URBANIZATION IN UGANDA

Urbanization refers to the process of town growth in an area. It may also refer to the process whereby an increasingly proportion of the total population of a country becomes concentrated in towns.

According to 2015 population census, only 14% of the population of Uganda live in urban areas in Uganda. The major urban areas of Uganda include Kampala city, Masaka, Mukono, Wakiso, Arua, Lira, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kasese, Apac, Kotido, Tororo, Mbale, Pallisa, Kamuli, Iganga, Mubende and Luwero.

The major urban areas of Uganda

It should be noted that there are several criteria which are used to determine an area as urban i.e.

• Population size
• Population density
• Functions of the urban center
• Legal and administrative consideration
• Social and economic consideration

Characteristics of urban centre

• They are trade and commerce centres with banks and insurance companies
• They are industrial centres e.g. Kampala and Jinja
• They have the necessary infrastructure e.g. improved roads, hospitals etc.
• They are administrative centres e.g. districts head quarters.
• They normally have high population concentrations.
• They have relatively improved social amenities e.g. electricity, running water etc.
• They have residential facilities e.g. planned settlements.

FACTORS THAT HAVE FAVOURED UBARNISATION IN UGANDA

Climate, the central region is more urbanised than any other part of the country partly due to its favourable climatic conditions. The relatively hot and wet climate attracts activities like settlement and other human activities like agriculture that provides food to the big urban population e.g. Kampala city, Mukono municipality, Masaka and many others.

The generally flat and gentle slope landscape have also favoured development of urban centres. This is because this kind of landscape makes it easy and relatively cheaper for the establishment of the necessary infrastructures like residential building, roads that consequently encourage urbanisation e.g. Jinja and Masaka municipalities.

Drainage, the well-drained areas encourage the development of urban centres.Such areas are suitable for settlement thus attracting relatively high population concentrations in those particular areas that consequently develop into town councils e.g.Kyenjojo and municipalities like Fort portal.

Areas that are covered by relatively light or scanty vegetation cover especially grasslands are easy to clear for establishment of the necessary infrastructure like roads,residential settlements such areas have attracted relatively high population making such areas to develop into urban centres examples of such areas include Gulu municipality,lira municipality, Katakwi town and many others.

The nature of soils, the areas with relatively fertile soils have also favoured urbanisation in such away that such areas support crop growing that provides adequate food stuffs on which the big urban population feed e.g. Kampala city, Mukono municipality partly developed because people depended on the food from the alluvial fertile soils around the lake Victoria shores e.g. Kayunga, Mpigi, Wakiso etc. Mbale municipality depends on food from the fertile volcanic soils around mt. Elgon in Sironko, Manafwa etc.

Migrations, this has encouraged urbanisation in such away that people move from one area to another for various reasons more likely for economic and social. The resultant effect of this is that many of those go to urban centres thus increasing the rate of urbanisation even more. E.g. people move from Ibanda to Mbarara municipality, from Sironko to Mbale municipality.

The government policy of gazetting new districts, municipalities and town councils, this attracts a big population in such areas due to the associated job opportunities and improved social services like supply of electricity and water, improved security. This in turn has boosted the process of urbanisation in areas like Kisoro municipality, Gulu municipality etc.

Industrialisation has also favoured urbanisation. Areas that have industrial establishments and services attract many people who seek for employment opportunities and other related activities. This partly explains why areas like Jinja, Tororo, Kasese municipalities developed into major urban centres.

The availability of trade opportunities and markets, People are always attracted to areas that avail to them trade opportunities especially those engaged in trade and commerce as a business therefore areas with such opportunities have attracted big concentrations of population and consequently such areas have turned into major urban centres e.g. Busia municipality, Arua municipality and Kampala city.

The presence of improved infrastructure like roads, electricity and power stations, housing, banks etc. Many People tend to settle near such facilities because of the convenience that comes along with such. Such areas begin like small trading centres then later into town councils and finally into Municipalities e.g. Jinja municipality, Kabale municipality etc.

Availability of adequate supply of clean water for both domestic and industrial use. Water is a basic need for life therefore its presence in a particular area attracts human settlement and this partly explains why urban centres like Jinja municipality, Entebbe municipality, Kampala city that are near lake Victoria that provides water have become major urban centres.

