How Shimon transformed Kira Municipality

Ever since Shimoni Teachers' College was relocated from its original location in the heart of Kampala to Kira, in Wakiso, the area was transformed. The budding residential area is endowed with elegance, fresh air, greenery and space. As the connecting roads are being constructed, amazing structures are beautifully popping out of shy fences.

"Everything here is being renamed Shimoni. Shimoni Rise, Shimoni Drive or Shimoni Estate," states Joseph Kiggundu, a boda boda cyclist. "I guess in future we will have no jobs ferrying passengers. Most of the new property owners drive their own cars."

Kiggundu says the original residents are selling off their land and relocating further away.

Besides an influx of workmen mopping sweat from their foreheads on several construction sites, the area has attracted a variety of new businesses comprising; day care centres, supermarkets, pubs, washing bays and night parking yards.

When it comes to entertainment, Kiira residents have to shuttle to Namugongo, Wandegeya, Nakasero or Mukono, which are all easily accessible.

"Security for our small population of 158,000 is guaranteed," boasts the LC5 chairman, Julius Mutebi. "Being sandwiched between Gayaza, Mukono and Kasangati, we want to prevent the mistakes greater Kampala City made. We dread congestion and development without planning."

Endowed with Martyr's Shrine and Mandela National Stadium, Kira visibly cuts an urban and semi urban setting.  The place benefited from the facelift of the Namugongo Shrine in preparation for the Pope's visit in 2015.  Kira roundabout, near the municipality offices, got a facelift.

The roads from; Najjera to Kira, Kira to Kyaliwajjala, Seeta to Namugongo were upgraded. The place is yet to get a taxi park to replace the muddy, dusty facility in place.

At a glance Kira homes, guesthouses and other utilities are endowed with more room for urban farming, play grounds and recreational activities.

Kira Municipality boasts of being home to the middle class and several Members of Parliament.

Opportunities
In spite of being one of the largest municipality in the country with five parishes, Kira still has numerous vendors, Indian style dukas (corner shops) and miniature supermarkets. But many a burial ground or ancestral home are being evacuated to give way to urban development. 

When it comes to money minting opportunities in Kira, a camp site is missing to contain the annual huge numbers of faith tourists who overwhelm Namugongo. In addition, lots of homes could make an extra income accommodating, feeding, guiding and selling crafts to the pilgrims.

Property rates
The property rates range from sh38m for a 50X100 plot to huge chunks with some price tags in foreign currency. A complete four bedroomed house is priced at $45,000 and a mansion goes for $593,472.

The rent structure, however, at between sh450,000-sh1.5m for a self-contained house, is comparably more pocket friendlier than other greater Kampala areas. A 100x 100ft plot in the area goes for between sh38m-sh 150m, depending on the location.

Kampala City being a melting pot of cultures one sees women in Buyibuyi supervising and paying labourers. Others are seen delivering or hammering joints on several construction sites or offload small trucks. Petrol stations are opening up branches along the roads.

In a nut shell, if a developer is searching for a residential area without sound pollution, menacing congestion then there is no better deal than Kira.