1.
Definition of Rural-Urban Drift
Definition: Rural-urban drift, also known as urbanization, is the movement of
people from rural (countryside) areas to urban (city) areas. This phenomenon
occurs as individuals or families seek better opportunities, such as jobs,
education, healthcare, and improved living conditions.
Context in Uganda: In Uganda, this trend is evident as rural areas often lack
basic services like clean water, electricity, and good schools, while cities
offer more opportunities. For example, the urban population grew from 2.9
million in 2002 to 10.784 million in 2019, with projections to triple in the next
two decades, aiming for 60% urbanization by 2040
2. Factors Responsible for Rural-Urban Drift
Rural-urban drift is driven by push factors (reasons to leave rural areas) and
pull factors (reasons to move to urban areas), as outlined below:
Push Factors (Why people leave rural areas):
Lack of employment opportunities: Few jobs available in rural areas,
pushing people to seek work elsewhere.
Poor infrastructure: Bad roads, no electricity, and limited access to clean
water make rural life challenging.
Limited education and healthcare: Few schools and hospitals, making it
hard for families to access education and medical care.
Environmental changes: Issues like droughts, floods, and lack of
productive land force people to move.
High population pressure: Too many people competing for limited land,
leading to land shortages.
Political insecurity: Conflicts, wars, or rebel activities in rural areas, such
as cattle raids, make living unsafe.
Social-cultural issues: Practices like witchcraft, forced marriages, or
female genital mutilation push some to seek refuge in cities.
Pull Factors (Why people move to urban areas):
Better job opportunities: Cities offer more jobs, especially in industries
and services.
Higher wages: Urban jobs often pay more, attracting people seeking better
income.
Availability of social amenities: Access to clean water, electricity,
schools, hospitals, and recreational facilities like parks.
Better educational and healthcare facilities: Cities have better schools
(e.g., Makerere University in Kampala) and hospitals, improving quality of
life.
Urban lifestyle: Entertainment, shopping malls, and modern amenities draw
people to urban centres
3. Structures of Urban Areas in Uganda
Urban areas in Uganda, especially Kampala, have specific structures shaped
by geography, history, and planning policies, as detailed below:
Geographical Features:
Kampala, the capital, is built on seven hills: Old Kampala, Mengo Hill, Kibuli
Hill, Namirembe Hill, Lubaga Hill, Nsambya Hill, and Nakasero Hill. These hills
are key landmarks and influence the city’s layout.
The city also includes swamps and rivers, such as Kinawataka (1.5 km², flows
into Lake Victoria), Nakivubo (5.29 km², 9 km length), Lubigi (2.85 km²),
Kansanga, and Kyetinda, which affect drainage and land use
Administrative Divisions:
Kampala is divided into five divisions: Kampala Central, Kawempe, Makindye,
Nakawa, and Rubaga, each with its own local governance.
Other urban areas, like Gulu, Jinja, and Mbarara, also have administrative
structures, with recent approvals in 2019 for regional cities like Arua and Fort
Portal, effective from 2020
Land Use and Planning:
Urban areas are planned to be sustainable, spatially integrated, and orderly,
with adequate services like water, sanitation, and transportation, as per the
National Urban Policy 2017.
Urban Agriculture:
About 30% of Kampala’s inhabitants practice urban agriculture, with 13
hectares donated in Kyanja, Nakawa Division, for promotion
Economic Zones:
The Kampala Business and Industrial Park in Namanve, Mukono District (14
km east of CBD), is being developed to relocate heavy industries, reducing
pollution in the city center.
4. Functions of Urban Centers
Urban centers in Uganda, like Kampala, serve multiple functions, essential
for economic and social activities:
Administrative: Host government offices and local governance, such as city
councils.
Commercial: Include markets, shops, and businesses, serving as economic
hubs (e.g., Kampala’s markets like Owino).
Industrial: Contain factories and manufacturing units, like the Industrial
Area in Kampala.
Cultural: Feature museums, theaters, and cultural centers, preserving and
promoting heritage.
Educational: Home to schools and universities, such as Makerere University,
providing education to urban and rural students.
Residential: Provide housing for residents, ranging from formal apartments
to informal settlements.
Transportation: Act as hubs for transport networks, including buses, boda-
bodas, and planned rail systems (e.g., light rail planned for Kampala in
2014).
Health: Host hospitals and clinics, offering medical services (e.g., Mulago
Hospital in Kampala)
Recreational: Include parks and sports facilities, like those in Nakawa
Division, for leisure and community activities.
5. Problems Related to Rapid Urbanization
Rapid urbanization in Uganda, especially in cities like Kampala, has led to
several challenges, as outlined below:
Unplanned growth: Cities expand without proper planning, leading to
chaotic development and overcrowding.
Slums and informal settlements: Many people live in poorly built homes
without basic services, with over 150,000 people benefiting from slum
upgrading in 26 upgraded slums
Poor sanitation: Lack of proper toilets and waste management, with issues
like silted channels causing flooding during rainy seasons.
Inadequate infrastructure: Not enough water, electricity, or roads,
straining urban services.
High unemployment: Many migrate to cities but struggle to find jobs, with
the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area facing unemployment challenges
Environmental issues: Pollution, deforestation, and loss of green spaces,
with urban catchment management needed to reduce degradation
Traffic congestion: Overcrowded cities with too many vehicles and boda-
bodas, especially in Kampala, leading to traffic jams.
Crime: Higher population density can increase crime rates, posing safety
concerns.
Strain on services: Schools, hospitals, and other public services are
overwhelmed, with examples like Mulago Hospital facing capacity issues.
6. Solutions to the Problems of Big Cities
To address these challenges, Uganda can implement the following solutions,
as suggested by urban development policies and practices:
Better urban planning: Create and follow detailed plans for sustainable
city growth, aligning with the National Urban Policy 2017 and National
Physical Development Plan 2018-2040
Infrastructure investment: Build more roads, water systems, and
sanitation facilities to meet urban needs, with projects like the Lake Victoria
Region Water and Sanitation Initiative benefiting 200,000 people by 2017
Affordable housing: Provide low-cost homes to reduce slums, with
initiatives improving tenure security for 181,604 households from 120
informal settlements
Slum upgrading: Improve existing slums with better services and
infrastructure, as seen in the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme Phase
II (2008–2015) in Mbale, Kitgum, and Mbarara
Job creation: Encourage industries and businesses to create more jobs,
such as relocating heavy industries to Namanve Industrial Park
Environmental protection: Plant trees, create parks, and reduce pollution,
with urban catchment management to ensure sustainability
Stronger governance: Improve local government to manage cities better,
with ministries like Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs overseeing
development
Public-private partnerships: Work with businesses to fund and build urban
projects, enhancing resource availability.
Community involvement: Let local people help plan and decide on city
development, fostering inclusive growth.
Land use regulations: Enforce rules on where buildings can be
constructed, ensuring orderly development.
Green spaces: Design cities with parks and gardens for better living,
promoting health and recreation.
