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Item A FRAMEWORK OF STRATEGIES TO REDUCE ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS’ DELAY IN TANZANIA: A CASE OF TARURA ROAD PROJECTS(Mbeya University of Science and Technology, 2025-08-30) GABRIEL SEPERATUSThe construction industry is globally recognised as one of the fastest-growing sectors, contributing directly and indirectly to the development of several other sectors of the economy. Despite its significant importance, and based on persistent reasons, the industry has often been overwhelmed with various challenges, including the inability to finish the road construction projects within a given schedule. This study aimed to examine the stakeholder’s perception of prevailing best practice measures to reduce construction project delays in Tanzania. The study adopted the questionnaire tool and the survey interview to collect the respondent’s opinion from 208 respondents having experience of more than five years obtained through purposive sampling. The mean scores and the relative importance index (RII) of the data were computed using the SPSS 24 tool to obtain the descriptive information and inferential statistics. The findings have revealed ten potential factors for construction project delays and thirteen best practices that, whenever implemented, can assist in minimising delays. Moreover, the identified best practice measures were categorised in clusters to indicate the project participant who plays the significant role in minimising the delays. Furthermore, the findings acknowledged strategies were categorised in six clusters, namely effective project management, procurement and supply, resource adequacy (monetary or financial), design or technical, information and communication, and external strategies. The current study proposes future research to focus on identifying the relationship between the strategic cluster categories in recognising which cluster category correlates highly towards minimising the construction project delaysItem A Review of the Impact of Co-Digestion Substrates on the Methane Yield(iRASD, 2025-06-22) Matwani , J.; Iddphonce, R.This review highlights the impact of anaerobic co-digestion (ACD) on improving energy recovery from biogas production systems. Various factors from selected papers were reviewed to figure out their influence on ACD performance. Such factors include Carbon/Nitrogen (C/N) ratio, biodegradability of feedstock, microbial diversity, activity, buffering capacity, and trace element concentrations. Findings show ACD significantly enhances process stability and increases methane yield by 20% to 65% compared to mono-digestion. The process shares more insights on mechanisms for addressing environmental pollution challenges as it offers alternative approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite promising achievements in ACD systems, several limitations of the process still exist, requiring the attention of future studies to explore the full potential of technology. Specific areas include optimizing the mixing ratio of substrates to prevent acidification and ammonia toxicity risks that may occur during the process, hence affecting the system efficiency. Research should focus on process design and proper feedstock selection, considering innovative approaches such as bioaugmentation, supplementation with carbon compounds and nanoparticles, to improve microbial activity, process efficiency, and stability. Also, there is a need to develop predictive models that will accurately incorporate C/N ratio effects on digestion kinetics and nutrient transformation. Current models are complex, which hinders their scalability; thus, the use of machine learning could enhance model accuracy.Item A Systematic Review of Value Engineering Practices in Construction Projects in Tanzania.(Arid Zone Journal of Engineering, Technology & Environment, 2025-11-27) Kindole, A.; Lingwanda M. I,; Tekka, R. SValue engineering (VE) has become a vital component of construction management, improving project outcomes in terms of cost, time, quality, safety, environmental performance, stakeholder satisfaction and social value. This study systematically reviews VE practices to assess their applications, benefits, barriers, and future research directions, with emphasis on Tanzania’s construction industry. A structured search of Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar retrieved peer reviewed publications from 2005 to 2025, yielding about 70 sources, of which 32 highly relevant studies were analyzed in depth. The review shows that VE delivers quantitative benefits such as cost and time reduction, alongside qualitative gains including enhanced construction quality and better management through multidisciplinary teamwork. However, its adoption in Tanzania remains limited due to inadequate awareness, cost-driven procurement systems, and a shortage of trained VE professionals. This study further identifies critical success factors (CSFs) across VE phases, including effective project information preparation, cost-based comparison of design alternatives, systematic planning and implementation, and strong stakeholders support. It concludes by recommending the development of localized VE guidelines and increased awareness among clients and top management to enhance decision-making and promote wider VE adoption in Tanzania.Item Assessment