The presence of mining activities have also favoured the development of different areas into major urban centres. This is due to the fact that mining activities attract human settlement due to available job opportunities and other related businesses and consequently those areas have turned into major urban centres e.g. Tororo and Kasese municipalities due to limestone mining, Kajjansi town council due to clay mining, Hoima municipality due to oil exploration and mining etc.

The influence of the agricultural activities. Areas with large plantation farms have turned into major urban centres because people tend to settle around due to the available job opportunities in the plantation farms and also the improved social facilities and services provided by the plantation farms e.g. lugazi municipality, kinyara trading centre due to sugar cane plantations.

Some areas have developed into major urban centres partly because of the tourism activities. These activities have led to establishment of facilities like hotels, hostels and other related tourism related businesses that attract high concentration settlements. Such areas include Kasese municipality near Queen Elizabeth national park and mt.Rwenzori, Jinja municipality near the source if the Nile etc.

Availability of vast vacant land for establishment of the necessary infrastructure like residential houses, roads, recreational facilities and also for further expansion. Areas with vast land therefore have encouraged urbanisation foristence Mbale municipality, Masaka municipality, Gulu municipality etc.

Some areas have developed into urban centres as a result of the influence of the already existing urban centres. As the population increase in the existing town, it spreads over the surrounding areas and as a result there will be also development of other urban centres that starts with a few shops and some residential houses then later into a major urban centre.e.g. Mukono municipality, Nansana municipality, Nsangi trading centre due to the existence of Kampala city.

Proximity to borders. Some areas that are located at the borders of the country are used as handling points for imports and exports this is also associated with other related businesses that attract many people who intend to benefit from such businesses and as a result these areas have developed into urban centres e.g. Busia, Tororo, and Malaba along Uganda – Kenya border.

The presence of fishing activities in a particular area can also facilitate urbanisation. Areas that are associated with fishing activities like ports and landing sites tent to attract a big population due to the job and business opportunities around such areas and with time some of those areas have developed in urban centres e.g. kasenyi trading centre, Bukakata trading centre around L Victoria and many others.

Improved security also encourages urbanisation. People are always attracted to areas where they feel secure for settlement and business therefore with time such areas that are secure facilitate high urbanisation rates and this partly explains why Kampala city, Jinja municipality,Iganga municipality have developed into major urban centres.

The presence of research and education centres has also facilitated urbanisation in some areas. Areas that have high institutions of learning like colleges, universities and secondary schools attract a big population that seek for those services and as a result other related services crop up like accommodation facilities, supply of electricity, water etc. This is evident in Kampala city, Mbarara municipality and many others.

The influence of improved technology. Areas where there is relatively improved technology are associated with better mechanisms of production thus facilitating things like industrialisation together with innovativeness and these attract many people who Come with different skills thus encouraging urbanisation e.g. Kampala city, Jinja municipality etc.

Availability of skilled labour. The skilled labour helps in building the necessary infrastructure like roads, supply of water and electricity plus managing the urban administrative authorities all these facilitate urbanisation therefore many areas with skilled labour have developed into major urban centres e.g. Mbarara municipality, Mbale municipality etc.

Natural increase in population in some areas, In some areas there are relatively high population growth rates and consequently high population and such areas have also attracted supply of essential services provided by the government e.g. hospitals, electricity, water thus developing into major urban centres e.g. Iganga municipality, Mbale municipality, Jinja municipality etc.

Availability of adequate capital that is used in the construction and establishment of the necessary infrastructure like roads, electricity, water for the urban population. Capital is also important in the day to day running of the urban centre like paying salaries and wages to the workers and many other things therefore areas with adequate capital have developed into urban centres e.g. kabale municipality, Masaka municipality etc.

It should be noted that the growth of towns in Uganda are related to increased population in trading centers which leads to urbanization.

The increase in the population in urban centers has been caused by rural urban migration. R.U.M has been caused by factors such as high population growth rate, decline in agriculture sector, political insecurity, forced marriages, circumcision and mutilation, etc.

Below are some of the cities in Uganda;

Kampala

The capital city is rapidly growing, and it is made up of five boroughs, it has a population of 1,353,189 people.

