Assessing the effects of rural-urban migration on sustainable development in urban centres; A case study of Nyamitanga division, Mbarara municipality

Abstract

The study was about the Assessment of the Effects of Rural Urban Migration on Sustainable Development a case study of Nyamitanga division, Mbarara district. It was guided by three objectives and which were to; find out the effects of rural urban migration on sustainable development in Nyamitanga division, Mbarara Municipality, identify the causes of rural-urban migration and suggest the possible ways of overcoming the effects of rural urban migration in Nyamitanga division, Mbarara Municipality. The researcher used a case study research design. The study was carried out in Nyamitanga Division in Mbarara Municipality, Mbarara district in western Uganda. The population from which the sample was drawn” consisted of local community members and local council leaders. Both simple random and purposive sampling were used to select respondents and Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The study found out the effect of rural urban migration on sustainable development as; introduction of new technological in trade, industry, agriculture, high housing costs and regulations, change of culture, without forgetting excessive urbanization which leads to high rates of city congestion, and affects service delivery. The study identified the causes of rural-urban migration in Nyamitanga Division, Mbarara Municipality. These were relatively better employment opportunities and administrative management in cities, better economic opportunities in urban centers, a desire for educational opportunities, unfavorable land tenure system, lack of rural employment opportunities and seasonality of 9 agricultural work and existence of excess labor in the rural agricultural sector The study found out the possible ways of overcoming the effects of rural urban migration in Nyamitanga division, Mbarara Municipality. These included; regulation of migration and development through different policies and laws, urban service centers for rural areas and improvement of the rural subsistence sector, establishment of basic social and economic Infrastructure, and poverty reduction strategies in urban areas