of Scouring Effect of Msingi Masonry Arch Bridge in Mkalama, Singida, Tanzania(ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development (AJERD), 2025-08-26) Barthazar, Dickson; Katambara, Zakaria; Kifanyi, GislarThis study presents an integrated geotechnical and hydraulic assessment of the Msingi Masonry Arch Bridge in Mkalama District, Singida, Tanzania, to evaluate scour vulnerability, subsurface strength, and structural load capacity. Field investigations included Dynamic Probing Light (DPL) testing, core sampling, and particle size analysis at six test pits (DS1–DS6), alongside laboratory tests adhering to BS 1377:1990 standards. Results revealed significant spatial variability in soil gradation and compaction, with deeper layers demonstrating high bearing capacities (up to 1555.8 kN/m²), while surface strata exhibited loose conditions and higher susceptibility to erosion—particularly in zones with elevated fines content. Hydraulic modelling, using site-specific parameters such as hydraulic radius (1.88 m), channel slope (0.0082), and Manning’s coefficient (0.017), predicted a scour depth of 2.6 m, compared to the observed 2.0 m. Structural analysis using the MEXE method yielded an allowable axle load of 28.05 tonnes, translating to a foundation pressure of 98.6 kN/m², which is within safe soil capacity limits. Despite current structural stability, the narrow scour margin and near-threshold loading conditions indicate elevated long-term vulnerability. The study recommends immediate installation of scour countermeasures, selective foundation deepening in weak zones, and routine monitoring to enhance the resilience and longevity of the bridge.Item Stakeholders’ Awareness and Perceptions on the Use of Force Account Method in Public Building Construction Projects in Tanzania.(DASJR, 2025-09-29) Magania, Faraji M.; Tekka, Ramadhani Said; Chengula, Duwa HamisiThe Force Account Method (FAM) is increasingly utilized as a procurement approach for public building construction projects in Tanzania, primarily due to its potential for cost savings, flexibility, and enhanced accountability. This study investigates stakeholders’ awareness of FAM selection criteria and their perceptions of its practical benefits. A descriptive survey design was employed, collecting data from 128 participants representing implementing agencies, contractors, consultants, and regulatory bodies through structured questionnaires. The results indicate high awareness of key selection criteria, especially the necessity for sufficient technical staff and the importance of minimizing disruption to ongoing operations. Stakeholders identified limited funding and uncertainty in disbursements as significant justifications for FAM, though opinions varied regarding remoteness and the clarity of work quantity definitions. Most participants agreed that FAM improves cost efficiency, adaptability to unforeseen changes, and public confidence in transparency. Nevertheless, concerns were raised about project completion timelines and the consistency of quality outcomes, with regulatory bodies and implementing agencies expressing differing perspectives. These findings underscore FAM’s advantages in affordability and governance, while also revealing deficiencies in project efficiency and technical oversight. The study concludes that FAM substantially contributes to value for money in Tanzania’s public construction sector. However, enhancements in institutional capacity, standardized guidelines, and monitoring mechanisms are necessary to address persistent challenges related to quality and timeliness. The findings offer actionable insights for policymakers, regulatory authorities, and practitioner aiming to improve the effectiveness of FAM in achieving sustainable infrastructure development.Item Assessment of Scouring Effect of Msingi Masonry Arch Bridge in Mkalama, Singida, Tanzania(ABUAD Journal of Engineering Research and Development (AJERD), 2025) BARTHAZAR, Dickson; KATAMBARA, Zakaria; KIFANYI, Gislar.This study presents an integrated geotechnical and hydraulic assessment of the Msingi Masonry Arch Bridge in Mkalama District, Singida, Tanzania, to evaluate scour vulnerability, subsurface strength, and structural load capacity. Field investigations included Dynamic Probing Light (DPL) testing, core sampling, and particle size analysis at six test pits (DS1–DS6), alongside laboratory tests adhering to BS 1377:1990 standards. Results revealed significant spatial variability in soil gradation and compaction, with deeper layers demonstrating high bearing capacities (up to 1555.8 kN/m²), while surface strata exhibited loose conditions and higher susceptibility to erosion—particularly in zones with elevated fines content. Hydraulic modelling, using site-specific parameters such as hydraulic radius (1.88 m), channel slope (0.0082), and Manning’s coefficient (0.017), predicted a scour depth of 2.6 m, compared to the observed 2.0 m. Structural analysis using the MEXE method yielded an allowable axle load of 28.05 tonnes, translating to a foundation pressure of 98.6 kN/m², which is within safe soil capacity limits. Despite current structural stability, the narrow scour margin and near-threshold loading conditions indicate elevated long-term vulnerability. The study recommends immediate installation of scour countermeasures, selective foundation deepening in weak zones, and