Katwe
Katwe is an area in the city of Kampala, Uganda's capital.
Location
Katwe, located in Makindye Division,[1] is bordered by Nakasero to the north, Nsambya to the east, Kibuye and Makindye to the southeast, Ndeeba to the south and Mengo to the west. The road distance between Kampala's central business district and Katwe is approximately 3 kilometres (1.9 mi).[2]
Overview
At the time of Uganda's Independence from Britain in 1962, Katwe was a center of African ingenuity, where artisans, craftsmen and technicians repaired imported electronics, automobiles, televisions, refrigerators and all kinds of appliances.[3] The more ingenious of these craftsmen would improvise and "manufacture" imitations of the original articles. The Baganda, an ethnic group in Uganda call such improvised articles Magezi ga Baganda (Wisdom of Baganda). Over the next half a century, that ingenuity has sharpened, the industry has thrived and taken in more apprentices and the range of articles locally manufactured has increased. In 2007, it was estimated that Katwe employed over 3,000 artisans and metal fabricators in over 800 individual small enterprises. The Katwe artisans now collaborate with Makerere University's Faculty of Technology, to take their industry to the next level.[4] Another group that has been traditionally attracted to Katwe are entrepreneurs and independent businesspeople, starting from meager beginnings, who have been viewed as "risky" by Uganda's conservative banking industry. These have included cooked food vendors, wholesalers of local foodstuffs, herbalists and owners of small transportation companies. One such an entrepreneur is Namutebi, a herbalist and owner of a transportation company. Despite her lack of formal education and young age (33 years in 2007), her estimated net worth was in the seven-figure range (in US$).[5] Other businesspeople who have come to Katwe include vendors of second-hand electronics, and sellers of scrap goods and previously-owned merchandise.[6]
Katwe has also attracted young men and women, with little education and practical skills who have resorted to all manner of crime, ranging from prostitution and petty thievery to armed robbery and murder. Katwe remains one of the highest crime-ridden areas in Kampala.[7][8] Politicians and community leaders have blamed the high crime rate to high unemployment and rampant use of recreational drugs, but lasting solutions to the problem remain elusive.[9]
The residential areas of Katwe have been a slum, right from when human habitation started to appear along the railway tracks leading from Kampala to Kasese in the first half of the 20th century. However, starting around 2007, respectable office space started to appear on Katwe's main streets. Quality Chemical Industries Limited, a Ugandan pharmaceutical manufacturer has its head office at Quality Chemicals House, in Katwe. Equity Bank maintains its headquarters in the area, having acquired Uganda Microfinance Limited which had established its headquarters there in August 2007.[10] Subsequently, other reputable businesses, including Orient Bank, Tropical Bank, Stanbic Bank, Bank of Africa and Airtel Telecom, are moving into the area, turning the former slum into a respectable business zone, one building at a time.[11]
Points of interest
The following points of interest lie within or near Katwe:
- Katwe Central Market
- Nakayima's Shrine - A place where a traditional soothsayer interprets problems and predicts the future for a fee.[12]
- Glory Ministries International - A place of worship affiliated with the Pentecostal Movement[13]
- Katwe Martyrs Church - A place of worship affiliated with the Church of Uganda[14]
- Nalongo's Restaurant - A restaurant that serves tradition Ganda food. It has been in the neighborhood since the early 1960s.[15]
- Katwe Primary School - An elementary school administered by the Uganda Ministry of Education[16]
- Uganda Bikers Association Office - Offers motorcycles for rent to members[17]
- Muganzirwazza Shopping Mall - A 5-storey shopping complex housing a supermarket, banks, cafes, pharmacies and hair saloons.
Cultural references
The 2016 movie Queen of Katwe, starring David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong'o, is set in the area.
