Nakawa Division Council has passed a new ordinance compelling all supermarkets within the division to allocate space for locally made products. The landmark directive is aimed at empowering homegrown entrepreneurs and boosting the visibility of Ugandan innovation on local shelves.
The announcement came over the weekend from Nakawa Division Mayor, Paul Mugambe, during the closing session of a skills-building workshop for women groups in Bukoto 1 Parish. Held at Mulimira Zone in Kamwokya, the workshop drew over 60 enthusiastic participants.
Addressing attendees, Mayor Mugambe underscored the importance of elevating products crafted by local hands—particularly those made by women involved in small-scale manufacturing. He voiced concern over the dominance of imported goods in supermarket aisles, saying local items are too often overlooked.
“My executive committee has passed an ordinance requiring all supermarkets in Nakawa Division to establish dedicated stalls for local products such as mushrooms, crafts, liquid soap, and other homegrown innovations,” Mugambe stated. “This is a strategic push to actualize the BUBU policy and open up market access for our local producers—beginning right here at home.”
As he eyes re-election, Mugambe assured the audience that the ordinance will soon undergo formal debate and be passed into law, ensuring it is not just policy, but practice.
The workshop was spearheaded by Hadijah Nabakiibi, an aspiring woman councilor for Bukoto 1 Parish under the National Unity Platform (NUP), who also represents Nakawa on the Buganda Kingdom Youth Council. Nabakiibi explained that the session focused on equipping women with income-generating skills—mushroom farming in particular—to help families break out of poverty and become more self-reliant.
Mayor Mugambe commended Nabakiibi for her dedication to women’s empowerment, noting that grassroots initiatives like these are vital to strengthening community resilience and fostering innovation.
Adding his voice, Sadam Kirumira, Nakawa’s representative to the Buganda Kingdom Youth Council, echoed praise for Nabakiibi’s efforts. He emphasized that the workshop aligns with the Kingdom’s broader mission to combat household poverty through inclusive, community-driven development.
