By Karim Were
KAMPALA — Calls for economic empowerment dominated discussions at Kalerwe Market as traders used a sanitation campaign led by Hadijah Namyalo to push for greater government support ahead of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s upcoming swearing-in ceremony.
The clean-up exercise, organized under the Office of the National Chairman (ONC), drew hundreds of market vendors, youth, and local residents who participated in efforts to improve sanitation and working conditions within the busy Kampala market.
While the exercise focused on hygiene and environmental cleanliness, many traders turned the engagement into an opportunity to voice frustrations over limited access to business capital and slow economic growth affecting small-scale entrepreneurs.
Several vendors appealed to Namyalo to deliver their concerns directly to President Museveni, saying many hardworking Ugandans remain financially constrained despite operating viable businesses.
“We are ready to work, but many of us lack the capital needed to expand our businesses and support our families,” one trader said during the interaction.
In response, Namyalo assured the vendors that government empowerment initiatives targeting youth, women, and market traders would be strengthened after the presidential inauguration.
According to her, the government remains committed to poverty alleviation and wealth creation programs intended to improve livelihoods across Uganda.
She encouraged traders and residents to continue supporting government initiatives, emphasizing unity and participation in national development programs.
The ONC boss also used the gathering to mobilize support for Museveni’s inauguration ceremony scheduled to take place at Kololo Independence Grounds, urging supporters—commonly referred to as “Bazzukulu”—to attend the celebrations in large numbers.
Throughout the event, Namyalo toured various sections of Kalerwe Market, interacting with traders and participating in the cleaning activities alongside residents.
Many vendors praised her grassroots engagement style, describing her as a leader who regularly interacts with ordinary citizens and listens to community concerns firsthand.
The event concluded with renewed calls for economic empowerment and optimism among traders who expressed hope that promised government programs would create better opportunities for small businesses and urban communities.
