President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday 29th July 2025 extended a business booster package to 605 vendors in Koranorya Market, Mbarara City, under State House’s Roadside Market Vendor Project.
The President sent the support of UGX 100,000 per vendor—through State House officials led by the Senior Presidential Advisor-Elderly, Princess Pauline Nassolo and Special Presidential Assistant on Women Affairs, Ms. Flora Kabibi.
The initiative, which has been running for over three years, was designed to support informal traders who have long felt excluded from key government empowerment programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga.
Speaking at the event, Princess Nassolo urged the beneficiaries to invest the additional capital wisely, noting that, “If put to the right use, even this small amount can grow into something meaningful.”
She encouraged the vendors to support President Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) more, noting that the President has Uganda at heart and is always willing to solve their problems.
Ms. Kabibi thanked the vendors who had cooperated with the team during the beneficiary registration phase.
She noted that, “those who weren’t around or did not cooperate at the time still have a chance in the future because this project is ongoing.”
Ms. Kabibi acknowledged the vendors’ previous grievances about missing out on government support programs such as PDM and Emyooga, assuring them that the President had listened and all of them will benefit.
“The issues you raised reached him, and that is why this project was established specifically for you,” she explained.
However, she also encouraged the traders to actively seek out other government opportunities.
“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.”
On the issue of land security, Hon. Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, the Member of Parliament for Mbarara City North, reassured vendors that their occupancy of Koranorya Market was being formally recognized by the government.
“No one will evict you,” he said, explaining that the Ministry of Lands is currently processing their land titles. He confirmed that the titles would be handed over in August by the Minister for Lands, Hon. Judith Nabakooba.
The Roadside Market Vendor Project was initiated after vendors across the country expressed frustration over being excluded from programs designed to lift Ugandans out of poverty.
Most of the vendors in Koranorya sell food items such as bananas, tomatoes, onions, green vegetables, and beans, while others make a living by carrying groceries for customers using handcarts or headloads.
Several traders expressed appreciation for the support, saying it had given them a renewed sense of inclusion.
“We’ve always watched others benefit from government programs while we were left behind. This money may not be much, but it’s a big step for many of us to grow our small businesses,” said one of the vendors.
Others pledged continued loyalty to the President and his government, saying they now feel seen and supported from the top.
