The article “Kyebando, home of Kampala’s beggars” is a report about the situation of beggars in Kyebando, Uganda. It ends with the words:
The people are ready to quit begging, but their only fear is where to get money for their upkeep.
“If we get proper help, we can stop begging. We need certain necessities before we can let go,” Olar says.
Some say they own land at their ancestral homes, but have no money to develop it, yet they cannot work it, since they are disabled. They say the government has not helped them either.
“The authorities say they don’t want us in the city, but they have not taken time to know what our problems are. They ought to help us,” says Olar.
Begging is now their way of life and changing it will require alternatives that guarantee some basic income. Until such a substitute is found, the daily journey of these crippled men and women from across the trench in Kyebando-Kisalosalo to the city streets will continue for years to come.
