MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

INFORMATION NEEDS OF WOMEN MARKET VENDORS IN KASANGATI TOWN COUNCIL, WAKISO DISTRICT, UGANDA

BY

CAROLINE NANKINGA

2014/HD05/2156U

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCE OF MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

2019

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I wish to thank my supervisors’ Dr. Walter Omona and Dr. Joyce Bukirwa whose wisdom, experience and patience for me were very precious during this study. Their overwhelming support, availability and encouragement saw me through the entire research process and am truly thankful to have been under their supervision.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to my Mother, Sarah Najjuka, for encouraging me and helping me pursue my Master’s Program. I will forever be grateful to her.

I wish to thank Assoc Prof. Ruth Nalumaga for her guidance, advice and comments which greatly improved my work. I also would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Dick Kawooya who looked at my topic and encouraged me to forge ahead.

I wish to thank the Office of Town Clerk, Kasangati Town Council for allowing me to conduct my research in their markets and for providing me with important statistics.

And lastly, I would like to thank the women market vendors of Kasangati Town Council who accepted to participate in this research. They were exceptionally welcoming and willing to share their thoughts and experiences with me.

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DEDICATION

This research is dedicated to my Mother, Sarah Najjuka, who encouraged me and helped me pursue this Master’s Program.

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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

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. DECLARATION ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... ii DEDICATION ...... iv ABSTRACT ...... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... vi LIST OF TABLES ...... x LIST OF FIGURES ...... xi ACRONYMS ...... xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.0 Introduction ...... 1 1.1Background to the Study ...... 1 1.1.1The Research Context ...... 4 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...... 5 1.3 Aim of the Study ...... 6 1.4 Study Objectives ...... 6 1.5 Research Questions ...... 7 1.6 Significance of the Study ...... 7 1.7 Scope of the Study...... 8 1.7.1 Geographical Scope...... 8 1.8 Definition of Operational Terms ...... 8 1.9 Theoretical Framework ...... 9 1.9.1 Wilson’s (1996) Model of Information Behaviour ...... 9 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ...... 14 2.1 Introduction ...... 14 2.2 The Informal Sector ...... 14 2.3Information Needs of Women in Informal Sector ...... 15 2.4 Information Needs of Women Market Vendors ...... 16 2.5 Information Sources of Women Market Vendors...... 19 2.6 Barriers to Access to Information by Women Market Vendors...... 21

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2.7 Improving Access to Information for Women Market Vendors...... 24 2.8 The Research Gap ...... 26 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ...... 27 3.1 Introduction ...... 27 3.2 Area of Study ...... 27 3.3 Research Design ...... 27 3.4 Population of Study ...... 28 3.5 Sampling...... 28 3.6 Data Collection Methods and Instruments ...... 29 3.6.1 Interview...... 29 3.6.1.1 Interview Guide ...... 30 3.6.1.1.1 Data Collection Hardware Instrument...... 30 3.6.2 Observation ...... 30 3.6.2.1 Observation Check-list ...... 31 3.7 Data Analysis and Presentation ...... 32 3.8 Data Quality Control ...... 32 3.8.1 Validity and Reliability ...... 32 3.9 Ethical Consideration ...... 33 3.10 Limitations of the Study ...... 33 CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ...... 35 4.1 Introduction ...... 35 4.2 Context of the Study ...... 37 4.2.2 Nalyamagonja Market ...... 38 4.3 Background Information ...... 40 4.3.1 Demography of Respondents ...... 40 4.3.2 Education ...... 41 4.4 Business Profile ...... 42 4.4.1 Experience ...... 42 4.4.2 Business Variety ...... 43 4.4.3 Working Hours ...... 43 4.4.4 Use of income...... 44

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4.4.5 Knowledge of the Business ...... 45 4.4.6 Motivation for Conducting Business ...... 46 4.5 Information Needs of Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District ...... 48 4.5.1 Information on Sources of Funds ...... 48 4.5.2 Information on Saving ...... 49 4.5.3 Land ...... 50 4.5.4 Suppliers ...... 51 4.5.5 Water and Sanitation Facilities ...... 52 4.5.6 Information on Markets and Storage Facilities ...... 53 4.5.7 Information on Business Opportunities...... 55 4.6 Information Sources for Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District ...... 56 4.7 Barriers to Information Access by Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District ...... 58 4.7.1 Lack of Airtime ...... 59 4.7.2 Communication Challenges ...... 60 4.7.3 Unreliable Information ...... 61 4.7.4 No one asked about their Information Needs ...... 62 4.7.5 Lack of Time ...... 62 4.7.6 Language Barrier ...... 63 4.7.7 Lack of Business Training...... 64 4.8 Suggestions for Improving Information Access to Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council ...... 65 4.9 Chapter Summary ...... 67 CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 68 5.1 Introduction ...... 68 5.2 Summary of Findings ...... 68 5.2.1 Information needs of Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council ...... 68 5.2.2 Information Sources for Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council...... 69 5.2.3 Barriers to Information Access by Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council ...... 69

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5.2.4 Suggestions for Improving Information Access to Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council ...... 70 5.3 Conclusion of the Study ...... 70 5.4 Recommendations ...... 71 5.5 Suggestions for Further Research ...... 73 REFERENCES ...... 74 APPENDICES ...... 81

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Population of Study ...... 28 Table 2: Profile of Interviewees ...... 36 Table 3: Business Types ...... 43 Table 4: Information Sources...... 57 Table 5: Suggestions to Improve Information Access ...... 66

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: A Graphic Representation of Wilson’s (1996) Model of Information Behaviour ...... 11 Figure 2: Kasangati Market ...... 38 Figure 3: Nalyamagonja Market ...... 39

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ACRONYMS

ILO International Labour Organisation

KTC Kasangati Town Council

SME Small and Medium Enterprises

UBOS Uganda Bureau of Statistics

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

The chapter provides the general background to the study and statement of the problem. It further outlines research objectives, research questions and significance of the study, scope of the study, and the theoretical framework. Finally, the key terms that will be used in the study are defined and operationalized.

1.1 Background to the Study

Information is a vital part of our survival as human beings both for development and well-being.

It has become an important resource in almost every human activity, and for this reason, it has been referred to as the fourth factor of production (Ojo, Akinsunmi, & Olayonu, 2015). The dictum “information is power” will for a very long time to come remain relevant in man’s life, as it is believed that information changes the state of its recipient when appropriately used. Reitz

(2004) defines information as data presented in a comprehensible form to which meaning has been attributed within the context of its use. In other words, specific data can be considered as information if it conveys a meaning to the person who perceives it. If information is needed to make an informed decision which will help us avert or at the most mitigate problems associated with running a business, then it is the right of the citizens to have access to it, especially the women market vendors. Availability of relevant information provides the basis for improved effectiveness and efficiency in all aspects of running a business.

Though everyone needs information, Abdulkareem (2010) reiterates that information is even more important to women because of the fact that women constitute the larger portion of the adult population in the world and also because of cultural expectations and the gender roles they

1 play especially in the lives of other categories of people (such as children, men, youths and the elderly). Olorunda and Oyelude (2003) believe, “because they need to maintain themselves and their families, women have “economic needs”. Furthermore, Ikoja-Odongo (2002) revealed the most crucial information needs of women in the informal sector in Uganda. They included: information about better markets and marketing strategies for their products, sources of access to raw materials and/or suppliers at rather cheaper prices. This was followed by the need for information on sources of credit, advisory information and information about training opportunities

Information needs refers to an individual’s or group’s desire to locate and obtain information to satisfy a conscious or unconscious need. In another words, information needs are those needs that arise in order to cope with problems arising from different business situation (Ndenje-

Sichalwe, 2004). Kebede (2002), conceptualized information needs as the uncertainty that arises in the individual, which they believe can be satisfied through information acquisition. Factors that give rise to information need include seeking answers, reducing uncertainties, bridging gaps, solving problems, understanding (making sense) and coping (Case, 2002). The different characteristics of a work environment make one type of information need and seeking different from the other. The information needs of women working in the textile market industry are different from the needs of women working in the fishing industry. Therefore, it is beneficial to study each group of information seekers one at a time and use the results to develop user- oriented information systems in order to serve each group better. This study focused on women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council who trade in Kasangati and Nalyamagonja markets.

Women Market Vendors are part of what is referred to as the “Informal Sector”. The

International Labour Organization (ILO) defines the Informal Sector as one that consists of units

2 engaged in the production of goods or services with the primary objective of generating employment and incomes for the persons concerned. Uganda is no exception to the rise of the informal sector. The growth of the sector dates back to the military regime of Idi Amin that resulted in economic dislocation and mismanagement of the economy (Mitullah, 2003).

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (2018), the informal sector is predominately run by

Ugandans at 99 percent and the majority of people in the informal sector are women (World

Bank Group, 2017). There is also evidence that the informal economy grows larger because of the high rate at which town markets are being established and expanding (Kristensen & Mukasa,

2009).

Women sell in these markets for various reasons. Mitullah (2003) said, it is due to the limited economic opportunities for women in both rural and urban areas. In most cases women vend when their husbands cannot sustain the family or to supplement the husband’s income. Mitullah also stated gender bias in education, as a reason why women sell in these markets. According to

UBOS (2016), results from the National Population and Housing Census indicate that literacy among females was lower (68 percent) than for males (77 percent), also the share of girls who had completed the Advanced Level of Education is lower than the share of boys. Literacy is the ability for one to read with understanding and to write a simple sentence meaningfully in any language. Lacking sufficient education to be gainfully employed and lacking access to land, these women have become the backbone of the market, and although many admit that it is a difficult and tiring job, they accept or tolerate it because they have no alternative way to earn a living. Woodward, Rolfe, Lingathelm & Guimaraes (2011) stated that a large number of such informal businesses arise out of necessity to secure a livelihood and not simply opportunity. As market vendors, income earners, mothers and family caretakers, women are a critical link in

3 achieving food security. However, access to information for these women is often limited due to cultural, religious and sometimes sociological factors (Oyelude & Bamigbola, 2012), resulting in much of the resources available to them remaining untapped.

Information has the potential for helping women market vendors make sound decisions in their businesses. Madukoma (2012) further agreed by stating that, the smooth running of any business or market oriented economy is based on availability, accessibility and use of timely, reliable, and complete information. When information is readily available in the environment it enhances the cumulative and individual knowledge of traders, thereby making them informed and rational,

Yue (2004) cited in Mwale-Munsanje (2011). However, when there is a lack of vital information available, misjudgement can occur and can be very costly to the business.

1.1.1 The Research Context

The study was carried out in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District. Wakiso is a district in the Central Region of Uganda that partly encircles Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. According to the information from the Office of the Town Clerk, there are over 940 registered market vendors in Kasangati Town Council who trade in four markets (Gayaza Daily Market, Nalyamagonja,

Kasangati and Gayaza Mubulo–Kyetume A & B). Five hundred and sixty-two (60%) of this population are women. The study focused on women market vendors who trade in Kasangati and

Nalyamagonja markets. The markets were selected because they are primarily filled with women. Secondly, the other markets had both men and women working as vendors, and at times it was hard to discern which vendor was male or female on the register because it did not include the sex/gender category. There are 169 women market vendors in total who vend numerous goods such as raw food stuffs (dried fish, maize, vegetables, fruits, potatoes, yams, bananas,

4 beans and peas), African traditional items (herbs, backcloth and calabashes), pottery, firewood, papyrus mats, charcoal and makeshift restaurants.