Gulu

Eighty percent of Gulu’s population are the Acholi people, it has population of146, 858 people.

Lira

Lira is the most important commercial, municipal and administrative center in the Lira District, it has population of119, 323 people.

Mbarara

This city was founded in 1889 on an abandoned royal site. Its population is 97,500 people.

Bwizibwera

Bwizibwera is the capital of Kashari County, it has a population of 79, 157 people.

Mbale

Mbale is home to multiple higher learning institutes and financial institution branches, it has 76,493 people.

Mukono

This is one of the fastest growing cities in Uganda, with a 2002 population of 56,000 increasing to over 160,000 in 2012, it has a population of 67,290 people.

Kasese

Increased tourism has led to rapid growth and development of the largest city in the Rwenzururu region, it has a number of 67,269 people.

Masaka

This town has been destroyed twice – one in 1979 and again in the 1981 – 1986 civil war — and continues to grow, it has 65,373 people.

Functions of towns in Uganda

• Commercial function i.e. towns contain shopping centers which help the people to carryout trade, such towns include Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Tororo, Gulu, Kasese, etc.
• Residential function i.e. most towns have areas which are exclusively gazette for residential purposes like in Kampala National Housing Construction Corporation owns several housing units in places like Bugolobi, Bukoto and Ntinda.
• Administrative function i.e. towns serve as district head quarters, possesses ministerial offices and offices of NGOs. Foristance Kampala, Mbale, Iganga, Jinja, etc.
• Industrial function i.e. towns contains industries foristance Kampala Tororo, Masaka, Mbarara, Jinja, etc. such industries have provided employment opportunities to many Ugandans.
• Educational function i.e. many towns have got educational institutions of schools, colleges and universities. Foristance Kampala has got schools like Mengo S.S, Makerere and Kyambogo universities, etc.
• Transport and communication function i.e. most towns in Uganda contains transport routes and communication networks. Foristance Entebbe has got the international airport, Kampala has headquarters of Uganda Railway Corporation, Taxi parks, MTN, Airtel, etc.
• Cultural functions i.e. most towns in Uganda contain cultural sites of museums, worshiping centers, etc. foristance Kampala city has got Uganda museum, Kasubi tombs, Namirembe and Rubaga cathedrals, Bahai temple, etc.
• Recreational function i.e. towns in Uganda contains recreational facilities in form of theatres, stadiums, halls, etc. Kampala foristance has got Nakivubo and Namboole stadiums where people go for sports, beaches in Entebbe like Lido, Aero, etc.

Effects of urbanization in Uganda

These effects are both positive and majorly negative as explained below.

• There is a problem of inadequate housing facilities in many towns in Uganda, this has led to growth of slums like in Kampala there is Katanga, kamwokya, Kisenyi, etc.
• There is un-employment in many towns in Uganda like in Mbarara and Kasese due to high rates of rural urban migration causing high population densities.
• There is high rate of rural urban migration in Uganda which has resulted into social problems such as alcoholism, prostitution, rapid spread of diseases, poor sanitation, youth moral decay, etc, in Jinja, Kasese and Masaka.
• Shortage of social services such as health and education, water, etc. this is caused by high population in urban areas which later leads to high cost of living like in Tororo, Gulu and Mukono.
• Some urban centers like Kampala experiences floods due to encroachment on swamps and wetlands. Such floods have led to death of people and property destruction like in Bwaise and Karerwe in Kampala.
• There is land, air and water pollution in urban areas caused by garbage, uncontrolled sewerage, industrial and vehicle fumes and wastes. This has caused environmental degradation in Jinja, Kampala and Kasese.
• Urban centers like Kampala and Jinja face a problem of traffic congestion which cause a lot of delays and inconvenience especially during rush hours. This affect business and production as well as administration duties.
• Limited land for expansion which has today led to encroachment on swamps and wetlands thus floods like in Kawara, Namugoona and Bwaise in Kampala.
• Towns like Entebbe, Mukono and Wakiso experiences high costs of living and high crime rate. This is causes by un-employment as a result of rural urban migration.

