Market Vendors Embrace ICT as Digital Skills Program Expands

Market vendors across Kampala are embracing digital technology to boost their businesses, following the successful completion of a Digital Skilling Program that has trained 851 traders in using ICT tools for commerce.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, in partnership with MTN Uganda Foundation, Huawei Uganda, and the National ICT Innovation Hub, has equipped vendors with practical digital skills, including mobile payments, inventory management, and online marketing.

Market traders, some of whom had never used smartphones for business, are now leveraging technology to track sales, communicate with suppliers, and expand their customer base.

"Before, I would lose track of what sold best. Now my phone tells me," says Jane Nakitto, a 57-year-old vendor at Port Bell Market, who now records sales using an inventory app.

"My children were surprised when I showed them I could do this."

At Kamwokya Market, 42-year-old Robert Okello, who has sold produce for over 20 years, says ICT tools have made his work more efficient.

"I was afraid of these things," he admits. "But now I send price requests to five suppliers at once instead of calling each one. I save time and find better prices."

The trainings were conducted in six locations, including Kamwokya Community Centre, Kamwokya Market, Kamwokya Mosque, Kitintale Market, Port Bell Market, and Usafi Market.

Of the 851 graduates, 493 (58%) were male and 358 (42%) were female, demonstrating a push toward bridging Uganda’s digital gender divide.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of ICT, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, highlighted how the initiative aligns with Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap.

"When we see market vendors using digital tools to increase their incomes, we're witnessing digital transformation that matters to ordinary Ugandans," she said. "This initiative aligns directly with the Government’s commitment to ICT as a driver of national development."

According to Bryan Mbasa, Senior Manager of MTN Uganda Foundation, the project takes a human-centered approach, making digital skills accessible to everyday Ugandans.

"Our digital buses are bridges connecting traditional commerce to digital opportunity," he explained. "A vendor learns digital financial skills in the morning and is using them with customers by the afternoon."

Trainers say vendors see income increases of up to 15% within weeks of completing the training.

"When vendors can track inventory, reduce waste, and connect directly with customers, the impact is immediate," said Sandra Abwin, one of the program's trainers.

Esther Namuganza, a 26-year-old single mother who sells handcrafted baskets, has used the training to reach new markets.

"Now I take photos of my best designs and share them in WhatsApp groups," she said. "Last month, I received an order for 50 baskets from a hotel in Entebbe."

For Fatima Nakabuye, a spice vendor in Kitintale Market, digital tools have reduced reliance on middlemen.

"Men always had more connections for business. Now my phone is my connection," she said. "I joined a group of women vendors across different markets. We share supplier information and support each other."

Following its success in Kampala, the program is now set to expand to other regions, including Eastern, Western, Northern, and Central Uganda.

Steven Kirenga, General Manager of Product Development at Centenary Technology Services, emphasized that the project goes beyond teaching technology—it’s about changing mindsets.

"When a market vendor realizes they can use the same technology as a corporate executive, that's when digital inclusion becomes meaningful," he said.

With 78% of graduates adopting at least one digital tool within two weeks and a 23% increase in digital payments among participants, the initiative is proving to be a game-changer for small businesses.

Back at her fabric stall, Jane Nakitto reflects on the transformation:

"Technology was always something that happened elsewhere, in big companies or with young people. Now it happens here, among us, in the market. And we are the ones making it happen."