Museveni Gives Mbarara Roadside Vendors Shs100,000 Each in Additional Capital

President Museveni has extended financial support to 605 roadside vendors operating in Koranorya Market, Mbarara City, through the State House Roadside Market Vendor Project.

The president, who did not attend the event in person, sent the support package of shs100,000 per vendor through a delegation led by the Senior Presidential Advisor on Elderly Affairs, Princess Pauline Nassolo, and the Special Presidential Assistant on Women Affairs, Ms. Flora Kabibi.

The business booster initiative, now in its third year, was designed to uplift informal market vendors who have long felt excluded from major government empowerment programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.

Delivering the president’s message, Princess Nassolo urged the beneficiaries to use the funds wisely, highlighting the potential of small capital to transform lives.

“If put to the right use, even this small amount can grow into something meaningful,” she said. Nassolo also encouraged the vendors to continue supporting President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), describing the president as a leader committed to addressing the needs of ordinary Ugandans.

Ms. Kabibi thanked the vendors for cooperating during the beneficiary registration phase and reassured those who missed out that more opportunities would come.

“This project is ongoing. Those who weren’t around or didn’t register will still have a chance,” she said.

Kabibi acknowledged past grievances raised by vendors regarding their exclusion from PDM and Emyooga, explaining that the Roadside Vendor Project was created in direct response to those concerns.

“The president heard you. That’s why this project was established—to cater specifically to your needs,” she explained.

She encouraged traders to also pursue other government programs, clarifying that participation in PDM and Emyooga requires collective action.

“You have a right to benefit from PDM and Emyooga. But you must do so through SACCOs, because individual applications are not accepted under those frameworks,” she said.

On matters of land ownership, Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, Member of Parliament for Mbarara City North, assured the vendors that their presence at Koranorya Market was formally recognized by the government.

“No one will evict you,” he said, confirming that the Ministry of Lands was processing land titles, which would be officially handed over in August by the Minister for Lands, Judith Nabakooba.

The Roadside Market Vendor Project was launched after vendors across the country expressed frustration over their continued exclusion from key government economic initiatives.

Most of the traders in Koranorya deal in agricultural produce such as bananas, tomatoes, onions, leafy greens, and beans. Others earn a living by helping customers carry groceries using handcarts or headloads.

Several traders welcomed the business booster support, saying it had restored their faith in government programs.

“We’ve always watched others benefit from government programs while we were left behind,” one vendor said. “This money may not be much, but it’s a big step for many of us to grow our small businesses.”

Others pledged continued loyalty to President Museveni and the NRM, saying they now felt seen and supported from the highest levels of government.