhang and Qiuming Cheng) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99865
2. Barasa, B., Nakileza, B., Mugagga, F., Nseka, D., Opedes, H., Makoba Gudoyi, P., & Ssentongo, B. (2022). Natural Hazards Magnitude, Vulnerability, and Recovery Strategies in the Rwenzori Mountains, Southwestern Uganda. In Remote Sensing of African Mountains (pp. 83-116). Springer, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-04855-5_5
3. Denis Nseka, Hosea Opedes, Frank Mugagga, Patience Ayesiga, Henry Semakula, Hannington Wasswa and Daniel Ologe (2022) Implications of Land Use and Cover Changes on Upper River Rwizi Macro-Watershed Health in South Western Uganda. In Murat Eyvaz (edt)Water Conservation – Inevitable Strategy, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99611
Nseka, D. Bamutaze, Y., Mugagga, F., & Nakileza, B. 2019.The Fragility of Agricultural Landscapes and Resilience of Communities to Landslide Occurrence in the Tropical Humid Environments of Kigezi Highlands in South Western Uganda. In Y. Bamutaze et al. (eds.), Agriculture and Ecosystem Resilience in Sub Saharan Africa (pp. 279-305). Springer, Cham. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12974-3_13

Teaching activities:

Nseka Denis has over 15 years of proven professional teaching experience, leadership, and training. He has been involved in teaching several course units for both undergraduate and graduate levels including;
1) Undergraduate courses: GEO2116: Risk Assessment and Management, GEO2101: Geomorphology; GEO3113: Highland and Mountain Resources Management; GEO3204: Advanced Geomorphology; GEO2301: Internship project and GEO3225: Research and Dissertation.
b) Graduate courses: GEO7123: Coastal and Lacustrine Geomorphology, GEO7220: Fluvial Geomorphology, DRM7104: Natural Hazard Management; GEO8101: Graduate Seminar Series I, GEO8201: Graduate Seminar Series II, DRM7203: Field Exposure and Project Reporting.

Student supervision:
a. Ongoing graduate student’s supervision:

1. Mutuwa Monica Evalyne (2021/HDO2/20494U): An assessment of institutional stakeholders’ engagement towards restoration and resilience of the upper Manafwa watershed in eastern Uganda. (MDRIM). Data collection.
2. Batte Asuman (2021/HDO2/1955U): Assessing the effectiveness of early warning systems in landslide disaster risk reduction in Bududa district area, Mt. Elgon region. (MENR). Proposal development.
3. Tugumisirize Esau (2021/HDO2/1933U): Effects of lake albert flooding on community livelihoods: A case study of Ndaiga lake shore community, Kagadi district. (MGS). Proposal development.
4. Tumusiime Ivan (2021/HDO2/20586U): Sediment delivery and degradation of lake Bunyonyi buffer zone and catchment in south western Uganda. (MGS). Data collection.
5. Lutalo Bernard (2021/HDO2/24334U): Socio-economic and environmental impacts of artisanal and small scale sand mining on local communities within the lower river katonga catchment, Uganda. (Ph. D). Proposal development.
6. Tusiime Peter Paul (2019/HDO2/27363U): The implications of river flow dynamics on community livelihoods in the upper river Rwizi catchment, south western Uganda. (MGS). Data analysis.
7. Muheki Mariam (2022/HD02/2475U): Evaluation of the ecosystem-based adaptation practices for risk management in highland areas of South western Uganda. (MCCD) Proposal development
8. Basemera Bridget. (2022/HD02/2314U): Analysis of the shift in the erosion periods in Mbarara district-kashari. (MGS) Proposal development
9. Mukimba Lydia. (2022/HD02/2316U): Assessment of indigenous knowledge in the restoration of watersheds of Nabuyoga and Namatala in mbale , Eastern Uganda. (MGS). Proposal development
10. Nakato Jovia. (2022/HD02/2483U): Assessing livelihood impacts of LPG technologies to climate change adaptation and mitigation among urban informal settlements.(MCCD). Proposal development
11. Rupiny Davis. (2022/HD02/2462U): Assessing the impact of landscape restoration intervention on ecological system within the refugee host communities. A case study of palabek refugee settlement. (MCCD). Proposal development.

Past: Graduate Research Students’ Supervised to completion:

1. Lindah Nakyazze (2022): Implications of participatory landscape restoration strategies for soil erosion control in upper Manafwa watershed, Eastern Uganda. (Master of Geographical Sciences)
2. Lunyolo Joyce (2021): The implication of landslide characteristics on land use patterns in upper Manafwa watershed of Eastern Uganda. (Master of Geographical Sciences).
3. Makosya Peter (2021): The effectiveness of soil and water conservation practices for erosion control in Nagairila-Nambale micro watershed on the slopes on Mt Elgon in Eastern Uganda. (Master of Arts in Geography).
4. Manasseh Mande (2021): Landslide susceptibility mapping using weights of evidence model on the slopes of mount Elgon, Eastern Uganda. (Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources).
5. Waweyo Sarah Were (2020): Implications of urban growth and development on land use in Jinja Municipality. (Master of Arts in Geography).

Undergraduate students’ supervised to completion:

1. Nyara Emmanuel Martin (2022): Assessing community vulnerability levels and adaptation options to flood risk reduction in Bwaise, Kampala (BGS).
2. Nakibuule Betty (2022): Analysing the social-economic implications of covid-19 pandemic and recovery strategies by urban poor communities of Kampala city suburbs (B.A. Arts).
3. Igambire Obed (2022): The determinants and effectiveness of local community adaptation strategies for flood risk reduction in nyamwaba upper catchment, kasese district. (BGS).
4. Wabyona Collins (2022): Analyzing the determinants and effectiveness of farmer’s adaptation strategies to rainfall variability in Kigorobya sub- county Hoima district. (BGS).
5. Nakato Jovia (2021): Analysing the effectiveness and determinants of local conservation practices for landscape restoration in luweero, central Uganda (BGS).