1. The positive effects of urbanization are the functions of towns as earlier discussed.

Kampala city

This is the largest urban center in Uganda located on several hills of Old Kampala, Namirembe, Rubaga, Naguru, Kololo, Nsambya, Mbuya, Kireka, Makerere, Mulago, Mutungo, Kyambogo, etc.

It is boarded by Lake Victoria and Wakiso district

Functions of Kampala city

• It is an administrative center with many ministerial offices, Uganda’s parliament, international conference centers and NGOs offices, KCCA hall, etc
• Kampala is a commercial center with major central business centers based largely on Nakasero hill and others in Katwe, Kawempe, Nakawa, etc.
• It is a financial center with the Bank of Uganda, stanbic bank, centenary bank, etc. the city has also got several insurance companies like NICO, SWICO, as well as forex beuro.
• Kampala is a residential center with several areas gazette for residential housing development in Bugolobi, Bukoto flats, Muyenga, Nsambya, etc.
• It is an industrial center with several industrial areas like Nakawa, Bugolobi, Kawempe, etc, such industries have attracted many people for jobs.
• Kampala city is an education center with several educational institutions based on nursery schools, primary like Buganda road p/s, secondary schools like Old Kampala SS, colleges like Multec and universities like Makerere University.
• Kampala is a cultural center with Uganda museum in Kamwokya, Kasubi tombs in Mengo, worshiping places of cathedrals of Rubaga and Namirembe, Gadafi Mosque and Bahai temple in Kanyanya.
• Kampala is a transport and communication center with several transport terminals for buses and taxis, URC head quarters, Kololo airstrip, posta Uganda, MTN and Airtel head quarters.
• It is a tourist center with several hotels and lodges which provide excellent accommodation facilities to foreign tourists. Such hotels include Sheraton, Serena, Speke tourist hotel, Africana, etc.
• Kampala city is a recreation center with sports stadiums like Nakivubo, beaches like Ggaba beach, theatres like La Bonita, cinema halls like Cineplex, etc.

Factors which favoured the growth of Kampala city

• The location of Kampala on the shores of Victoria with fertile soils and reliable rainfall which support farming for constant supply of food stuffs to the people in the city.
• Presence of plenty of water supply from L. Victoria to the city for domestic and industrial use which has supported human settlement.
• The relatively flat and gently sloping relief of Kampala favoured the construction of important infrastructure in the city such as roads, health centers, education centers, etc.
• The Baganda factor i.e. Mengo the head quarters of Buganda kingdom influenced the establishment of Kampala as a city by colonial master and this led to its rapid expansion and growth.
• The generation of hydro-electric power from Owen falls dam accelerated the growth of Kampala city. The power has been used in shops, homes, offices and industries.
• The coming and subsequent settlement of Asian Traders (Indians) in Kampala made it to develop very fast. The Indians invested heavily in commercial, residential and industrial ventures.
• Kampala is served by a well developed transport networks. Roads radiate almost in all directions from the center, it possesses a railway network and an airstrip at Kalolo is near to Entebbe international airport.
• The city contains modern hotels and other social facilities which attract many people into it. Such hotels include Sheraton, Equatorial, Africana, stadiums like Nakivubo, theatres like LaBonita, etc.
• Kampala city has got an excellent communication network dominated by MTN, Airtel and Utl, this has eased communication and increased on employment opportunities which attract many people into the city.
• The city is a commercial center, located in a densely populated area and very productive which empower its local people for its growth and development.
• The mobilization of resources both internally and externally after Kampala being made a city led to its growth and development.