Displaying their goods on racks, in stalls, or over gunny bags, women market vendors in these markets dominate in selling raw foodstuffs. Vendors are arranged in lines and operate from makeshift tables and papyrus mats laid directly on the ground. Selling raw foodstuffs is a challenge because they are highly perishable and can only last for a short time and women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council have no way to preserve unsold food. Food is kept in jerry cans, boxes and in open air, if it’s not sold right away, they end up incurring losses.

Secondly, due to lack of storage facilities, most vendors purchase food in small quantities for fear of losing their base capital or profit. Proximity to the road makes for unhealthy conditions.

Because these women operate without shelter, they must cope with the vagaries of the weather.

Each season brings its particular problems. During the wet season, women market vendors work in mud. During the dry season, dust from the roads often gets mixed into the food forcing women to reduce prices so that customers will still buy from them. These circumstances are what drew the researcher’s attention to conduct an information study, in order to establish the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District as a first step towards meeting their information needs.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Richardson, Howarth and Finnegan (2004) define information access as one of the issues impacting women’s ability to take advantage of market opportunities, to meet market needs and to reach the market more effectively. Madukoma (2012) stated that, the smooth running of any business or market-oriented economy is based on availability, accessibility and use of timely,

5 reliable, complete and efficient information. However, when there’s lack of vital information available, misjudgement can occur and can be very costly to the business.

Women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council who vend in Nalyamagonja and Kasangati markets face challenges that hinder their progress in their business activities. Among these challenges, is sale of perishable goods which can only last for a short, lack of storage facilities and insufficient capital. Lack of access to useful information only exacerbates these problems for women market vendors, making it more difficult for them to source appropriate resources such as markets and finances, as well as the required information necessary to market their products.

The researcher found it necessary to undertake a study that can identify the information needs of women market vendors, and to uncover the factors among women market vendors that prevent them from accessing information they need for their businesses.

1.3 Aim of the Study

The aim of this study was to establish the information needs of women market vendors in

Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District for better improved information services to them.

1.4 Study Objectives

The study sought to meet the following objectives:

i) To identify the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council,

Wakiso District.

ii) To determine the sources of information available to women market vendors in Kasangati

Town Council, Wakiso District.

iii) To establish the barriers women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso

District face when accessing information.

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iv) To propose measures to meeting the information needs of women market vendors in

Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District.

1.5 Research Questions

The following are the research questions that guided the study.

i) What are the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council,

Wakiso District?

ii) What sources of information are available to women market vendors in Kasangati Town

Council, Wakiso District?

iii) What barriers do women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District

face when accessing information?

iv) What are the measures to meet the information needs of women market vendors in

Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District?

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study outcome is expected to make various contributions to the domain of knowledge on

Gender Information Needs. Because understanding their information needs, is vital for the effective and efficient provision of timely and relevant information to women in business.

The study is in line with Uganda Vision 2040 which seeks to reduce gender inequalities as a prerequisite for accelerating and sustaining social economic transformation. Over the next 30 years, deliberate effort shall be made to enable women to equally participate in education and skills development, business, agriculture and industry as well as their equal political representation at all levels among other development aspects. However, this will not be possible without information, access to information on women market vendor’s information needs will be

7 vital for social transformation and communication. The study also prompts further research in the area of information needs of women market vendors.

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.7.1 Geographical Scope

The study was carried out in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District. Wakiso is a district in the Central Region of Uganda that partly encircles Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Wakiso borders with Nakaseke District and Luweero District to the north, Mukono District to the east,

Kalangala District in Lake Victoria to the south, Mpigi District to the south-west and Mityana

District to the north-west.

1.8 Definition of Operational Terms

Information

Information can be any difference you perceive, in your environment or within yourself. It is any aspect or pattern that you notice in your reality (Case, 2016). For the purpose of this study, information is any meaningful message which is capable of being shared between two or more people. It can be a symbol or a set of symbols with meaning.

Information Need

Case (2016) defined an information need as a recognition that your knowledge is inadequate to satisfy a goal that you have. For the purpose of this study, information need is used to mean a process started when an individual perceives that there is a gap in the information available to solve a problem.

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Market

The market place is a specific site where a group of buyers and a group of sellers meet

(Nakanyike-Musisi, 1995). For the purpose of this study, market is used to refer to Kasangati market and Nalyamagonja market.

Women Market Vendors

Women market vendors are traders that directly or indirectly depend on proceedings of the market income for livelihood based on market sales (Abdulsalami, 2015). For the purpose of this study, women market vendors are traders who trade in raw foodstuffs, charcoal, pottery, papyrus mats, firewood, makeshift restaurants and African traditional items in Kasangati and

Nalyamagonja markets in Kasangati Town Council.

1.9 Theoretical Framework

This study was inspired by Wilson’s (1996) model of information seeking behaviour. The model enabled the researcher to examine and understand how the various characteristics of women market vendors, influence or shape their seeking, acquisition and use of information.

1.9.1 Wilson’s (1996) Model of Information Behaviour

Wilson’s model begins with the “person-in-context”, in which information needs arise. Between the levels of person-in-context and the decision to look for information is what Wilson calls the

“activating” mechanism. The rise of a particular need is influenced by the context, which can be the person himself/herself, or the role they play in life or the work environment (Matsveru,

2014).

Wilson’s (1996) model shows intervening variables (information seeking barriers) represented by psychological (emotional and mental), demographic (age, education, gender etc.), roles

9 related or interpersonal, (the type of work one does for example teacher, librarian, entrepreneur, peasant), environment (condition or area around the people) and source characteristics

(electronic or print) (Wilson, 1999), which may hinder or motivate information seeking. The model further shows that information seeking varies from one user to another. For instance, women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council could have different information needs depending on their age, responsibilities or lifestyle.

Wilson’s (1996) model outlines information-seeking behaviours to include passive attention

(means passive absorption of information from the environment, for example (when television or radio is on without person’s attention to seek information); passive search (applies to those occasions when a particular type of behaviour results in acquisition of information that happen to be relevant to a person); active search (takes place when a person actively seeks out information); and on-going search (means continuing search carried out to update or expand area of information) (Wilson, 2000; Fisher & McKehnie, 2005). The search process in this model shows that, when information obtained by a user is processed it becomes an item of individual knowledge and is used directly or indirectly to influence the environment, and as a result, create new information needs (Case, 2002). If users are not satisfied with the information, they may go back to start the search process again. For purposes of this study, the stages that the model outlines were potentially relevant in exploring the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, since it helped in understanding the entire search process of information. Moreover, the model contributes towards the understanding of concepts such as information need, information seeking, and information use. In addition, the model explains the challenges/ barriers which users face whenever they seek for information. The model has been customised to fit this research in a graphic representation in Figure 1.

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Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Market Activating mechanism Intervening Variables Information seeking outcomes

Market INFORMATION NEEDS INFORMATION  For better decision making. Women ACCESS BARRIERS  Better marketing of goods.  Sourcing funds  Better pricing of goods.  Saving  Lack of airtime  To source for supplies and  Land  Lack of time goods.  Business opportunities  Communication  To source for finances.  Water & Sanitation challenges Facilities  To preserve goods.  Language barrier  Market & Storage facilities  To beat competition.  Unreliable information FORMAL INFORMAL  Lack of training Radio Friends Mobile phone Work colleagues Experience Local market Leaders

Figure 1: A Graphic Representation of Wilson’s (1996) Model of Information Behaviour

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Women market vendors are traders in Kasangati town Council who trade in Kasangati and

Nalyamagonja markets. The items women trade in, include raw foodstuffs, African traditional items, pottery, firewood, papyrus mats and makeshift restaurants. The context of need for these women is Kasangati and Nalyamagonja Markets, and the “person-in-context” is the market woman. Women engage in this kind of work because their partners have no regular jobs, they join this activity to augment husband’s income. Women also engage in this kind of work because of low education and employable skills. Because far many women in Uganda are illiterate, they therefore have fewer chances of employment in the formal economy.

Activating Mechanisms (Independent Variables)

Women market vendors decide to look for information because they have needs, and are therefore looking to satisfy these needs. The needs include sources of funding, information on saving, suppliers, water and sanitation facilities, market and storage facilities and lastly, business opportunities.

In their quest for information to satisfy the above needs, market women make use of both formal and informal sources of information. These include: mobile phones, suppliers, friends, radios, local market leaders and experience.

Intervening Variables (Information Seeking Barriers)

When looking for information, women face barriers such as lack of time, unreliable information; lack of airtime and language barrier. These barriers may hinder or motivate information seeking.

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Consequent information behaviour (Outcomes)

The lack of access to information has negative implications on a business. When women market vendors in access timely and relevant information, they are not able to make sound business decisions; market their goods, source for suppliers; source for finances; beat competition; preserve goods and lastly determine prices for their goods. On the other hand, when information is available and accessible, women are able to make better decisions for their businesses. They are able to market their goods, determine prices for their goods, source for suppliers and finances. Lastly, they are able to preserve their goods and also beat competition. Furthermore, women market vendors are likely to pass on this information to their colleagues.

The demand of information results in success or failure in finding appropriate information. If market women are not satisfied with the information, they may go back to start the search process again. The search process in figure 1 shows that, when information obtained by a vendor is processed it becomes an item of individual knowledge and is used directly or indirectly to influence the environment, and as a result, create new information needs.

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CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction

This chapter presents the literature review which was undertaken based on the assumption that knowledge accumulates and that we learn from and build on what others have done (Neuman,

2011)

2.2 The Informal Sector

The Informal Sector plays a pivotal role in the economic structure of many developing countries especially in areas of employment and income opportunities in both rural and urban areas. Chen

(2002) notes that the term “Informal Sector” is invoked to refer to street vendors in Bogota; rickshaw pullers in Hanoi and Calcutta; garbage collectors in Cairo, home-based garment workers in Manila, Madeira, Mexico City, and Toronto, and home-based electronic workers in

Leeds, Istanbul and Kuala Lumpur. The main features of informal sector economic units are: ease of entry; small scale of the activity; self-employment, with a high proportion of family workers and apprentices; little capital and equipment; labour intensive technologies; low skills; low level of organisation with no access to organised markets, to formal credit, to education and training or services and amenities; cheap provision of goods and services or provision of goods and services otherwise unavailable; low productivity and low incomes (Charmes, 2000). The activities in the Informal Sector were classified into six broad categories as follows: Agriculture,

Forestry, and Fishing; Manufacturing; Trade; Transport and Storage; Hotels, Restaurants; and other service activities (UBOS, 2018).

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2.3 Information Needs of Women in Informal Sector

Numerous Scholars have studied the information needs of women in the informal sector. Ndenje-

Sichalwe (2004) studied the information needs of small-scale business women in Dar es Salaam.

