With less than a week until Christmas, businesses in Kampala central business district are thriving due to last-minute shopping by city dwellers heading to the countryside and those with businesses outside Kampala.
The streets have been bustling since Monday morning, filled with people seeking the perfect gifts for their loved ones. Local markets are abuzz with vendors eager to assist customers, showcasing Christmas gifts and hampers, and providing recommendations based on shoppers’ preferences.
Kikuubo market, a focal point of activity, is crowded with people exploring various stalls and shops. Amid the vibrant atmosphere, Jalia Nabweteme, a flower vendor, emphasized the unbeatable prices for quality Christmas gifts in Kampala.
Shoppers in Kikuubo are particularly drawn to wooden carvings and woven baskets as ideal presents for friends and family. A diverse array of vendors, offering fresh produce, artisanal jewelry, spices, homemade soaps, and recycled glass necklaces, attract customers, contributing to the success of the Christmas shopping experience.
Despite the festive spirit, a sense of unease prevails in Kampala, with vendors still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many traders are voicing concerns and seeking government assistance, emphasizing the need for COVID-19 relief funds to revive their businesses.
Ronald Turyasingura, a boutique owner in Kikuubo, shared his futile attempts to access the COVID-19 Recovery Fund. Out of the allocated shillings 200 billion for micro and small enterprises recovery, targeting at least 40% women and 30% youth, only shillings six billion have been disbursed since 2022.
