Impact of climate variability on water resource conflicts in Kivu village, Wakiso district.

Abstract

Climate variability has a great impact on the rising water resource conflicts. Key factors in the study were climate variability and water resource conflicts. The study aimed at identifying the impacts of climate variability on water resource conflicts in Kivu village, Wakiso District. The study used both primary data from a questionnaire to 140 respondents and secondary data on rainfall and temperature to handle the stated objectives. The results showed that there was a positive significant trend of 0.1096 in annual rainfall in the study area. Temperatures also showed positive significant trend of 0.3134 in the same period. Results from the questionnaire showed that 80% of the people in this area moved more than a kilometer looking for water which in turn converged on one water source available thus causing conflicts among people. 62% of the respondents stated that water resource conflicts usually occur in dry seasons. Reduced water quality, reduced amount of water available for use were one of the most common impacts of climate variability on water resources with a very high effect. The study recommends that measures that are cost-effective, efficient and coherent should be promoted to control the impacts of climate variability. This would include introduction of community tanks where can water can be pumped and ensure each and everyone’s access to water source, deploying officials to ensure peace among people in communities.