Landslide risk in mount Elgon region, eastern Uganda :

Abstract

Mount Elgon has increasingly experienced catastrophic landslide over the years due to heavy EI Niño rains there by leading to destabilization of slopes and displacement of' large quantities of debris from the crown to the disposal area under the influence gravity. Bududa is highly mountainous area inhibiting a variety of flora and fauna and experiencing high precipitation turning the area into landslide prone with fatalities like loss of property like social infrastructure including schools, bridges and hospitals, displacement of communities and loss of human lives. This was carried out in Bududa district, one of the newly created districts in Mount Elgon sub region in Eastern Uganda, the major justification was explorative assessment of landslide hazard knowledge sharing and information dissemination for landslide risk mitigation in Mount Elgon. The main aim was to analyze awareness and constraints for risk mitigation Mostly qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions with the help of an interview guide, data was analyzed using Excel and SPSS software to give pie-charts, bar graphs and clustered histograms. The study revealed that heavy rainfall, soil characteristics, over cultivation and deforestation are the major causes of landslides. Sub-counties of Bulucheke, Buwaali, Bukalasi and Bushiyi had reported the greatest number of landslide whereas Bukigai and Bududa Town Council had reported almost no landslide incidence. Church is the most reliable channel used to receive information relating to landslide. The presence of small plots of land and fear of losing cultural. bonds by communities in Bududa if they are resettled at distant places are the major constraints in attempt to mitigate landslide risk. In conclusion, landslide occurrence is associated with heavy rain with continued recurrence in specific sub-counties. Landslide always depicts cracks before happening and this information is disseminated through church.