By AGGREY BULUBA
Kampala — In Uganda, where job opportunities are scarce, many young graduates have turned to boda-boda riding, some young women have resorted to commercial sex work, and those who try to make a living through street vending face harsh treatment from authorities. Officials argue that their efforts to regulate vendors are aimed at keeping Kampala city clean and upholding international standards. However, a growing concern is that some foreign nationals are operating businesses without proper legal permissions, contributing little to the economy.
Walking through areas like Kisenyi, Kabalagala, and Kansanga, one can see veiled women and men in traditional kanzus running small retail businesses. Many of these individuals are undocumented migrants, some of whom are reportedly involved in selling khat and other drugs within the city center. They set up small bars and shops, seemingly unafraid of intervention from authorities—a situation that many Ugandans find troubling.
In contrast, Ugandans who attempt similar small businesses often face punitive measures, a double standard that has left many citizens feeling frustrated and neglected. Calls for government intervention to address these concerns are growing louder.
Chrispus Buule, expressing his frustration on social media, remarked, “Who allows Eritrean and Somali refugees to engage in retail businesses in a country grappling with unemployment? I’m not against immigrants, but the high number of undocumented immigrants in Kabalagala and Kansanga, some selling khat and other drugs, is alarming.”
The situation is increasingly tense, underscored by the proverb, “When the fish starts to rot, it rots from the head.” Ugandans are calling on the authorities to act swiftly, fearing that inaction will continue to disadvantage locals while others profit without contributing to the country. As many Ugandans watch foreign nationals thrive, they are left wondering if the government truly prioritizes its citizens.
Discussion about this post