Mbale’s Mooni-Kikamba from a slum to a posh residential area

This residential house in lower Mooni-Kikamba, is one of the structures that have replaced the mud and wattle houses in the area. Below are the type of houses that were initially in the area and now found in upper Mooni-Kikamba. Photo by David Mafabi

Like some places around Mbale Municipality, Mooni-Kikamba was occupied by poor families. Many people who lived in the area complained of thieves who would sneak into their kitchens and make off with cooked food.
Located just after Mbale’s senior quarters, Mooni-Kikamba can be accessed through Mbale’s republic street (also known as Obote Avenue or Main Street) or connecting through Bungokho road via Mbale Resort Hotel from Wanale road although this would be a longer route.

History
This area belonged to Bulugere clan, who later sold the land to the first inhabitants.

According to Phillip Khaukha, a member of the Bulegere clan and former Mbale municipal council councillor, Bulugere clan elders sold off their land to two businessmen from the Kamba tribe from Machakos district in Kenya.

“These Kamba settlers settled in Mutoto cultural grounds and when it rained, their houses were washed away, so they decided to look for land and they got it at Bulugere. They built two shops and a butchery,” said Mr Phillip.

And whenever someone wanted to buy anything in Bulugere, they would send them to Bakamba shops, making the place gain a new name Kikamba.
Khaukha explains that after the Kamba’s settlement in the area, the Badadiri (from Sironko) led by one James Mashatte, started building houses in their land, “So I also decided to build my houses and rentals,” he explains.

He says the land was being sold at Shs 200,000 in the 1980s before jumping to Shs2m in the 1990s and later to Shs10m but now you have to part with Shs20m to get land.
“Or Shs 100m and Shs 200m for land in the lower parts of Mooni-Kikamba now called Mbale senior quarters,” added Mr Khaukha.

Recent developments
He attributes this development to the fact that real estate developers bought large pieces of land in the area, which they now sell to the rich people.
But also, the place was opened up by the tarmacked road in the 1970s.

Social amenities in the area include hotels such as Mbale Resort Hotel, Mt Elgon, primary schools, Late Prof Nabudere University of African studies, preschools and high schools. You will also find clinics, and retail shops both new and old ones along Kikamba Road.

Besides, there is a daily market for fresh foods, groceries and basic daily needs but there is a challenge of accessing clothes, building materials and other manufactured goods since there are no shops dealing in hardware and clothes.

Warning
Mr Habib Wambedde, the former LCIII chairman for northern division in Mbale Municipality urges people who intend to buy land in Mooni-Kikamba to beware of conmen who work with brokers and sell the same piece of land to more than one person.

Security
Mr Robert Kabala, a local resident of Mooni-Kikamba says there is a police post, although there are a lot of petty thefts and there is still a challenge of thieves who vandalise people’s property and cars in the homes. “We have advised our residents to be vigilant in keeping their property safe, because Police alone can’t do a lot to effectively cover the whole area.”