A NEW LEASE OF LIFE IS EVIDENT IN THE SUBURB OF BUSAMAGA IN MBALE A PLACE WHICH IN THE DAYS OF OLD WAS A CREEPY SLEEPY HOLLOW

By Richard Wetaya
If there is, at present, a suburb in Mbale enjoying unprecedented growth, it is

Busamaga.
Considering that it was an isolated sleepy hollow back in the day, the developments in the estimation of many residents, are a welcome development.

Busamaga had quite an infamous reputation in the early days, primarily around the mid nineties to the early 2000’s.
Thuggery and murders were rife.
In many ways, that kept potential land developers and other people from settling in the area.

“Going to Busamaga beyond dusk was like playing Russian roulette. It was suicidal to say the least. The area between the High court in Mbale town and Busamaga primary school was a no go area after sunset. It was replete with brazen thugs who mauled, mugged and snatched valuables from victims. The security lights on the road leading down to Busamaga Primary school from the High court were always vandalized,” says Gerald Kuuya, an old resident of Busamaga.

As such, Kuuya says many people took exception to the idea of buying land and settling in Busamaga.
Times have changed however. Busamaga is now a prime location on the Mbale property market.
Part of the reason, many people are rushing to purchase land in Busamaga is because it is within touching distance of Mbale town. Getting to Busamaga from Mbale town will take one roughly 10 to 20 minutes and the road leading there is fairly good.

The principal reason however why Busamaga has increasingly gotten in high favour with people is improved security.
Security in Busamaga has, by and large, has gotten better through the years and as such many people looking for land to build homes have been swarming the place.
 “Notwithstanding sporadic cases of petty thieving, Busamaga now is generally more secure. Security has gotten better with the passage of years. At present, we even have vigilante security teams keeping sentry at night. That contingency measure has gone a long way in stemming the crime wave in Busamaga,” says Idi Wangwe, the chairman, L.C 1 of Mango Village, Namalogo Parish, Busamaga.

Enock Masaba, chairperson, Busamaga East says village patrol teams have played a huge role in stopping crime in Busamaga.
“The village patrol security teams get contributions of 2000 from every household in the areas of operation. The security teams have largely helped curb crime in Busamaga,” he says.

The new lease of life for Busamaga’s security has led to new developments, principally new residential buildings and an increase in the area’s population.
Right from Lower Busamaga or East Busamaga, there is a semblance of growth, a construction boom to be exact.
There are new residential buildings galore and many people moving around.

Micheal Wepukhulu, a new resident says he relocated to Busamaga because of the improved security.
“Security has improved greatly in this area. It is majorly the reason; people are now rushing to buy land here. It is the reason I bought land here. I also took the decision to come here because of it is near town,” Wephukhulu says.
 
LAND PRICES AND ACCOMMODATION RATES
Because there has been a rush to buy land in Busamaga, land prices have consequently appreciated through the years.
“Buying land in Busamaga in the mid 90’s was relatively cheaper, but with an increase in Busamaga’s population, principally people intent on purchasing land, land prices have been appreciating almost every day.  A plot goes for 5 to 15 million in upper Busamaga.
In lower Busamaga, plots of 40 by 50 go for 5 to 7 million, plots of 50 by 100 go for 10 to 20 million and 100 by 120 plots go for 40 to 100 million,” Masaba says.

Rental charges have also been in the ascendant. A two roomed house goes for 250,000 Ugx and a single room 150,000 Ugx, Masaba adds.

HISTORICAL LAND MARKS
Busamaga is home to the famous Bugisu Cooperative Union estates.
The Union set up the estates in the early 70’s.
Almost everybody who has visited Busamaga has heard of the famous estates.
They are located in Upper Busamaga as one makes their way to Bumboi.
From the estates, one will get a splendid view of the Presidential lodge in Senior quarters and the famous and gigantic Mbale landmark, Wanale Mountain.  
Though not in the best of shape, the BCU estates nonetheless still exist, albeit they need a revamp.
In the early 80’s and mid 90’s, the estates were home to many civil servants.
At present, most of the houses in the estate seem devoid of people.

In the lower part of Busamaga, you will find the classy Restville Hotel and the Presidential suite of Resort Hotel.
Restville hotel is fast becoming a favorite weekend fun melting pot, for many high profile A-listers of Mbale, whilst the Resort hotel Presidential suite is exquisite in its outlook.
It has added to the beauty of the area in many ways.



In Busamaga as well, you will find the famous river Namatsyo which runs from Wanala mountain. The river runs through both upper and lower Busamaga.

HEALTH
At present, Busamaga has to make do with only Bungokho health center 3 and Busamaga health center 2, yet the area’s population is growing.

“Residents have often complained of the area’s health centers being distant. Regardless of that fact, they health centers still serve a useful purpose. At present, we also have village health training teams and they are doing great work in sensitizing the people about health related issues,” Wangwe says

HYGIENE
Wangwe says the village health training teams have contributed a lot as well towards improving sanitation in Busamaga.
“In the past, people used to use the bushes to ease themselves.
Times have changed however. People have embraced more hygienic and cleaner ways of keeping everyone in their families and community healthy and sound,” he says.

SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL SERVICES
In the upper Busamaga, there are currently three primary schools, Namalogo Primary school, Nyanga Integrated Primary school and Mayor Primary school.
In the lower part of Busamaga, you will find Busamaga Primary school and Busamaga community secondary school, probably the only secondary school in the whole of Busamaga.
Given its close proximity to town, Busamaga has piped water courtesy of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation.

TRANSPORT
Deogratious Welikhe, a resident says the quickest way to get to any part of Busamaga is through a Boda Boda or a Bicycle.
“Taxes can be hard to find in Busamaga. Those that pass through here head to Bumboi and the other areas around Wanale Mountain. Because Busamaga is near town, many people prefer to walk home after work,” Welikhe says.

CHALLENGES
Many residents have continually grumbled about the unsteady and unreliable supply of power and water in Busamaga.
“There are times when power and water are a problem. Many times power goes off for long periods owing to transformer issues. Resolving the problem takes ages however much we go and report the problem to the people concerned,” Welikhe says.

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