The challenges of planning for and managing excess storm water in Mankindyessabagabo municipality: A case study of Kalidubi zone.

Abstract

The continuation of excess storm water management challenges in Kalidubi zone is due to existing poor strategies coupled with increased encroachment on the flood zone. This study is therefore aimed at identifying ways through which excess storm water management has challenged people staying in and carrying out business within wetlands and identify ways through which flooding can be reduced for a lively and sustainable neighborhood. The study is wrapped up into three objectives of mapping out the encroached area, identifying the different methods used to manage excess storm water and finally suggesting recommendations for effective excess storm water management in Kalidubi zone located in Masajja division in Makindye Ssabagabo municipal council. The exercise of data collection involved empirical means like questionnaires and interviews to obtain primary data. Maps, photographs and the use of existing literatures were used to extract secondary data. The verdicts of the research indicated that excess storm water challenges experienced in the residential area (flooding in particular) are partly due to lack of enforcement of the existing environmental regulations. Other findings revealed that Makindye Ssabagabo is faced with organizational problems like inadequate financial resources, institutional incapacity, and lack of committed leaders. Exceedingly there is also lack of a municipal master plan to portray areas that are gazetted under environmental protection. Subsequently, the study also exposed that despite numerous challenges experienced, various stakeholders are willing to get involved in the fight for excess storm water challenges both at national level and local level within Kalidubi and even beyond. The study was conducted through the use of an interactive analysis combined with prodigious stakeholder involvement to bridge the knowledge gap regarding flooding and how it relates to wetland encroachment in order to ultimately reduce the hazard in the country. At the end of the report, recommendations were lodged on the sustainable physical planning approaches that could be utilized to overcome the adverse consequences of excess storm water.