The lushness of Uganda is incorporated with the unlimited autonomy relished in the republic exception of politics. Driving through the roads and streets of Kampala and road highways across the country are walled by a pan of vendors selling wavering supplies fluctuating from the domestic basics of textiles, pesticides, agro-yields on a smaller scale.
Going beyond the streets of Kampala, almost along all highways throughout the country are incorporated with roadside vending. The question may come to your mind why these pin-up stalls along the roads are and display merchandise instead of securing stalls in gazetted markets which are almost spread in every center across the country.
The roadside vending come along the renowned en-route muchomo roasting places which turned into recognized markets which are Namawojjolo market, Najjembe Market along Jinja road, Kayabwe along Masaka road, Mubende Market on Fort Portal road among many recognized roadside vending markets.
With the inspiration of the development of roadside markets, many traversing across the country then you witness a number of countless en-route roadside vending which are mainly dominated with agro-yields.
Uganda experiences an equatorial type of climate which has enabled possible simple agriculture which is done almost by 90% of the families off the town centers. These cultivators decide to commercialize part of their yields to earn a living. So, they end up starting roadside stalls for travelers who are possible buyers.
These Roadside vendors markets are privately owned settings which sometimes are started by a single person selling his agricultural, textile or woodcrafts, its letter joined by other many traders and sometimes they attract the government to help in improving trader’s facilities. Examples of these facilities include the recently built multi-million building facilities at Kayabye.
Highway Roadside markets
Along Masaka road, the roadsides are decorated with various stalls of tomatoes, Mangos, Onions, Pineapples, Potatoes, Cassava which are spread in various villages and towns. Along Jinja roads these exclusive the renowned Mochomo markets, it’s mainly located in the Villages Bugalambo, Bulyantete, and Sagazi before completing the Mabira forest to Jinja city and beyond to Malaba or Mbale. When driving on all highways there are possibilities of finding markets installed along the roadsides or even people carrying their smaller baskets and buckets.
Some of these roadside vendors are not targeting the local people of that zone rather waiting for travelers who especially vehicle passengers. These are sometimes well established markets their rules governing them, as when to them sometimes you will not see anyone rushing for your request and others will crowd around your vehicle.
The hygiene of these products is not guaranteed but they always try to reach a certain level, those using locally made stalls. Watching these stalls of yellow bananas (Gonjja and Amenvu) they are enticing, well organized to ensure that they attract as many travelers for a stop to buy something at least. One must personalize the level of hygiene acceptance when judging this case.
Why so Many Roadside Vendors in Uganda
The good climate of Uganda favors the growing of crops using the availing weather conditions. Both on a large and small scale, people have grown and yielded enough for consumption and selling to earn a living. However, considering street and en-route road vending across the country.
Roadside vendors are targeting travelers going through roads, and these travelers include passengers, tourists, and business people who can possibly spare minutes for a stopover to buy these displays.
The weakness of the government system is to look for a market where cultivators can sell off their yield or products. So, the story remains that people must look for possible ways to sell off their products.
