On a bustling afternoon along Masaka Road, the aroma of roasted chicken and plantain filled the air as hundreds of vendors in Lukaya paused their trade—not to serve customers, but to receive an unexpected lifeline.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has extended financial support to 552 roadside market vendors operating at Lukaya Road Toll Market and Lukaya Highway Market. Each vendor received Shs100,000 to boost their small businesses and improve household income.
The initiative is part of the President’s broader program to empower roadside traders across the country, especially those who have not benefited from government schemes like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
Delivering the support on behalf of the President, Senior Presidential Advisor on the Elderly Princess Pauline Nassolo said the gesture reflects Museveni’s passion for uplifting ordinary Ugandans.
“When we first came here, you told us you had never benefited from PDM or Emyooga, so we took the report back to Mzee,” Nassolo said. “He decided to send you this support directly. It may be little, but if well utilised, it can make a big difference.”
She urged the vendors to focus on hard work and prudent use of the money to improve their livelihoods. “Good roads alone will not take away poverty in your homes. The President is now focused on helping you fight poverty and increase your income,” she added.
Special Presidential Assistant on Women Affairs, Flora Kabibi, advised vendors to avoid divisive politics and instead concentrate on building productive enterprises. “Politics should not divide us. At the end of the day, we are all Ugandans, and our focus should be on uplifting our lives,” she said.
Market leaders and beneficiaries welcomed the support with gratitude.
“I thank President Museveni for supporting ordinary Ugandans like us. It has been long without benefiting from government programs, and I’m happy we have finally been included,” said Sylvia Zalwango, Chairperson of Lukaya Road Toll Market.
Ben Makanga, a roasted chicken vendor, called the money “vital” for keeping his business afloat, while Ms. Joyce Nantumbwe, who sells roasted gonja, said she had run out of capital and could now revive her trade.
Lukaya Highway Market Chairperson Kakooza Godfrey commended the President for the empowerment but appealed for more poverty alleviation programs tailored to vendors.
The vendors pledged to use the funds wisely to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
