The Uganda Atlas

Kampala City (2005)

Kampala City (2007). Inset: Kampala City (2007)

Kampala’s Changing Environment Uganda is experiencing rapid urbanization estimated at an annual population growth rate of 5.5%. Kampala has remained the capital city since 1969 with equally a high annual population growth rate of 5.61%. With this growth rate, Kampala absorbs 40% of the national urban population and 4.9% of the national population (UBOS, 2002). Kampala has also experienced an increase in population, from 774,241 in 1991 to 1.2 million in 2002 (UBOS 2002). The population figures reflect the night populations but the estimates show that these numbers double during the day, as many people travel to the City for work and business and return to their homes outside the City at the end of the day. The population increase in Kampala metropolitan area is responsible for increased demand for employment, land for housing, social services

Lake Bisina during floods May 18 2007 The Kampala suburbs are also experiencing rapid urbanization leading to development of satellite towns around the City. Their activities have a strong linkage with those in the City, which results in additional pressure on the City resources. Current trends indicate that these satellite towns may be merged into the present Kampala to form the Metropolitan Kampala. Towns likely to be absorbed include Mukono, Entebbe, Wakiso, Kira, Namungoona, Bweyogere, Kyengera, etc. This development will act as a catalyst to additional and infrastructure that have stimulated spatial urban development and industrialization, leading to rapid environmental changes.

dynamics of environmental change of the City, particularly in these outer satellite towns.

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