Mutungo-Kitiko, reaping from Entebbe Expressway

Mutungo-Kitiko is located on the route to Kigo, one of the fast growing areas in Wakiso District. Mutungo and Kitiko are adjoining suburbs only separated by a trench. Therefore, much as some people may want to refer to them as different places, they are practically the same area, with the same trading centre. According to Stephanie Musoke, the vice chairperson of the area, Mutungo-Kitiko is 5 kilometres from Kajjansi on Kamapala-Entebbe road. Some of the zones in the area are Mutungo Central, Stokisi, Kito and Kakoola.

The past
The slowly developing residential area was famous for mostly stone quarrying and fishing because it is located near Lake Victoria. Musoke notes that since the closure of the site, fishing has long been forgotten. She adds that most of the people’s livelihood depended on fishing. After the destruction of boats at Nakabugo Landing Site on Lake Victoria, the only option was to go to Nakiwogo, which is expensive, thus leaving some of the residents unemployed.
Also known for boda boda hitmen in the early years, Musoke notes that the area has now stabilised because most of the bushes that were danger zones have been cleared. Mutungo-Kitiko comprises people from different parts of the country but the Baganda are the most dominant.

Recent developments
The area boasts of many private schools both secondary and primary. However, residents are worried that the inexistence of government secondary schools will leave them with school drop-outs as private schools charge a lot of fees.
The area also has very many clinics and the ongoing construction of Le memorial Hospital, will boost the health service sector. Musoke, however, notes that the private health facilities are very expensive and most the residents cannot afford them.

Musoke, however, adds that there is a government health centre called Mutungo Health Centre that treats mild ailments. Women in need of maternity services go all the way to Ndejje Zanta Health Center III, which is in Ndejje a few meters after Mutungo.
The construction of Mutungo Central Market has also helped bring commodities closer to residents as they no longer have to go to Kajjansi to buy food items such as matooke.
The construction of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway that passes through the area has also eased transport as it provides an alternative route allowing residents easy access to neighbouring areas of Ndejje and Munyonyo.

Land and housing
The construction of the Southern Bypass in the area has led to the increase in prices of land in Mutungo-Kitiko. According to Daniel Mukooza, a real estate broker, an acre of land costs between Shs150m and Shs200m. The area still has land but it is hard to find any on sale because all the landlords are anticipating increase in the value of land due to the newly constructed Kampala-Entebbe Expressway and the fast growth of neighbouring areas of Lweza, Kigo and Kajjansi. Most of the landlords are instead constructing houses for rent.
Renting a double room self-contained house costs between Shs200, 000 and Shs250, 000. A two bed roomed house is between Shs350, 000 and Shs400, 000. According to Mukooza, the rent is likely to go even higher because of the easy accessibility to the area created by the Kampala-Entebbe Expresssyway.

Utilities
Residents access clean water from National water and Sewerage Corporation and for those without piped water, a 20-litre jerry can of water goes for Shs200. The area is also connected to the national power grid and there is constant electricity supply.

Challenges
According to Musoke, residents have for long suffered on the dusty road, which stretches from Entebbe Road through Lweza. Residents say they have been saved by the new Kampala-Entebbe Expressway but it is not enough and hope the authorities will soon come to their rescue.

Security and crime

Residents say the setting up of Mutungo Police Post has helped to curb crime in the area.
Abubaker Wamala, a resident and a boda boda rider, says Mutungo is now relatively safe. “I’m now able to ferry customers up to around midnight, which was not the case before,” says Wamala.
According to a police officer, who preferred anonymity, the crime rate has gone down despite the increasing population in the area.
He, however, adds that the recent construction of the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway has given criminals access to the area. The officer points out a recent incident of Suzan Magara’s body that was dropped on the road near Mutungo.

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