Problems facing Kampala city

• There is a problem of slum (ghetto) development in the suburbs of Kampala city in places like Kivulu, Katanga, Katwe, Kisenyi, Namuwongo, Kamwokya, etc. these have social problems like prostitution, poor housing, moral decay, alcoholism, rapid disease spread, etc.
• There is improper garbage disposal which has led to land degradation and poor sanitation in the city. Garbage sometimes causes floods as it blocks water channels, garbage also attract flies, dogs and birds which lead to easy spread of diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
• There is high rate of un-employment by the city dwellers in Kampala city which has resulted into lumpens and pick pocketers on Kampala streets of Ben Kiwanuka, Luwum and in the taxis parks.
• There is inadequate supply of the essential social service and amenities such as health and education services, clean water, housing, etc. this problem emanates from population explosion in the city straining the existing infrastructure.
• There is congestion and traffic jam especially during rush hours, the two taxi parks cannot accommodate the taxis that ply various routes within the city. This cause more traffic jam.
• Currently Kampala city is experiencing corruption by KCCA officials which has resulted into poor planning, uncollected garbage and general un-hygienic conditions.
• The city is experiencing a high rate of rural urban migration from almost all parts of the country especially from the north eastern Uganda. Rural urban migration has aggregated into growth of slums, un-employment, theft, prostitution, etc.
• Due to swamp reclamation areas such as Bwaise, Ndeebe, Natete, Kinawataka, industrial areas experience floods during rainy seasons. This causes loss of lives, property destruction and road network cut-off, disease outbreak like cholera, malaria, etc.
• The cost of living is very high in Kampala i.e. housing, food stuffs, etc, are costly. This has caused insecurity in the city in search for a living.
• Limited space for further city expansion which has made people to encroach on the existing wetlands which in turn lead to environmental degradation and floods.
• The increasing industrial growth in Nakawa, Bugolobi, Kawempe in Kampala has resulted into air pollution. Also dense populations of vehicle in the city pollute the atmospheric air.
• There are street children on many streets and roads of Kampala such as kampala road, Namirembe road, etc. such helpless children have increased on city insecurity.

Solution to the problems facing Kampala city

• Rural urban migration should be controlled through addressing the issue of regional economic imbalance. This can be done through improving on agricultural sector especially in rural areas. Also provision of social services such as education, health, electricity, clean water in rural areas will help to reduce the problem.
• Construction of estates and better housing facilities in areas where slums have grown can help to address this problem; however such estates should be cheaper to accommodate low income earners.
• The government has encouraged the growth of industries in the city, it has also persuaded foreign investors like MTN, Airtel, Shoprite, Stanbic to bring in capital so as to create more employment opportunities for the city dwellers.
• The construction of the northern-by-pass and widening and rehabilitating of roads, the use of fly-overs like at Katwe and Nakawa is aimed at reducing on traffic jam and congestion.
• The KCCA is today encouraging vertical expansion of the city rather than horizontal to get more space for further expansion.
• There is widening of Nakivubo channel to accommodate more water when it rains and also protecting wetlands in Bugolobi and Namuwongo to overcome floods.
• There is strengthening of the police and use of special police constables to curb down theft, robbery and other crimes within the city.

1. NB. Students should make research on Jinja Municipality.

Effects of Urbanization

Positive effects of urbanization

Urbanization yields several positive effects if it happens within the appropriate limits. Some of the positive implications of urbanization, therefore, include creation of employment opportunities, technological and infrastructural advancements, improved transportation and communication, quality educational and medical facilities, and improved standards of living. However, extensive urbanization mostly results in adverse effects. Below listed points are few of them.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH URBANISATION

