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Bugolobi- a town in its own right
Bugolobi could be cut away from the rest of Kampala and still function as a town on its own. Photo by FAISWAL KASIRYE
What you need to know:
Bugolobi derived its name from a pioneer resident, a one Lugoloobi.
Bugolobi is located in Nakawa division about 7 kilometres from the city centre. It is bordered by Nakawa and Mbuya to the North, Mutungo to the East, Kitintale and Luzira to the Southeast, Muyenga to the South and Southeast, Namuwongo to the West and Kampala’s Industrial Area to the Northwest.
Origin of the name and market
According to the L.C 1 chairman of Jambula Zone, only identified as Yunus, the name was already existence when he came to live in Bugolobi. But according to what he knows, Bugolobi was named after a resident, one of the pioneers of the area called Lugoloobi in 1973. The place was only known to many as Middle East. After the death of Lugoloobi, Bugolobi was named after him. It was then divided into areas like Kiswa, Middle East, and Jambula
Mama Saamanya, a 60-year-old vendor in Bugolobi Market, says the place was first occupied by her and five other colleagues way back in 1975. “Kampala City Council did not want the place to be occupied by a market so they tried to set it up in Kiswa.” Says Maama Samaanya.
They insisted on the current location, since Kiswa, which was proposed by K.C.C was across the road, and they feared that their children would be knocked down by cars on their ways to the market. They were then allowed to work in their place of choice, the current market. The market was first built using papyrus but because it wasn’t strong it wore out easily and needed to replaced. They built the market twice.
In 1986 after everything was settled and the number of vendors had increased, they collected money and paid City council to build for them a strong structure which up to date stands as Bugolobi Market. “City council still wants to demolish the market and construct another one,” says Maama Samanya
Development
Mama Samanya also added and said for the 60 years she has lived in Bugolobi, it has been developing at a high rate and up to now she still sees development in Bugolobi.
“Some houses and banana plantations behind the market have been demolished by colonel Mugyenyi who bought the land and wants to construct a factory in that place” says Mama Saamanya. One is to be doubted if he/she considers Bugolobi ununderdeveloped area, the signs of development can easily be seen by the roads in Bugolobi, the offices say the Uganda Iran Embassy, Uganda Communications Commission, super markets like Nakumatt Bugolobi, Tuskys supermarket, there are also Hospitals like Kiswa Health centre, Bugolobi Medical centre which offers HIV services. Other areas that boost development are still underway construction like the Village Mall and a free land that is proposed for construction of a Hotel.
Another thing that Bugolobi Boasts of is the abundance of night life. Bars in Bugolobi include Bamboo Nest, Gabiiro, Gaito Maito,
Schools in Bugolobi
To say that Bugolobi is home to very many schools is some what of an understatement. These include Kiswa Primary School, Train up a Child Nursery and Primary School, Kissyfur Kindergarten among others.
Security
The chairman L.C 1 of Kiswa Mr. Katabira says security in the area is provided by fellow residents whom he referred to as defence. He stated that most people in the area stay in fenced houses where just simple security is required. The person they choose to provide security undergoes training for three months and then later equipped with a gun. “The Police only come in when the matters to be solved have to be handled by the Police for example murder cases.” Says Katabira. .
The market is guarded by local people who are employed to ensure safety of the food products that the vendors leave in the market and other areas, according to Mama Samanya, the other areas of Bugolobi are guarded by the Police from Bugolobi Police Station.