The findings revealed that lack of access to information was one among several problems small scale women entrepreneurs faced when trying to develop their business. The results also revealed that although women needed access to information on business skills, market and technology; such information was inaccessible to them. Adekanye (2014) investigated the Information needs of Textile Market Women in Southern Nigeria and the findings showed that there was a relative influence of information needs, seeking, sources and use on the socio-economic empowerment of the textile market women. The result indicated that Nigerian textile market women were innovative, dynamic and creative in their entrepreneurial activities when they are empowered with information which invariably would bring self-sustainability and societal development.

In a study conducted by Ikoja-Odongo (2002) on business information needs of 602 informal entrepreneurs in Uganda, it was established that access to, and use of, business information formed part of the entrepreneur’s daily life. The business information needs were found to be contextual. Entrepreneurs typically needed information on subjects that enabled them to solve entrepreneurial issues in their work places. The study established that training and skills development, markets and marketing techniques, including prices and pricing techniques, sources of raw materials, finance, tools and equipment, business management skills, new areas of investment, product quality improvement and record keeping, were key areas for which information was necessary. Ikoja-Odongo (2002) went ahead to identify the most wanted business information by artisans in Uganda’s informal sector as being information about markets, suppliers, starting a viable business and money to start and sustain a business, training,

15 and government information about business development, viable business trends, how other countries with similar businesses have developed. Similarly, Uzezi (2015) investigated the information needs of migrant fishermen in Isoko Riverine community in Nigeria and the findings revealed that migrant fishermen needed information mostly on how to obtain credit/loan facility, and that, their sources of information included personal experiences, neighbours/friends.

The literature reviewed indicates that women in the informal sector have various information needs. They include: Information on business skills, business opportunities, market and technology, skills development, market and marketing techniques, business management skills and credit/loan facilities. The literature also revealed that, even thou women have these needs; they are often hindered by a lack of access to information especially when such information is inaccessible to them. This study therefore, focused on the subsector of women market vendors.

2.4 Information Needs of Women Market Vendors

Dwoya (2008) investigated the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the provision of business information to women traders at the Westlands Maasai Market in

Nairobi. The study found out that most of the women traders were between the ages of 18-40 years and had completed secondary school education. Amongst the most sought-after business information needs by women traders were: customer needs, mobile telephone money transfer, market, raw materials and record keeping. Radio and mobile telephone were the most used ICTs among the women traders. Inability to identify specific ICTs for business information, cost, difficult language in ICTs and limited amount of time are some of the challenges identified by the women traders. The study concluded that it is necessary to relate the identified business information needs to the appropriate ICTs and further sensitize the women traders on the importance of ICTs like the internet.

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Mwale-Munsanje (2011) & Banda, Mutula and Grand (2004) studied the information needs and information seeking behaviour of traders in Zambia, and they revealed that the major information needs of traders in the city of Lusaka included information relating to the sourcing of goods, suppliers, customers, pricing and trade finance. The study further revealed that one of the challenges the traders faced when seeking information was lack of time, unwillingness by fellow traders to share trade information, not knowing where to access information, and lack of information skills.

Mchombu’s (2000) study of information needs of women in small businesses in Botswana also revealed that women needed information on business management, technical skills, financial information, legal information, and information on sources of raw materials for their businesses.

The following statement by Mchombu (2000) describes the importance of information for women entrepreneurs: Women need information in all aspects of business activities. The information required will enable them to identify suitable products, equipment and materials and to identify suitable suppliers. They also need information on standards and the country's industrial requirements and materials specifications. It can be argued that all this information can be very valuable to women if it is provided at the right time, using the right channels, and is reliable.

Norliya (2010) investigated the information needs of Malaysian Bumiputera Entrepreneurs. It was found that the types of business information needed by the respondents were preparation of a business plan, followed by planning of cash flow, examination of business opportunities, and profit planning. The results indicated that the types of business information considered very important were information related to planning of cash flow, followed by preparation of business plan, profit planning, and communications with clients, business opportunities, courses on

17 entrepreneurship, and creativeness and innovativeness in business. The study found that respondents obtained most of their business information by talking to other entrepreneurs, followed by sharing experience with other entrepreneurs, discussing with friends/relatives, reading newspaper and magazines, and asking clients. The results revealed that the sources from which respondents obtained their business information were courses, followed by business exhibitions, Internet/e-mail, business premises, government agencies, and technical training. The respondents considered clients and other entrepreneurs as very important sources of business information.

A study was conducted to establish the characteristics of the SMEs, business activities, business information needs and to recommend the important business information needs required for business information systems for poor countries or regions Okello Obura, Minishi-Majanja &

Ikoja-Odongo (2008). This was carried out on the assumption that businesses in Northern

Uganda were lagging behind because of a lack of a business information system that could facilitate efficient and effective business information access. The findings revealed that SMEs in

Northern Uganda had varying backgrounds and were engaged in diverse business activities with varying business information needs that required a multi-faceted approach in the provision of business information.

Chiware (2008) investigated of the business information needs, information seeking patterns and business information services for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Namibia.

The study ranked business information needs of SMMEs as: finance, marketing, production, training, policies on SMME development, sources of raw materials, regulations, technical information and other types of information. The study revealed that SMEs largely depend on

18 informal information sources despite the existence of a wide range of business information services in Namibia.

The literature on information needs of women market vendors being very limited, this section relied heavily on the information needs of women in small scale businesses in general.

2.5 Information Sources of Women Market Vendors.

Before women can access any information, they will need to engage in some processes that would enable them to eventually find the information they need. It is important for women to know their sources of information (Mumba, 2014). Information sources are tools that are used to meet the information needs of different groups of users. Bates (2006) mentioned that “anything human beings interact with or observe can be a source of information”. Studies on information and small businesses showed the main sources of information for enterprises are other business owners, family members or friends. Triana, Welsch & Young (1984) say that, the degree of friendship and relationship influences whether a business person approaches a specific individual to obtain information. Mchombu (2000) also observed the trend among small-scale business women in Botswana and found out that women in that region obtained their business information through informal channels and a large number of women operators are not aware of formal information resources and sources.

Mumba (2014) investigated Information Access and Use of ICT among Zambian Women

Entrepreneurs and the study revealed that, the major sources of information for most women entrepreneurs are friends and relatives, social networks, online sources, and television. Zambian women entrepreneurs also relied on Women’s organisations, customers and suppliers as sources of information. Equally important, networking was found to be a major reliable source of

19 information. The study also revealed the less popular sources of information which included libraries and lastly, trade fairs and exhibitions.

Ikoja-Odongo and Ocholla (2004), in a survey of Entrepreneurs in the informal sector of the economy of Uganda, stated that women largely depend on their immediate surroundings as a first stop for information. For example, word of mouth, use of personal experience and friends, relatives and neighbours. They noted that information is mostly gotten from within the environment where the business is located. Duncombe (2004) observed that business owners prefer information generated by informal sources because it tends to be handy, it is more trusted, and it is applicable to their existing knowledge base, which was derived from sources that exhibit similar outlooks and aspirations to that of the recipient.

A survey by Norliya (2010) found that in terms of information sources, entrepreneurs look most often to ‘informal” sources from their clients, suppliers and colleagues. This points to the informal nature of information itself that business seems to value most. Information and learning from clients, suppliers and colleagues often comes through personal contact, whether by phone, in person, or e-mail. Such sources are less known for offering access to articles, reports or

“information documents” in other form.

The literature indicated that women entrepreneurs prefer to use informal sources of information i.e. personal or face-to-face sources of information such as family and friends. But none of these studies was on women market vendors thus necessitating a study with reference to Kasangati

Town Council, Wakiso District.

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2.6 Barriers to Access to Information by Women Market Vendors.

Information professionals, scholars and researchers have used the term information access in different situations and in specific contexts, depending on the environment they are working in

(Burnett & Jaeger, 2008; Arko-Cobbah, 2008; Jaeger, 2007; Jaeger and Burnett, 2005; Lievrouw and Farb, 2002 as cited in Mumba 2014) described access to information as the, “ability of the citizen to obtain information that is real information, which is useful and practical, capable of helping the citizen to make an informed opinion on an issue”. According to Primo (2003), the lack of access to information is the third most important challenge faced by women after poverty and violence, and United Nations (2002) stated that, when it comes to paying for information access, women are less likely to have extra income.

Like any other continent around the world, majority of women in Sub Saharan Africa lack access to information. Women Entrepreneurs fall into the category of information poor as they lack information for their businesses, especially since most of them have no knowledge of the existence or availability of information Mchombu (2000). Women suffer from information poverty because most of them tend to avoid formal sources of information (Chiware & Dick,

2008), but prefer what Urquhart and Yeonman (2009) refer to as “approachable” information sources. Because they prefer informal sources to formal ones, they miss out on reliable and credible information. Similarly, Mumba (2014) investigated the information seeking behaviour of Zambian women entrepreneurs specifically focusing on their information needs, sources, barriers to information access and usage of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the study revealed that women entrepreneurs face numerous barriers to information access.

Some of the barriers cited are lack of financial resources, high cost of ICTs, poor network, non-

21 availability of current information, poor government policies and lack of information skills among women business owners.

Ndenje-Sichalwe, (2004) studied the information needs of small-scale business women in Dar es

Salaam and sources of information they used; problems they encountered in accessing information and their training needs. The findings revealed that lack of access to information was one among several problems small scale women entrepreneurs faced when trying to develop their businesses. The results also revealed that although women needed access to information on business skills, business opportunities, market and technology; such information was inaccessible to them. In their study of Information needs and seeking in Namibia, Chiware &

Dick (2008) found out that one of the barriers women entrepreneurs faced was the poor quality of the available information.

Richardson, Howarth, and Finnegan’s (2004) study about women and enterprise development in

Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia involving 379 women, found that one of the major barriers facing women entrepreneurs in these three countries was lack of access to information, especially information on markets and marketing. Likewise, Mwale-Munsanje (2011) studied the information needs and information seeking behaviour of traders in Zambia and revealed that the major information needs of traders in the city of Lusaka included information relating to the sourcing of goods, suppliers, customers, pricing and trade finance. The studies revealed further that one of the challenges the traders faced when seeking information was lack of time, unwillingness by fellow traders to share trade information, not knowing where to access information, and lack of information skills.

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Mauchi, Mutengezanwa & Damiyano (2014) carried out a study to unravel the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Mashona-land Central Province of Zimbabwe and concluded that women entrepreneurs face constraints related to access to finance, conflicts between work and family responsibilities, networking challenges, lack of education and management skills.

Sourcing raw materials and finding markets were cited as the least challenges for women entrepreneurs. Another common constraint among women entrepreneurs included the absence of knowledge and information sharing on business related topics and issues.

Fonutchi (2012) explored the experiences of select women informal traders in the City of Cape

Town and revealed that participants lacked information about chosen support systems. They also lacked information about Government regulations particularly on how public space is regulated and although some support systems were known by some participants, they did not however know how they operated or what they offer because the wrong information usually got to them.

