This brief summarises findings from our 2025 field study of 120 informal women traders operating in and around Kampala’s major markets. Full dataset and methodology available on request.
Who we spoke to
120 women traders across Nakasero, Owino (St Balikuddembe), Kalerwe, and Nakawa markets. Age range 19–62. Business tenure from 6 months to 34 years. All interviewed in-person, with follow-ups by phone.
Headline findings
Median monthly revenue sits far below the official small-business threshold but well above the minimum wage. Most traders reinvest almost all profit into stock. Savings are informal — 71% use mobile money savings groups, formal banks distantly behind.
“The most telling statistic: 68% of respondents had never interacted with a formal business support programme. These women are invisible to the system that exists to serve them.”
What hurts most
Market fees, harassment, unpredictable eviction threats, and rising wholesale prices. Finance is a recurring stressor but rarely the first thing raised unprompted.
Three policy levers
1. Simplify business registration with a free, mobile-first track for traders earning under a set threshold. 2. Regularise market tenure so eviction risk drops. 3. Formalise the existing savings groups with low-touch regulatory support that doesn’t kill them.
Read the full report
The full 42-page report is available to members and policy partners on request. Write to research@cwen.or.ug with a short description of your use case.