routine monitoring to enhance the resilience and longevity.Item Evaluating the hydraulic performance and sustainability of the Simike–Nzovwe roadside drainage system in Mbeya City, Tanzania, using the hydrologic engineering centre’s river analysis system modeling(ACCSCIENCE, 2025-07-21) Abdul Mohamed; Zacharia KatambaraThis study addresses the hydraulic inefficiencies and maintenance challenges associated with the roadside drainage system along a 1.85 km stretch of the TANZAM Highway between Simike and the Nzovwe River, which includes five circular culverts. The objective was to evaluate the system’s hydraulic performance under rainfall events using the Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) one-dimensional hydraulic model. Specifically, the study focused on analyzing flow regimes, specific energy transitions, and sediment transport dynamics to identify critical points of inefficiency. The methodology involved simulating steady flow conditions, assessing the influence of channel and culvert geometry, and performing a sensitivity analysis on key hydraulic parameters, including Manning’s roughness coefficient, channel slope, and culvert dimensions. The model results revealed that subcritical flow conditions (Froude number, Fr <1) upstream of culverts lead to sediment accumulation, while steeper channel sections with supercritical flow (Fr >1) pose erosion risks. Pronounced hydraulic jumps were observed near culvert outlets, resulting in significant turbulence, abrupt energy dissipation, and localized erosion. Flow velocities decreased sharply from over 7 m/s to below 1 m/s across these transition zones. This study provides an integrated evaluation of hydraulic and sediment transport interactions in a real-world drainage system using HEC-RAS, supported by targeted design optimization strategies. Key recommendations include modifying side slope geometry, increasing longitudinal gradients, and enlarging culvert dimensions to enhance flow capacity and reduce sediment deposition. In addition, the application of riprap in high-velocity zones, vegetative lining in low velocity areas, and the inclusion of sediment traps are proposed to control erosion and minimize maintenance.Item Determinants of Students’ Performance in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Tanzania(G-Card, 2025) Katambara, ZachariaThe Electrical and Electronics Engineering Program Requires a Balance Between Theoretical Knowledge and Practical Application, Making Students’ Performance Optimization Essential in Meeting Industry Demands. this Study Utilized Descriptive Statistics, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to Evaluate Academic Performance in the EEE Program at Mbeya University of Science and Technology (MUST). by Examining 16 Core Courses, the Study Identified Key Determinants of Students’ Success, Course Interdependencies and Areas for Curriculum Enhancement. Descriptive Statistics Revealed Significant Variability in Performance, with EE 8401 (Industrial Practical Training 3) Recording the Highest Mean (79.98) and EE 8402 (Phase AC Synchronous Machines) the Lowest (48.11), Highlighting Disparities in Instructional Effectiveness. Pearson Correlation Analysis Shows Strong Correlations Among Theoretically Aligned Courses, Moderate Correlations Among Related Subjects, and Weak or Negative Correlations in Distinct Learning Domains, Emphasizing the Need for Targeted Interventions and Curriculum Adjustments. PCA Findings Confirmed that Three Principal Components Explained 58.85% of the Variance, Representing Theoretical Foundations, Applied Project-Based Learning and Specialized Hands-on Training. Scree Plot and Eigenvalue Analysis Validated Dimensionality Reduction, Enhancing Data Interpretation. Principal Component Loadings Highlight Academic Constructs, With PC1 Reflecting Analytical Competencies, PC2 Capturing Project-Based Courses and PC3 Representing Specialized Training. This Study Recommends Aligning Theoretical Courses with Standardized Assessments, Integrating Industry Collaborations in Project-Based Learning and Refining Assessment Models for Specialized Training. Future Research should Explore Longitudinal Trends in Principal Components, External Influences on High-Uniqueness Courses and Students’ Feedback Integration. by Implementing Data-Driven Strategies, Institutions can Refine Engineering Curricula, Bridge Performance Gaps and Enhance Student Success Outcomes.Item Effects of Innovation on Business Performance: Empirical Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Tanzania(AJASSS, 2022-12-31) Athumani, Mwaifyusi Hussein; Kitwana, Dau RamadhaniRegardless of its relevance for business performance, the influence of innovation on the performance of manufacturing firms in Tanzania is not well documented. