KAMPALA.
President Museveni has continued to financially empower roadside market vendors with an aim of helping them improve their household income.
This time round the beneficiaries were vendors working from Lukaya Road Toll Market and Lukaya Highway Market, both on Masaka Road. At least 552 vendors benefited from the initiative.
The vendors who ply their trade in roasted meat, roasted chicken, roasted plantain (gonja), beverages, among other fast foods, received Shs100,000 each.
The business booster package is part of President Museveni’s broader initiative to empower roadside market vendors across the country.
The support was delivered yesterday by officials from State House led by the Senior Presidential Advisor In-charge of the Elderly, Princess Pauline Nassolo and the Special Presidential Assistant on Women Affairs, Ms. Flora Kabibi.
Princess Nassolo informed the vendors that President Museveni is very passionate about their wellbeing, citing it as one of the reasons he extended an additional capital for their businesses so that they can stabilize their household income.
“When we first came here, you told us that you have never benefited from the Parish Development Model (PDM) or Emyooga so we took the report back to Mzee. He then decided to send you this support as you wait to benefit from other government programs,” she said.
“Mzee has sent you this money directly. It may be little but if properly utilised, it can create a very big impact in your business,” she added.
Princess Nassolo further urged the vendors to focus on improving their livelihoods through hard work.
“The infrastructure such as good roads may be there but that will not take away the poverty in your homes. H.E the President is now focused on how he can help you improve your household income and fight poverty,” she urged.
On the other hand, Princess Nassolo advised the vendors to vote for selfless leaders who have their interests at heart for effective service delivery.
“You should hold your leaders accountable if you want to benefit from government programs.”
On her part, Ms. Kabibi cautioned vendors against politicking, advising them that they should instead focus on improving their livelihoods through engaging in productive enterprises.
“Politics should not divide us. By the end of the day, we all remain Ugandans. All we should care about is uplifting our lives,” she stated.
Ms. Kabibi reiterated calls to the vendors to use the business booster package well so that they can grow their businesses.
The Chairperson of Lukaya Road Toll market, Ms. Sylvia Zalwango expressed gratitude to President Museveni for the financial support to the vendors, saying that with such a kind gesture, they will continue supporting him and his NRM government.
“I thank President Museveni for supporting ordinary Ugandans like us. It has been long without benefiting from government programs such as PDM and Emyooga. I’m so happy that we have finally benefited,” she said, further thanking him for sending a trustworthy team which fully delivered the package.
“The money may seem little, but it has a big impact on us. I’m really grateful, Your Excellency.”
Another vendor who sells roasted chicken, Mr. Ben Makanga also thanked the President for the support.
“This money is so vital in our businesses. I really thank you for the support, President Museveni,” he noted.
“We take this money in good faith, and we shall utilise it well to expand our businesses.”
Ms. Nantumbwe Joyce, who sells roasted gonja in the same market also hailed President Museveni for the financial rescue, explaining that she had run out of capital but with this business booster package, the narrative is going to change since she is going to rejuvenate her business.
The Chairperson of Lukaya Highway Market, Mr. Kakooza Godfrey hailed President Museveni for uplifting the vendors through the empowerment program.
He however requested the government to come up with more poverty alleviation programs designed specifically for vendors.