Vendors, youth leaders laud President Museveni for capital boost

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For hundreds of market vendors and youth leaders in Kampala, Monday (September 22) marked a turning point as they confirmed receiving financial support from President Yoweri Museveni to boost their businesses.

Among the jubilant beneficiaries was Ali Musa Segani, councillor for Kawempe South and chairperson of the Kawempe Youth Coalition. He revealed that sh50m had already been deposited into their group account.

“We received a message on our phones this morning which has greatly improved our morale,” Segani said, adding that the youth coalition is now planning to invest in small-scale enterprises that will directly benefit its members.

Moses Byaruhanga, Senior Presidential Advisor In-charge of Political Mobilisation speaking while meeting with various groups of vendors and youth leaders at State House Nakasero, Kampala on Monday 22 September 2025. (Photo by Colleb Mugume)

“We are grateful to the President for recognising the challenges young people face in raising start-up capital.”

The Kawempe coalition was one of several groups that shared a sh150m package extended to youth and vendor associations in Makindye and Kalerwe. According to Segani, the transparency exhibited by State House officials has strengthened the trust of the beneficiaries.

In Kalerwe, excitement was equally high. Justus Gumisiriza, chairperson of the Kalerwe Street Vendors, praised the intervention as a timely relief. “Most of us are hardworking but lack capital. With this support, we can finally expand our businesses and reduce dependency,” Gumisiriza said. He noted that even luggage carriers in the market had been considered, with Sh10m allocated to their group.

The various groups of vendors and youth leaders gathered at State House Nakasero in Kampala, where they were informed that an additional sh150m would be paid out to each of the savings groups in separate instalments to ensure the funds are not misused. This revelation was made by Moses Byaruhanga, a senior presidential advisor on political mobilisation.

Female food vendors, popularly known as toninyira sellers, were another category that received support. A total of sh900m was distributed to nearly 9,000 women, each receiving sh100,000. The funds, disbursed through teams that combed slum areas of Kampala, were welcomed as life-changing by women struggling to keep their stalls afloat.

“For us women, access to capital is the biggest challenge. This money may seem small, but it gives us a chance to keep our children in school and food on the table,” one of the beneficiaries from Katanga slum explained.

The women also lauded the President for directly targeting grassroots traders who often miss out on formal government programmes. Many pledged to channel the money into stock purchases, savings groups, and small equipment to support their trade.

The beneficiaries jointly promised to account for the funds properly, acknowledging past cases where representatives misused group money. They also pledged political support for President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), saying the intervention had rekindled their faith in government.

With renewed energy and access to fresh capital, the vendors expressed optimism that their small businesses would grow into sustainable sources of livelihood.