Refugees boost brisk business in camps
Apr 09, 2014
Money changers, air time dealers, mobile money, grass, poles, beer, soft drinks and Bodaboda riders are opening up shops
By Titus Kakembo
Money changers, air time dealers, mobile money, grass, poles, beer, soft drinks and Bodaboda riders are opening up shops and providing services in Nebbi and Kiryandongo refugee reception centres.
Market stalls are stocked with essential commodities like soap, salt, beer and soda.
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“A bundle of grass goes for sh5,000, Bamboo poles cost sh10,000 a bundle, sisal ropes depend on the meters required,” says John Seguya in a makeshift hardware stall.
“Berbers, mobile phone chargers and solar lamp dealers are all here. We accept Sudan pounds and Uganda shillings,”he noted
This being a dry season, grass is very scarce and with hundreds of new refugees, there is a short supply of both grass and poles.
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Money changer displays what is in store for his customers. Photo by Titus Kakembo
Other dealers are hawking poles at sh10,000 to sh30,000.
It all depends on one’s negotiating skills and command of either English or Kiswahili.
A tour of Kiryandongo was a revelation of stalls selling rubbers shoes, cereals, cooking oil and soft drinks.
Medicine hawkers are also doing brisk business.
The refugee women are also working for cash to be able to purchase what they do not have.
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Meanwhile landlords in Koboko are asking for sheep, a bull and performance of certain rituals to appease the gods.
“With 81,345 South Sudanese refugees in Adjumani, Arua and Kiryandongo, there is need for more roads, water points and medicine in the health centres,” said Douglas Asimwe from the Office of The Prime Minister.
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Asimwe also said government, UNHCR and other players are doing everything to accommodate the refugees.
“Good enough no death has occurred but we need to brace for the challenges of the rain season.” Adding that, “Not every Sudanese in Uganda comes as a refugee. There are investors, students, property developers and tourists from there.”
The infrastructure in most of the camps is visibly overwhelmed as hospitals and schools need more medicines, furniture and staff.
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