Impact of seasonal flooding on the livelihoods of urban dwellers of Kisenyi in Kampala central division Kampala capital city, Uganda

Abstract

Seasonal floods are in recent times being experienced with increased frequency and devastating impact in urban ecosystem of Kisenyi area of Kampala Central Division in Kampala City. The floods are associated with increased climate variability, most probably accounted for more by the increased anthropogenic induced global warming than natural effects. Floodings pose significant threats to urban ecosystems and the safety of inhabitants therein. Despite impacts caused by the floodings, people have continued to inhabit the affected areas and periodically impacted by the flooding hazards. The study assessed the adaptation measures dwellers in urban ecosystem are relying on in response to seasonal flooding and how they are able to cope up after the disaster. The study sampled fifty-five (55) respondents who were randomly and purposively selected. Data was collected through direct interviews and questionnaire aided surveys. The collected primary data were analyzed using STATA computer software programme, which generated descriptive statistics of the views and perspectives of Kisenyi dwellers on flooding, flood management, and climate change. The adaptation measures to seasonal flooding dwellers in urban ecosystem of Kisenyi are relying on to respond to seasonal flooding or adapt to the situation include; manual removal of flood waters; raising of the foundations of their houses and elevating doorsteps; and clearing drainage channels prior to the rains. The findings revealed that most of the respondents (34%) had no measure and could not provide any solution during the occurrence of the flooding; 24% were manually removing the flood waters; another 24% of the respondents indicated they had raised the foundations of their houses and elevated the doorsteps, and at same time improved and cleared the drainage channels; while 6% of the respondents indicated planting trees and short grass in reducing the impacts of flooding. Another 4% of the respondents also indicated that there was widening of the drainage channels by local and city authorities. However, despite those measures residents indicated that they still faced losses and impediments during the rainy season due to excessive flooding. The study therefore concluded that the urban ecosystem of Kisenyi parish, Kampala Central Division had no adequate adaptational measures in response to seasonal flooding and is not resilient enough to adapt to the disaster and that seasonal flooding is a major concern in urban ecosystems and it occurs at least twice every year.