Know your hood : Nsambya, a town close to the city centre

Nsambya is a hill located approximately 4.8 kilometres south-southeast of the central business district of Kampala, along the road to Ggaba.

Nsambya is most famous for its assortment of roadside furniture. This town is located in the suburbs of Kampala, a few kilometers away from the city centre located in Makindye division.

History
According to Mike Orlando Lutaaya, the L.C 1 Chairman of Nsambya West, about 100 years ago Nsambya was one of the various counties owned by Kabaka Mwanga . In 1885 when the missionaries flew into the country, the Kabaka allocated the Nsambya hill to them as a strategic place to build their Catholic church so then they cleared up the place and built St. Peter’s Church Nsambya and St. Peter’s Schools. Nsambya then developed into different zones like Nsambya Gogonya, Nsambya West, Nsambya Railway Quarters, Kamwanyi Zone, Nsambya Kirombe, Nsambya Police Barracks and other zones. Nsambya Police Barracks being the biggest Police barracks in Uganda it accommodates most of the Police officers in Kampala with a population of about 1,000 people.

Schools
Lutaaya said that for the last 35 years that he has lived in Nsambya , It has developed with many schools and hospitals being put up. Schools like St. Peters S.S.S Nsambya, St.Joseph Girl’s School Nsambya and other UPE schools like St. Peters Primary school, Railway Children Primary School and other privately owned schools like St. Paul Primary School, Nsambya SSS and others.
Nsambya also owns one of the most powerful hospitals in Uganda like Nsambya Hospital and Nsambya General Clinic located along Ggaba road. One can also complete his/her educational journey because there are nursery schools, Primary Schools, Secondary schools and a university called Cavendish University located along Ggaba road.

Cost of living
The cost of living in Nsambya depends on the areas that is wether the area is more upscale or just a slum. The cost of renting houses depends on many factors cheap houses ranging from about Shs60,000 to Shs100,000 in some places. Single rooms with electricity can be found in Nsambya Gogonya , Kamwanyi .
The good houses and apartments that are self-contained can be found in Nsambya Estates and Nsambya Kirombe ranging from about Shs250,000 to Shs700,000 per month

Security situation
When it comes to security , the barracks is safe according to Inspector Otim Charles Dickens a police officer in Nsambya Police Barracks because everyone who leaves there is a Police officer so they have the sense of security and more so the place is feared by goons so the crime rates are low compared to the other areas

Transport
Being located a few kilometers from the city Centre, it is cheap in case of public transport because taxis from town to Nsambya go for Shs1,000 and to town is just Shs500 regardless of the time one is travelling, .”

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