Insufficient market information drastically slows down the growth of African Markets. Most traders usually have no official information about the market thus have to rely on friends and fellow competitors’ market information which in most cases is unreliable or faulty (Morris and

Saul, 2000). People also remain poor because they lack information and knowledge that are of economic value to them (Meier & Stiglitz, 2001).

Based on reviewed literature in this section, it seems that women particularly those in small-scale businesses face various challenges when, accessing and using information. Such challenges include among others insufficient market information, lack of awareness of the availability of information, absence of information on business, lack of time for searching for information, and lack of information skills. Therefore, there’s a need to find out the factors affecting information access by women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council.

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2.7 Improving Access to Information for Women Market Vendors.

Mumba (2014) investigated the information seeking behaviour of women entrepreneurs in

Zambia. The study revealed that one of the problems making women entrepreneurs lag behind is lack of information. He asserts that governments have a role to play in supporting entrepreneurial efforts of women by ensuring that some of the difficulties they are encountering in obtaining information are mitigated. Access to information about market incentives, credit, investment and other profitable opportunities should be widely available to avoid the isolation of women because information is a key ingredient or factor in any business.

Mwale-Musanje (2011) conducted a research to establish the information needs and information seeking behaviour of female traders in Zambia. The traders themselves were asked to suggest solutions to the problems they faced when seeking information and several suggestions were put forth; these traders explained that one way of overcoming challenges faced when seeking information was by empowering market masters and managers. This would reduce problems of not having adequate time to seek information. It would also reduce on problems of colleagues giving inaccurate information to others since market masters would be objective and impartial.

Not knowing where to access information would also no longer be a problem as the information would be readily available since it would be accessed within the same trading area. If market masters were empowered with information on how loans could be accessed, adequate information on associations and organizations that help traders in various ways, traders could benefit so much other than going to different organizations looking for information. Information providers must utilize commonly used media such as televisions and radios to convey the relevant information needed by traders. This will enable traders to have access to trading

24 information within their own homes and sometimes within the trading areas (Mwale-Munsanje,

2011).

Norliya (2010) carried out a study on the information needs of Malaysian Bumiputera

Entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, suggestions were made to open up business information centres and services employing state-of-the-art technology to provide a one stop shop and full range of management and technical assistance to entrepreneurs. The study also revealed that a library was perceived to be an important source of information by would-be entrepreneurs. It could play an important role in promoting their services to the business communities.

Manyerere (2015) recommended regular surveys of user needs using participatory approaches.

She also recommended that information centres in rural areas make available, information resources in common languages such as Kiswahili, and in appropriate formats and recruit permanent staff to keep the information centres open throughout the week. Furthermore, the recommendations proposed included providing a framework for policy review regarding the information needs of women involved in SMEs. In addition, capacity building initiatives developed for women entrepreneurs involved in SMEs. Other recommendations included information infrastructure development and business networking to enable women to play a meaningful role in the rural economy of Tanzania.

Based on the above reviewed literature, most of the studies of women in the informal sector focus on women entrepreneurs in general; there is thus very limited information on information needs of women in the market vending sector. Hence, the need to conduct a study on the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District.

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2.8 The Research Gap

It is evident from the literature reviewed that there is still much that needs to be done to understand the information needs of people. Dutta (2009) reported that “there is relatively small number of studies done on the information needs of the citizens of developing countries”, and that, “the few concentrated on the educated individuals and the urban population located in the large cities than on citizens who live in the rural areas.” A weakness found in the reviewed literature is that most of the previous studies were not specifically on market women, there is thus very limited information on information needs of women in the market vending sector. This study therefore, was an attempt to bridge this gap by establishing the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council.

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CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

This chapter presents the area of study, research design, population of the study, sampling, data collection methods and instruments, data analysis and presentation, ethical considerations and limitation of the study.

3.2 Area of Study

The study was carried out in Kasangati Town Council located in Wakiso District (Central

Uganda). Kasangati Town Council was selected because it has a high concentration of women working as vendors in Kasangati and Nalyamagonja markets. Through the meeting, the researcher had with the Town Clerk, she was able to gain access to statistics of the women vendors and the markets they work in. From the statistics of the population, the researcher was able to determine which participants participated in the study.

3.3 Research Design

De Vos (2005) explains that a research design serves as a detailed plan of how a research study is going to be conducted. The study adopted a qualitative exploratory research design to explore the experiences of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council and how they access information for business. As defined by De Vos (2005), a qualitative exploratory design focuses on the meaning, experiences and understanding of people and is often adopted when exploring the perceptions of respondents about a particular topic. This design was helpful in exploring the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council.

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The design was appropriate because it provided valuable interaction with participants and allowed a better understanding of market women’s perceptions and interpretations of their own life experiences as entrepreneurs. In order to understand the participant’s experiences, the researcher put herself in their shoes, which allowed her to foster a relationship of trust and understanding with the participants. Lastly this approach was seen as empowering since it provided the participants with the space to share their views and to have a “voice”.

3.4 Population of Study

The study population consisted of women market vendors who vended in two markets, in

Kasangati Town Council. They were 95 women in Kasangati Market and 74 women in

Nalyamagonja Market, to make a total of 169 and as shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Population of Study

Market Number of Women Kasangati 95 Nalyamagonja 74 Total 169 Source: Office of the Town Clerk, Kasangati Town Council (2017)

3.5 Sampling

In this study, participants were identified through purposive selection, done through the non- probability sampling technique. Purposive sampling allows the researcher to make valued judgement about these subjects who have characteristics that are relevant to the research population (De Vos, 2002). Non-probability sampling made it possible to select those respondents who could provide rich, reliable and in-depth information that is needed for the study (Babbie & Mouton, 2005).

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To achieve equal representation, the researcher purposively selected participants based on the goods they sold. Consequently, a total number of fourteen women were included in the study, nine women from Kasangati Market and five women from Nalyamagonja market. Where difficulties arose in identifying respondents, convenience sampling technique was used.

N’guessan (2011) define convenience sampling as the identification of a sample group which can be accessed more easily than others at the time researchers are in the process of identifying a potential community to study.

3.6 Data Collection Methods and Instruments

The following data collection methods and instruments were used.

3.6.1 Interview

Face to face interviews were conducted as a method for collecting data. Sarantakos (2012) defines interviews as a form of questioning characterized by the fact that it employs verbal questioning as its principal technique of data collection. These were individual interviews in which every participant felt free to tell their story without discomfort that could have been experienced in a larger group. Interviews were conducted in Luganda as it was the mostly used means of communication. Each interview lasted for approximately thirty minutes. The interview focused on the following themes; Business ownership (background, education, and motivation for starting the business); Business type; Information needs; Information sources; Barriers to information access and measures to improve information access. Through these interviews, the researcher was able to get detailed information and clarification by probing. In addition, this method was adopted because it made it easier for the researcher to record the context of the topic

29 and also provide a platform to guide the participants through the answers. The face-to-face interview also gave the researcher higher control over the interview situation.

3.6.1.1 Interview Guide

A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data in this research. It focussed on the four main themes (research questions) listed in chapter one. According to De Vos (2005), semi- structured interviews enable the researcher to gain the picture of the participant’s perception of the topic. Brown and Dowlin (1998) pointed out that interviews enable a researcher to explore issues that are difficult to understand in detail. The researcher personally engaged in the collection of data and provided clarification to the participants where necessary. The interview guide is attached as Appendix B.

3.6.1.1.1 Data Collection Hardware Instrument

An audio recorder was used to collect data only with the consent of the respondents. A full recording of the interviews between the respondents and the researcher was done and later transcribed for analysis. The use of the audio recorder gave the researcher enough time to focus on the interview. Pen and paper were also relied on for writing extra notes from the interviews.

This enabled the researcher to record non-verbal cues, which could not be captured on an audio recorder.

3.6.2 Observation

In regards to observation, McCormick and Schmitz (2000) cited in Nkuna (2004) argue that “all good research includes some element of observation. Much can be learned by observing what people actually do, how they do it and the setting in which they do it.” Observing the work environment is crucial in understanding how a particular business works. Observation was used

30 as one of the data collection methods in this study because it was a realistic approach to observing women market vendors, as the researcher perceived it would be difficult to participate fully in all aspects of market vending without disrupting the women’s usual experiences of their occupation. Issues that were of interest during observation included the level of trade (buying and selling of goods), interactions between women market vendors and customers, and the work environment in which women market vendors operate.

Moderate Participant Observation was carried out before, after or during the interviews, depending on the circumstances. Moderate Participant Observation is peripheral observation where the researcher is identifiable within the field. She’s adequately involved in what participants are doing whilst maintaining detachment and objectivity (DeWalt and DeWalt,

2010). By indirectly participating in certain trading activities (selected by participants), the researcher was able to gain specific descriptive information about participant’s information needs. Field notes were taken immediately after observations and interviews to ensure reliable recall of information, Marshall and Rossman (2006) referred to observational records as “field notes”. Participant observation occurred until the researcher had achieved a point of data saturation. Data saturation is a point when recurring themes are noticed during interviews and observations in the limited time of data collection (Sassen, 2013). Therefore, participant observation did not occur with each participant.

3.6.2.1 Observation Check-list

The researcher used a check-list to note down what happens in the work environment for example, the physical setting and the goods that were being sold. The aim of this activity was to

31 develop a set of notes that described the scene as much as possible. An observation check-list is attached as appendix C.

3.7 Data Analysis and Presentation

Qualitative data gathered through interviews and field notes taken from observation was analysed using the computer software N’vivo (version 10). The analysis started with careful listening to audio recordings several times to gain a sense of the material as whole. Collected raw data from the interviews was then transcribed (verbatim), sorted and categorized into different themes relating to specific objectives of the study. Reading the data more than once gave the researcher time to make sense of the transcripts and what the participants were saying

(Liamputtong, 2009). The data was then organized into categories and coded based on established themes using the N’vivo (Version 10) Computer software.

3.8 Data Quality Control

This process involved checking the data and the data collection instruments to ensure that the researcher’s understood and represented, the participants’ realities and experiences and not her own assumptions.

3.8.1 Validity and Reliability

Validity means the extent to which the data accurately measures what it’s intended to measure, while reliability means the extent to which data collection methods will provide consistent findings if replicated by others. To ensure reliability, the Interview Guide was pre-tested on three women market vendors. The idea to pre-test the Interview guide was to ensure that the data collection instrument was suitable for the intended participants. The pre-testing was done to

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ensure the appropriateness, reliability and effectiveness of the data collection instrument. This

also helps to eliminate personal biases and assumptions the researcher’s part.

3.9 Ethical Consideration

The researcher informed the participants about the research process. Respondents were advised to notify the Interviewer or withdraw from the interview if they did not feel comfortable with any questions asked. Direct consent was obtained from the participants to ensure that no participant was forced, deceived, threatened or subjected to any form of coercion (Babbie and

Mouton, 2005). The researcher informed the respondents of the methods and instrument she would use to collect data. She also explained to the respondents the importance of using the audio recorder and that was agreed by all respondents. Lastly, written permission was sought from the East African School of Library and Information Science and from other relevant authorities (Office of The Town Clerk, Kasangati Town Council). (See appendix A) for

Informed Letter of Consent

3.10 Limitations of the Study

The biggest barrier faced during field work was elusive behaviour among some participants.

