From Farmland to Factories: How Industrial Growth Is Reshaping Water, Energy, Food, and Health in Namanve, Uganda

Across sub-Saharan Africa, industrial growth is promoted as a path to economic development and job creation. However, industrial expansion often replaces forests, wetlands, and farmland, with limited understanding of its impacts on essential community resources: water, energy, food, and health (WEFH). This study explores these effects in Namanve, Uganda, a peri-urban area transformed by the Kampala Industrial and Business Park (KIBP). Drawing on nine key informant interviews with individuals from institutions such as the Uganda Investment Authority and Local Councils, and using a deductive thematic approach, the study examines perceived changes linked to industrial activity. While informants noted increased infrastructure and investment, they also reported water contamination, food insecurity, energy unaffordability, and health risks. These findings reveal how industrial development can create uneven impacts across interconnected systems. The study highlights the importance of inclusive planning, stronger environmental regulation, and active community engagement for achieving equitable and sustainable urban-industrial development.