By Slivia Nakituuka & Victor Turinawe
Both the Main Campus and Kampala Campus of Uganda Christian University have been abuzz with bazaars, with vendors displaying different items for students and others to buy. The bazaar at the main campus is being held at the Guild Square and, unlike previous times, will run longer, for a period of three weeks.
“It started as soon as the semester started because we wanted to cater for parents who may have forgotten to buy stuff like school equipment and also, we expect a bigger population this semester, that’s why it had to take longer,” said Nolan Rugaba, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs in the Guild Government.
The bazaar is meant to help collect funds to help students struggling to pay tuition, and to support student entrepreneurs grow their business. The cost for those who want to participate is Shs100,000 for non-students and Shs60,000 for students.
“We also use this bazaar to prepare students for the business world when they get done with school,” Rugaba said.
Many of the vendors say they are grateful for the opportunity.
“I am participating because I want to expose myself to the market and associate more with my customers. This helps me learn what they want, because when I started my vintage clothes business, I thought that l would only deal with the old people but to my surprise I’m getting more youth than the old people,” said John Paul Mawejje, a student doing computer science and a vendor at the bazaar.
Dickson Turyasingura an alumnus and business owner also expressed gratitude towards the university, for allowing them do business. He however had a suggestion.
“I wish they could also give discounts to the alumni as they do to students because we are also part of this fraternity. That’s why we keep coming back. Also more equipment for example tents and tables should be added.” Turyasingura said.
According to Rugaba, this matter is going to be addressed. He also appreciated the vendors for their feedback, patience and support.
The students say they are happy about with the bazaar because they get a chance to get items at average prices.
“The bazaar creates a fun and lively atmosphere plus it brings variety to campus, for example food clothing, music, social interaction among others,” said Bridget Kauma, a student doing Bachelors of Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Alex Kisaakye a nursing student adds that the bazaar is exciting but some prices are a little bit high at some stalls. “Vendors should adjust so that we can fully be engaged in the baazar instead of just window shopping and leaving without buying,” he suggested.
Meanwhile, at the Kampala campus, a total of 28 students and six companies participated in the Trinity semester business bazaar which ended on May 1st. The bazaar took place in front of the Dr John Ssenyonyi Building.
The students included internal students from UCU Kampala Campus and neighbouring universities like Makerere University Business School (MUBS), and the companies involved included Centenary Bank, Kiri Soda, Faras Transport Company, Stabex and Indomie Noodles.
Students and companies were seen selling various commodities such as clothes, shoes, cooking gas, jewellery, cosmetics, snacks and many other items.
According to Trust Akampa, the Minister for Entrepreneurship at UCU Kampala Campus 28th Guild Government, business flourished in the first week of the bazaar, but the second week saw a slight decline in sales.
“This week has had fewer numbers of students turning up to buy commodities due to the delayed start of the 2026 Trinity semester. Most students stay in their hostels sleeping and relaxing. It is only year one students touring the campus premises who often come,” said Akampa.
Joy Nassimbwa, a student at MUBS who came to sell her products at UCU Kampala Campus, and dealing in jewellery and hair accessories, explained that from the start, demand centred on these products.
“Despite steady sales, I did not restock, as I still had enough of my existing inventory. But some traders had already sold out their opening stock and restocked again,” said Nassimbwa.While the bazaar at the Kampala Campus has ended, the one on the Main Campus in Mukono will go on till May 8th.