Participants avoided answering certain questions because they felt uncomfortable, for example

questions on their sources of capital. This brought a limit to the bond; the researcher would have

liked to develop with the participants. Some participants were sceptical about my presence in the

market. They didn’t want to talk to me, because they thought I was from the media.

The interviews were conducted at public business venues during working hours. This was a challenge because customers needed the attention of the participants, there was background noise and the researcher also observed how, participants kept excusing themselves to take

33 phone calls during interviews. The interview was interrupted every single time a participant got a customer.

It was also difficult to penetrate the market and have access to these women. It meant visiting the

Town Clerk’s office a couple of times to get permission to enter the market. The town clerk was

not the last person the researcher had to approach. She had to approach the market Chairperson

and the Tenderers of the market. Tenderers are rental agents who report directly to the town

clerk. Their responsibility is to collect revenue and ensure good maintenance of the market. With

the help of these Tenderers, the researcher was able to find ways of forming relationships with

the vendors. Time was also a major constraint contributing to the limits where field work could

be carried out at.

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CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

4.1 Introduction

This chapter presents and discusses the findings of the research. A total of fourteen women market vendors participated in this study. Data was collected by use of interviews and observation. The interviews were conducted in Luganda and responses were coded in from 9 participants of Kasangati market and 5 from Nalyamagonja market. Presentation and Discussion was guided by objectives below:

1) What are the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council,

Wakiso District?

2) What sources of information are available to women market vendors in Kasangati Town

Council, Wakiso District?

3) What barriers do women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District

face when accessing information?

4) What are the possible measures to meet the information needs of women market vendors

in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District?

The findings are presented and discussed concurrently. Each objective has been discussed separately, and interpreted with the help of related literature where necessary. To ensure anonymity, interviewees were coded as R1-R14. R1 refers to “Respondent One” as shown in

Table 2.

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Table 2: Profile of Interviewees Respondent (R) Age Education Business Years of Business Venue Type Operation

1 22 Senior Six Makeshift 1 Kasangati Market Restaurant 2 26 Primary Seven Foodstuffs 9 Nalyamagonja Market

3 27 no Foodstuffs 3 Nalyamagonja Market

4 29 Primary Seven Foodstuffs 7 Nalyamagonja Market

5 37 Primary Seven Foodstuffs 6 Kasangati Market

6 38 Primary Two Foodstuffs 8 Kasangati Market

7 40 Primary Six African 7 Kasangati Market Traditional Items 8 43 Senior One Foodstuffs 20 Kasangati Market and Pottery 9 43 Senior Four Charcoal 11 Kasangati Market

10 48 Senior Two Foodstuffs 6 Nalyamagonja Market

11 54 Primary Six Foodstuffs 17 Nalyamagonja Market

12 55 no Foodstuffs, 38 Kasangati Market Firewood and Papyrus mats

13 57 Certificate Foodstuffs 39 Kasangati Market

14 65 Primary Eight Foodstuffs 33 Kasangati Market

Source: Primary Data (2019)

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4.2 Context of the Study

The location of a business is very important as it is a good determinant of access to customers or good sales and vice versa. It also determines the vulnerability of these market women to other ills like theft, harassment and weather conditions. This section provides a detailed description of

Nalyamagonja and Kasangati markets to give a contextual background to the study. The researcher describes the structures, items sold and the general situation of women who operate in the markets. This was part of the researcher’s observation data.

4.2.1 Kasangati Market

The study and field work took place in Kasangati market (See photograph 1). It’s a roadside market located along Kampala-Gayaza road. It is one of the four markets in Kasangati Town

Council with 95 women market vendors. They trade in raw foodstuffs, charcoal, makeshift restaurants, firewood and pottery. Women in this market sell a combination of foodstuffs and other items. They stated that, foodstuffs deteriorate so fast, so they sell other items as back up.

Some women have stalls while others work in the road reserve just across the street displaying their items on bare ground. Food is preserved by keeping it in lockers and jerry cans which can lead to food contamination. The market is managed by a tenderer (rental agent) who reports directly to the town clerk. The tenderer’s responsibility is to collect revenue and ensure good maintenance of the market.

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Source: Primary Data (2019)

Figure 2: Kasangati Market

4.2.2 Nalyamagonja Market

Nalyamagonja market (see photograph 2), is located along Gayaza-Kiwenda Road overlooking

Aga Sekalala’s farm (Uga-chic). It’s a makeshift market with temporary stalls made of wood and papyrus with old umbrellas being used as shelter. It’s dusty. There was no garbage pit, neither was there a water source in sight. There are 64 women market vendors in this market who sell tomatoes, sugar canes, yams, vegetables, spices, fruits, bananas, tomatoes, yams, cabbages and onions. There are no storage facilities; women in this market preserve food by covering it with gunny bags and leaving it in open air at night. The researcher found out from the Tenderer that

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Nalyamagonja market is a private market and therefore women market vendors have to pay 9000 shillings weekly, as payment for both rent and tax. Business in the market was slow due to the dry weather. And since its roadside market, the foodstuffs were getting soaked in dust and the women were using small rugs to wipe the dust off. The market serves mostly motorists and the researcher observed how women market vendors ran and chased after motorists. All this was done to beat competition and extend a service to the customer. The market runs from Monday to

Sunday and it was solely established for women vendors (Mukyala Frances, 2019).

Source: Primary Data (2019)

Figure 3: Nalyamagonja Market

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Lack of adequate shelter causes women vendor’s income to fluctuate during harsh weather.

During the dry season there is increased activity in the markets and individuals tended to spend more time in the vicinity. However, rainy seasons proved to be a particularly challenging time for women market vendors as there is a lack of infrastructure to accommodate customers that need shelter from the rain. One of the vendors in the market stated that the lack of shelter made them lose customers especially in the rainy season. She stated that customers didn’t like coming inside the market because it’s muddy. Another respondent added that, since they worked in open air without a structure, the rain disturbed them so much, their items got soaked every single time.

They had the same issue in the dry season; items were getting soaked in dust. Interviews for this study were conducted during a particularly dry period in March. A key observation made during the process corroborates the vendors’ statements about the items getting soaked in dust. The researcher observed how women used rugs to wipe dust off the foodstuffs in Nalyamagonja market. The women said, customers liked a fresh foodstuff that’s why they wiped the dust off.

4.3 Background Information

In this section, the researcher ascertains the background data on respondents. The data is divided into the following subsections: demography and business profile.

4.3.1 Demography of Respondents

Findings indicate that women of all age groups participate in the informal sector. Women who engaged in this activity ranged from age twenty to over sixty. This could be because most women in Uganda are illiterate, and therefore have fewer chances of employment in the informal economy; yet they were self-sustaining.

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Findings don’t seem to validate what Lund (1998) said, that women are more likely to start businesses and trade at a later age.

4.3.2 Education

Respondents were asked to state their levels of education. As education is directly linked to their participation in the informal sector. One Participant had this to say:

I stopped in primary seven. That is when my father told me there was no money to continue my studies. (R2 __, Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

Findings indicate that seven (50%) participants had basic education (primary one to seven), Four

(28.5%) attended from senior one to senior six, one (7.14%) had a tertiary education and only

Two (14.2%) had never attended school. The rationale for finding out about their educational status was to determine how it influences the decision making of women market vendors and also their ability to properly manage their businesses. This is important in reading and writing financial transactions and other challenges that require basic skills.

Based on the findings, it can be inferred that, most women engage in this business because of low education and employable skills. This is because minimal education prevents the majority of women from directly enjoying the benefits of a growing formal sector. Since there are not so many job opportunities in the formal job market, women join market vending because it’s the only viable option to earn a living.

Findings validate Kristensen and Mukasa (2009) revelations that women in Uganda, like in most

African societies, are raised to become the Principal caretakers of their households. They dedicate a great part of their time on daily chores such as cooking, fetching water and caring for

41 children and elder, which is one of the main causes of girls leaving school at an earlier stage than boys.

4.4 Business Profile

This section describes the business profile (category) of the participants. It presents a brief explanation of business activities in which the respondents were involved in during the research process. Based on the data collected, the participant’s business profiles have been further sub- divided and analysed using the following sub-categories; experience, business variety/products traded; knowledge of the business, working hours, use of income and motivation.

4.4.1 Experience

Out of the fourteen participants who had established businesses in Kasangati Market and

Nalyamagonja Market, eight participants had been in operation from 0-10 years; three participants 11-30years, and finally the remaining three participants had been running the business for 31 years and more.

Findings seem to suggest that the numbers of years these respondents have spent in their businesses determines their choice of product, demand for that product, their level of expertise and the level of patience exercised regardless of the different challenges they encountered. This sometimes can become a crucial factor in determining whether a business sinks or floats especially in times of trouble.

Findings are consistent with Mass and Herrington (2006) cited in Fonutchi (2012), who said that, businesses which have operated for three months to less than five years are new businesses thus the level of expertise will be lower than those that have been in operation for five years and more. The latter are considered established businesses and should have high expertise levels.

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4.4.2 Business Variety

The researcher wanted to find out the different types of businesses women market vendors who took part in this study are involved in. This information was vital to have a better understanding of the common types of businesses majority of women market vendors in Kasangati Town

Council are involved in.

Table 3: Business Types Business Type Number Percentage Foodstuffs 9 64 Makeshift restaurant 1 7.14 African Traditional Items 1 7.14 Foodstuffs, Firewood & Papyrus mats 1 7.14 Foodstuffs and pottery 1 7.14 Charcoal 1 7.14 TOTAL 14 100% Source: Primary Data (2019)

Findings indicate that 64% of the participants traded in foodstuffs; 7.14% traded in charcoal;

7.14% traded in African traditional items, another 7.14% had a makeshift restaurant. It is interesting to note that women also traded a combination of both foodstuffs and other items like pottery, firewood and papyrus mats. The reason for this was, since foodstuffs perish very easily, the women decided to sell these other items as a supplement. In other words, items like pottery, firewood and papyrus mats were sold as back up, to supplement the business.

4.4.3 Working Hours

Findings revealed that the number of days and hours participants put in their businesses varied.

Since they were all self-employed, they decided on their own working hours depending on their level of commitment and desire for growth. Some were forced to work beyond reasonable hours

43 in order to make a profit. Participants stated that they started as early as 6 a.m. and retired by 6 p.m. In some cases, some vendors went home at 2 a.m. in the night.

One participant had this to say:

I work every day of the week. Sometimes I leave at 2:00 a.m. in the morning. The process is not easy. They bring the fish when it’s still fresh, then we have to roast it till late in the night, because if we don’t, it goes bad. (R6 – Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

Market vending is done on a continuous basis “just in case” the items might be in demand when the Vendor is not around. As stated by this participant:

I work every day. Even when am not around. I leave my business open and my neighbours help sell for me. I only lock at night. (R7 – Kasangati market, African traditional items)

Findings further revealed that thirteen participants work seven days a week unless an obligation comes up, i.e. they lost a loved one or fell ill. Only one participant worked six days a week with

Fridays reserved for prayers. Out of the fourteen participants, ten of them spent an average of ten hours or more on their businesses, while the other four spent between five and six hours a day.

