Latest news with #marketVendors
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Greater Luwero Roadside Market Vendors Tipped on Household Income as President Museveni Offers Them More Financial Support
For the last three years, President Museveni through State House has been offering support to various roadside market vendors along major Highways like Gulu, Hoima and Mityana roads to boost their household incomes. The 928 vendors who benefited from this latest business booster package were drawn from Kakooge Daily Market in Nakasongola, Kiyenje Daily Market and Balikyewunya Market (both in Luwero). The vendors who received Shs100,000 each, generally ply their trade in agricultural produce, roasted chicken and muchomo as well as beverages. The package was delivered by State House officials led by the Senior Presidential Advisor-Elderly, Princess Pauline Nassolo and Private Secretary to H.E the President, Ms. Flora Kabibi. Princess Nassolo revealed that President Museveni extended the financial support to the vendors with an aim of improving their household incomes. 'Mzee wants you to work and improve your livelihoods that's why he always empowers you economically,' she said. 'The last time we came here, you told us that some of you have never benefited from the Parish Development Model or Emyooga programs so H.E the President decided to offer you this support of Shs100,000 to each one of you as you wait to benefit from other government programs.' Princess Nassolo also cautioned the vendors against unconstructive politicking, advising them that they should instead focus on fighting poverty through stabilizing their homestead incomes. 'When time for politics comes, go and vote then come back to your workstations and always support someone who supports you. I'm very sure Mzee has played his part, now it's your time to reciprocate,' she added. Additionally, Princess Nassolo urged the parents to take good care of their children and groom them to be responsible citizens of Uganda. 'Our country is facing a lot of challenges when it comes to morality. Advise your children against immorality and criminality. We want to have morally uplift citizens of Uganda.' In a special way, the Senior Presidential Advisor appreciated the youth of Greater Luwero for listening to President Museveni's message of wealth creation. 'Thank you for joining the money economy. Mzee is proud of you.' On her part, Ms. Kabibi called upon the vendors to appreciate President Museveni for being a visionary leader who cares for the wellbeing of all Ugandans. 'Because he cares, that's why he sends this financial support to you to grow your businesses,' she stated. 'Although the package is small, please utilise it well. H.E the President will send you more support,' she assured. The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Luwero District, Mr. Richard Bwabye Ntulume asked the vendors to utilise the financial support from the President well. He said the package is meant to empower them economically and that they should vote for the President again in 2026 for more development. On the other hand, the vendors expressed gratitude to President Museveni for offering additional capital to their enterprises. The Chairperson of Kakooge Daily Market, Ms. Sofia Namusisi hailed President Museveni for always extending a helping hand to ordinary Ugandans. 'He has done us good. Some of us even received PDM and again he has offered us more support. All I can say is that our people are so happy. Long live President Museveni,' she said. 'Your Excellency, thank you also for sending a trustworthy and transparent team, the package has been well received.' Ms. Namusisi further disclosed that she was going to use the money to add capital into her business. On the other hand, she requested President Museveni to set up a modern market for them, saying that the current one is in a poor state. Ms. Betty Nazziwa, 75, a vendor at Kakooge Daily Market also thanked the President for the financial support. 'Thank you, President Museveni, for helping a poor woman like me. I'm going to use this money to grow my business so that I can properly look after my family,' she said. Another vendor at Kakooge Daily Market, Mr. Joseph Kato Tebandeke also expressed gratitude to the President for helping ordinary Ugandans like him to improve their household incomes. 'This support from President Museveni is going to boost my matooke business,' Mr. Kato said. Mr. Muhammad Ssonko, the Chairperson of Kakooge Chapati Operators Association thanked President Museveni for the various programs meant to help Ugandans fight poverty. 'As youths, we are now able to make money and look after our families because of President Museveni's support. We are with him, and we shall support him again come 2026 general elections,' he noted. Furthermore, Ms. Juliet Nababi, the Chairperson of Kiyenje Daily Market prayed for the good health of President Museveni so that he can continue leading and developing Uganda. 'We thank you, Your Excellency, for supporting us, especially women. This market is generally occupied by women, and we are your ardent supporters.' Another vendor in Kiyenje Daily Market, Ms. Nabukenya Madinah called on fellow youths to desist from being idle and work towards improving their welfare. 'We are lucky that President Museveni supports us by giving us financial support. We should utilise this chance to create wealth.' Mr. Nsimbe Livingstone, the Secretary of Kiyenje Daily Market said, 'We are grateful to President Museveni for the support. We are going to utilise this money to grow our businesses.' At Balikyewunya Market, Mr. Mark Ssesazi said President Museveni has always supported the vendors of Luwero and that it was the second time he was sending support to vendors of Balikyewunya. Ms. Asiat Nankinga who first received President Museveni's financial support in March 2023, said she used the money to add capital in her matooke business. 'Even today I have received the money from our President and I'm so grateful. This money is playing a vital role in helping us to develop, we are now able to look after our families. Thank you, President Museveni.' The LC1 Chairperson of Binyonyi Village in Luwero West, Luwero Town Council, Mr. Kabaale Joseph Ssentongo on behalf of leaders in Luwero thanked President Museveni for supporting their people economically. He said the financial package is a very big empowerment tool to vendors and it will go a long way in helping them grow their businesses. 'When our people get such money, they don't need money from lenders who often give out loans with very high interest rates.'
