Effects of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns on communities around Jinja district, Uganda.

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns on communities in selected areas of Lake Victoria Basin around Jinja. It was conducted following unsteady temperature and rainfall patterns with unexplained effects and thus no appropriate responses. The specific objectives of study were; to identify factors behind the changes in temperature and patterns of rainfall, to establish implications of the changes in temperature and rainfall patterns on communities, to establish land use patterns that can help to harmonize observed changes in temperature and rainfall patterns and to suggest measures that can be adopted to respond to the effect of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. A cross sectional survey design was adopted for this study with the aim of collecting data from a sample of 346 respondents in three months. Data was entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and results generated automatically. It was established that changes in temperature and patterns of rainfall was largely natural and man’s activity mainly burning of fossil fuels in agricultural areas. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are associated with drought and floods which result in loss of life and influence growth of crops. The communities around Lake Victoria basin who are victims of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are advised to plant more trees, desist from depositing industrial waste in water and to seek more information about climate change and the associated impacts. It was therefore recommended that communication be made on a wide scale to inform communities about the effect of climate change to minimize the effects, there is need for investing in new infrastructure, or radically upgrading existing highways and transmission lines, would help cut greenhouse gas emissions and drive economic growth in developing countries. Finally, but not the least, community should be sensitized against cutting down trees and balancing the amount of wood taken out with the amount of new trees growing.