Notable people
- Phiona Mutesi, born 1996, Ugandan chess champion, and the subject of a book, documentary and Disney film Queen of Katwe.[18]
See also
References
- ^ Kato, Joshua (18 July 2007). "Why Kampala Divisions Want Municipality Status". New Vision. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ "Map Showing Kampala And Katwe With Distance Marker". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Ikwap, Emma (10 July 2013). "Know Your Hood : Katwe, Famous for Its African Metallic Artistry". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Vision, Reporter (22 February 2007). "Katwe Artisans Link Up With Makerere". New Vision. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Basudde, Elvis (26 March 2006). "Namutebi, Chief of The Spirits". New Vision. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Okello, Raphael (8 December 2006). "Earn From Household Scrap". New Vision. Archived from the original on 7 January 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Ssempogo, Herbert (12 January 2006). "Over Sh39 Billion Lost In Crime". New Vision. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Businge, Conan (22 July 2007). "Over 50 Arrested In Katwe". New Vision. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Businge, Conan (10 August 2007). "Why Katwe Is A Crime Den". New Vision. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Nsambu, Jean-Marie (21 August 2007). "Uganda Microfinance Goes to Katwe". New Vision. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Katende, Jude (2 May 2008). "Katwe: From Den of Thieves to Modern Business Centre". New Vision. Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Kareire, Pidson (27 January 2005). "My Visit to The Shrine". New Vision. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Newvision, Archive (31 March 2005). "Pastor Muwonge Launches Album". New Vision. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Balagadde, Samuel (29 May 2005). "Mengo, Church In Land Wrangle". New Vision. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Kironde II, Kadumukasa (5 May 2005). "Nalongo's Serves Big Portions". New Vision. Archived from the original on 7 May 2005. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Newvision, Archive (22 March 2006). "Celtel Donates to UPE Schools". New Vision. Archived from the original on 17 June 2014. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Serunjogi, Titus (31 January 2008). "If You Cannot Buy It, Rent It". New Vision. Archived from the original on 2 October 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2014.
- ^ Musinguzi, Bamuturaki (January 20, 2018). "Queen of Katwe wins chess title for university". The EastAfrican. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
External links
- The Queen of Katwe
- v
- t
- e
- Banda
- Bugoloobi
- Bukoto
- Busega
- Butabika
- Bwaise
- Ggaba
- Kabalagala
- Kamwookya
- Kansanga
- Kaleerwe
- Kanyanya
- Kasubi
- Katwe
- Kawaala
- Kawempe
- Kibuli
- Kibuye
- Kigoowa
- Kikaaya
- Kisaasi
- Kiwaatule
- Kulambiro
- Kololo
- Kyambogo
- Kyebando
- Lubaga
- Lungujja
- Luzira
- Makerere
- Makindye
- Mbuya
- Mengo
- Mpererwe
- Mulago
- Munyonyo
- Muyenga
- Naakulabye
- Naguru
- Najjanankumbi
- Nakasero
- Nakawa
- Nakawa–Naguru Estates
- Namirembe
- Namungoona
- Namuwongo
- Nateete
- Ndeeba
- Nsambya
- Ntinda
- Old Kampala
- Port Bell
- Wandegeya
- Daily Monitor
- New Vision
- New Vision Group
- The Independent (Uganda)
- The Observer (Uganda)
- Dott Services
- National Housing and Construction Company
- Tirupati Development Uganda Limited
- Insurance Regulatory Authority of Uganda
- National Food and Drug Authority
- National Planning Authority
- National Identification and Registration Authority
- National Social Security Fund
- National Water and Sewerage Corporation
- Uganda Securities Exchange
- Uganda Investment Authority
- Ruparelia Group
- Kyagalanyi Coffee Limited
- Brookside Dairy Limited
- Jesa Farm Dairy Limited
- Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority
- Uganda Land Commission
- Capital Markets Authority of Uganda
- Uganda Coffee Development Authority
- ROKO Construction Company
- Uganda Business Facilitation Centre
- Uganda Air Cargo
- Uganda Airlines
- Kampala Airport
- Uganda National Roads Authority
- Entebbe–Kampala Expressway
- Kampala–Jinja Expressway
