Geo-Hazards Vulnerability and Risk Profiles in Hot-Spot Areas of Uganda

Abstract

Beginning 1990 the impacts from 565 more frequent and most common ones are floods, landslides, droughts, earthquakes/tremors and lightning. This study was aimed at identifying hotspots for geo-hazards and also providing more information and recommendation how they can be reduced. This report provides a detailed account of the methodology, and modalities of how assessment was carried out. The findings reveal that Uganda is mostly impacted on by hydrologic and meteorological disasters. These disasters have led to displacement of thousands of residents, claiming lives, devastated homesteads and destroyed livelihoods in many parts of the country. A total of 125 people have been killed and 3,365,380 affected by geo-hazards in Uganda since the 1920's. Another finding in this study is the lack of proper coordination in data collection, storage and use on disasters. It is recommended that the Office of the Prime Minister should ensure that mandated institutions take up the roles and reduce the vulnerability and risk from geo hazards. This office should be a one stop center for information on disasters in Uganda. Although an effort has been made collection of data and information disasters is haphazard and there is need for improvement. Landslides: Landslides alone have killed 542 people which is the highest number. Vulnerability to landslices is high in Bududa, Sironko and Bulbul Districts in the Mount Elgon region. Although, the Ruwenzeri regional experiences landslides triggered by rainfall and earthquakes the vulnerability is less as compared to the rest. The eastern area of Budada district is the lands de batsoot in Uganda where 507 people have be billed since 1800-2013. On 1 March 2010, one landslide killed 365 at Nametsi. Furthermore, in Siron district, the Zesu area is the hotspot and while in Sulambuli district. Namusuni and Lusya are the are most prone to landslides. It is reported that 95 landslides have occurred in both Sironko and Rulambusin 1951 and 32 people have been killed. Many sub counties in Seonko and Bulambull recognize landslides a major social problem and they have been integrated in their sub-county development plans, however the done on individual basis. The preparatory factors that make these areas vulnerable to landslides are ste slopes, clay rich soils, clearing vegetation, undercutting of slopes for either construction of roads or hous and building terraces. The main triggering factors are rainfall and earthquakes especially in the Rowen areas. The early warning signs can be detected through watchful eyes landslides during the months of M to June and August to November especially in Bududa, Sironku and Bulambull. Also once cracks apo on a slope these are early signs of an impending landslide Further still slopes with bant trees and sadd appearance of water from the ground during rains are also signs of a likely landslide, people should avoid settling in such areas. In addition once small soil slips occur after undercutting of a slope during road house construction the area should be vacated because these are early signs of a failing slope and it is common in Bududa. The National Environment Management Authority as a lead institution on landslides should identity areas and zone areas prone to landslides using these early warnings: Drought: Another disaster that creates a lot of strife is drought. 60 districts are prone to drought however, the Karamoja region is most affected. 235 people have died because of starvation and 3,000,000 affect. due to drought since 1998 and most of the dead are from Karamoja (OPM, 2013). For example, just t year reports from the Office of the Prime Minister indicate that 41 people have died of starvation in Karamoja region and about 300,000 children are malnourished. In Uganda droughts affect more people followed by floods. These droughts normally occur in the months of August to November and they a common in the cattle corridor, which stretches from Karamoja to the south western areas of Mhara Severe droughts occur during the Lanina periods Droughts lead to water scarcity and sometimes this result in conflicts among pastoralists as they move in such of water for their animals. The period 2003 to 2006 was a remarkable drought that caused the Lakes Victoria and Kyoga to drop in their levels. This affected alectricity generation and consequently affecting the economy. There is need to popularize the National Policy for disaster preparedness and management because some institutions are not aware of its existence and neither their roles as stipulated in the policy. For example, the Ministry of Water and Environment is the lead institution on drought and some of the policy actions relevant to this study are establishment of early warning systems and mapping of drought prone areas Floods: Other findings from this assessment reveal that floods have killed 40 people and affected 353,333 since 2005. One flood that is still in people's memory is the Kasese flood which occurred on 1 May this year killing eight and displacing 15,000 people. This was caused by an extreme rainfall event and it is believed to have been worsened by increased runoff from the bare areas of the moorland in Mount Ruwenzori National Park where the vegetation was destroyed by wildfires in February 2011 21 districts in eastern region, 13 districts in the north, 4 districts in West Nile and 10 districts in central region are prone to floods and the main cause in the heavy run-off from the degraded areas such as Mount Egon catchment. These include Karamoja region, Teso region, Buteleja, Bulambuli, Sironko, Kasese and Ntoroko just to mention a few Kasese District and the Teso region are the hotspots for floods. Floods are disastrous, but one key findings that people have no alternative places for resettlement and so they return to the flood prone areas without any mitigation measures in place. Many bridges in most parts of the country are washed away, broken and submerged whenever it rains cutting off most of the routes bringing transport to a stand still for several hours, days or weeks. Restoration of catchment areas by planting trees will reduce the incident floods. Floods mostly occur during the months of May to July and August to November. The Ministry of Water and Environment as a lead institution should sensitize communities to take precaution during these months. Fires: Other disasters that are not prioritized and yet have been identified as a concern in this study are wild and manmade fires 138 people have been killed and 154 injured by fires for the period 2009 to 2012. There is need to sensitize communities about the risk of fires especially those involving highly flammable. substance such as fuel. Some of the domestic fires are also due to electrical short circuiting especially those in Kampala which calls for the need to regulate the importation of standard electrical appliances and other materials, Communities should also be sensitized on the risk of leaving infants alone with naked fires such as candles, 20 districts from the northern region have the highest risk from Wildfires (bush burning), while 13 are at high risk and 17 at medium risk of wildfires. Although bush burning is used as a land management practice to clear land for cultivation in northern Uganda and in some other areas such as Rakai, it poses a risk to both the environment and the human health. The Ministry of Internal Affairs as a lead institution. should develop strategies for reducing fires in Uganda.