Pastor Bagoole preaches the gospel of youth empowerment

Until October 31, New Vision will devote space to highlighting the plight of slum dwellers as well as profiling those offering selfless service to improve conditions in these areas. Today, Andrew Masinde brings you the story of empowerment from Nkatu, a slum in Iganga Town Council.

Once known as the biggest slum in Iganga Town Council, Nkatu slum has been static – literally – with no development over the past few years. Nkatu is a multi-ethnic dwelling, where ethnic tensions and divisions are common.

The major economic activity in the area is bar business (selling local brew), which is to blame for the many drunkards in the slum.

Open–roofed structures that pass as latrines dot the area, and the stench of urine, alcohol and human waste rule the air. In Nkatu slum, drinking starts as early as 6:00am, and seems not to stop, thanks to the 24-hour local brew bars. 

“People drink because they have nothing else to occupy them?” notes Alile Balondemu, the Nkatu LC1 chairman. Characterised by crowded and unplanned mud–and–wattle structures that are roofed with rusty iron sheets, polythene bags, grass, rags and cardboards, Nkatu has a few semi-permanent houses.

David Ibanda who has lived in the area for close to 60 years, says the semi-finished structures were built around the time he was born.

Although the slum has a huge population of about 3,000, it has only one borehole and a water tap. A 20-litre jerrycan of water costs sh250, which many residents cannot afford. 

Worse still, the slum has one public latrine, forcing many residents to ease themselves in the unoccupied plots or unfinished building, making the place a health hazard. Ibanda says Nkatu derives its name from what used to take place in the area.

“My grandfather said the slum got its name because of the smell of alcohol. People always said njire munkatu (I have gone to the place that smells of alcohol).”

But all is not lost. Amid all this poverty, filth and hopelessness, one man has devoted his life to giving Nkatu children a future. 

Pastor Vincent Bagoole says it is a big challenge, “but someone has to make an effort to help young girls and boys get out of poverty and ensure they have a better future.” 

In 2001, Bagoole started a project to entice street children into his church with the aim of counselling and giving them support. 

“I started by bringing them to church and giving them food and clothes. I also gave them shelter in my small house, but many would still run away as they were used to roaming the slum freely. It was hard, but I did not give up. I have managed to convince some of them not to go back to the streets,” Bagoole says.

When he asked the children why they were on the streets, he says many of them cited mistreatment at home by their parents.

Consequently, Bagoole started asking the children to take him to their parents so he could counsel them. As a result, some of the children were taken back by their families.

When the number of homeless children increased, Bagoole set up a small school. With only four rooms, he started educating the children who agreed to leave the streets.

Bagoole Charity Trust Academy Centre emphasises vocational and technical education. Bagoole also has several small training centres, where he trains women, children and the youth at no cost. However, other people interested in the courses pay fees. 

The pastor gets funds from well–wishers and churches. He uses the money to buy clothes, shoes and food for the children who stay at the centre. 

He has also opened up a carpentry workshop at the centre.Matia Kapiisi, one of the beneficiaries, does not regret joining the vocational school.

“Many people think vocational education or blue collar jobs are for failures. On the contrary, we are intelligent and innovative. That is why we are able to create our own and other people’s employment,” he says. “I can make all kinds of furniture despite the short period I have spent here. When I complete my studies here, I will start my own workshop.” 

Bagoole also trains women, especially widows in tailoring and design. Scovia Mutesi, one of the trainees, says when Bagoole advised her to join the technical institute at the centre, she first refused, thinking it was hard. “When he insisted, I joined to please him since he was a pastor,” she confesses.

However, Mutesi now has plans to buy a sewing machine to start her own sewing business, thanks to the skills acquired at the centre.

Bagoole plans to expand the training centre, so that many more people acquire skills from the centre.  “It hurts when I pass in Nkatu and see drunkards very early in the morning. As able–bodied people, they can make better use of their energy if they are guided,” he says. 

“If I get more funds in future, I will expand the vocational training centre and open branches in each slum in Iganga,” he says.  Besides the Bagoole vocational training centre, the has started a school of beauty in Kasokoso, a nearby slum.

Siragi Katono, the Iganga Town Council mayor, says the council is doing all it can to improve conditions in slums.

He adds that they have many projects to support slum dwellers. He, however, notes that whenever the authorities visit the area to assess the situation, the residents chase them away, claiming the local leaders want to steal their land. 

Katono pledges to support Bagoole’s vocational centre, when the council gets funds, as part of the efforts to empower the jobless youth in Iganga slums.