Contribution of Kitagata hot spring to community development in Sheema district

Abstract

This study examined the contribution of Kitagata hot springs to community development in Sheema District, the study found out that Kitagata hot spring had a spiral benefit towards the communities around the hot spring. This was supported by 29% of respondents out of the total responses on all importance when multiple responses were used. It was also found out that agricultural tourism developed around the community was ranked high among all development made around the hot spring. Out of the 31 respondents who ranked agricultural tourism high, 54.8% were from Sheema district while only 3.2% from Mbarara district which means that people from Sheema benefited a lot from the agricultural tourism around Kitagata hot spring. It was found out that insecurity was the major challenge faced by the local communities around Kitagata hot spring. 47.9% who said insecurity, majority of the respondents who answered this were from Sheema district. Insecurity further affects females compared to males and this is shown by the findings which indicate that 64.7% of the respondents that answered this question were females. It was concluded that Kitagata hot spring has a spiral benefit which contributes to the community living around the hot spring. It was also concluded that the hot spring adds value through other potentials which are developed around Kitagata hot spring that increase benefits to the community and its people. This is mainly felt by most people from Sheema district have seen the value added to their communities through the development of agricultural tourism. It further concluded that insecurity proved to be the greatest challenge faced by the community living around Kitagata hot spring.