Kafumbe Mukasa Road in downtown Kampala the place previously littered with garbage by the roadside has been transformed into a modern business center over the last few years. The developments on Kafumbe Mukasa Road have also spread to other slums around Kampala Central Division such as Nakivubo, Kalitunsi , Namirembe road, Kisenyi among others. The workers and residents in these areas appreciate the role the development has played in changing their lives especially in reducing crime. “It is very good, it has helped us just to chase some thieves and whatever.” “The place was so ram shackled, it was a bit filthy but when you can see the place now, it is clean, it is smart and there is some order.” “Number one; all the thieves and the thugs belonged to Kisenyi that was the hub, the drug addicts Kisenyi, any bad activity its Kisenyi. But today as I talk, Kisenyi has been transformed even the so-called thieves, we have tried to transform them, they are now becoming responsible citizens.” Said, Salim Uhuru – NRM Chairperson, Kampala Central.

The developers believe that if there is goodwill from the political leadership of Kampala, more can be achieved. “We still have gaps especially in the road network which KCCA should fix.” Said, Edward Nakibenge – Director, Ham Enterprises. But Salim Uhuru one of the leaders in Kisenyi claimed that the development left many squatters and tenants landless especially after property developers acquired land titles from landlords. “The investor comes with the amount of money he wishes to give you is not worthy relocating you. Because if he buys it from Buganda Land Board, he has all the titles and everything but when he comes to pay you he doesn’t have to take you as someone so important. So that’s the challenge we had.”

Much as the traders are appreciating this new development in the city, they are complaining about the high rent fees charged by the landlords likely to chase them out of business. “My rent was hiked from 1.3 million to 1.8 million.” “Investors have built properties but they are building it for who? For us, so that’s the only challenge we are facing, high rental costs of those properties you see very nice in town.”