Abstract:
This study assessed the effect of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns on
communities in selected areas of Lake Victoria Basin around Jinja. It was conducted
following unsteady temperature and rainfall patterns with unexplained effects and
thus no appropriate responses. The specific objectives of study were; to identify
factors behind the changes in temperature and patterns of rainfall, to establish
implications of the changes in temperature and rainfall patterns on communities, to
establish land use patterns that can help to harmonize observed changes in temperature
and rainfall patterns and to suggest measures that can be adopted to respond to the
effect of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. A cross sectional survey design
was adopted for this study with the aim of collecting data from a sample of 346
respondents in three months. Data was entered into Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) and results generated automatically. It was established that changes
in temperature and patterns of rainfall was largely natural and man’s activity mainly
burning of fossil fuels in agricultural areas. Changes in temperature and rainfall
patterns are associated with drought and floods which result in loss of life and
influence growth of crops. The communities around Lake Victoria basin who are
victims of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are advised to plant more trees,
desist from depositing industrial waste in water and to seek more information about
climate change and the associated impacts. It was therefore recommended that
communication be made on a wide scale to inform communities about the effect of
climate change to minimize the effects, there is need for investing in new
infrastructure, or radically upgrading existing highways and transmission lines, would
help cut greenhouse gas emissions and drive economic growth in developing
countries. Finally, but not the least, community should be sensitized against cutting
down trees and balancing the amount of wood taken out with the amount of new trees
growing.
