Abstract
Abstract An assessment of the socio-economic implications of landslide occurrence in the Kigezi highlands of South Western Uganda was conducted. Landslide occurrence is on the increase and threatens community livelihoods in these highlands. Detailed field investigations were undertaken with the help of local communities between June 2018 and May 2020 to identify and map recent and visible landslide scars in Rukiga uplands of Kigezi highlands. In the course of field inventories, 85 visible landslide scars were identified and mapped using handheld GPS receivers to produce a landslide distribution map for the study area. A socio-economic analysis was conducted to establish the effects of landslide damage on people’s livelihoods as well as their existing coping and adaptation mechanisms. The assessment was administered through field observations and surveying, focus group discussions, key informants and household interviews as well as the use of Local Government Environmental Reports. The study established an increase in the spatial-temporal distribution of landslides over the Kigezi highlands in the past 40 years. The landslides have resulted in a reduction in the quality of land, loss of lives, destruction of transport infrastructures, settlements, farmlands, crops and other socio-economic infrastructures. Therefore, it is important to look for reliable and sustainable measures to prevent landslide hazards. Total landscape reforestation with deep-rooted trees can possibly reduce the landslide risk. It is also important to undertake policy implementation for preparedness and mitigation plans against landslides in this region and in the country at large. Proper soil and water conservation measures could help in enhancing soil strength against landslide hazards.
Highlights
Landslides are global environmental hazards that cause social and economic disruptions especially in mountainous and highland areas of humid regions (BROOTHAERTS ET AL., 2012; KIRSCHBAUM & ZHOU, 2015)
An assessment of the socio-economic implications of landslide occurrence in the Kigezi highlands of South Western Uganda was conducted
The Kigezi highlands in South Western Uganda are Miscellaneous alluvia of sands and clay occupy comparable to other mountainous and highland many drowned water courses in the highlands, regions in tropical Africa where landslides are the texture of which depends on the rock in the common disasters (BAGOORA, 1988; NEMA, 2016). area (NEMA, 2018)
Summary
Landslides are global environmental hazards that cause social and economic disruptions especially in mountainous and highland areas of humid regions (BROOTHAERTS ET AL., 2012; KIRSCHBAUM & ZHOU, 2015). The Kigezi highlands in South Western Uganda are Miscellaneous alluvia of sands and clay occupy comparable to other mountainous and highland many drowned water courses in the highlands, regions in tropical Africa where landslides are the texture of which depends on the rock in the common disasters (BAGOORA, 1988; NEMA, 2016). Landslides have caused anxiety and made the The study area comprises numerous highland sustainability of livelihoods in this fragile ecosystem streams which drain valleys incised in the ridges difficult (NEMA, 2018). Several people in these and hills (NEMA, 2014). Analysis of the landslide scar dimensions was established by way of measuring key features including average width, depth and overall length from top to bottom using a tape measure
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