On February 8, 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni gave 260 roadside market merchants in Luwero District financial help.
Under the direction of Princess Nassolo Pauline, a Private Secretary to the President on Women Affairs, representatives from State House presented the business-boosting package to the market sellers.
Along the Kampala-Gulu Highway, the 260 beneficiaries who work out of Balikyejjusa-Checkpoint market in Luwero primarily sell fruits, particularly pineapples, and vegetables, among other goods. Every merchant was given 100,000 Shs.
The sellers were notified by Princess Nassolo of President Museveni’s determination to provide them with direct financial support to help them maintain their businesses and stabilize their household incomes.
“You told us in November of last year that you had not profited from Emyooga or the Parish Development Model (PDM) when we were registering your names. Princess Nassolo stated, “As a result, H.E. the President has chosen to directly support you first so that you can continue fighting poverty and supporting your families while you wait for other government programs.”
She also asked the sellers to concentrate on increasing their household income rather than letting politicians who are fronting their own advantages carry them away.
Princess Nassolo continued, “We’re going to make sure that we come back so that we can help those who missed out during our first registration.”
The delighted recipients expressed their gratitude to President Museveni for providing them with direct assistance as common Ugandans.
“I appreciate you providing this money package as promised, Mzee (President Museveni). A pineapple vendor named Ms. Atugonza Aisha remarked, “Some of us never thought they would fulfil the promise but we are so happy when people from the State House came and wrote our names.”
She counseled other merchants to use the funds wisely.
But in order to prevent accidents, Ms. Atugonza urged the administration to think about adding extra speed bumps to the highway.
“Overspeeding vehicles are making this road dangerous, especially during the campaign and holiday season.” To lessen the fear of accidents, the government must build humps here, Ms. Atugonza continued.
However, Mr. Ochaya Vicent, another merchant, stated, “I thank God that I have received this money, which at first I thought was a joke.” I’m going to increase my funding, buy additional pineapples, and sell them.
Ms. Barbra Nakayaga, a plantain vendor at the Balikyejjusa – Checkpoint market, asked the President to build a permanent market for them.
“We require a market, or something well-constructed so that we can operate regardless of the weather,” Ms. Nakayaga stated. She conveyed her appreciation to the government for keeping them in mind.
“This is a huge boost I didn’t expect as a single mother who is fighting to educate my kids, and I am really appreciative of the President for his financial blessings. He has made us happy, and I will make sure that 100,000 Ugandan Shillings grow to one million,” Ms. Nakayaga declared.
Roadside vendors all around the nation have received encouragement from President Museveni on multiple occasions, who has advised them to stop politicking and concentrate on increasing their household earnings and standard of living by taking part in productive activities.