Findings are consistent with Mwale-Munsanje (2011) revelations that one of the challenges female traders faced when looking for information was lack of time.

4.4.4 Use of income

Findings revealed that participants’ profit from sales is either ploughed back into business because of lack of capital, or used for either personal or family upkeep. The low profit margin allows little or no savings meaning their endeavours are survivalist activities rather than profitable businesses. They all depend solely on their small business capital as a result they work as hard as they can to stay in the business while meeting some of their basic personal and family needs and demands.

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Findings are consistent with Verhoef (2001) revelations that most women especially Africans are

still able to raise capital to start up small informal enterprise. Even though the income from

women’s small businesses are unreliable and small, they are still able to manage it efficiently and

provide support to their families. This is supported by Bessie & Ekechi (1995) who states that

although in most societies women are responsible for caring for their husbands and raising their

children, it does not hinder them from creating opportunities that will generate income for

themselves and bring about economic development. This is because women are seen as vital

forces in economic development.

4.4.5 Knowledge of the Business

It is very important for entrepreneurs to have a good knowledge of the type of business they are running and also how to sustain their businesses in times of crisis. This has to be knowledge about the product, how to manage it, where to buy and sell and for whom to sell to. Findings revealed that all the participants in this research had a good knowledge of their type of businesses prior to entry. They knew where to buy their goods. For instance, those selling foodstuffs got it from Gayaza, Owino, Namulonge, Kasangati, Kasenyi, Kalerwe, Ziroobwe,

Mukono, Mbarara, Galiraaya and Nakasero. When asked where she got her goods, one participant had this to say:

I get the bananas from Mbarara. The papyrus mats from the swamps of course; there are some Lugbara women who make them there in a town called Nakasajja. (R12–Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business) Participants also showed knowledge of what to do in order to cope with certain challenges in their businesses. They developed these coping mechanisms because of the passion for what they do and their determination to succeed. This knowledge was acquired from previous experiences,

45 observation and communication with more experienced vendors in the same line of business.

When asked how she preserves her foodstuffs, one participant had this to say:

I keep my fish in boxes and cover them with a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin must be water proof. The boxes keep the fish clean, dry and safe from weather changes. I also cover them to prevent rats from reaching them. The way I keep my fish, no single rat can get close to it [chuckles] …. (R5 – Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

With regards to coping with competition, participants noted that they provide excellent services

to their customers to make them regular. For example, they make sure to have all products that a

customer might need on their stalls, and in large quantities. They also noted that at times, they

significantly reduce the cost of their products just to win customers. While at other times, they

are forced to put in extra hours in order to make sales.

The money I make a day depends on the quantity of fish I have on my stall, and the size. For us who sell fish, it’s better to have all the sizes that way, every customer who comes is catered for. (R5 – Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

The researcher also observed how women in Nalyamagonja market ran and chased after

motorists. All this was done to beat competition and extend a service to the customer. Skinner

(2008) said that high competition levels are also attributed to increased availability of similar

goods due to trade liberalization. And the “copycat mentality” where traders copy one another’s

goods and location (Woodward et al., 2011).

4.4.6 Motivation for Conducting Business

Participants were asked to state the motive behind the establishment of their businesses. One

participant explained that she was forced to start a business due to misery. She had this to say:

Misery made me enter this business. I had spent three years sitting at home and I realised I wasn’t gaining anything. We had even

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started having misunderstandings with my Husband. I said let me go start and working, come what may. (R4 – Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

Another participant who had previously worked with her sister explained that she started her own business (makeshift restaurant) because she wanted to be independent; to do her own thing. She was tired of working for somebody else. For some women, influence to start a business came from their background. For example, one participant, who previously was a farmer, mentioned that her motivation to start this business was inspired by the fact that she was originally a

Farmer. This is what she had to say:

I chose this business because I was a farmer of bananas. Being a farmer, made it easy because I would just bring my bananas to the market and sell them (R14 – Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

The women entered the market for various reasons ranging from the need to be independent to lack of capital. The kind of support that women received while entering the market was very distinct according to every individual. While on one hand all women interviewed were encouraged to join the market by a family member or a friend, on the other hand they received financial support from different sources. Some had the help of a male figure such as a boyfriend or a husband. All the women except two were selling on stalls. The ones who sold on the ground said that, they sold from the ground because they couldn’t afford to pay for a stall. In general, the respondents affirmed that they work independently. They preferred to work alone because of issues of trust.

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4.5 Information Needs of Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso

District

Understanding the information needs of women market vendors is vital for the effective and efficient provision of timely and relevant information to them. When asked to state the type of information market women needed to run their businesses, the following findings were obtained:

4.5.1 Information on Sources of Funds

The study revealed that seven (50%) of the respondents needed information related to sourcing of funds. They needed information on how to source funds, which were not necessarily loans, for their businesses. They stated how much they dreaded loans.

One of the participants had this to say:

I don’t like loans. I don’t work well with loans because they put me on pressure. I’d rather be given fish on credit, and pay the bill later. Sometimes I can pay half of the money to the supplier, and then send the rest of it to his phone via mobile money. We tried loans but we faced a very a hard time. (R5– Kasangati market, Fish business)

The lack of information about the implications of bank borrowing had worked against some women who had accessed loans. Some of them didn’t seem to understand the repayment terms for their loans, as described in the agreements. Some participants expressed the fact that the loan/bank documents were in English and therefore they didn’t know what they were signing.

Which caused them to default on loans, ending up having their property confiscated or sold, as one participant explained:

I got a loan some time ago, and I regretted it. I failed to pay back the money so I had to sell my piece of land and pay it back. Up to now, I haven’t been able to recover my land. That is why I don’t

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want to hear anything about loans. (R11– Nalyamagonja market, Fruits business)

Findings revealed that with regards to funding, there was need for information on alternative sources of funding, asides loans. Participants categorically stated how much they feared loans from banks. This could be attributed to such institution’s failure to appropriately disseminate relevant information. The available loan systems are often not known to these women, as information regarding them is not properly distributed and thus fails to reach them. These women therefore resort to ploughing back their profits into their businesses or collect products from suppliers on credit which hinders business growth.

Participants also conducted business in difficult situations without start-up or limited capital. For instance, they often started a business with a capital base which ranged from shs5000 to shs400,

000; this did not enable them to grow their businesses fast. Findings reflect Rahman, Sayeed,

Sarker, Alan and Rahman’s (2007) revelation that women running small business enterprises face a wide range of problems, and among these problems is lack of capital. Findings also corroborate with United Nations (2002) revelation that, when it comes to paying for information access, women are less likely to have extra income.

4.5.2 Information on Saving

Four (29%) participants identified information on how to save as being important. Findings indicate that women market vendors were part of smaller saving circles locally called “cash round” or “go round” where they save money. These merry-go-round-saving groups, also acted as alternative sources of income. Because of lack of trust for women by most money lending institutions, women are compelled to either save money in groups or use money lenders to get

49 capital for their businesses. Participants stated that however much they tried to save money in groups, it still wasn’t enough.

I prefer to save my money in a group. We have a saving group called Cash Round (R10– Nalyamagonja market, foodstuffs business)

I’m in 2 nigiinas (merry-go-round saving groups) where I drop 5000 shillings every day which is like a salary. Now when it’s my turn to get money, I get a lot. (R13– Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

Findings confirm revelations by Verhoef (2001) that most women especially African women are still able to raise capital and obtain credit to start up small informal enterprises from family members and through rotating savings called stokvel.

4.5.3 Land

According to Nakanyike Musisi (1995), lacking sufficient education to be gainfully employed and lacking access to land, makes women become the backbone of the market. When women have no access to land in their own right, they will most likely turn into informal sector workers

(Ikoja-Odongo, 2002). One participant needed information on matters concerning land.

Specifically, on how to acquire a piece of land because she wanted to plant her own foodstuffs for sale. She mentioned how she got harassed by her suppliers whenever she went to the market to buy goods. This is what she had to say:

I want to know how they plant this food. But I still don’t have land where to plant it. You see, sometimes when I go to buy this food, as am trying to inquire about the prices, they tell me point blank! It’s expensive, and that if I want it cheap, I should go marry a Kenyan who will give me a whole sack of tomatoes for free. This is what happens whenever I go to buy foodstuffs. So if I had a piece of land for planting these tomatoes, maybe I wouldn’t go through all that. (R6– Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

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Findings correspond with ILO (2003) revelations that women face a number of challenges as they attempt to start and grow their own enterprises. They have difficulty accessing financing due to collateral constraints; they have unequal access to land and property titles through matrimonial and inheritance laws; they are stifled by laws requiring them to have permission from their husbands to borrow money; they are subject to patriarchal controls within their families, thus limiting their mobility and economic independence, and they lack information regarding business opportunities.

4.5.4 Suppliers

Two (14.2%) participants disclosed to the researcher they needed information on where to get suppliers who offer reasonable prices for goods. Their need for information on suppliers was prompted by the fact that they had few suppliers. Some were in Gayaza, and others were as far as

Nakasero Market. Consequently, they ended up competing for suppliers. One participant reported that there was so much hatred amongst the vendors because of this supplier situation, especially with vendors selling the same goods. This is what she said:

The problem we face here is there is so much envy. How does the envy come about? See, we all have different suppliers. Everyone has their own supplier. Now, when you don’t pay them in time, they run away from you and start supplying someone else who has money. Your competitor for example. So, if you fail to pay, I’ll take your supplier because I have the capital which breeds jealousy. Last time someone bewitched me because of that. (R5– Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

Another participant revealed that:

Some of our suppliers are in Gayaza, but in a business like this one, you need more suppliers especially those ones that come direct to the market. (R10– Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

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Findings indicate that the need for information on suppliers was based on the fact that, these women were all running similar businesses. This meant that they were competing not only for customers, but suppliers as well. These findings seem to validate Taylor & Mackenzie (1992) revelations that the struggle to survive in the informal sector often leads to intense competition. It squeezes the profit margin in a context where declining real incomes decreases the purchasing power of urban consumers for goods and services from this sector thus affecting women than men. Findings also affirm United Nations (2000) revelations that women tend to predominate in businesses with few entry barriers (food and craft) which due to fierce competition, have low profitability and limited growth potentials. Hence having access to various suppliers will equally deal with the problem of competition.

4.5.5 Water and Sanitation Facilities

Kristensen and Mukasa (2009) noted that in Uganda, people living in poverty are mostly women.

As a result, they are pushed to rely on inefficient public services for their own health and that of their children. They also depend on the State to have access to facilities such as water and electricity. A concern was expressed by participants from Nalyamagonja market who lacked sanitation facilities and a water source where they could fetch clean water and as a result, they instead eased themselves in the nearby bushes, and fetched water from a nearby swamp. Besides, lack of clean water meant serious health implications.

