The question “Kampalans, where are you from?” is a common greeting, but one that reveals a city deeply shaped by its history and ongoing struggles with urban planning and equitable development. Kampala, Uganda’s capital and economic hub, bears the visible marks of colonial policies and post-independence growth that have created a city of stark contrasts.
Prior to the arrival of British colonial administrators in the late 19th century, the area now encompassing Kampala was already a significant center within the Buganda Kingdom. The Kabaka’s palace at Mengo served as the political and cultural heart of the kingdom, overseeing governance, trade, and social life. The kingdom, the largest of the traditional kingdoms in present-day East Africa, consisted of Uganda’s Central Region, including Kampala, according to the Buganda Kingdom website (www.buganda.or.ug).
The British fundamentally reshaped Kampala, implementing a system of racial and class segregation. European administrators and settlers were allocated well-planned areas like Kololo, Vintage Kampala, and Nakasero, benefiting from developed infrastructure and sanitation. In contrast, African laborers, who formed the backbone of the colonial economy, were relegated to settlements lacking basic services. This dual structure, as noted in a recent article on Ugandan immigration (https://www.ugandaimmigration.org/news/buganda-kingdom), created lasting inequalities and a sense of entitlement for some even as others were relegated to the role of laborers.
Following Uganda’s independence in 1962, there was hope for redress, but Kampala experienced rapid, largely unplanned expansion. Migration from across the country in search of opportunities led to the city growing from seven to 21 hills. This growth outstripped the capacity of urban authorities to effectively plan and regulate development, resulting in informal settlements lacking essential infrastructure, roads, and drainage systems. Areas like Katwe Makidye, Bwayise Kawempe, and Nakulabye Lubaga became characterized by overcrowding and inadequate sanitation.
A growing middle class has emerged in recent decades, with many seeking healthcare, education, and business opportunities abroad. These citizens often contrast Kampala unfavorably with Western cities, highlighting deficiencies in transport, sanitation, and urban planning. However, this comparison overlooks the historical lack of sustained investment in comprehensive urban planning within Uganda itself.
Street vendors have become a focal point in debates about modernization and city management. While often viewed as a source of urban disorder, these vendors represent thousands of citizens relying on slight-scale trade for survival in a city with limited formal employment opportunities. Removing vendors without providing viable alternatives fails to address the underlying economic challenges.
Social development specialist Joseph Bwanika, CEO of Bridge your mind Centre, argues for a more sustainable approach, advocating for the development of affordable and accessible markets for vendors, alongside improved public transport, housing, and urban services. “Urban development should not simply focus on control or beautification. It must also consider fairness and opportunity for all citizens,” Bwanika wrote in a recent opinion piece. He warns that excluding large segments of the population from economic participation can lead to frustration and social instability.
Bwanika emphasizes that Kampala must be viewed as a shared space, where all residents have the opportunity to work, live, and move with dignity. He suggests that addressing the city’s challenges requires a shift towards inclusion and planning, rather than division and neglect. The Buganda Kingdom, as a fundamental element of Uganda’s national heritage, continues to play a role in shaping cultural identity and advocating for community well-being (https://www.ugandaimmigration.org/news/buganda-kingdom).
The question of where a Kampalan comes from should, according to Bwanika, encourage reflection on shared responsibility and belonging, recognizing that the city was built by people from all parts of Uganda.
