It is possible to visit Wandegeya, yet be blissfully unaware of the existence of this slum as one travels from hotels in leafy suburbs to well equipped shopping centre’s to big hostels, restaurants and pubs. What most people especially tourists don’t see are many people who live in extreme poverty in this area. It is located between Akamwesi Hostel and Mulago hospital in Wandegeya.

 

People in Katanga live in severely overcrowded conditions with no access to clean water, sanitation or electricity, sometimes they live on one meal per day. This place is littered with human refuse, garbage, soot, dust and all kinds of waste material one can think of.

 

This is due to open sewage systems and frequent use of what is commonly known as “flying toilets”. The lack of adequate sanitation combined with poor nutrition among residents’ accounts for many diseases and illnesses found in the area.

 

This place also lacks substantial housing and tenure security. This is due to lack of capital among residents to buy building materials, therefore people tend to use tin, sacks, mud, old iron sheets for construction, but structures are often constructed on unstable ground, and therefore many structures collapse whenever there is flooding, which residents confirmed to occur regularly.
Related: Kiwunya Slum Makerere Kivulu