A participant had this to say:

When it comes to health and sanitation huh!? We are badly off. As I speak to you right now right this moment, when you go to the toilet to ease yourself, the door is not working, which forces people to ease themselves in the bushes. We don’t even have running water, if we want water; we go to that swamp over there instead. As you can see some women here are preparing food with the

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water they fetched from that thing. (R11– Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

Another participant stated that:

We don’t have a water source. If you don’t have money, you can die here of thirst. (R2– Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

Another participant with the same issue revealed that:

We pay tax here every day! But despite all the tax we pay, they do not sweep the market, or clean the toilets. They can take like a week without cleaning the toilets. We don’t even have a water source here. We have begged time and again for the people in charge, to give us some of the money we pay, so we can hire a cleaner and someone who can fetch water for us. The authorities have refused. (R3– Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

Findings support Manyerere (2015) revelations that women in small medium enterprises needed information on how to get water, since water was a scarce resource in their villages. Some women reported that they bought water at 500 to 700 Tanzania shillings for a gallon of 20 litres.

They also noted that sometimes they have to get water four kilometers away in a village called

Udimamba. Moreover, lack of water also meant they cannot cultivate vegetable gardens yet vegetables are important component of menu that customers prefer.

4.5.6 Information on Markets and Storage Facilities

Both participants in Kasangati and Nalyamagonja markets expressed the need for a well- constructed market with stalls and storage facilities. Eight (57%) participants felt that since the markets were located on the roadside, their foodstuffs were getting soaked in all kinds of things like dust, especially in the dry season. It was observed that some participants running businesses in the road reserve lacked stalls, so they sold their foodstuffs on bare ground. Even those who had stalls complained of termites eating them up. Also, participants did not have proper storage

53 facilities, they instead improvised with whatever equipment they could lay their hands on, just to keep their goods safe. These items included jerry-cans, boxes, gunny bags, papyrus mats and tarpaulins. Some kept their foodstuffs in the bushes. When asked how lack of storage facilities affected their businesses, the following responses were obtained:

One of the participants from Kasangati market stated that:

We want them to build for us a market, with stalls clearly demarcated. For example, people selling charcoal should go here etc. We pay tax of shs4000 every week, and it’s horrible because sometimes we don’t get customers, but here we are paying 4000 shillings and not knowing where it’s going. We still don’t have a structure; we still work in open air. The rain disturbs us so much, all the charcoal gets soaked, it gets muddy and customers don’t bother coming here which brings losses to us. (R9 –Kasangati market, charcoal business)

Another participant had this to say:

The biggest problem I face is when, customers don’t buy these foodstuffs, and they rot. Like recently, I went and bought a sack of yams, I suffered losses amounting to shs 100,000, yet the sack cost me shs 230,000. Secondly, the sunshine. The sun rays hit the food and it gets dry. When customers come, they don’t want it any more, yet you spent money to buy it. You must get the yams out of the sack and pour them on the ground. They should build for us a market because currently, we are the ones who build stalls for ourselves. (R10– Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

Despite participants expressing concern that they operated in open places without shedding, one participant with a varying view revealed that she was not affected by weather changes because her stall was well built. Hence the sun didn’t disturb her, and neither did the rain. She further explained that, the ones who were most affected by these weather changes were women with umbrellas, because when strong winds came, they just blew them away.

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Findings seem to validate Lund (1998) that lack of access to normal infrastructure, caused most of the problems faced by women in the informal sector. In particular shelter against the sun and rain featured consistently as a priority, as did water, sanitation and access to storage facilities

4.5.7 Information on Business Opportunities

Findings indicate that information on other business opportunities besides market vending was a need, as revealed by two (14.2%) participants. This is an important need because one of the problems they faced, was that they sold similar goods and therefore had to share the few available customers. The fact that almost all of them sold foodstuffs, made the business environment very competitive, which makes the need for information alternative businesses so critical.

One participant had this to say:

I sell bananas as you can see, but if I had another alternative, I would take it. Because there is a way they go bad so fast and you end up making losses. Selling bananas is like gambling, one moment they are raw, the next day they are ripe and rotten. I get a bunch at shs15,000 but I end up selling it at shs8000 because it’s going to end up rotting from here anyway. (R12– Kasangati market, Foodstuffs, firewood and papyrus mats business)

Furthermore, when market women lack relevant information, they not only fail to identify business opportunities, they may also fail to take any measures to deal with any perceived or real problems that may pose serious threats to their business.

Over all, when asked the types of information women market vendors needed to carry out their businesses, they gave varying responses as discussed above. The study revealed that 50% needed information on how to get funding for their businesses. They needed information on how and where they could source funds. The study further revealed that 29% needed information related

55 to saving while 7.14% needed information that was land related. In addition, 14.2% of the vendors stated that they needed information related to suppliers who offer reasonable prices for goods. Furthermore, 57% of the vendors expressed the need for a well-constructed market with storage facilities; water and sanitation facilities. And lastly, 14.2% stated they needed information on other business opportunities asides market vending.

4.6 Information Sources for Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso

District

Every type of business needs information in order to be successful, and that information can come from a variety of sources depending on the nature of business being pursued. Having an understanding of the various sources of information and how to access them can be very helpful for business operators including women entrepreneurs (Mumba, 2014). Participants were asked to state what information sources they used. The following responses were obtained:

One of the participants stated that:

Suppliers call us and we agree on the price of goods. Every time I go to buy goods from my supplier, I leave my phone number there. When the food comes, they get in touch with me. (R4– Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

This participant had this to say:

I always listen to Prime Radio. I love listening to Mr Ssewanyana. I don’t know if you know him. He has changed my life. I listen to him on Sunday on a programme called Akezimbira. He talks about saving and how to stop renting, and that buying a piece of land doesn’t mean you should have 100 million shillings, you can save slowly and get there. (R9– Kasangati market, Charcoal business)

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Another participant stated that:

I don’t use any sources to be honest. I use my brain and experience. I have spent so many years in this business; I use this experience to know exactly what am supposed to do, and what I shouldn’t do. (R8 –Kasangati market, Foodstuffs and pottery business)

Table 4: Information Sources Information Source Frequency Percentage Mobile Phones and Suppliers (6) (43%) Friends (4) (21.4%) Radio (2) (14.2%) Experience (1) (7.14%) Local Leaders (Market (1) (7.14%) Chairman & Tenderer)

Findings in Table 4 indicate that six (43%) participants pointed out mobile phones and suppliers as being their main sources of information. Four (21.4%) participants said they used friends as sources of information. Two (14.2%) participants mentioned that they used radio and work colleagues as information sources and lastly, one (7.14%) participant said she used her brain and experience as information sources for her business.

It was observed that both the local chairman and tenderer delivered information face to face to women market vendors. Participants also reported that mobile phones were helpful as they saved travelling time. Mobile phones were also useful to the women because they used them to buy and get goods from suppliers, and to find out the prices of goods from different markets. Findings seem to suggest that market women in Kasangati Town Council used a combination of both formal and informal sources to access information. For example, they can listen to the radio, and also talk to a work colleague about a need. Indeed, all sources of information (formal and informal) are crucial. Therefore, there is a need to make them available because they both complement each other.

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The findings closely reflect Ikoja-Odongo and Ocholla’s (2004) revelation that women largely depend on their immediate surroundings as a first stop for information. For example, word of mouth, use of personal experience and friends, relatives and neighbours. They noted that information is mostly gotten from within the environment where the business is located.

However, studies by Chiware and Dick (2008) said that women suffer from information poverty because most of them tend to avoid formal sources of information, but prefer what Urquhart and

Yeoman (2009) refer to as “approachable” information sources.

4.7 Barriers to Information Access by Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council,

Wakiso District

Recognition of information needs is the first step in information seeking. Information needs are, however, often not recognized. This might be the reason for the on-going concerns and frustrations expressed by women market vendors. Hearing their experiences in their own words

(voices) especially conveyed the seriousness of this situation. The respondents were asked whether they faced any barriers in their quest for information. The following were the responses:

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4.7.1 Lack of Airtime

Participants mentioned inability to buy airtime for their mobile phones to communicate as a barrier to information access. It was reported that most of the time they failed to seek information on time because they did not have airtime on their mobile phones. The following responses were obtained:

One participant had this to say:

The challenge I get when trying to use my phone nowadays is, airtime. Because previously we used to have those airtime scratch cards, it used to help us a lot. But as I speak now, you first need to find a mobile money agent if you want to load airtime. Sometimes they don’t have easy load which means I can’t reach my suppliers. (R14– Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business).

Another participant stated that:

We use mobile money and easy load to buy airtime. Although the problem is, if you don’t have mobile money, it is hard to get airtime especially in a place like this. (R11 –Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

Findings revealed that participants obtained most of their information through mobile phones.

However, they reported that most of the time they failed to access information on time because they did not have airtime on their mobile phones, and therefore had to move long distances just to find an airtime vendor/mobile money agent. These findings concur with Manyerere (2015) who identified a similar challenge as hampering access to information by rural women involved in small medium enterprises in Central Tanzania.

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4.7.2 Communication Challenges

Findings indicate that participants faced communication barriers in their quest for information.

They explained that communication between them and the Local Authorities was very limited. It occurred through irregular meetings between Town Council officials and the Tenderer/Market

Chairman. The relocation of vendors from the road reserve to a new location was an example of this, as it was revealed that the Local Authority (Town Clerk) did not adequately communicate these plans to the vendors operating in the road reserve. One participant had this to say:

Nowadays we hear, they’re going to construct the road, so there’s a possibility they will chase us from here. They’ll probably tell us to shift to that building down there and they told us we will pay rent amounting to shs 500,000. They gave us only one to month to move. (R6– Kasangati market, Foodstuffs business)

The lack of consultation and participation was a recurring theme throughout the interview process. Another participant elaborated that they had never met the Town Clerk. The only person they had met was someone who claimed to be her representative and, that this person only came to the market to collect taxes.

With regards to taxes, there’s a man who comes here to collect tax. He says he’s from Nansana Municipality or Kasangati am not sure. He collects tax from us every week, whether you made a sale or not, he doesn’t want to know. But we haven’t gained anything from these taxes we pay. Because even when we tell him ‘Look, you always come here and collect money, but what exactly are you doing with it?’ He just yells that it is none of our business, and if we have any complaints, we should go straight to Kasangati. He sends us straight to Kasangati *chuckles* but we don’t know anyone in Kasangati. (R3 –Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

The lack of vendor inclusion on an institutional level exudes them from planning initiatives which are further exacerbated by lack of direct communication between the state and the vendors.

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This means that plans and policy are formulated without the vendor’s views and the state and semi-state authorities can pursue any agenda without the vendor’s input.

4.7.3 Unreliable Information

Information is the key to any business. Without information, market women would not be able to make sound decisions thereby negatively affecting their businesses. Market women rely on information to determine prices and identify sources of supply and goods. Therefore, accurate and pertinent information becomes an essential tool to the success of their businesses.

