‘Where is our future’: Uganda declares war on used clothing | Business and Economy

For almost three many years, the chaotic, overcrowded Owino secondhand market in Uganda’s capital has been the cornerstone of Hadija Nakimuli’s life, serving to the widowed shopkeeper construct a home and lift 12 youngsters.

However a possible authorities ban on the sale of used clothes threatens to sever this important lifeline for Nakimuli and tens of 1000’s of distributors like her.

“The place is our future in the event that they cease secondhand garments?” the 62-year-old requested, rummaging by her stash of underwear, attire, sneakers and luggage.

Established in 1971, the sprawling market employs some 80,000 individuals, 70 % of them ladies, in line with Kampala metropolis authorities.

“Apart from college students, my purchasers embody ministers [and] members of parliament who name me to ship garments to their air-conditioned workplaces,” stated Joseph Barimugaya, whose stall shares menswear.

“This commerce shouldn’t be tampered with. Everybody advantages, together with the federal government, which will get taxes,” the daddy of 4 stated.

Day-after-day, tons of of shoppers squeeze by the slim alleys separating the makeshift picket stalls, desperate to seize a discount.

Right here, a secondhand Pierre Cardin blazer goes for 40,000 Ugandan shillings ($11), a fraction of the value of a brand new one.

“As a trainer, I earn lower than 500,000 shillings [$131]. If I’m to purchase a brand new garment, it means I might spend all my wage on clothes,” Robert Twimukye, 27, stated whereas purchasing at Owino on a Saturday afternoon.

He isn’t alone.

Though there are not any official figures accessible, the Uganda Sellers in Used Clothings and Sneakers Affiliation estimates that 16 million individuals – one in three Ugandans – put on used clothes.