The population of Uganda is growing at an estimated rate of about 3.6% annually. The rate of population growth in the capital city - Kampala is 5.1%!!Over the last 50 years, Kampala has been growing at a much faster rate than the national growth rate. The city which was designed in colonial times for about 500,000 people now occupies more than 6 times that estimate.
Dynamics:
Year Population Growth Rate (%) National growth Rate (%)
1969 330,700
1980 458,503 3.14 2.71
1991 774,241 4.76 2.52
2002 1,208,544 4.1 3.4
1969-2002(overall) 3.8 2.87
Source: UN Habitat 2004
Of the 3.23 million people living in the city, 49-63% live in the slums. Below are some pictures that illustrate the dire conditions that exist in the heart of this growing city.
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| Drainage channel besides slum houses in Katanga, Kampala. The inhabitants of these slums tend to dump waste in these channels with resulting blockages and occasional flooding of the areas especially with heavy rains increasing susceptibility to water borne diseases.
As expected, there is inadequate access to appropriate water and sanitation, health issues worsened by the overcrowding, and other economic disadvantages such as inadequate access to education and health services.
This video by Aljazeera, illustrated quite clearly the growing inequalities.http://www.aljazeera.com/video/africa/2013/03/2013314205949686768.html. Unfortunately, the benefits of urbanisation tend to be 'enjoyed' by those of better socio-economic status.
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