A village that survives on farming

While the people in Semuto are involved in other businesses such as hardware and retail shops plus salon, most of them especially the youth are peasants . Photos by Michael Kakumirizi.

What you need to know:

Despite the change of status, Ssemuto is still largely a rural area.

Recently, Semuto was upgraded to a town council status but despite the rise in status, the area is a normal rural trading centre.

Located in Nakaseke District. Semuto is about 35km from Kampala City on the Gulu Highway. Edward Balikuddembe who is in charge of publicity on the Semuto Local Council Committee says Semuto has villages such as Kizengere, Nakitembe, Lule, Kakora, Buwazzi, Kikondo, Komamboga and Kilembe. He explains, “Villages like Kizengere, Guwotoka and Komamboga were derived from the activities or funny things that happened in those areas in the past.”

For instance, Kizengere came from a big anthill that had white ants during day. Thus the residents often described it as enswa eziva mu Kizengere meaning whites ants that come from the devil’s anthill. He adds that Guwotoka was derived from a rich man who used to live in that place in the past while Kikondo was named during the placing of electric poles in the area.

Employment
Henry Kateregga, a youth representative in Semuto said most of the youth in the area are peasants. They grow seasonal crops including maize, rice and tomatoes which they sell to make ends meet. He adds that they also engage in poultry and cattle keeping. Kateregga acknowledged that there is cattle theft and land wrangles in the area adding that they are working with police to protect people and their property.

Security
Mr Musa Nabende, the region police commander, says there is cattle theft and land wrangles in the area. “We conduct night patrols on foot, motorcycles and police vehicles. All this has enabled us to reduce the crime rate and we shall continue doing this until the region is free of crimes,” Mr Nabende said.

Facilities
Some of the education amenities in the area are Kijjaguzzo Primary School, Semuto Primary School, Kijjaguzzo Secondary School and Ssemuto Secondary School. Kijjaguzzo Church of Uganda and Semuto Catholic Parish are some of the worship places in the area. Semuto Health Centre is one of the health facilities in the place. If you are planning to buy land in this area, you can either use it for farming or residential purposes. The place still has a low population which does not favour business.

Land and Housing

Housing. A single room costs between Shs30,000 to Shs40,000 while double rooms go for Shs50,000 and Shs70,000 per month.

Land. In Ssemuto a 50 x100 plot of land along the main road with a land title costs between Shs2m to Shs3m and between Shs5m to Shs7m for a 100 x 100 piece of land. Plots off the main road are relatively cheap and one can get it at Shs1.5m or less.