What sparks Ntinda to life?
BEFORE Club Palui, Quality Super Market and Zanzi Pork Joint became the flagships of Ntinda, Kabaka Mutebi’s Old Boy (OB), Nick popularised the area with Yakobo Pub.
By Titus Kakembo
BEFORE Club Palui, Quality Super Market and Zanzi Pork Joint became the flagships of Ntinda, Kabaka Mutebi’s Old Boy (OB), Nick popularised the area with Yakobo Pub.
Fat city dwellers waddled out of posh cars to wolf pork chops and guzzle floods of beer.
“Unfortunately, Nick closed the place before we established wheather he and the Kabaka studied together at Kingsmead Preparatory School, Sussex, Bradford Public School Reading or Cambridge University, “ recounts Joseph Serunkuma, a resident.
Ntinda residents still boast of some of the most treasured gifts that came from their backyard when the Kabaka wed Nagginda in 1999.
“Nick gave the Kabaka two choices ond Ba-ffee (our husband) preferred the book,†whispers Jane Nakimuli.
This was a book that had run out of stock about Buganda culture.
Come weekends, there is absolutely no change. Ntinda remains a compulsory destination for lovers, shoppers, worshippers and entertainment seekers.
The air is blazed with open charcoal ovens, roast pork, chicken and stuffed offals.
What used to be Yakobo’s is a high rise Tuskys Supermarket. It is surrounded by nooks lit by lazy lights and candle flames sending the shadows of patrons dancing on the walls.
Restaurants, bars and supermarkets are filled to capacity with romantic youth and middle-aged clients holding hands. They sit closely together as if there is not enough space.
What’s more in Ntinda?
One of the presidential candidates, Bidandi Ssali resides there. This is where the People’s Progressive Party headquarters is. True to the old adage, charity begins at home.
Kiwatule Recreation Centre (Bidandi’s property) is located just a stone’s throw away from bustling Ntinda.
I even saw the Forum for Democratic Change spokes person, new parliamentarian Wafula Ogutu drive by.
“Times, politics, economics and neighbourhoods have changed in the entire area,†observes Onaba, an elder. “In the 1960s we used to take 10 minutes to drive to Kampala City. But today, even an hour is not enough.â€
True to her word, traffic jam is a common occurrance along Ntinda’s connecting roads at peak hours. Boda bodas weave, snake and zoom through.
However, Ntinda is a hive of activity. The community has nooks where they dine, wine and make merry.
For home seekers, the place is ideal because of its proximity to the central business district of Kampala. As the demands of moneyed residents get more sophisticated, super markets are replacing Asian style dukas (corner shops.)
To contain the swelling competition and increased demand for homes, high-rise structures are making landlords exploit the scarce to capacity.
Besides proximity to Kampala city, Ntinda is fast becoming the model Satellite City. It has numerous NGOs, offices, medical services, schools and higher institutions.
“Ndere Troupe keeps us laughing and appreciating our diverse cultures,†says Frederick Kakembo of Dembe FM. “One can entertain guests without travelling to the National Theatre. The Bahai Church Hills are a dream come true for a picnic.â€
Clubbing and dining ‘pastoralists’ have a variety of options where to whet their appetites and obey thirst. There is Club Katalina, Akamwezi, popular with traditional cuisines while Palui is popular with campusers.
Housing
A variety of housing estates have sprung up around Ntinda trading centre.
Take Samawata Road; go to Ministers Village, Kiwatule estate and Kisasi village, all are dotted with plush residential units.
School buses comb them for pupils destined to Kabira International and Kampala Parents’ School.
A two-bed-roomed house with a living room costs between sh250,000 and sh450,000. A bed-sit which is popular with university scholars from up-country and abroad is tagged between sh150,000 and sh200,000.
Meanwhile, a mansion with a compound is available at between sh450,000 and sh600,000.
For land measuring 50ftx100ft, one has to dig in the wallet for sh15m or more.
BEFORE Club Palui, Quality Super Market and Zanzi Pork Joint became the flagships of Ntinda, Kabaka Mutebi’s Old Boy (OB), Nick popularised the area with Yakobo Pub.
Fat city dwellers waddled out of posh cars to wolf pork chops and guzzle floods of beer.
“Unfortunately, Nick closed the place before we established wheather he and the Kabaka studied together at Kingsmead Preparatory School, Sussex, Bradford Public School Reading or Cambridge University, “ recounts Joseph Serunkuma, a resident.
Ntinda residents still boast of some of the most treasured gifts that came from their backyard when the Kabaka wed Nagginda in 1999.
“Nick gave the Kabaka two choices ond Ba-ffee (our husband) preferred the book,†whispers Jane Nakimuli.
This was a book that had run out of stock about Buganda culture.
Come weekends, there is absolutely no change. Ntinda remains a compulsory destination for lovers, shoppers, worshippers and entertainment seekers.
The air is blazed with open charcoal ovens, roast pork, chicken and stuffed offals.
What used to be Yakobo’s is a high rise Tuskys Supermarket. It is surrounded by nooks lit by lazy lights and candle flames sending the shadows of patrons dancing on the walls.
Restaurants, bars and supermarkets are filled to capacity with romantic youth and middle-aged clients holding hands. They sit closely together as if there is not enough space.
What’s more in Ntinda?
One of the presidential candidates, Bidandi Ssali resides there. This is where the People’s Progressive Party headquarters is. True to the old adage, charity begins at home.
Kiwatule Recreation Centre (Bidandi’s property) is located just a stone’s throw away from bustling Ntinda.
I even saw the Forum for Democratic Change spokes person, new parliamentarian Wafula Ogutu drive by.
“Times, politics, economics and neighbourhoods have changed in the entire area,†observes Onaba, an elder. “In the 1960s we used to take 10 minutes to drive to Kampala City. But today, even an hour is not enough.â€
True to her word, traffic jam is a common occurrance along Ntinda’s connecting roads at peak hours. Boda bodas weave, snake and zoom through.
However, Ntinda is a hive of activity. The community has nooks where they dine, wine and make merry.
For home seekers, the place is ideal because of its proximity to the central business district of Kampala. As the demands of moneyed residents get more sophisticated, super markets are replacing Asian style dukas (corner shops.)
To contain the swelling competition and increased demand for homes, high-rise structures are making landlords exploit the scarce to capacity.
Besides proximity to Kampala city, Ntinda is fast becoming the model Satellite City. It has numerous NGOs, offices, medical services, schools and higher institutions.
“Ndere Troupe keeps us laughing and appreciating our diverse cultures,†says Frederick Kakembo of Dembe FM. “One can entertain guests without travelling to the National Theatre. The Bahai Church Hills are a dream come true for a picnic.â€
Clubbing and dining ‘pastoralists’ have a variety of options where to whet their appetites and obey thirst. There is Club Katalina, Akamwezi, popular with traditional cuisines while Palui is popular with campusers.
Housing
A variety of housing estates have sprung up around Ntinda trading centre.
Take Samawata Road; go to Ministers Village, Kiwatule estate and Kisasi village, all are dotted with plush residential units.
School buses comb them for pupils destined to Kabira International and Kampala Parents’ School.
A two-bed-roomed house with a living room costs between sh250,000 and sh450,000. A bed-sit which is popular with university scholars from up-country and abroad is tagged between sh150,000 and sh200,000.
Meanwhile, a mansion with a compound is available at between sh450,000 and sh600,000.
For land measuring 50ftx100ft, one has to dig in the wallet for sh15m or more.