Climate displacement in African Cities: Kampala city profile
This publication covers displacement due to climate change in Kampala Uganda. Kampala, the capital of Uganda, contributes significantly to the country’s GDP and is growing at an accelerated pace. This urban transformation has driven increased demand for housing, social services, jobs, transportation, and public spaces. At the same time, climate change contributes to frequent flooding, rising water levels in Lake Victoria, heatwaves, and soil erosion in surrounding agricultural areas.
Key conclusions and recommendations of the article include the following:
- The government should address vulnerability root causes by investigating the problems driving rural urban migration and tackling underlying vulnerabilities like poverty, marginalization, and lack of basic services to reduce displacement risk and promote community resilience.
- The government’s efforts should also aim to create an environment that fosters community engagement and decision making in climate change response, while ensuring that the vulnerabilities of all genders are adequately addressed.
- Understanding community needs: Get insights into affected communities’ needs and preferences, including their language, religion, and traditional practices. Priority should be put on provision of information and services in languages that affected communities understand.
- Cultural leaders should be encouraged to play active roles in the response and recovery process to ensure cultural sensitivity and foster community resilience by emphasizing traditional practices, social cohesion, and community networks.