1. High rates of unemployment which is basically caused by the high increase in population in the urban areas which does not much with the rate of job creation thus rendering many urban dwellers unemployed. This is evident in Kampala city, Arua municipality and many others.
2. High rates of crimes foristence pick pocketing, theft, drug sale and abuse etc. These are mainly caused by the problem of unemployment where by people don’t have sources of income yet they have to meet the costs of living therefore they try to look for alternative means of survival in the urban centres. This is evident in Gulu municipality, Lira municipality etc.
3. There is also a problem of inadequate provision of social services like health care, supply of electricity and water, collection of garbage. This is because of the high pressure mounted by the high population concentrations in these urban centres yet the government can not meet the demands due to limited resources.e.g. Masaka municipality, Kamuli municipality etc.
4. Shortage of accommodation facilities which is as a result of high population and people remaining poor due to unemployment. Therefore they can not afford to build or buy houses for better accommodation thus resorting to crowded slum areas that are associated with many social and health problems e.g. Katanga and kasenyi areas in Kampala city. Kasokoso in Iganga municipality.
5. There is also a problem of traffic congestion especially during the rush hours when people are either going to their work places in the morning or when they are returning home in the evenings. This causes delays in transportation and delivery of goods and services e.g. in Kampala city, Mukono municipality etc.
6. Pollution of air, water and land. This basically caused by the poor disposal and emission of industrial wastes since urban centres tend to have high concentrations of industries but also the pollution is caused by poor disposal garbage by the high population. This has posed health risks but also environmental degradation e.g. Jinja and Mbarara municipalities.
7. High costs of living in urban centres and this is caused by the expensive costs of goods and services like food stuffs, clothes, health and education due to high demand by the big urban population but the poor people in these areas can afford such costs. This is evident in Kampala city, Mbarara municipality etc.
8. Shortage of land for expansion. As towns grow geographically, there has been limited land for further expansion and as a result the near by marginal lands like wetlands and forests have been enchroached upon for settlement, infrastructural development and industrial establishment however this has resulted into environmental degradation.e.g. Bwaise, Bugolobi areas in Kampala city where wetlands have been reclaimed.
9. High government expenditure due to the fact that the government has to provide the essential social services and facilities to the urban population in form of health care, supply of water and electricity, roads etc.e.g in Mityana municipality, fort portal municipality etc.
10. There is also problem of poor urban management associated with corruption yet many people come to towns from different places with different backgrounds and behaviours therefore controlling them become difficult. This has been worsened by the political differences, tribal and cultural differences plus income inequalities emanating into urban violence in urban centres like Kampala city, Jinja and Gulu municipalities.
11. There is also a problem of shortage of food stuffs in urban centres and thus is because of the high population in these areas yet most of them are not involved in food production yet they have to feed. This is worsened also worsened by the high cost of living rendering many poor urban dwellers go hungry.
12. The growth and development of urban centres has resulted into displacement of people. People are always displaced to give way for the establishment urban developments inform of building roads, industrial parks, recreations grounds and many people. This in turn has caused loss of property and inconveniences e.g. in Mbale municipality, Kampala city etc.
13. Poor sanitation in the urban areas and this is basically due to poor management of industrial and human wastes. Many urban centres have failed to manage the disposal of wastes leading to poor sanitation and hygiene posing health risks to the people staying in those areas. This is common in Kampala city, Gulu municipality, Mbale municipality were people get diseases like cholera, dysentery due to poor hygiene.
14. There is also a problem of rapid spread of diseases especially air and water borne diseases in the urban areas. This is mainly caused by human congestions due to high population concentrations in these areas and also contamination of water sources due to poor disposal of wastes. This has resulted into loss of lives in towns like Kampala city, Masaka municipality etc.
15. There is also a problem of poverty to many urban dwellers and this is because many people especially the youths migrate to urban centres in anticipation of getting better paying jobs but because of the high number of people looking for the same jobs, many remain jobless with no source of income and together with the high costs of living they become even poorer. This seen in the slum areas of Bwaise, kisenyi in Kampala city.

Solutions of Urbanization problems

Building sustainable and environmentally friendly cities

The government should pass laws that plan and provide environmentally sound cities and smart growth techniques, considering that people should not reside in unsafe and polluted areas. The objective here is to build sustainable cities that embrace improved environmental conditions and safe habitats for all urban populations. The government should also encourage sustainable use of urban resources and support an economy based on sustainable environment such as investment in green infrastructure, sustainable industries, recycling and environmental campaigns, pollution management, renewable energy, green public transportation, and water recycling and reclamation.

Provision of essential services

Urban stakeholders must ensure all populations within the urban areas have access to adequate essential social services namely education, health, sanitation and clean water, technology, electricity, and food. The objective here is to provide and implement employment opportunities and wealth creation activities so that people can earn a living to pay for the maintenance of the services. Subsidies can also be availed by the government to lower the costs of basic healthcare, basic education, energy, education, public transportation, communication systems and technology.

Creation of more jobs

To lessen the negative effects of rapid urbanization while at the same time conserving natural ecosystems, private investments should be encouraged so as to utilize natural resources and create more job opportunities. Tourism promotion and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources can create more jobs for urban populations. Subsidies and grants may as well be provided to foreign and private investment in environmentally friendly development projects that encourage job creation.

Population control

Key stakeholders in urban areas must provide campaigns and counselling for effective medical health clinics and family planning to help reduce the high rates of population growth. Medical health clinics oriented towards family planning options must be made accessible across the entire urban area with the objective of controlling diseases and population growth.