Matuwa Village

Little Lights

About Matuwa Village

NAMBWA PARISH, LUKHONGE SUBCOUNTY, MBALE DISTRICT

The village of Matuwa is made up of 82 households. The population is 329 people. Demographics show 160 women, 169 men, and 36 children under the age of 5 years.

The population is predominantly from the Bagisu tribe and they speak Lumasaaba.

The village has two Pre-Primary/Primary Schools including Matuwa Nursery & Primary School; up to P.7  and Smith Junior Nursery & Primary School; up to P.6

Matuwa does not have a church and has only 2 poorly stocked shops to cater to its residents.

They have one qualified nursing assistant who runs a small clinic near the Ginnery.

Health issues include high numbers of mango worms during the rainy season and increased cases of debilitating jiggers during the dry season that keep children out of school. Many residents believe that cholera, polio, and cancer are caused by witchcraft and often refuse to have medical care. Typhoid shows up in high numbers from residents of the village at OCM’s clinic.

The crime locals experience are mostly cases of domestic violence.

The staple foods include Matooke (steamed bananas), Sweet Potatoes, Cassava, Posho (Made from Maize flour) & Millet Bread

Food security predominantly depends on the season; From approximately mid-June to early January (weather permitting) most people can arrange 3 meals (one might be tea) because it is the period of harvest. From January through late March people resort to 2 meals, typically porridge in the morning and a late evening meal to hold them through the night. April through early June is the highly challenging period with families having a single meal in a day, and oftentimes one meal every other day.

Water sources include two unprotected springs, 1 non-functioning borehole, 1 barely functioning borehole, the Manafwa River and one currently operating borehole.

Matuwa Village has 5 legally connected households/businesses connected to power. Lines are poorly placed making it too costly for other residents to connect in. Residents in Matuwa Village are described as open-minded and liberal.