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effects of innovation on business performance of manufacturing firms in Tanzania. The study used cross-sectional design and quantitative approach. Copies of a structured questionnaire were administered to 420 participants from 28 manufacturing companies in Dar es Salaam and Coast Regions. An impressive response rate of 93.1% was achieved. Data were tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Tests for normality, multicollinearity and autocorrelation were conducted, and the results showed the data were reliable, normally distributed, free of multicollinearity and autocorrelation problems. Descriptive and multiple regression statistical techniques were employed. The results suggested that a significant positive effect existed between performance of manufacturing firms and product innovation (B=0.705, p=0.001), process innovation (B=0.640, p=0.000) and marketing innovation (B=.818, p=0.000). The obvious implication to industry is that innovation is important to business success of the manufacturing companies, thus the governments should motivate firms to innovate continuously by giving incentives to invest in R&D. Past studies linking innovation and performance have focused on financial measures of performance. The major contribution of the current study is to use non-financial measures of performance such as business growth and responsiveness to change.Item Investigation of Properties of Mbeya Pumice Lightweight Aggregates(ResearchGate, 2021-12-01) Shiganza,Oscar John; Mboya,Hieronimi Alphonce; Msambichaka,Joseph JohnThe properties of concrete depend partly on the type and mechanical properties of aggregates used in the concrete mix. The paper presents an investigation designed to study the properties of pumice lightweight aggregates and assess their suitability to structural lightweight concrete. The properties of pumice lightweight aggregates mainly aggregates shape, water absorption, specific gravity and organic impurities were examined. The results indicated that pumice lightweight aggregates have the flakiness and elongation close to upper limits as set by BS 812-105.1:1989 low density, high water absorption in comparison to normal weight aggregates, and are weather resistant. It was concluded that pumice lightweight aggregates are suitable for manufacture of structural lightweight concreteItem Influence of Number of Access Points for Fingerprinting Indoor Positioning Accuracy(International Journal of Research in Advanced Engineering and Technology, 2016-05) Mrindoko, Nicholaus R.The indoor positioning services based on fingerprinting mostly depend on the available access points in vicinity area. This paper explores the impact of number access points (APs) in indoor positioning accuracy based fingerprinting. The analysis is based on deterministic approach. The measurable analysis of test results demonstrates that, the positioning accuracy is highly affected by the number of access points. If the number of APs increased with well distribution positioning error is minimal. Hence, considering the adequate number of APs is guaranteeing an accuracy of an indoor positioning. The analysis could empower indoor positioning designer to enhance positioning performance and to model location fingerprinting based indoor positioning systemsItem Multivariate Analysis of Evaporation Drivers in Mbeya, Tanzania, Using Principal Component Analysis(ACCSCIENCE PUBLISHING, 2025-08-08) Katambara, ZachariaEvaporation is a vital process in the hydrological cycle, accounting for approximately 70% of water loss from the Earth’s surface. In semi-arid and rapidly urbanizing regions, such as Mbeya, Tanzania, understanding the meteorological drivers of evaporation is critical for water resource management and agricultural planning. This study utilized principal component analysis (PCA) on a 10-year dataset comprising solar radiation, sunshine hours, minimum and maximum temperatures, and wind speed to identify key factors influencing evaporation. Descriptive statistics revealed significant non-normality in most variables, particularly radiation and wind speed. At the same time, correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between sunshine hours and radiation (r = 0.66) and a moderate negative correlation between radiation and minimum temperature (r = −0.30). PCA identified two principal components accounting for 66.61% of the total variance. Component 1 (38.06%) captured solar-driven variability, dominated by sunshine duration and radiation, whereas Component 2 (28.55%) reflected thermal influences, particularly maximum and minimum temperatures. Wind speed contributed minimally, suggesting a more localized or less consistent role in evaporation dynamics. These findings demonstrate the value of PCA in simplifying complex climatic datasets and improving the interpretation of evaporation processes. Solar radiation and sunshine hours emerged as the dominant drivers, with temperature as a secondary influence. The results emphasize the need to integrate surface-level variables, such as land use, vegetation cover, and soil moisture, in future studies to capture spatial heterogeneity and improve predictive accuracy, especially in data-scarce, climate-sensitive regions like Mbeya.Item Synthetic Determination of Specific Density, Specific Surface Area and Particle Size Distribution of Cementitious Powder Materials(International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR), 2018) Dr. Chengulaa, Duwa Hamisi; Prof. Msambichaka, Joseph J; Prof. Middendorf, BernhardThe use of cementitious materials for construction of buildings and structures started during ancient civilization. Science of modifying physical and chemical properties of cementitious materials is a continual process which is because of a need to increase reactivity and improve strength and durability properties of binders. Due to increasing demand of modern infrastructures and continual depleting of binder sources the