Greater Luwero Roadside Market Vendors Tipped on Household Income as President Museveni Offers Them More Financial Support
For the last three years, President Museveni through State House has been offering support to various roadside market vendors along major Highways like Gulu, Hoima and Mityana roads to boost their household incomes.
The 928 vendors who benefited from this latest business booster package were drawn from Kakooge Daily Market in Nakasongola, Kiyenje Daily Market and Balikyewunya Market (both in Luwero). The vendors who received Shs100,000 each, generally ply their trade in agricultural produce, roasted chicken and muchomo as well as beverages.
The package was delivered by State House officials led by the Senior Presidential Advisor-Elderly, Princess Pauline Nassolo and Private Secretary to H.E the President, Ms. Flora Kabibi.
Princess Nassolo revealed that President Museveni extended the financial support to the vendors with an aim of improving their household incomes.
'Mzee wants you to work and improve your livelihoods that's why he always empowers you economically,' she said.
'The last time we came here, you told us that some of you have never benefited from the Parish Development Model or Emyooga programs so H.E the President decided to offer you this support of Shs100,000 to each one of you as you wait to benefit from other government programs.'
Princess Nassolo also cautioned the vendors against unconstructive politicking, advising them that they should instead focus on fighting poverty through stabilizing their homestead incomes.
'When time for politics comes, go and vote then come back to your workstations and always support someone who supports you. I'm very sure Mzee has played his part, now it's your time to reciprocate,' she added.
Additionally, Princess Nassolo urged the parents to take good care of their children and groom them to be responsible citizens of Uganda.
'Our country is facing a lot of challenges when it comes to morality. Advise your children against immorality and criminality. We want to have morally uplift citizens of Uganda.'
In a special way, the Senior Presidential Advisor appreciated the youth of Greater Luwero for listening to President Museveni's message of wealth creation.
'Thank you for joining the money economy. Mzee is proud of you.'
On her part, Ms. Kabibi called upon the vendors to appreciate President Museveni for being a visionary leader who cares for the wellbeing of all Ugandans.
'Because he cares, that's why he sends this financial support to you to grow your businesses,' she stated.
'Although the package is small, please utilise it well. H.E the President will send you more support,' she assured.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Luwero District, Mr. Richard Bwabye Ntulume asked the vendors to utilise the financial support from the President well.
He said the package is meant to empower them economically and that they should vote for the President again in 2026 for more development.
On the other hand, the vendors expressed gratitude to President Museveni for offering additional capital to their enterprises.
The Chairperson of Kakooge Daily Market, Ms. Sofia Namusisi hailed President Museveni for always extending a helping hand to ordinary Ugandans.
'He has done us good. Some of us even received PDM and again he has offered us more support. All I can say is that our people are so happy. Long live President Museveni,' she said.
'Your Excellency, thank you also for sending a trustworthy and transparent team, the package has been well received.'
Ms. Namusisi further disclosed that she was going to use the money to add capital into her business.
On the other hand, she requested President Museveni to set up a modern market for them, saying that the current one is in a poor state.
Ms. Betty Nazziwa, 75, a vendor at Kakooge Daily Market also thanked the President for the financial support.
'Thank you, President Museveni, for helping a poor woman like me. I'm going to use this money to grow my business so that I can properly look after my family,' she said.
Another vendor at Kakooge Daily Market, Mr. Joseph Kato Tebandeke also expressed gratitude to the President for helping ordinary Ugandans like him to improve their household incomes.
'This support from President Museveni is going to boost my matooke business,' Mr. Kato said.
Mr. Muhammad Ssonko, the Chairperson of Kakooge Chapati Operators Association thanked President Museveni for the various programs meant to help Ugandans fight poverty.
'As youths, we are now able to make money and look after our families because of President Museveni's support. We are with him, and we shall support him again come 2026 general elections,' he noted.
Furthermore, Ms. Juliet Nababi, the Chairperson of Kiyenje Daily Market prayed for the good health of President Museveni so that he can continue leading and developing Uganda.
'We thank you, Your Excellency, for supporting us, especially women. This market is generally occupied by women, and we are your ardent supporters.'
