Uganda Field Trip for the SCARE project
These photos were taken during a field trip, as part of the SCARE project, by PhD Student Olivia Reddy in August and September 2022. In partnership with Dr Kenan Okurut of Kyambogo University, the cities of Gulu and Kampala were visited, over a two week period. Greenhouse gas emissions data was collected and interviews were held with local persons and key sanitation stakeholders.
Currently, there are no studies which undertake empirical data collection in relation to greenhouse gas emissions from onsite sanitation. The SCARE project will collect this data across the seasons, to determine how GHG emissions change throughout the year and due to what conditions (e.g., temperature, moisture content, etc.).
The cities of Gulu and Kampala were chosen as they have different environmental, and social characteristics:
- In the North of Uganda, Gulu the weather is hot and dry, with a high groundwater table, flat land, and plenty of wetlands, which can cause flooding during the rainy season. Gulu has only recently been given city status so the population is sparse and sprawling with many rural and farming communities located nearby.
- The capital city of Kampala is much higher and more densely populated than Gulu. In the hilly terrain, there is lush green vegetation, some of this has been removed to create slum dwellings.
Households involved in the study were visited in each city, with students of Kyambogo assisting with introductions, and carrying out the emissions data collection. As it was during the raining season, it rained almost every day with an innumerable number of thunderstorms! This gallery reflects on the visit there.
