Assessing perceptions and response mechanisms of Kampala residents to urban heat risks

Abstract

Climate change and rapid urbanization are intensifying extreme heat in many African cities, yet little is known about how residents perceive and respond to these conditions. This study examined perceptions of urban heat and related health risks, and the coping mechanisms used by residents of three settlements (Kibuye I, Kibuye II and Makindye II) in Makindye Division, Kampala City. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study, combining household and business surveys (n = 358) with key informant interviews and focus group discussions; quantitative data were analysed descriptively and using Poisson regression, and qualitative data were examined thematically. Most respondents reported frequent and severe heat, including at night during the January–March dry months. They linked hot conditions to symptoms such as headaches, excessive sweating and fatigue, and to the worsening of respiratory, skin and cardiovascular problems, particularly among people with pre-existing illness. Perceptions of heat risk and reported impacts varied by settlement type, work environment and health status, reflecting spatial and socio-economic inequalities in exposure and vulnerability. Residents relied mainly on low-cost individual responses, including drinking more water, changing clothing and adjusting daily routines, while opportunities for collective measures such as tree planting were uneven across settlements. The findings reveal that urban heat is already a tangible health concern in Kampala and that local responses remain largely reactive and fragmented. Strengthening climate and health communication, protecting vulnerable groups and incorporating heat-risk considerations into urban planning and greening initiatives are critical for building resilience in rapidly growing cities like Kampala.