Another vendor in Kiyenje Daily Market, Ms. Nabukenya Madinah called on fellow youths to desist from being idle and work towards improving their welfare.
'We are lucky that President Museveni supports us by giving us financial support. We should utilise this chance to create wealth.'
Mr. Nsimbe Livingstone, the Secretary of Kiyenje Daily Market said, 'We are grateful to President Museveni for the support. We are going to utilise this money to grow our businesses.'
At Balikyewunya Market, Mr. Mark Ssesazi said President Museveni has always supported the vendors of Luwero and that it was the second time he was sending support to vendors of Balikyewunya.
Ms. Asiat Nankinga who first received President Museveni's financial support in March 2023, said she used the money to add capital in her matooke business.
'Even today I have received the money from our President and I'm so grateful. This money is playing a vital role in helping us to develop, we are now able to look after our families. Thank you, President Museveni.'
The LC1 Chairperson of Binyonyi Village in Luwero West, Luwero Town Council, Mr. Kabaale Joseph Ssentongo on behalf of leaders in Luwero thanked President Museveni for supporting their people economically.
He said the financial package is a very big empowerment tool to vendors and it will go a long way in helping them grow their businesses.
'When our people get such money, they don't need money from lenders who often give out loans with very high interest rates.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Zawya
20 hours ago
- Zawya
'Don't Lose This Golden Chance'- President Museveni Advises Ugandans on the Parish Development Model (PDM)
He said he began the fight against poverty in the 1960s and he has been able to come up with various poverty alleviation programs to ensure that his dream is realized. 'Don't lose this chance because it's a big support to you. Wako, who was poor, is now a rich man. He is blessed now with three cows and a milling machine because his family embraced the PDM program. I know that we are all not equal but when you embrace the PDM program you will eradicate poverty in your households,' he said. President Museveni made the remarks today during his PDM assessment tour at Mr. Muwereza Wako 's farm situated at Buyego cell, Buvuma sub-county in Buvuma district. Mr. Wako, a PDM beneficiary, owns three cows and a milling machine. The President, who was pleased to visit Mr. Wako's farm, said that the government has for years been sending resources to the public to curb poverty but in one way or the other some government officials have been mismanaging it. President Museveni however narrated that the government now gives each parish Shs.100m annually and in his next five years' term in office, each parish will have received Shs.500m. He revealed that the first batch which received Shs.1m PDM money each, two years back will return it to their parishes with an interest of Shs.120,000, to give chance to other adults to benefit. The President supported Mr. Wako with Shs.12m to purchase an acre of land at Shs.10m and use the Shs.2m to buy livestock like goats and pigs. In response, Mr. Wako commended the President for initiating the PDM program that has enabled a section of Ugandans to improve their standard of living through wealth creation. He asserted that he was so poor to an extent that he couldn't afford food for his family but currently he is called a rich man. Mr. Wako and his wife Mirembe Eseza together with their eight children live on half an acre of land and according to the farmer, the PDM money has enabled him to add value to his family through wealth creation. He said on 21st June 2023, he received Shs. 1 million PDM cash and after the bank charges, he remained with Shs. 980,000. Mr. Wako noted that using the PDM money, he added some of his savings to buy a bull and a cow which conceived and gave birth to a calf in May 2024. During the same month, he sold a bull at Shs.1m and used it to purchase an old milling machine at Shs.2.5m. Mr. Wako explained that the machine seller allowed him to clear his remaining balance of Shs.1.5m in installments. He asserted that he started using the machine which fetched him money to clear the balance. The PDM beneficiary revealed that the milling machine earns him Shs. 15,000 every day, after deducting Shs. 5,000 for fuel, thus remaining with Shs. 10,000 and he earns a total of 300,000 per month. The dairy cow gives him 3 litres of milk. He sells two litres at Shs.1000 each and earns a total of Shs. 60,000 per month. The cow dung and urine is used as fertilizers in his garden. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Uganda.

Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
In Uganda: procuring responsibly
Forests account for 11.5% of Uganda's land and are vital to the nation's ecosystem. They provide timber, food, fuel, and medicines for many Ugandans. However, this green heart of Africa is facing a serious challenge. In 2023 alone, Uganda lost 37.6 thousand hectares of its natural forests, according to Global Forest Watch. If this trend continues unchecked, it could lead to the disappearance of these essential natural forests in the coming decades, along with a wealth of irreplaceable biodiversity. The impact of deforestation is deeply felt by local communities that rely on forests for their daily needs. For instance, Bangazi Edward, a resident of Buwala village in Jinja District, Eastern Uganda, highlights the growing pressure on the land: 'We are having a problem with firewood because we have few trees, and the population is really big.' This situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Bold government policy Fortunately, there is hope on the horizon. Uganda has recognized this danger and is taking action by enacting public policies and processes that promote sustainable public procurement. This strategic approach not only aims to preserve the environment but also enables the nation to meet its environmental and climate commitments. Uganda aspires to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 12, particularly Target 12.7, which encourages sustainable public procurement practices in alignment with national policies and priorities. Lawrence Semakula, Accountant General in the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development said, 'we have developed a national action plan for sustainable procurement, which we are integrating into the government procurement cycle.' This plan is meant to strengthen the inclusion of sustainability as a core part of public procurement and reduce environmental impacts of public development projects. Responsible sourcing: a reality As the nation rises to meet these challenges, it seeks to ensure that procurement is responsible and paves the way for a sustainable future. One positive example of responsible procurement of wood for development in Uganda is Adrift Eco Lodge, an eco-conscious African lodge located near the Kalagala Falls on the Nile River in Eastern Uganda. Constructed using 70% FSC-certified timber sourced from the Busoga Forest Company (BFC), this eco-lodge demonstrates the possibilities of sustainable building practices. Leanne Haigh, Chief Executive Officer of Adrift, stated, 'For us, it was a no-brainer about how we were going to build this property; procuring FSC sustainable wood was just part of that process.' Scaling up sustainable sourcing in Uganda Annah Agasha, Deputy Director of FSC Africa, believes the sustainable sourcing example in Uganda can be scaled. "Adrift's use of certified timber from Green Resources to build their ecolodge is a significant milestone," she says. "It demonstrates how businesses can contribute to sustainability while enhancing their own credentials. We aim to support them in showcasing this responsibility to their customers." The Busoga Forestry Company Ltd. (BFC), a subsidiary of Green Resources AS, is dedicated to sustainable forest management and increasing the availability of responsibly sourced certified products in Uganda. In 2019 and 2020, BFC obtained the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody certificate and Forest Management Certificates, respectively. The FSC-FM certificate ensures responsible forest management, while the FSC-COC certificate guarantees the traceability of responsibly sourced wood and products from the forest to the consumer. Benefits of responsible sourcing BFC's impact goes beyond just responsible sourcing. With approximately 900 employees, primarily from local communities, the company supports over 16,000 individuals, fostering economic stability. Through social funding, BFC invests in essential infrastructure, including schools, clinics, and clean water solutions, significantly improving local living standards. Recognizing the importance of education, BFC offers bursary programs and training opportunities that empower individuals and promote community development. Furthermore, BFC champions gender equality, with 32% of its workforce being women in various roles from middle management to equipment operators. David Kiyingi Nyimbwa, Commissioner of the Procurement Policy and Management Department at the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, believes that FSC certification can promote legal forestry and strengthen the registration of sustainable forestry companies. 'With FSC, we believe we can work together to promote legal forests and help in the registration of potential and actual [sustainability wood product] providers,' says David Kiyingi Nyimbwa. The advantages of responsible forestry extend beyond environmental benefits and lead to positive changes in the lives of local people. Uganda's economic development is greatly reliant on forests, and there is promise. By carefully considering each procurement decision, making responsible choices, and sourcing wisely for development projects, Uganda can secure a sustainable future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Forest Stewardship Council. Media contacts: Frida Salim Market Development and Communication Specialist-East Africa FSC Africa Regional Office Nairobi, Kenya East Africa Israel Bionyi Senior Regional Communications Manager FSC Africa FSC Africa T: +49 (0) 228 367 66 0 F: +49 (0) 228 367 66 65 About FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a nonprofit organization governed by environmental, social, and economic perspectives equally – covers more than 150 million hectares of certified forests and is the global benchmark for sustainable forestry. NGOs, consumers, and businesses alike trust FSC to protect and enhance healthy and resilient forests, for all, forever.