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Montreal public market merchants cry foul over rental increases
Montreal's open air market vendors call steep rent hike a slap in the face 5 minutes ago Duration 2:01 Social Sharing Outdoor markets are a staple of summer in Montreal — Jean-Talon, Atwater and Maisonneuve are popular for residents and tourists alike. But some market merchants are facing a steep rent hike this year, which they warn could lead to higher prices for customers. "We don't feel appreciated," said Patrick Marcil of Centre Jardin Atwater. "Because we need to build all the market and then we have an increase to our rent." The markets are city-owned properties run by a non-profit organization called Montreal Public Markets. General manager Nicolas Fabien-Ouellet says the organization has been trying to standardize rent agreements with shops at all of its locations, including at the markets. "It ranges from 40 bucks per day to 90 per day, the new lease structure," he said. "But the pressure we have as a not-for-profit, we have to pay taxes to the City of Montreal, we have to pay rent to the City of Montreal, but we also have responsibilities in terms of maintaining the buildings. Fabien-Ouellet insisted that while some merchants' rents are increasing, others are going down based on foot traffic in their part of the market. Earlier this year, merchants were informed of their new rent starting this summer. Shop owners say the jumps vary from 20 to 50 per cent. For Satay Brothers, it's increasing from about $2,000 to $4,000 per month. "I was surprised by how last minute it was, that call," said partner Marco Valiquette. "They didn't really mention anything about it and then all of a sudden, we're doubling the rent." That short notice is part of the concern. "I have lost confidence in the board, unfortunately, because I feel like important information was hidden from me," said Fanny Beaudin of Aux Trouvailles Gourmandes de Fanny. Fabien-Ouellet said his group has been listening to the merchants and delayed when they had to sign the contracts in April. They also allowed shops to pay the increase gradually over three years, but regardless, shop owners say they feel betrayed and undervalued. Merchants say they will have to pass on the extra costs to customers or leave for good. However, Fabien-Ouellet said the changes were needed to keep their markets afloat long term. Just three years ago, after a pilot project at the Jean-Talon Market, the group opted to offer stalls for up-and-coming farmers for half the price and expanded that offer to the Atwater and Maisonneuve markets. That was part of an effort to bring new farmers to the market. When asked about the unexpected rental increases, Montreal spokesperson Camille Bégin said the city does not set the rent charged to producers and vendors at public markets. She said that's up to Montreal Public Markets. Under its lease with the city, the organization is required to sublet spaces at market value and must implement a fair process to ensure that all permanent subtenants contribute to the financial burden of the markets, Bégin said. The city's understanding is that the rent changes have been accompanied by communication efforts and exchanges with members over the past several months, she said. When contacted, Montreal's Official Opposition party, Ensemble Montréal, pointed to its 2023 efforts to highlight the $20-million maintenance deficit faced by Montreal Public Markets. The party put forward a motion to renew the organization's lease and to include funding for market upkeep in the next 10-year capital works program, with investments starting as early as 2024. Ensemble Montréal's motion was adopted in October 2023.
