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‘Kampala’, Mbarara’s fast growing zone
Some of the residential houses in Kampala zone in Mbarara Town. PHOTOS BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI
What you need to know:
- According to Mpiima, the development of this area started in late 1980s when a foot bridge was constructed on River Rwizi and eventually in 2000 when another bigger bridge was constructed to connect this area to Mbarara Town.
When in Mbarara Town and you hear people talking of Kampala, do not mistake it for the capital city Kampala, no, it is one of the fastest growing areas in Katete ward, Nyamitanga Division in Mbarara District.
Kampala suburb in Mbarara is about three kilometres from Mbarara Town Centre.
If you walk along Mbarara-Katete Road or towards stages of boda bodas to Katete, riders will ask if you are heading to Kampala.
Location and access
Jaffar Mpiima, 60, who was born in Kampala Suburb and has been its LCII chairperson for more than 15 years, tells a story of the changes in Kampala over the years. He says this area was once occupied by farmers whose major commercial activity was tonto production. Tonto, is a local brew made from banana juice. He says the local brew has transformed Kampala into one of the fastest growing areas in Mbarara Town.
“This area used to be occupied by farmers with scattered households, these grew mainly bananas and their major source of income was brewing tonto . The area was also a den of thieves, they haunted us so much as our houses were very local for them to easily gain access,” Mpiima says.
Location and access
This area is separated from Mbarara Town Centre by River Rwizi. Mpiima explains that one of the reasons people had neglected settling here was lack of transport. He says they used to cross to the other side of Mbarara using banana stems, which they would tie together and use ropes to pull people across the river from either side. He adds that they later graduated to using canoes which he admits was also risky.
According to Mpiima, the development of this area started in late 1980s when a foot bridge was constructed on River Rwizi and eventually in 2000 when another bigger bridge was constructed to connect this area to Mbarara Town.
“When a foot bridge and later a bigger bridge were constructed, there was mad rush for plots of land here, seeing the number that were rushing to settle here ,the leadership of Mbarara Municipality then led by mayor Wilson Tumwine started to extend services here,” explains Mpiima, adding that roads were opened, electricity and water extended were also extended to the area.
Cost of land
With the increasing population, the price of land is ever increasing. On average, a 50ft by 100ft plot of land costs between Shs20m and Shs25m on main roads but you can get it at Shs Shs15m as you go deeper into the surburb..
Elias Ayebazibwe, a member of the area development committee, says the mad rush for land in this area has attracted many conmen and thus people seeking to buy land should do thorough research on the plots of iterest and even involve local authorities.
A man makes tonto brew in Kampala
Accommodation
This area has not attracted many hotels as most houses are commercial, rental, and residential.
Commercial shops are rented between Shs200,000-Shs300, 000 while rentals single rooms go for between 80,000 and Shs100, 000, Self-contained are between Shs200,000 and Shs300,000 and residential cost beween Shs400,000 and Shs 500,000.
Security
According to Mpiima, the security of the area remains relatively calm save for common crimes such as house break-ins and thefts. He says this is because the area police post has limted manpower. Mpiima also cautions those travelling to this area against late night journeys as it is very safe at night especially along River Rwizi where criminals take advantage of isolated parts of the area to attack unsuspecting travellers.
Transport
The means of transport to this place is mainly boda bodas. Kampala is the cheapest route out of the town centre. Whereas transport in other suburbs such as Rwebikoona, Kijungu, Andrews, Kakiika is Shs1, 000, here you can only part with Shs500.
Moses Katamba, a boda boda operator, says the transport is cheap because of the surging number of people travelling to and from this area. “Here I can more than double routes made by those in other stages because of many people travelling here, and you can’t charge beyond Shs 500 because of high competition,” says Katamba.
Small taxi vehicles had started to operate here but were out competed by the cheap by boda bodas.
Food
There are several eating places in these areas with food prices ranging between Shs1,000 to Shs6,000 but the exciting time is the evening as food vendors and and meat roasters take over the streets, turning it into a food market.
Social services
Road network
The area has a tarmac road that connects to Mbarara Town Centre with several other well maintained community access roads.
Health facilities
The place is near a government health facility, Rwemirinzi Health centre III and several other private clinics.
