Socio-economic effects of landslides in Bududa district, mount Elgon region

Abstract

The study assessed the socio-economic effects of landslides in Bududa district, Eastern Uganda. The study used a cross-sectional survey design, with a quantitative approach. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select the 400 survey respondents from eight parishes and 16 villages in two sub counties including; Buwali and Bukalasi. A questionnaire programmed into Epicollect 5 and installed on phone tablets was used to collect data from 400 households. Data were analyzed using Stata/MP 17. A descriptive analysis was used to analyze the household socio-economic perceptions about the effects of landslides. A multiple linear regression model was employed to examine the effects of landslides on household subjective wellbeing and household wealth, and a probit regression model was used to determine the probability of adopting the structural landslide risk reduction measures. Findings show that landslides are a major concern for communities, especially during the rainy season, due to their high severity and frequency. The results indicate that landslides are perceived to have considerable socioeconomic effects, particularly on the farming dependent households. Despite these effects, the majority of the affected households tend to relocate temporarily without taking proactive measures whenever landslides occur. However, the study reveals a greater likelihood of adopting structural landslide risk reduction measures among more educated households, indicating the importance of awareness and education in enhancing community resilience. To address the impacts of landslides, it is recommended that policymakers prioritize community education and awareness campaigns to encourage proactive risk reduction, particularly in vulnerable and low-literacy populations. Structural mitigation measures such as terracing and improved drainage should be supported through technical and financial assistance, especially for low-income households. Finally, recognizing the role of education in fostering resilience, disaster risk education should be incorporated into both formal and informal learning programs.