| dc.description.abstract | This study was to establish Uganda’s compliance with the Millennium Development Goal of Ensuring Environmental Sustainability as one of the MDGs. This study was carried out in Wakiso District. The study was guided by the following research themes: - the natural resources, resource exploitation method, sustainability and conservation practices and lastly, to find out the linkage between decentralization and environmental management.
Using a sample frame of (100) participants from Katabi, Kasanje, Nsangi, Namayumba, Busukuma, Ssisa, Kajjansi, Gombe, Nangabo, Nabweru, Kakiri, Masulita, Kasenyi, Bujjuko, Nkumba and Entebbe municipality in Wakiso district, an average of 10 respondents were selected from each of the villages that comprise Wakiso district, they were served with questionnaires and some were interviewed. The participants were selected using a multi stage random sampling; samples were selected from the District natural resources office (one respondent), district production offices is made up of; the population office, fish office and the water office (three respondents) the village local authorities from Local council one , two, three, four and five (five respondents)and lastly the village local communities comprising of farmers, security officials retired civil servants, students, fish mongers, shop attendants, mechanics, technicians and charcoal sellers .
A descriptive research design was adopted during the compilation, tabulation and analysis of data to come up with a right conclusion about the prevailing conditions. This is a scientific method which involves observing and describing the behavior of a subject without influencing it in any way.
The design gives researchers the ability to look at the various variables under studying in so many various aspects and can provide a bigger overview as opposed to other forms of research. The three main purposes of this research design are to describe, explain, and validate findings. Description emerges following creative exploration, and serves to organize the findings in order to fit them with explanations, and then test or validate those explanations. Descriptive research design employs methods of analyzing correlations between multiple variables by using tests such as Pearson's Product Moment correlation, regression, or multiple regression analysis.
The description often illuminates knowledge that we might not otherwise notice or even encounter. Several important scientific discoveries as well as anthropological information about events outside of our common experiences have resulted from making such descriptions. For example, astronomers use their telescopes to develop descriptions of different parts of the universe; anthropologists describe life events of socially typical situations or cultures uniquely different from our own.
The findings revealed that there was a positive significant relationship between the study variables of; decentralization and sustainable development. The central government allocates environmental conservation and sustainable development resources to the district local authorities in form of technical and financial resources. Resource exploitation methods and the location of natural resources, the natural resources in urban areas are well monitored whereas those in rural areas are vulnerable to abuse. Wakiso is therefore on course to meet the set targets of the 7th MDG by the year 2015 as one of the MDGs.
It is therefore recommended that state of the districts environmental reports be encouraged. The district should report bi-annual about the status of the forest cover and wetlands so that trends detected can be effectively managed.
More research should be encouraged in environmental conservation and sustainable development. Concerted efforts should put all stake holders such as:- property developers, farmers, NFA, NEMA, civil society organization to focus research on fast growing trees, quick maturing trees, draught resistant and disease trees.
Energy saving technology needs emphasis; Wakiso residents need to be encouraged to continue using the charcoal saving stoves, electricity saving bulbs and appliances, use biogas and solar power to complement the hydroelectric power.
Increase information flow and awareness about the MDGs, their targets and the government should play a big role in this effort. Information flow in the media such as: - radios, newspapers and television talk shows. Seminars, workshops, brochures, flyers and charts about unsustainable and sustainable practices can complement the above Medias.
The central government should increase funding towards environmental and sustainable developments initiatives to the districts. The initiatives include: - buying and planting of seeds so that seedlings are freely distributed to schools and to the local communities. Reward persons in the communities who exhibit good practices in environmental conservation and sustainable development. Facilitate the transportation of the district environment officers to reach out to the various village communities | en_US |
