A dynamic assessment of adaptive capacity to climate change: A case study of water management in Makondo, Uganda by Mavuto D. Tembo Presented at Suas/TIDI Research for Change Trinity College Dublin 9 th November 2010

My background I am a Malawian My qualifications: Bachelor of science degree in Agriculture and MSc. GI Science (NRM) I am employed by Mzuzu University in Malawi I applied for a PhD position in July 2009 I was enrolled for PhD in January 2010

My research focus Size is 2.2 square kilometres Population is over 8000 Main livelihood means is subsistence agriculture Makondo Parish

My research focus Adaptive capacity to climate change for rural communities in developing countries who are more vulnerable to climate change impact In recent years Makondo Parish has experienced several droughts Climate change models predict future water scarcity in quality and quantity, thus impacting on people’s livelihoods A critical question is how individuals will adapt their livelihoods to water scarcity?

My research focus Currently there is no proper approach to facilitate the fusion of knowledge related to climate change adaptation between communities and policy makers. The way Participatory rural appraisal methods are commonly used is static, while GIS application is at its embryonic stage in adaptation research There is a need for a dynamic assessment that views water as the nexus of livelihoods activities; and uses participatory geographical information system (PGIS) as new way to assess AC

My research questions My research questions are: i.Do communities living in drought- and flood-prone areas have water-related knowledge that can help them adapt to climate change? ii.How can PGIS help to make local knowledge relevant and usable to other actors for water management and decision-making amidst climate change?

My research strategy My research strategy will occur in four stages: i.Stage One: February 2011 – the exploratory stage Settling down and selecting my two study villages ii.Stage two: March to June 2011 – fieldwork Intensive qualitative research using PGIS to understand AC in the two villages

My research strategy My research strategy will occur in four stages: iii.Stage three: July to August 2011 – fusion stage Explore possible integration between local and external knowledge using GIS by: iv.Stage four: September 2011 – wrapping-up stage

Expected outputs At the end of my study I expect to achieve the following: i.Reveal how adaptation is perceived, experienced and managed by individuals, households, and communities at rural scale in Africa ii.Using participatory GIS, my work will help to create a discussion space that includes: information space; argumentation space ; and analysis space for communities, local government, and NGOs which will act as a fusion space for AC

My contribution to the community I will run workshops in each of my study villages on what climate change is, how it might affect them, and why it is important that their AC is understood I will enable communities to understand local water management within the broader context of adaptation I will facilitate communities’ AC enhancement by integrating ‘local knowledge’ for water management with other water sector actors’ knowledge

Some impression of Makondo People switch from one source of drink water to another within a year because of: i.Drying of water sources ii.Breakdown of the improved-water source pump iii.Change in distance to water source within the year iv.Internal conflict The external actors in water supply are Mary Medical Missionaries and the Local Government

Water sources in Makondo One protected spring in Makondo Village

Water sources in Makondo Shallow wells

Water sources in Makondo Rainwater harvesting from roof tops into i.Cement tanks ii.Clay pots iii.20 litres containers iv.Underground pits

Water sources in Makondo Water ponds

Challenges facing water Degradation Erratic rains Droughts Lowering of water table Governance Technology

Thank you all