Community participation in mitigating water pollution along Ggaba Landing Site, Kampala City

Abstract

Ggaba Landing site is located on the Northern shores of Lake Victoria, in Kampala city. It is among the major landing sites in Uganda and has many people engaged in various livelihood activities. In pursuit of these livelihoods, people exert pressure on the water resource in terms of use due to rapid population growth and urbanization leading to uncontrolled dumping of waste, excessive use of water, thus leading to water pollution at the landing site. This study aimed at community participation towards the mitigation of water pollution at the landing site. The study drew a sample of 254 respondents using a stratified random sampling procedure. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected, using survey while qualitative data were collected using KIIs, FGDs, documentation, and observation. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS whereas qualitative data was analyzed using thematic approach. The findings revealed that respondents at Ggaba landing site are knowledgeable about water pollution however they are influenced by their mindset, the unreliable funding, conflicts among the different stake holders and many others. In order to mitigate water pollution, the different stakeholders need to work in synergy, as community participation can contribute greatly to the effectiveness and efficiency of water pollution intervention. Participation ought to be inclusive for the local community members. The government should sustain the sensitization efforts on recycling as it has been stated to provide one of the most rational economic and ecological alternatives for solid waste disposal. It is important that water pollution mitigation content, programs, and courses be ingrained in the school curricula in Uganda. The study recommends that the government of Uganda through NEMA and the Police should work together and strictly implement these available laws and policies to protect ecosystems, alongside intensive sensitization of people about the ecological and social values of water bodies.