Calls to integrate needs of ghetto communities in KCCA plans

With increased wetland encroachment in mind, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has been urged to adopt climate change plans that integrate the needs of especially ghetto communities.

“The people in the ghetto communities are too poor to afford some of the adaptation strategies like construction of resilient urban infrastructure," said Miria Balungi, the advocacy manager at Network for Active Citizens (NAC), a development organization that works with youth citizens.

Balungi said improved road networks and drainage systems, clean water points as well as basic latrines are beyond the reach of most ghetto inhabitants.

She said these communities are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts due to their limited adaptive capacity.

NAC says it has reached out to over 500 youths in the ghettos communities of Kinawataka, Kitintale, Kyebando, Kamwanyi, Kirombe, Kunya and other such areas.

Most of them are located in wetland areas.

Women celebrating during the Nakawa Division International Women’s Day celebrations at KCCA offices in Naguru.

To mitigate climate change risks as a result of the pressure that such settlements exert on the fragile environment, Balungi said KCCA should adopt strategies to build resilient communities. 

“KCCA should consider the integration of ghetto communities and their specific climate actions in the updated climate change strategy for Kampala and strategic plan. 

"Additionally, the roles and responsibilities of the young people in its implementation should be well defined," she said on Thursday during the Nakawa division International Women’s Day celebrations held at the KCCA offices in Naguru.

The belated celebrations were held under the theme: 'Count her in: Accelerating gender equality through economic empowerment'.

Green initiatives

During the celebrations, women leaders, vendors, and residents shared significant challenges faced by women in the Nakawa division, including the path of economic empowerment, the burden of unpaid care work, gender pay gaps, and limited access to education and skills training.

NAC's Hope Mutesi presented a paper on the position of young people’s requests on climate change action.

She said KCCA should enhance the financial and technical support towards green initiatives.

“Young people should be supported to carry out green initiatives such as urban farming, charcoal briquette making, garbage collection, and recycling initiatives for proper waste management. 

"This should be done through financial and technical support towards training and procurement of relevant equipment for use in undertaking green initiatives."

'Agents of change'

Mutesi said the objective of the paper is to highlight climate vulnerability issues in targeted ghetto communities of Kampala as a basis for subsequent vigorous and evidence-based advocacy engagements, with specific advocacy requests in providing climate change solutions for consideration in KCCA development plans.

"As we celebrate this day, women need to realize that we are not the victims in anything that is happening regardless of the challenges we are faced with. Instead, we are the powerful agents of change we want to see in our communities," she said.

“Let us commit towards working where women are not only resilient in the cause of climate change, but also at the forefront of building sustainable communities."

Flavia Otim, the chairperson of Platform for Vendors in Uganda, requested KCCA to pass the Street Trade Ordinance of 2019 to improve the working conditions of street vendors, especially women.

“We have witnessed how vendors suffer from arrests by KCCA. Some women vendors have not only lost their limbs as they are trying to run away but they have also lost their goods,” she said.

'Delay is not denial'

During the celebrations, the chairperson of the Mothers Union, Beatrice Muwanguzi, commended President Yoweri Museveni, for not only empowering women but also giving them an opportunity to serve in big political positions, which in the past were dominated by men.

On the issue of women who are suffering in relationships, Muwanguzi advised them to always use prayer as a shield to protect their marriages.

“When you pray and what you have prayed for does not happen immediately, delay is not denial. But pray, have faith, and be patient. At the right time, God will give you what you have prayed for," she tippped.