Urbanization, Informal Settlements, and Social Welfare in Ugandan Cities: A Comparative Perspective

Urbanization in African cities has led to rapid growth of informal settlements, posing challenges for social welfare provision. A comparative analysis using secondary data from government records and local surveys across three major Ugandan cities. Informal settlements in Kampala disproportionately affect access to subsidized housing, with a significant proportion (52%) of residents lacking formal documentation for benefits. Urbanization trends exacerbate social welfare disparities between formal and informal settlement dwellers in Uganda's urban areas. Policy recommendations include targeted subsidies for informal settlements and improved data collection to better serve all residents.