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Perceptions and vulnerability to climate change among the urban poor in Kampala City, Uganda

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Abstract

Climate risks and vulnerability continue to disproportionately affect the urban poor given their constrained adaptive capacity. This paper examines the urban poor’s perceptions and vulnerability to climate change in Kampala. Data was collected from a proportionate sample of 534 respondents drawn from households that were randomly selected from the city’s informal settlements and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Six focus group discussions and 15 key informant interviews were conducted whose participants were purposively selected because of their knowledge and experiences. Quantitative data was analyzed using chi-square tests while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data from key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 96.6% of the households were aware of climate change, mainly perceived as rising temperatures and reduction in rainfall. Floods (53.4%) and droughts (27%) were the most commonly experienced climate risks, with the former considered more frequent and severe. Perceptions and vulnerability to climate risk varied with incomes, education level, marital status, main occupation, housing conditions and length of stay. Individuals with less wealth and education, employed in informal business and having insecure housing tenure were most vulnerable to flooding than they are to drought. The sensitivity of the urban poor communities is heightened by ecosystem degradation, poor access to urban infrastructure, utilities and services. With socio-economic attributes highly associated to climate change vulnerabilities, incorporating social dimensions and exchange of information between the vulnerable communities, planners and decision makers is necessary to inform the city’s adaptation policy and building long-term urban resilience. Partnerships are necessary between the urban authorities, communities, civil society and donors/financiers to improve housing and livelihoods in slums settlements. At the same time, strengthening co-production of climate information services, building climate change awareness, restoration of critical ecosystems and a broader inclusive adaptation planning are avenues for building resilient urban poor communities.

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Notes

  1. US$1 was equivalent to Uganda Shillings (UGX) 3,571.43 at the time of study

  2. The World Bank updated the international poverty line to $1.90 a day.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the funding support the Makerere-SIDA programme and to KCCA and civil society officials, and the people of Kampala for the valuable time offered during the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Makerere University Centre for Climate Change Research and Innovations (MUCCRI), Kampala, Uganda

    Revocatus Twinomuhangi

  2. Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics and Climatic Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda

    Revocatus Twinomuhangi

  3. Urban Action Lab, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

    Hakimu Sseviiri

  4. Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

    Catherine Mulinde, Paul Isolo Mukwaya & Alex Nimusiima

  5. Cities and Infrastructure for Growth (CIG), Kampala, Uganda

    Arthur Martin Kato

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  1. Revocatus Twinomuhangi
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  4. Paul Isolo Mukwaya
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Correspondence to Revocatus Twinomuhangi.

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Twinomuhangi, R., Sseviiri, H., Mulinde, C. et al. Perceptions and vulnerability to climate change among the urban poor in Kampala City, Uganda. Reg Environ Change 21, 39 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-021-01771-5

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