Enhancing Disaster Resilience in Ugandan Remote Communities: The Role of Community Engagement in Disaster Risk Management

This research explores the vital importance of community involvement in enhancing disaster resilience within remote areas of Uganda. Employing a desk-based qualitative approach, it systematically reviews existing literature, government reports, policy documents, and case studies from various organisations, including NGOs and UN agencies. The primary goal is to understand how active community engagement, despite endemic challenges like limited infrastructure and resources, plays a crucial role in effective Disaster Risk Management (DRM). The analysis argues that successful DRM is not merely a top-down, government-led effort but is fundamentally improved by incorporating local and indigenous knowledge, community-led initiatives, and robust communication systems. Findings indicate that communities engaged in planning and implementation—through activities such as developing localised early warning systems and resource mapping—exhibit significantly greater adaptive capacity and recover more quickly. The results highlight the urgent need to shift from a reactive, relief-focused approach to a proactive, community-centred model of disaster management in Uganda and similar vulnerable regions.