scientist, engineers and researchers work hard on improving binding properties of cementitious materials for construction of low cost and durable structures. Among of the factors which affect binding properties of cementitious properties are densities, surface areas and particle size distribution. Several methods and procedures have been developed to determine these physical properties on which other require huge capital investment and others takes long time to complete a test which hinders further investigation and improvement of alternative binders. This study investigated that there exists an ‘S’ curve similar to particle size distribution curve when time air flow against weights of sample measured using Blaine apparatus is drawn.Item Evaluating the Hydraulic Performance and Sustainability of the Simike–Nzovwe Roadside Drainage System in Mbeya City, Tanzania, Using the Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s River Analysis System Modeling(ACCSCIENCE PUBLISHING, 2025-07-21) Mohamed, Abdul; Katambara, ZachariaThis study addresses the hydraulic inefficiencies and maintenance challenges associated with the roadside drainage system along a 1.85 km stretch of the TANZAM Highway between Simike and the Nzovwe River, which includes five circular culverts. The objective was to evaluate the system’s hydraulic performance under rainfall events using the Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) one-dimensional hydraulic model. Specifically, the study focused on analyzing flow regimes, specific energy transitions, and sediment transport dynamics to identify critical points of inefficiency. The methodology involved simulating steady flow conditions, assessing the influence of channel and culvert geometry, and performing a sensitivity analysis on key hydraulic parameters, including Manning’s roughness coefficient, channel slope, and culvert dimensions. The model results revealed that subcritical flow conditions (Froude number, Fr 1) pose erosion risks. Pronounced hydraulic jumps were observed near culvert outlets, resulting in significant turbulence, abrupt energy dissipation, and localized erosion. Flow velocities decreased sharply from over 7 m/s to below 1 m/s across these transition zones. This study provides an integrated evaluation of hydraulic and sediment transport interactions in a real-world drainage system using HEC-RAS, supported by targeted design optimization strategies. Key recommendations include modifying side slope geometry, increasing longitudinal gradients, and enlarging culvert dimensions to enhance flow capacity and reduce sediment deposition. In addition, the application of riprap in high-velocity zones, vegetative lining in low velocity areas, and the inclusion of sediment traps are proposed to control erosion and minimize maintenance.Item Adaptive Iir Filters For Single Interference Suppression In A BPSK DS CDMA System In Rayleigh Fading Channel(University of Dar es Salaam, 2007-07-01) Mvuma, Aloys N.In this paper, effect of a single narrow-band interference (NBI) on bit error rate (BER) performance for a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) synchronous direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS CDMA) communication system operating in a frequency nonselective Rayleigh fading channel is analyzed. Second-order adaptive infinite impulse response (IIR) notch filters with plain gradient algorithm (GA) for suppression of NBI in the DS CDMA system are proposed. A general closed-form BER expression for the DS CDMA system with NBI suppression second order adaptive IIR notch filters is derived based on the standard Gaussian approximation (SGA) method. BER expressions are then derived for the allpass filter-based adaptive IIR notch filter and adaptive IIR notch filter with constrained poles and zeros, the two structures that are commonly found in literature. It is observed that both adaptive IIR notch filter structures exhibit comparable BER performance. Extensive computer simulation results are presented to verify the accuracy and limitations of the analysis.Item Occlusion Handler Density Networks for 3D Multimodal Joint Location of Hand Pose Hypothesis(OPEN ACCESS, 2022-12-30) Tito, Stanley L.; Banzi, Jamal F.; Mvuma, Aloys N.Predicting the pose parameters during the hand pose estimation (HPE) process is an ill-posed challenge. This is due to severe self occluded joints of the hand. The existing approaches for predicting pose parameters of the hand, utilize a single-value mapping of an input image to generate final pose output. This way makes it difficult to handle occlusion especially when it comes from the multimodal pose hypothesis. This paper introduces an effective method of handling multimodal joint occlusion using the negative log-likelihood of a multimodal mixture-of-Gaussians through a hybrid hierarchical mixture density network (HHMDN). The proposed approach generates multiple feasible hypotheses of 3D poses with visibility, unimodal and multimodal distribution units to locate joint visibility. The visible features are extracted and fed into the Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) layer of the HHMDN for feature learning. