The effect of floods on the welfare of households in Uganda: a case study of Kilembe in Kasese District Western Region

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the socio-economic and demographic factors associated with the impact of floods on household welfare, focusing on Kilembe sub-county households in Kasese municipality, western Uganda. The research assessed households' perceptions of the severity of flood effects on their welfare based on their daily life experiences. Several objectives were addressed to determine the social, economic, and demographic factors linked to flood-related impacts on household welfare. The primary data for this study were collected through random household selection, and statistical analysis, including chi-square tests and p-values, was employed to evaluate the association between demographic and socio-economic factors and the impact of floods on household welfare, with a significance level set at 95% (p < 0.05 for null hypothesis acceptance, p > 0.05 for rejection). The findings revealed a significant relationship between flood effects and household average monthly earnings in Kilembe (p = 0.019 < 0.05), particularly affecting households earning between 100,001 and 500,000 Ugandan Shillings. Furthermore, there was a significant association between flood effects and the education level of households in Kilembe sub county (p = 0.032 < 0.05), with households lacking formal education being the most affected (84%). In conclusion, the majority of households (77%) Agreed with the notion that they had been affected by floods. The study demonstrated that flood effects influenced household average monthly earnings and education levels in Kilembe. Unpredictable flood impacts led to reduced meal intake, shorter residency periods in Kilembe, and hindered educational prospects for households (p < 0.05 for both education and average monthly earnings). Based on these findings, the following recommendations are made: Implement advanced early warning systems, incorporating weather forecasting technology and efficient communication channels to alert residents about impending floods, thereby reducing their impact on households.