A call to driving change and elevate market awareness for refugees

February 19, 2025, Kampala, Uganda. Micheal Kirya (standing), Manager for Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) presents the KCCA workplan for climate smart livelihoods activities at the SRG meeting. (PHOTO: David Hangi for The IRC) 

At the recent Re:BUiLD program’s Stakeholder Reference Group (SRG) meeting, partners emphasized the urgent need to raise awareness among refugees about new market opportunities in Kampala. The Platform for Vendors in Uganda (PLAVU) highlighted that refugees often miss out on these opportunities due to a lack of information.

“Our biggest challenge has been limited awareness of new markets when they open. We need partners to ensure refugees are informed about these developments,” said Robert Omuya, Community Engagement Officer at PLAVU.

Newly opened markets, both private and public, offer urban refugee traders opportunities to integrate and thrive economically. These include Gwanda Market in Mengo, Usafi Market opposite Queen’s Way, and the newly reopened Busega Market. Refugees need their identification card and a recommendation letter from a local council to access these market spaces.

During the SRG meeting, Micheal Kirya, Manager for Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), stated, “The law doesn’t prohibit refugees from working in markets.” He advised those interested in obtaining space to write an application to the Director of Gender, Community Services, and Production, specifying the market they are interested in. The application will then be submitted to the markets’ allocation committee for consideration.

PLAVU, a Re:BUiLD partner, has created a structure of community volunteers, both refugees and hosts, to ensure refugees and vulnerable hosts are informed about new developments within Kampala City. Robert shared, “Each community facilitator leads groups of 2 to 5, with membership ranging between 18-30 clients,” spreading awareness campaign messages during their Sunday meetings.

A key proposal from the SRG meeting was an information and awareness campaign to inform refugees through their leaders about available market spaces. Additionally, Moses Okot, Advocacy Manager at Re:BUiLD, proposed organizing physical visits for refugee leaders to these markets to create linkages with market leaders and understand market governance dynamics.

Access to these market spaces empowers refugees economically, fosters social integration, and helps develop entrepreneurial skills. Ultimately, these opportunities can improve their quality of life and enable them to better support their families