The Nakaseeta Community market was established in July 2024 under CorpsAfrica/Uganda. Located over 200 Kilometers from Kampala district, Uganda, the market initiative is a testament to the effectiveness of community led development and community engagement. What seemed a far-fetched thought has fast become a reality as members have a market, they now call their own. This was one of the community projects presented on Pitch Day (28th June 2024) by Muliisa Pneuma Fuorr and the chairperson of Nakaseeta village.
The market sought to mainly reduce the distance gap between trading and acquiring merchandise. Moreover, working far from home provided unique challenges for women since they had to attend to their household gender roles. The once vacant land has now been transformed into a bustling centre of activity catalysing creativity and influx of new ideas for socio-economic development.
With over 300 traders from the different villages, the market provides a platform where people acquire different products within vicinity. The market has a variety of products ranging from agricultural produce, livestock, food stuffs, drinks, clothes, shoes and jewelry made by the women groups. The diversity is increasing.
Drawing from some of the community projects that Volunteers in Lyantonde facilitated, members bring in their products such as liquid and bar soap, confectionaries, crafts and briquettes for sale at the market.
Nakaseeta community market is located on approximately one and half acres of public land provided by Lyantonde local government. The local government freely provided the land for the community to use for one year. Thereafter, they would start paying rent fees to expand and sustain the market. Moreover, the market has a committee of seven members. The committee ensures safety and security, proper waste management as well as maintaining harmony.
Realising the need for more capital for investment, market traders have formed a Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO). The SACCO is now a platform where traders mobilise their savings to enable them to acquire quick loans to invest in their business. The SACCO currently has 30 members with more joining in.
Similarly, the market has created employment opportunities for youth who now own stalls where they sell their products. In fact, the youth are expanding the market stalls to accommodate more people.
Nansiiti is one of the female traders who attests to the transformation in her life. Like many women, the market has enabled them to work within the vicinity of their homes thereby balancing their gender household roles.
“Imagine having to walk for seven miles to and fro in search of place where I could sell my agriculture produce. Coupled with the high transport costs and having to work away from home, I had more or less nothing left to save to provide a better life for my six children. Dealing with middlemen to buy my agriculture products only made the situation worse. At the Nakaseeta community market I have a stall where I sell my products mainly vegetables and fruits. My stock has significantly improved. I earn weekly now, and my quality of living has improved. I can pay school fees for my children. The market has provided many opportunities for women like me to improve our livelihoods. Moreover, I have met more people and made many meaningful relationships.” Nansiiti, trader, Nakaseeta village
Access and reduced movement costs is a key win for the members in Nakaseta. Similarly, youth like Robert have also benefited from the community market as he said.
“I no longer walk to Katovu village to get clothes and shoes. Every Saturday, our market is open so we can access such products.” Robert Segawa, youth.
The chairperson stated that the market was not only for economic purposes but one that pulled in diverse tribes, ethnicities, religions, ages thus serving as an organic civic centre.
“Nakaseeta community market has become a place where members meet to discuss important issues while fostering the cohesion. The market has provided us with a sense of community identity and ambition. We hope to see it as one of the major commercial centres in our localities.” Chairperson Nakaseeta village.
By and large, community markets like Nakaseeta have the transformative power to provide economic opportunities for men, women and youth. They also strengthen community togetherness, link economies across areas while creating a place for active public engagement. The market is also key to enhancing local commerce in shifting the fortunes of the local community in Nakaseeta and Lyantonde at large.
The project is evidence of the immerse potential that youth hold to catalyse social change in local communities. CorpsAfrica is committed to empowering young African leaders to innovate local solutions for local challenges.
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