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Sunday, October 25, 2015 

Uganda traders snap up space for papal sales

KAMPALA, UGANDA - Quick footed entrepreneurs and bigger enterprises are renting any available space in the vicinity of where Pope Francis will be holding ceremonies on the outskirts of central Kampala. The Pope is expected in Uganda at the end of November. 

“Several business people, companies and business organizations are rushing in here looking for space to build a temporary business structure ahead of the Pope’s visit to this area,” Umar Kamya, in-charge, Namugongo Nakiyanja business area said last week. 

Namogongo, about 10 kilometres east of the city centre, is where the Pope will hold a mass due to be attended by hundreds of thousands of people. 

It is this kind of turn-out that is exciting business people and petty traders who want to cash in by selling various items, especially beverages and food. Others will offer souvenirs. 

“Most of the strategic places, especially those near the roadside, have already been taken. Those coming now or in the future will have to find space far away,” Joseph Mwanda,  the Chairman, Bukerere Estate (the area directly opposite the Namugongo Shrine) said last week.

Namogongo is also site of Uganda’s Martyrs Shrine. Every June 3 is Martyrs Day, a national holiday, during which thousands trek to both the Catholic and Protestant Shrines, however the Pope’s scheduled visit is seen as a much bigger business bonanza.

“We hire out space at a minimum of Ush300,000 (about $82) for a 7x7 feet spot, but other places actually charge more than that,” Kamya said.

Rents around the Namugongo shrine area, which is currently undergoing renovation, have risen sharply.  Namugongo Nakiyanja area, is about 400 metres away from the Namugongo Shrines.   

Kamya said prices for business spaces near the shrines cost as much as Ush500,000 (about $137 ) depending on the location and the size of the area that the client wants. 

Kamya said the money paid as hire fees for a business space grants the client the right to use the space for not more than three days. This is compared to an average Ush150,000 (about $42) per month in the same area for a lockup/shop space, during normal business days. 

Mwanda said telecom and beverage companies are some the clients who have booked space with them. 

He said on average, they receive up to 15 people a day making inquiries for erecting temporary structures, mostly tarpaulin tents and awnings.

He said the demand for space sharply increased when the church authorities announced that sellers will not be allowed into the shrines as it was the case before. “Kira  Municipal Council has banned any form of selling or business establishment along the road reserves, this is partly the reason why everyone else is looking for space here.” he said.

He said they are planning to stop the sale of business spaces by 2nd November to allow those who paid to build their structures or tents in time and advised those who want such space to hurry and acquire it before the closing dates. 

Kamya said they are working with authorities in Kira Municipal Council and the police to establish a properly regulated business environment. He asked Kira Town Council to give Ugandans the opportunity to make some money during this event because such chances hardly come.  

Ben Tenywa, In-charge Pilgrims, Tourism and business at Namugongo Shrine said business will not be allowed inside the enclosure 

“Previously we used to hire out space to individual business persons who wanted to sell inside the Shrines at a minimum of Ush 30,000 ($10) to a maximum of Ush 200,000 ($57) depending on the size of space, but this time round we do not have space for businessmen and women because where they used to sell from has been built over.” Tenywa said. 

Town Clerk Kira Municipality, Authman Sebadduka, said they are working with landlords to ensure that they make facelifts on their buildings. “We want to beautify trading centres such as Kireka, Kyaliwajjala, Namugongo ad others. We have instructed all landlords in those areas to paint and install pavers in front of their buildings and most of them are complying,” he said.

Sebadduka said the Municipal Council cannot control business activity during the Pope’s visit. He said they will work with security to regulate and ensure that business is done in an orderly manner. He said their law enforcement team is monitoring activity.

By Sam Okwakol, Sunday, October 25th, 2015