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is proved on ICVL, NYU, and BigHand public hand pose datasets. The imperative results show that the proposed method in this paper is effective as it achieves a visibility error of 30.3mm, which is less error compared to many state-of-the-art approaches that use different distributions of visible and occluded joints.Item Ubiquitous Mobile Sensing for Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting within Lake Victoria Basin(Scientific Research, 2014-12) Faustine, Anthony; Mvuma, Aloys N.As the human population growth and industry pressure in most developing countries continue to increase, effective water quality monitoring and evaluation has become critical for water re sources management programs. This paper presents the ubiquitous mobile sensing system for water quality data collection and monitoring applications in developing countries. The system was designed based on the analysis of the existing solution. Open source hardware and software was used to develop the prototype of the system. Field testing of the system conducted in Nkokonjero, Uganda and Mwanza, Tanzania verified the functionalities of the system and its practical applica tion in actual environment. Results show that proposed solution is able to collect and present data in a mobile environment.Item BER of OFDM System With Multiple NBI Rejection Cascade Complex Coefficient Adaptive IIR Notch Filter(Scientific Research, 2012-08-16) Mvuma, Aloys N.In this paper, rejection of multiple narrowband interferers in a binary phase shift keying modulated orthogonal fre- quency division multiplexing (BPSK-OFDM) system is investigated. The BPSK-OFDM system in consideration oper- ates in an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. A cascade complex coefficient adaptive infinite impulse response (IIR) notch filter with gradient-based algorithm is used to reject the interferers. Bit error ratio (BER) perform- ance of the system is studied and a general closed-form expression is derived assuming negligible steady-state leakage NBI and by estimating the decision variable as Gaussian distributed based on Central Limit Theorem (CLT). Depend- ence of the BER performance on the notch bandwidth coefficient is demonstrated by the analysis. Extensive simulation results are included to substantiate accuracy of the analysis.Item QPSK DS-CDMA System over Rayleigh Channel with a Randomly-Varying Frequency Narrow-Band Interference: Frequency Tracking Analysis.(Scientific Research., 2010-03) Mvuma, Aloys N.This paper analyzes frequency tracking characteristics of a complex-coefficient adaptive infinite-impulse response (IIR) notch filter used for suppression of narrow-band interference (NBI) with a randomly varying frequency in a quadriphase shift keying (QPSK) modulated direct-sequence code-division multiple-access (DS-CDMA) communication system. The QPSK DS-CDMA signals are transmitted over a frequency non-selective Rayleigh fading channel. The analysis is based on a first-order real-coefficient difference equation with respect to steady-state instantaneous frequency tracking error from which a closed-form expression that relates frequency tracking mean square error (MSE) with the number of DS-CDMA active users and NBI power is obtained. Closed-form expressions for the optimum notch bandwidth coefficient and step size constant that minimize the frequency tracking MSE are also derived. Computer simulations are included to substantiatethe accuracy of the analyses.Item Land-use/land-cover change in the Ngerengere River Catchment, Tanzania: Insights from 2004 to 2034(ACCScience, 2025-07-21) Nkinda, Rose; Ojija, FredrickLand use and land cover (LULC) surrounding the Ngerengere River, Tanzania, which is a crucial water source, has led to a rapid decline in vegetated areas. Understanding these changes is vital for informed decision making and sustainable river catchment management. This study assessed historical LULC trends from 2004 to 2024, projected the current trend of change to 2034, and analyzed the human activities driving the trends using Landsat TM imagery. The study utilized both spatial and non-spatial datasets from primary sources (Landsat imagery via Google Earth Engine and field surveys) and secondary sources (literature and government reports). Landsat 5 (2004) and Landsat 8 (2014, 2024) images were processed using Arc-GIS and QGIS to minimize cloud interference. Land cover classification combined unsupervised and supervised methods, validated with ground reference points collected through GPS. A rule-based classification system used spectral indices to identify land cover types. Classified maps were visualized and exported for further analysis. Furthermore, systematic field visits were conducted along the catchment to assess human land use activities, that is, agriculture, settlements, and deforestation. Results revealed a 17.6% decline in sparse vegetation between 2004 and 2014, and a further 27.01% decrease from 2014 to 2024. Bare land increased by 8.58% over the two decades. Built-up areas rose from 0.67% in 2004 to 5.44% in 2014, then dropped to 2.1% in 2024. In contrast, dense vegetation increased from 0.04% in 2004 to 7.13% in 2024. Overall, the land cover projection for 2034 indicates continued ecological transformation within the Ngerengere River catchment. These shifts, primarily driven by agricultural expansion and deforestation, underscore the urgent need for sustainable land management. The significant vegetation cover decline in the catchment is largely due to agricultural encroachment into forested areas.