By Our Reporter,
KAMPALA
In Kampala’s expanding suburbs and around university towns, muzigo life has become a rite of passage for many young people, especially students and early-career workers. These low-cost rental units often cramped, communal, but full of character, are known for being a melting pot of personalities and experiences. While some tenants find friendship, growth, and a sense of community, others discover the darker side of shared living: the infamous “noosty girls.”
In nearly every muzigo, there exists a clique of mean-spirited female tenants known for stirring drama, fanning gossip, and casting judgment on anyone who dares to live differently. Their behavior is so consistent across rentals that it has almost become part of muzigo folklore.
These tenants often carry an air of superiority, boastful about their belongings, always flaunting the latest outfits, and quick to size up any new neighbor, especially if they arrive with flair or male visitors in tow. If your rented room has a flat-screen TV, constant visitors, or a well-decorated interior, rest assured it will spark envy-fueled gossip in the corridors.
Gossip, of course, is a staple in any shared living space. But for these noosty girls, it goes beyond harmless talk. With sharp tongues and active imaginations, they turn personal information into scandal, often twisting facts to make the story juicier. Conversations about others’ love lives, rent struggles, or family matters become daily entertainment. “They have a nose for news,” one tenant quipped. “They know who’s behind on rent, who’s seeing who, and even who snores at night.”
Often operating in tightly knit groups, these women feed off each other’s energy. Their group discussions, loud and unfiltered tend to revolve around men, money, and meals. Rarely do they show empathy or pause to consider the impact of their words. Instead, their commentary fuels tension, leading to verbal spats, bitter grudges, and in extreme cases, outright hostility.
“It starts with whispers in the kitchen or shared bathroom and ends in physical fights,” said Lydia Nakalyango, a tenant in Kisaasi. “Sometimes it’s so serious, you’d think you’re watching a soap opera unfold right outside your door.”
In an ironic twist, their constant surveillance also doubles as a kind of informal security system. These self-appointed neighborhood monitors notice every new face, visitor, and unusual activity. Some married residents have even been known to discreetly ask the noosty girls to “keep an eye” on unfaithful partners. They’re human CCTV – always watching.
Still, not all female tenants fall into this category. Amid the chaos, there are many warm, respectful, and supportive women living in muzigos, those who mind their business, lend a helping hand, and foster healthy friendships. As one resident wisely put it, “Even in a basket of rotten tomatoes, you’ll always find one or two fresh ones.”
So, while muzigo life is filled with drama and unexpected characters, it remains a valuable experience for many. It teaches tolerance, caution, and the importance of choosing one’s inner circle carefully.
