By Augustine Kaboha
Commonly, Ghettos are parts of cities where members of the community/minority groups live especially as a result of political, Social, legal, environmental or economical situations.
In most countries, Ghettos are known for being isolated areas that accommodate low income generators with deprived access to public service delivery like water, electricity, roads, hospitals, employment among others at their disposal
Background
The term, was originally used for the Venetian Ghetto in Venice Italy as early as 1516, to describe the part of the city where Jewish people were restricted to live and thus segregated from other people. Since then, the current generations have fashioned their own versions, and naming all describing the Ghetto life witnessed in Italy in 1516.
In the United States of America USA, the term Ghetto has a deep cultural meaning especially in the context of segregation of non citizens and civil rights. Ghetto word has been used in America to refer to poor neighborhoods while the same is used in the European countries such as Romania and Slovenia to refer to the poor living in big cities.
In Kampala capital , Ghetto life was first told through music by renowned musician and self proclaimed Ghetto president Bobi Wine in the early 2000. In his music, Bobi Wine unveiled the misery the poor people were living in the slummy areas of the capital Kampala and how the leaders were taking their wellbeing for granted.
Telling the Ghetto story in Fort Portal
Henry Kyomuhendo Atom, also known as the Ghetto story teller in his early 30’s, a born of Bunyangabu District, started living in Fort Portal after completing his S.6 at Kibiito SS in 2011.
After spending years in the city, looking for employment in vein forced him to relocate to Kitembe cell located a few meters off the Fort Portal-Bundibugyo highway, which is one of the unimproved areas in Fort Portal with insufficient service delivery.
Kitembe, which is one of the many Ghetto areas in Fort Portal hosts dwellers that are low income earners surviving on hand to mouth income day after day.
According to Henry Kyomuhendo, it was until 2018 when he decided to start speaking for people living in isolated places and decided to refer to these areas as Ghetto since the same was being used in Kampala and other big cities across the world in demanding for better services.
Kyomuhendo, championed the start of Fort Portal City Ghetto Association which currently has more than 100 members with the aim of advocating for services especially unemployment that is common where they stay.
Life in the Ghetto
Charles Mutegeki 28, lives in Kisenyi a renowned location hosting majorly low income earners and unemployed youthful dwellers in Fort Portal City.
Mutegeki, believes that change is not something that one can wait for, and everybody holds the potential of taking control of his or her own life in the Ghetto since many people including political leaders have different perception about their life and have since ignored everything about it.
“It is not true that Ghetto people are wrongdoers, we live life like any other person only that we lack enough income to compete with others by staying in good looking locations” Mutegeki told us.
Challenges faced in the Ghetto include unemployment, drug abuse, school dropout, early marriages, and poor infrastructure like roads, housing, and poor drainage systems among others, he adds.
Where to find Ghettos in Fort Portal
Jubilee radio has discovered that Ghetto areas are located in Kachwamba, Nyabukara, Kitumba, Kitembe, Mpanga, Kisenyi and Njara Hakabale among others.
Ghetto people are advocating for being put together with threads of safety and shelter to live in a beautiful circle of life in their own country and city.
Who stays in the Ghettos of Fort Portal?
According to Richard Muhumuza, the Mayor of Central Division Fort Portal City, the areas are occupied by people of different caliber including men, women, youths and the elderly.
The most affected population in this context is the youths who lack employment and skills hence low income in their families.
Crime in the Ghetto
The youths in the Ghetto live in a miserable lifestyle of unemployment and low income at household level which traps some in cycles of criminal activity and violence. At some point or another, many are forced to using substances or drug abuse in order to endure the harshness of the life they live.
According to security, several crimes of pick pocketing and theft have been recorded on the streets of Fort-portal which is attributed to the youths that are not working.
The Ghetto ambassador Henry Kyomuhendo aka Atom, says many of the people who stay in these places were not created as criminals but are forced into the same because of the complicated style of living.
He says, many are skilled and can do carpentry, Boda Boda, Hair dressing, Tailoring, Mechanics among others but lack opportunities.
Overlooked by society, Ghetto people are at best disregarded and at worst dehumanized – says Mr. Atom.
Charles Mutegeki Deco, says that thousands of people, especially youths are living on the streets of Fort-portal and Kampala and the number increases day by day. According to him government has abandoned, rejected, segregated and socially excluded them in the society.
Dreams are Bright
The major objective of the Fort-portal Ghetto Association is to change the story from misery to success. This can only be achieved by holding leaders and other stakeholders accountable for everything and situation that happens in these isolated places.
Mr. Atom, believes that change is gradual and appreciates the fact that local and national leaders in the area have started acknowledging their complaints which may yield some good results.
What leaders say
Richard Muhumuza the central division mayor Fort Portal City, acknowledges the presence of the Ghetto association but says they should approach division council authorities to address their challenges.
According to Muhumuza, the council is committed to providing employment to everyone that has nothing to do, especially the youth, both boys and girls. When contacted by Jubilee reporter the mayor revealed that they currently have job opportunities for people willing to work as sweepers in the city and those willing to work as road gangs.
In Kachwamba B13 Ghetto zone, Grace Atuhaire says that when no one else believes in them their ambition is to empower, encourage & support their wellbeing.
According to Atuhaire, the youths are the next generation, the most resilient and powerful country can have. If given support Fort-portal City will grow to bigger heights , she says.