Zawya
4 days ago
- Zawya
EAC's invisible walls: Why intra-trade remains stubbornly at 15pc?
The East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers has received a report on a fresh surge in non-tariff barriers to trade in the regional bloc, largely fuelled by contradictory domestic taxes. The EAC Sectoral Council of the Ministers of Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (SCTIFI) says the number of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) within the bloc increased from 10 in November 2024 to 48 in May 2025, reflecting the challenges member states are facing trading with one another. This has left the intra-EAC trade stagnant at 15 percent. NTBs have impacted trade in various goods and services, including sugar, milk, soft drinks, beer, cement, clinker, road user charges, paints and varnishes, fish, and forest and timber products, according to disclosures by the council. Read: Ugandan traders bemoan erratic road fees on EAC trade routesThe ministers blamed the resurgence of NTBs in the region on the continued enactment of discriminatory laws and regulations by member states. This has led to violations of the national treatment principle and the non-notification of such breaches and the partial implementation of partner states' commitments to EAC integration, including non-resolution of NTBs and the imposition of new ones, which contravenes EAC laws. Other major causes are non-harmonisation of policies and regulations among partner states, especially fees, levies and charges and the non-timely resolution of reported NTBs. Read: EAC is not treating us well, say Rwandan tradersThe meeting noted that of the 48 NTBs, 18 were resolved, 22 are at various stages of resolution, two were operational and were referred to the relevant committees for consideration, and that six were not bona fide. By November 2023, 269 NTBs had been resolved, leaving only nine were outstanding. The resurgence of NTBs raises concerns about the partner states' commitment to regional integration and the promotion of intra-EAC trade. Domestic taxesThe EAC Secretariat says intra-EAC trade has remained low, largely due to NTBs. EAC's total trade with the rest of the world increased by 2.37 percent to $80.6 billion in 2023 from $78.7 billion in 2022, while intra-EAC total trade grew by 13.1 percent to $12.1 billion from $10.6 billion in the same period. However, the percentage share of intra-EAC trade to bloc's total trade was 15 percent in 2023. NTBs have been a major hindrance to the free movement of goods as enshrined in the EAC Customs and Common Market protocols. Ordinarily, NTBs refer to any obstacles to international trade that are not import or export duties and may take the form of import quotas, subsidies, customs delays, technical barriers, or other systems preventing or impeding trade. According to the ministers, the number of NTBs were attributed to domestic taxes such as excise duties and other charges of equivalent effect and that a number of reported NTBs were operational related to service delivery and could be addressed through Trade Facilitation Committee rather than describing them as NTB. The council took note of the 18 resolved NTBs and directed partner states to refrain from enacting laws that impose fees, levies and charges of equivalent effect on goods originating from the bloc and to refrain from imposing quotas on goods originating from the bloc. It also directed the partner states to make budgetary allocation to undertake activities related to the resolution of NTBs and that the EAC Secretariat should convene and coordinate the bilateral engagements among partner states on specific NTBs as they occur in order to resolve them promptly. Customs UnionThe council also directed partner states to treat goods from the region as transfers and refrain from enacting discriminatory laws that treat EAC originating goods as imports and that partner states should timely notify the EAC Secretariat in a timely manner of any new measures that would affect trade. The Customs Union is the first pillar of the EAC regional integration that provides for free movement of goods and services in the region by eliminating trade barriers and fostering a competitive environment for goods produced within the region. Under the region's revised four-band Common External Tariff (CET), which took effect on July 1, 2022, finished products imported from countries outside the bloc attract a 35 percent duty, intermediate products available in the EAC 25 percent, intermediate products not available in the region 10 percent and raw materials and capital goods attract a zero percent import duty. Additionally, there is a list of sensitive items, such as sugar, wheat, rice and milk, which attract a duty of more than 35 percent, to protect local industries from competition.