Is Kampala a second-hand city?
Mar 02, 2010
EDITOR—I recently came to Kampala city to buy a commercial vehicle. As I moved around, I discovered that the type I wanted was no longer imported new. I was referred to Nakawa, where I found thousands of used cars on sale.
EDITOR—I recently came to Kampala city to buy a commercial vehicle. As I moved around, I discovered that the type I wanted was no longer imported new. I was referred to Nakawa, where I found thousands of used cars on sale.
After buying the car, I found that its shock absorbers, drive shafts and tyres were very old. I contacted some of the most experienced mechanics on how I would get these spare parts. They referred me to Kisekka Market.
Almost every spare parts dealer in the market convinced me that used spare parts were stronger and more durable than new ones. One trader amused me by saying that today, old buildings in Kampala last longer than new ones. And that old people live longer than young ones, like the spare parts I was looking for.
The second and third items on my shopping list were an electric kettle and an extension cable. I went to Kiyembe and Market Street near Nakasero Market for these items. I found honest traders who would show me used items and unused ones. Surprisingly, the prices for the used items were slightly higher than the new ones. Like the vehicle spare parts, I was told that a used electric kettle was more durable than the new one. The same applied to the extension cable.
This defeated my understanding. Even a child knows that under normal circumstances, a new item is more durable than a used one. I wondered where these non-durable brand new items were manufactured.
I gave it a break and decided to look for my last items on the shopping list — a mobile phone and a pair of shoes. A friend I was with told me that shops that sold new mobile phones had closed since it was getting late. I moved to over six shops that all sold mobile phones.
Some of the traders would frankly tell me that some of their phones on display had faults. Although all the phones on display were used, some were in good shape and could be re-used. That is why they looked expensive, but were low priced than others.
I bought one used phone that lasted only three weeks. I was caught up by time, so I did not go to St. Balikuddembe Market for a pair of shoes.
The whole experience made me wonder whether Kampala is a second-hand city. Can someone explain?
Name withheld
After buying the car, I found that its shock absorbers, drive shafts and tyres were very old. I contacted some of the most experienced mechanics on how I would get these spare parts. They referred me to Kisekka Market.
Almost every spare parts dealer in the market convinced me that used spare parts were stronger and more durable than new ones. One trader amused me by saying that today, old buildings in Kampala last longer than new ones. And that old people live longer than young ones, like the spare parts I was looking for.
The second and third items on my shopping list were an electric kettle and an extension cable. I went to Kiyembe and Market Street near Nakasero Market for these items. I found honest traders who would show me used items and unused ones. Surprisingly, the prices for the used items were slightly higher than the new ones. Like the vehicle spare parts, I was told that a used electric kettle was more durable than the new one. The same applied to the extension cable.
This defeated my understanding. Even a child knows that under normal circumstances, a new item is more durable than a used one. I wondered where these non-durable brand new items were manufactured.
I gave it a break and decided to look for my last items on the shopping list — a mobile phone and a pair of shoes. A friend I was with told me that shops that sold new mobile phones had closed since it was getting late. I moved to over six shops that all sold mobile phones.
Some of the traders would frankly tell me that some of their phones on display had faults. Although all the phones on display were used, some were in good shape and could be re-used. That is why they looked expensive, but were low priced than others.
I bought one used phone that lasted only three weeks. I was caught up by time, so I did not go to St. Balikuddembe Market for a pair of shoes.
The whole experience made me wonder whether Kampala is a second-hand city. Can someone explain?
Name withheld