Information needs of women market vendors In Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District. The following research questions were addressed: What are the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati town council, Wakiso District? What sources of information are available to women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District? What barriers do women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District face when accessing information? What are the possible measures to meet the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District? The study used a qualitative exploratory research design. Respondents were purposively selected to include women who vended foodstuffs, charcoal, African traditional items, papyrus mats, firewood, pottery and makeshift restaurants from Kasangati and Nalyamagonja markets. Data was collected using interviews and observation, and analysed using N’vivo (version 10) computer software. The findings revealed that women entered the market for various reasons ranging from the need to be independent to lack of capital to start up large business ventures. The most commonly needed information was on sources of funding, saving, land and business opportunities. Mobile phones were the most used source of information, followed by radios, and suppliers. Suppliers featured both as an information need and information source. The barriers that respondents faced included language barrier; lack of airtime; unreliable information; lack of time and communication challenges between them and the local authorities. As a result, they lost customers and capital for their businesses which subsequently increased their vulnerability. They were further constrained by lack of infrastructure and access to a number of utilities, like water and sanitation facilities. Key recommendations included: Government recognition of women market vendors and their inclusion in urban development planning processes; Government to team up with telecommunication companies to enable them distribute airtime across the country; Provision of relevant training particularly on information literacy and business. And lastly, information repackaging and dissemination in a few local languages through channels like newsletters, magazine, flyers, posters and other audio-visual materials