Assessing the adaptive capacity of Households to Water scarcity during drought in Kasali Sub-county, Kyotera District, Uganda

Abstract

Approximately 4 billion individuals globally are experiencing water scarcity due to drought. In Uganda about 10% of the population per year experience water scarcity due to drought especially in the south and north-eastern parts of the country. Studies on water scarcity due to drought are required to understand the existing situation in order to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies. The objective of this study is to assess drought and the adaptive capacity of households to water scarcity during drought in Kasali sub-county (SW Uganda). This was done through determining drought trends in a 30-year period (1987-2017), assessing the impact of drought on water availability, determining the adaptation strategies of households to water scarcity and assessing the indicators of adaptive capacity of households to water scarcity. Data on the impact of drought on water availability, adaptation strategies and indicators of adaptive capacity (social resource, infrastructure and institution, financial and economic resource, knowledge and information and technology and innovation) of households to water scarcity was collected using 195 household surveys, two key informant interviews and three focus group discussions. Annual and seasonal (MAM, JJA, SOND and JF) temperature and rainfall components were analysed using regression analysis. Drought values per year were assessed using Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) values calculated using Drought index Calculator (DrinC). The climate results for 1987-2017 show a decrease in the average annual rainfall, MAM and JF seasons, while SOND and JJA seasons show an increase in rainfall trend. Additionally, the average maximum and minimum temperature for annual, MAM, JJA, SOND and JF seasons increased and the increase was statistically significant. Average minimum and maximum temperature increased at a rate of 0.04oC and 0.02oC per year respectively. Kasali experienced one extremely dry year and four moderately dry years based on RDI. SPI values show that, 1991-1992 was an extremely dry year, 1988-1989 was a severely dry year and 1999-2000, 2008-2009, 2016-2017 were moderately dry years. Households have few adaptation strategies to water scarcity and their adaptive capacity is moderate. Majority of households in Kasali spend longer time while collecting water in dry years than in wet years. This means that drought has caused a negative impact on water availability in this region. Kyango-Bigavu and Nkenge have a moderate adaptive capacity where are Lwengwe, Kisubi, Kyampigi and Luti has a low adaptive capacity. Kasali generally has a low adaptive capacity. The study recommends provision of early warning information, more water points and adaptation strategies to the households.