Settling into a new neighbourhood
You will, for one reason or another, find yourself shifting to a new community. When you get there, make an effort to fit in with the other residents.
What you need to know:
- When you settle into a new area, it is likely that sometimes you do not get interested in knowing who the local area leaders are until you have a need for their assistance.
- Make sure the area is secure. You don’t want to come back one night and find your house emptied by thieves
For a number of reasons, people especially those who stay in urban areas, find themselves in situations where they have to shift to a different neighbourhood. Irrespective of whether you rent the house you move to or not, these are some of the things you need to bear in mind when settling into a new area.
Know your neighbours
Joshua Okello, a resident of Bweyogerere, advises that when you move to a new area, be social and get to know your neighbours first. Neighbours, Okello reasons, help in welcoming and making life easy for you to settle and blend into the new community fast and easily.
“No man is an island. Anytime of the day or night, you may need help say for security reasons or when you are sick. When you have no relatives nearby, neighbours are the first form of security when you are home or away,” Okello explains.
Beyond your wall fence
Mariat Nasasira, a radio presenter, says beyond knowing your immediate or next door neighbour, get out of your comfort zone and go an extra mile to know those outside your perimeter wall. She suggests taking a walk around the neighbourhood to explore your surroundings.
Another way is settling for a specific shopping spot in your new area. “The advantage of going to a specific shop is that you are assured of making instant friends because you now become their regular customer. Even the times you are not doing well financially, you are assured of assistance if you are a regular at the same shop,” Nasasira shares, adding that the shop attendant can also become a source of helpful information about the area.
Know your local leaders
When you settle into a new area, it is likely that sometimes you do not get interested in knowing who the local area leaders are until you have a need for their assistance.
“Don’t wait until then. Because you are a new member in the local council chairman’s territory, you may need his recommendation at work, bank and school in case of a problem or when you are following up on something important. It is easier to get the help you need when the time comes if you already introduced yourself to the local authorities,” Okello observes.
For this same reason, find out where the community service points such as the well are before crises such as water shortages strike.
“These days, there are many areas that have illegal power and water connections too. When you settle in, ensure that these facilities are in good status so that you are not surprised by things you have no idea about,” Andrew Karamagi, a lawyer with Action Aid International Uganda, advises.
Legal perspective
Karamagi also tips that before settling into a new area on a permanent basis, seek to understand the status of the land or property on which you are settling. Ensure that you are the sole owner of your property to avoid being unsettled later on.
Also, as you plan to build your house to settle into another area, Karamagi advises that you familiarise yourself with it to ensure it is safe to stay in and legally habitable.
“The place could be in a wetland or in a road reserve. Even if you have settled there for 10 years, your house could be demolished by authorities in the 11th year due to illegal settlement and you end up losing the house and the land,” Karamagi explains.
Police advice
Asan Kasingye, the Uganda Police spokesperson (pic below), says when you settle in a new place, the people in the new community may not know you but you may need to know them.
“But even before you get to know your neighbours, for security purposes, find out where the police post in your area is. Report to the post and get to know the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the station and get his contacts. Should you need any assistance, it becomes easy to call on the police station as the best ally for help,” Kasingye explains.
Beyond the police, Kasingye emphasises that security in your new area of residence should be guaranteed under the neighbourhood watch system where members of the community keep and maintain security of their neighbours and each other’s property. That way, you increase the chances of having a crime-free community.
Important checks
• Make sure the area is secure. You don’t want to come back one night and find your house emptied by thieves.
• Check to make sure there are community service centres such as communal wells for when there is water shortages, and hospitals.
