#thenewnakasero

Nakasero in Kampala (not the market) was a really plush area some years back. One of those places where not every Tom, Dick and Harry ventured into. No stray cows and dogs, no groundnut hawkers or toffee sellers. No mangys.
Just rich people, with healthy tabbies, and swings, and barbeques and Sunday brunch.
It was nice spacious houses with tiled roofs, humongous compounds, big old trees and quiet roads (that looked like they got a daily wash with Omo and clean water) for its privileged residents to jog, take bicycle rides and walk their dogs in the evenings.
Today, there are office buildings, casinos, discotheques, bars. And car bonds. Like this Pine car bond which has been in the news of late. That its owner allegedly murdered a woman in one of its dingy offices. Because she owed him money.
Many of the men who sell the used cars at these bonds are well-dressed. They look like deported nkuba-kyeyos. They arrive early, and then stand at the side of the road waiting.
Some sit down for an early breakfast of katogo ka bijanjalo or chips and fried egg and avocado and a slice of cucumber.
7am, 8am, 9am, 10am- occasionally someone drives by slowly and makes like to stop- then they all swarm the car, hoping this is a potential buyer.
“Just checking, sorry.”
Other times they sit on upturned wooden crates or tree trunks, conversing about what and forcing out laughs. Sometimes the day, the week, and even the month goes by, and they have not made a single sale