Namataba rises from farmland to a popular residential area

Namataba is a peaceful village in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District. It lies in between Bukasa and Kirinya Parishes.
The small village gives a clear view of the shores of Lake Victoria and sunset apartments in Butabika on one side and the Namanve Industrial Park on the other.
The village is in the middle of a sub-urban growth that is changing its environment toward a more urban and less rural landscape.
However, 20 years back, no one thought that this area would ever be booming with modern homes and an industrial park. Reason, the area was popularly known as a burial ground for unclaimed bodies and no one wanted to move there. But now it is one of the hotcake residential areas around town hosting the Akright Estate, some of the best primary schools and soon the multi-billion projects of the in-land port and standard gauge railway.
So how did Namataba rise above the fear of a limbo to an in-demand residential hub? On my tour, I met Joseph Mutekanga, a 75-year-old LC 1 chairman of the village, who was born in the area and has seen it transform from a farmland to what it is now.
Mutekanga attributes the change to the construction of Namboole stadium in the late ‘90s.
“We were just a small village with very few people surrounded by forests and bushes, but after building the stadium, people started streaming in and brought the place to life.”

Access
When going to Namataba from the city centre, one can use a taxi, which charges Shs2,500 from the taxi park and for those who want to dodge the city traffic jam, they can use a train, which costs Shs1,000 up to Namboole stadium. Then board a taxi for Shs500 or take a bodaboda which costs Shs1,000.

Cost of land and housing
The forecast for the construction of multi-billion infrastructure projects has attracted both investments and people to Namataba hence leading to a spike in both the cost of land and housing.
“The construction of the stadium and the coming of Akright real estate company to our area was a game changer,” says Mutekanga, adding that the Seyani brothers factory next to the KCCA cemetery gave confidence to people to start occupying the area.
So how much does it cost to live in Namataba? A 50x100 ft plot costs between Shs40m and Shs50m and renting a two-room house costs between Shs250, 000 and Shs300,000, while a two-bedroom apartment costs Shs450,000 and Shs500,000.

Social services
The village hosts some of the best performing primary schools in the country, that is Homsderleen and Mother Majeri primary school and other nursery and daycares.
For secondary education, not much has been done, the area has only two secondary schools - Our Lady of Good Counsel and Kirinya Secondary School.
When it comes to health, residents depend on Kirinya Health Centre III, the only government facility in the area, which is supplemented by privately operated clinics. The area has access to electricity and water, something that the residents appreciate.
However, for recreation services, residents have to move a distance away to Namboole, Bweyogerere and Kireka where they can access recreational centres such as Joka’s hotel, Club Inferno. Therefore, for people who are looking for business opportunities, this is a virgin area to explore.

Security
When it comes to security, Mutekanga says: “We have not had major security incidences like in other areas. What we see here is just petty crime which at times is dealt with by residents and the police.” Residents here always take note of new people in the area and keep a close watch. Therefore, it is hard for criminal elements to stay for long, narrates Mutekanga.
However, this vast village is serviced by Kirinya Police Station, which is almost a kilometre away and is fully stretched.

Business
Namataba is still a virgin area for business.
Mega projects such as the Namanve Industrial Park, Bukasa in-land port and the standard gauge railway line that are expected to kick-off any time and will attract people to the area. Therefore, the place will be a leading destination for several goods and services.

Fred Musoke, a 47-year-old business man, who has operated in the area for more than 25 years is optimistic about the future, “Namataba is a growing town with a rising market for both commodities and services.”
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