- Kampala–Jinja Highway
- Kampala–Entebbe Road
- Kampala–Gayaza Road
- Kampala–Bombo Expressway
- Kampala–Busunju Expressway
- Kampala–Mpigi Expressway
- Kampala–Masaka Road
- Kampala–Mityana Road
- Kampala–Hoima Road
- Kampala Northern Bypass Highway
- Kampala Southern Bypass Highway
- Kampala Outer Beltway
- Tondeka Metro Bus Service
landmarks
- Afrexim Bank House, Kampala
- Bulange
- Christ the King Catholic Church
- Uganda Parliament Buildings
- Kampala Capital City Authority Complex
- DFCU House
- Kampala Protea Hotel
- Kampala Hilton Garden Inn
- Kampala Hilton Hotel
- Kampala Serena Hotel
- Kampala Sheraton Hotel
- Imperial Hotels Group
- Imperial Royale Hotel
- Grand Imperial Hotel
- Janani Luwum Church House
- Kampala Kingdom Hotel
- Kampala Speke Hotel
- Mapeera House
- Movement House
- Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort
- Thobani Centre
- Speke Resort and Conference Center
- East African Development Bank Building
- Bank of Uganda Building Complex
- Mengo Palace
- Kabaka's Place Banda
- Namirembe Cathedral
- Rubaga Cathedral
- Makerere University Main Campus
- National Water and Sewerage Corporation Headquarters Building
- Kampala Tower
- Hotel Africana
- Kibuli Mosque
- Old Kampala Mosque
- Uganda Inspectorate of Government Towers
- Uganda Ministry of Education Complex
- Uganda Museum
- Uganda National Cultural Centre
- Uganda National Records Centre and Archives
- Kasubi Tombs
- DFCU House
- Pension Towers
- JLOS House Project
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala
- Aga Khan University, Kampala
- Cavendish University Uganda
- Clarke International University
- Habib Medical School
- Institute of Petroleum Studies Kampala
- International Health Sciences University
- International University of East Africa
- ISBAT University
- Kampala International School
- Kampala University
- Kibuli Secondary School
- Kitante Hill Secondary School
- Kololo Senior Secondary School
- Kyambogo University
- Law Development Centre
- Makerere College School
- Makerere University
- Makerere University Business School
- Mengo Senior School
- Nabisunsa Girls' Secondary School
- Nakawa Vocational Training Institute
- Nexus International University
- Rubaga Community School
- Stafford University Uganda
- St. Augustine International University
- St. Lawrence University
- Uganda Christian University School of Medicine
- Team University
- Uganda Industrial Research Institute
- Uganda Management Institute
- Uganda Martyrs University School of Medicine
- Uganda National Entrepreneurship Development Institute
- Uganda Technology and Management University
- Victoria University Uganda
- Uganda National Council for Higher Education
- Aga Khan University Hospital, Kampala
- Butabika Hospital
- Case Medical Centre
- International Hospital Kampala
- Kadic Hospital
- Kampala Hospital
- Kampala Medical Chambers Hospital
- Kawempe General Hospital
- Kibuli Hospital
- Kiruddu General Hospital
- Lubaga Hospital
- Makerere University Hospital
- Mbuya Military Hospital
- Mengo Hospital
- Mulago Hospital
- Mulago Women's Referral Hospital
- Murchison Bay Hospital
- Upper Mulago Regional Referral Hospital
- Nakasero Hospital
- Naguru General Hospital
- Nsambya Hospital
- Paragon Hospital
- Uganda Cancer Institute
- Uganda Heart Institute
- Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council
- Women's Hospital International and Fertility Centre
- Galilee Community General Jewish Hospital of Uganda
- International Medical Group
- Uganda Joint Medical Store
- A.F. Mpanga Advocates
- ENSafrica
- Kampala Associated Advocates
- Kasirye Byaruhanga and Company Advocates
- Kateera & Kagumire Advocates
- Katende Ssempebwa & Company Advocates
- Kigozi Ssempala Mukasa Obonyo Advocates
- Ligomarc Advocates
- Sebalu & Lule Advocates
- Apolo Nsibambi
- Nasser Sebaggala
- David Serwadda
- Fred Ruhindi
- John Ssebaana Kizito
- Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige
- Erias Lukwago
- Ian Clarke
- Jennifer Musisi
- Josephine Nambooze
- Maria Kiwanuka
- Laurence Sematimba
- Joseph Kizito
- Justinian Tamusuza
- Robert Ssejjemba
- Eugene Sseppuya
- Phillip Ssozi
- Sudhir Ruparelia
- Wasswa Serwanga
- Yusef Sozi
- Margaret Zziwa
- Beti Kamya-Turwomwe
- Moses Matovu
- Mohammed Hamid
- Hasmukh Dawda
00°17′48″N 32°34′32″E / 0.29667°N 32.57556°E / 0.29667; 32.57556