Role of Peri-Urban Areas in the Food System of Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Peri-urban agriculture, especially livestock and vegetable farming, has deep roots in the food system of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. The city's population is increasing rapidly: current population is slightly over 1.51 million people whose demand for food is also increasing rapidly. Wakiso district, a peri-urban area surrounding Kampala city, ranks as Uganda's number one and two producer of poultry and piggery respectively. The district of Wakiso accounts for about 7.4 \% and 6.3 \% of the total national populations of chickens and pigs respectively. However, agricultural land in these areas is increasingly at risk from urban encroachment, which is likely to adversely affect the city's food security. This chapter examines the role of peri-urban farming in the food system of Kampala city and how it is at risk from urban encroachment. The chapter demonstrates that population growth, artificial distortions to the value of land in Kampala city, the booming construction industry as well as the creation of recreation and leisure facilities have escalated the competition for land in peri-urban areas between agricultural use and urban-type developments.