Katindo | |
|---|---|
| Quartier Katindo | |
 The MESP office in Katindo,Goma, Goma | |
| Country |  Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Province | North Kivu |
| City | Goma |
| Commune | Goma |
| Population (2014 est.) | |
• Total | 50,860 |
| Official language | French |
| National language | Kiswahili |
Katindo is a neighborhood in theGoma commune ofGoma, located inNorth Kivu,Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1][2] Strategically located in the northern region of the city,[3] it had an estimated population of 50,860 as of 2014.[4] The neighborhood is situated north of the Goma-Sake road and south ofLake Kivu, with Les Volcans neighborhood to the east and Himbi to the west.[5] Administratively, Katindo is divided into three cells and eight avenues.[5]
Katindo is governed by a neighborhood chief, who is supported by two deputies—one male and one female—along with an administrative secretary and two census officials.[5] Katindo is divided into three cells (cellule), each further subdivided into avenues, which are composed of multipleNyumba Kumi (ten-house units).[5][6] Introduced in 1997 by theAlliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL) and inspired by a similar model inRwanda, theNyumba Kumi system is overseen by appointed representatives under the supervision of the neighborhood chief. Each unit is responsible for managing ten households.[6]
The neighborhood's administrative divisions are as follows:[5]
Cell of 20 Juillet:
RVA Cell:
Golfe Cell:
Katindo was officially established on 22 May 1989, following Order No. 089-127, which reorganized and subdivided the urban area ofGoma after the creation ofNorth Kivu Province in 1988.[5] Initially part of the former Mont Goma neighborhood, Katindo was formed alongside Himbi as a result of administrative restructuring based on geographic size. It subsequently became one of the 18 officially designated neighborhoods constituting the broaderGoma city.[5]
Most residents engaged in trade andsmall businesses. The neighborhood is home to threeinformal marketplaces, collectively referred to as Limanga, strategically situated at Bitumingi (Beni Avenue), Carmel (Carmel Avenue), and Babanjabuka (Lake Avenue).[7]Retail trade thrives through numerousboutiques,kiosks, hardware stores, food shops,carpentry workshops,sewing ateliers, and mills.[7] Additionally, Katindo hosts savingscooperatives, hotels, pharmaceutical dispensaries, gas stations, and other commercial establishments.[7] Notable businesses in the area include Aquavie and Go Shop.[7]
The neighborhood also features a branch office of MECRE, a subsidiary of the microfinance institution MECREGO (Mutuelle d'Épargne et deCrédit deGoma).[8]
Katindo faceswaste management challenges. Improper disposal of rubbish is widespread, with waste accumulating along roads and streets due to the lack of adequate disposal sites. While some residents subscribe to privatewaste collection services such as BSC Sprl and T3S, these services are often irregular, leaving many without proper waste management solutions.[7]
There's also lack of access toclean water, as many households rely on water fromLake Kivu due to the scarcity ofstandpipes. Although water is available in some avenues, a large portion of the population depends on lake water for daily use.[7] Sanitation conditions are also problematic, with many household toilets poorly maintained. This is particularly evident on Masisi Avenue, where unhygienic conditions have contributed towaterborne diseases such asdiarrhea andtyphoid fever.[7]