The study findings with regard to information accuracy revealed that information available to the market women was not enough, and it was often incorrect. This is what one respondent had to say:

The problem I have is sometimes my suppliers are not reliable. For example, they tell you how much each herb costs over the phone, only to go there the next day and they have changed their minds. You go with a lot of money expecting to buy something, only to get it in low quantities because the price has changed. (R7– Kasangati Market, African Traditional Items)

The respondent revealed that sometimes, her suppliers gave her incorrect information about the price of goods, and that by the time she got to the market, there was a different price altogether, which ruined business for her. Findings seem to validate Morris and Saul (2000) that most traders usually have no official information about the market thus have to rely on friends and fellow competitors’ market information which in most cases is unreliable or faulty (Morris and

Saul, 2000).

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4.7.4 No one asked about their Information Needs

Participants stated that they had problems accessing information because at Institutional level, no one ever bothered to ask them about their needs. This is what one respondent had to say:

I never got anyone who asked me about my needs before to be honest. Apart from you! In most cases, no one bothers to ask us what our needs are. They see us here as if we are wasting time. Apart from you who has come all the way here to ask us, because you know these things? However, in most cases no one bothers to ask. They see us as people who eat dust, people who run after motorists hence no one bothers to come here to ask us what’s going on … or what we need (R4– Nalyamagonja Market, Foodstuffs)

Lack of government support for women market vendors is a barrier to information access.

Participants interviewed revealed that no one ever bothered to ask them about their needs, which made it difficult for them to have their information needs met. Women specially experienced limited government support around circumstances regarding their markets. They revealed that they had never met the Town Clerk not even once, and yet they had a lot to grievances to communicate to her, which left them frustrated. Lack of government support is one of the major obstacles impeding information seeking and access for most women entrepreneurs in Africa. A study in information provision in Kenya found that organizations providing business information were weak, and this was attributed to the limited effort by government to offer advisory services

(Moyi, 2003).

4.7.5 Lack of Time

When looking for information, market women faced several problems. One of them was lack of time. Three (21.4%) respondents stated they did not have enough time to look for information because they were busy. This is what they had to say:

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First of all, I don’t even have time to watch television because am very busy, but someone who watches television can come to the market and tell me what happened. (R1– Kasangati Market, Makeshift Restaurant)

I don’t watch television I will not lie to you. Because I usually go back home when am tired, when I get home I just do chores and go to sleep. (R2– Nalyamagonja market Market, Foodstuffs business)

Findings indicate that respondents did not have adequate time to look for information. Because they worked from morning to evening, sometimes late in the night. The women themselves said, they work like a calendar which means, they 356 days a year without rest. They felt that, their tight schedule did not leave them with adequate time to look for relevant information. Women also have other responsibilities which take up some of their time such as taking care of children and their homes. This may have a negative impact on where and how they access information.

These factors appear to corroborate the findings of Mwale-Munsanje (2011) who cites lack of time as a challenge, female traders faced when seeking information.

4.7.6 Language Barrier

Findings indicate language barrier as a barrier to information access by women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council. When asked how language barrier affected her day to day business transactions, this participant had this to say:

Sometimes customers talk to me in English and I don’t know how to speak English. But never the less, I use broken English. (R3– Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

The respondent revealed that some of her customers spoke to her in English yet she didn’t know how to speak the language. As a result, she failed to communicate with them which affected her business. She added that, despite all that, she still tried to use “broken” English. Fonutchi (2012)

63 said that, a business person has to be literate enough to understand the business language and to be able to negotiate important deals. However, based on the findings from this study, market women had little or virtually no education. English being the official language of instruction in this country did not help the situation. Lack of education for women market vendors will not only limit marketing skills, it also has the potential to limit exposure and sales.

Findings are consistent with Ndenje-Sichalwe’s (2004) revelations that, women in Tanzania did not understand English language used in some books and newspapers. Also, Dwoya (2008) in his study on women traders at Westlands Maasai Market decried the difficulty in the language used in most ICTs. Women traders identified language barrier as a challenge to the use of

Information.

4.7.7 Lack of Business Training

Participants were asked to state whether they had had any formal business training prior to joining the business, and the following responses were obtained:

One participant stated that:

I just learned on the job. I used to be a farmer of bananas, then I had a makeshift restaurant, afterwards I joined this business. You don’t need training for this kind of business. (R9 –Kasangati Market, African Traditional items business)

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Another participant had this to say:

With charcoal, there is no such thing as training, as long as you’re determined. Nothing can fail. You learn on the job. (R7–, Kasangati Market African Traditional items business)

Findings indicated that all the participants had had no formal business training prior to joining the business. Kristiansen, Kimeme and Mbwambo (2005) say that, training is not all about knowledge and skills gained. It is a continuous learning process coupled with the ability to acquire innovative ideas. Therefore, a lack of training for women market vendors could mean lack of capabilities amongst them to manage and plan their businesses efficiently. This can limit their entry into the business world and affect the effective running of their businesses. For women to enter competitive ventures or even improve on the existing ones, training is essential.

Training is a significant need for everybody including women because it is a way of gaining business competencies (Ikoja-Odongo, 2002). Findings validate O’Neill and Viljoen’s (2001) revelations that lack of business training was one of the barriers preventing female informal traders from entering the business world.

4.8 Suggestions for Improving Information Access to Women Market Vendors in

Kasangati Town Council

Access to information refers to the ways; means or methods used to access or acquire the appropriate information from the sources that are available (Mwale-Munsanje, 2011). The participants were asked to give their views on what can be done to meet their information needs. The following responses were obtained:

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A participant from Nalyamagonja stated:

If only we could have airtime vendors nearby, it would be easier. Even the customers can use the mobile money service to withdraw money and buy food from us. (R11–Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

A participant from Nalyamagonja revealed:

The tenderer and people from the town council should at least meet us every once in a while, so they can hear our complaints and work on them. (R4–Nalyamagonja market, Foodstuffs business)

A participant from Kasangati Market revealed:

If we could get information on other suppliers, because the ones we have are as far as Nakasero market or even Owino. If we can get information on suppliers who can bring the products for us here in the market, we would at least save on transport. (R7– Kasangati market, African Traditional Items business)

Furthermore, participants also indicated what they wanted to be improved in general. They wanted to work in a clean environment. They expressed dissatisfaction with the security in these markets. Security was inadequate because their foodstuffs were being stolen time and again, hence the need for more security. And most importantly, they wanted a market to be put in place.

Table 5: Suggestions to Improve Information Access Suggestions to Improve Information Access Frequency Percentage More Airtime Vendors in the market (3) (21.4%) More suppliers (4) (29%) Meetings with Local Authorities (2) (14.2%) Clean Environment (4) (29%) Security (1) (7.14%)

The results in Table 5 indicate that 21.4% wanted more airtime vendors on their business premises because airtime had become scarce since the banning of airtime scratch cards. 29%

66 wanted more suppliers. As noted earlier in chapter four that suppliers featured both as an information need and an information source, this explains the need for more suppliers in the market. Furthermore 14.2% felt that communication between them and the local authorities was inadequate. This had had major implications on the way they searched for information.

Participants stated they had never met the town clerk, yet they had a lot of grievances. And lastly security was also an issue as expressed by the 7.14%. There was limited security in the markets especially at night. Participants stated that they had to stay late in the night just to keep an eye on their goods. This also translates to lacking adequate time to look for information. Therefore, making information available and improving its access, is critical as it has potential to increase chances for women’s entrepreneurial growth.

4.9 Chapter Summary

This chapter has attempted to provide insight into the information needs, information sources used by women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District. The chapter has also identified and discussed barriers to information access, and ways to improve information access. Regarding information needs, information on sources of funding other than loans is what most women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council wanted, because funding is critical for business expansion and diversification. Unless and until Government and other stakeholders in

Kasangati come up with a scheme or project that will enable women market vendors to obtain cheaper and affordable funding, they will always be on the lookout for information on sources of funding sources.

The next chapter gives the general conclusion and recommendations that surfaced from the findings. The recommendations are proposed to assist women market vendors in Kasangati

Town Council.

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CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Introduction

This chapter presents a summary of findings, conclusions, recommendations and suggestions for further research.

5.2 Summary of Findings

This section presents a summary of the findings in line with the four research objectives.

1) What are the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council,

Wakiso District?

2) What sources of information are available to women market vendors in Kasangati Town

Council, Wakiso District?

3) What barriers do women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District

face when accessing information?

4) What are the possible measures to meet the information needs of women market vendors

in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District?

5.2.1 Information needs of Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council

The study was conducted to establish the information needs of women market vendors in

Kasangati Town Council, for better improved information services to them. The study revealed that women market vendors needed information to help them source for funds; identify suppliers and business opportunities; to access land; water and sanitation facilities; to access markets and storage facilities, and lastly information on how to save.

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5.2.2 Information Sources for Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town Council

In their quest for information, findings indicate that women market vendors made use of various information sources, they include: mobile phones, suppliers, work colleagues, radio and experience. It was also observed how market leaders delivered information face to face to women market vendors. Participants reported that mobile phones were helpful as they saved travelling time. Mobile phones were also useful to the women because they used them to buy goods from suppliers, and to find out the pricing of goods from different markets. Other participants found it easier to approach friends for information for their businesses. It is interesting to note that some women used a combination of both formal and informal sources to access information. While others relied on their own experience as a source of information. This could be because these women lack adequate skills or knowledge to enable them access formal sources of information. Because that would require a high literacy level.

5.2.3 Barriers to Information Access by Women Market Vendors in Kasangati Town

Council

The study found out various barriers that prevent women from accessing information they include: communication challenges, lack of time, unreliable information, language barrier, lack of business training, lack of airtime and the fact that, at institutional level, no one ever bothered to ask them about their needs. The lack of airtime vendors on their business premises, exacerbated by the scarcity of airtime scratch cards, meant that women had to move long distances just to locate an airtime vendor, load airtime and communicate with their suppliers. It was also evident from the discussion that one of the major reasons why women market vendors had problems accessing information was the fact that many of them had little or virtually no

69 education. When a vendor is not able to read and write in English, it restricts her from using certain sources of information such as newspapers, the internet and any other that may require them to read and write.

5.2.4 Suggestions for Improving Information Access to Women Market Vendors in

Kasangati Town Council

The study also obtained suggestions from the women market vendors themselves on how they could overcome the challenges they faced in accessing information. Women market vendors in

Kasangati Town Council wanted airtime vendors to be near-by, so they can buy airtime easily and communicate with their suppliers. They also wanted the local leaders (town clerk) to meet them every once in a while and listen to their grievances. These meetings would enable them demand better services and treatment from local authorities. They also suggested a need to get more suppliers because there was stiff competition for suppliers. Other suggestions were also made in general. Women stated they wanted the authorities to construct a market for them with basic amenities. Because, on top of suffering these information challenges, they also had to deal with weather changes and thieves. All this affected their businesses.

5.3 Conclusion of the Study

The study concluded 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 about sourcing funds, saving, land, suppliers, water and sanitation facilities, market and storage facilities and lastly, business opportunities. Attempts by women to inform each other were basically through formal and informal channels.

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The study aimed at establishing the information needs of women market vendors in Kasangati

Town Council. This study has established that women need information. It has also established that women market vendors face a lot of problems in accessing information. They lack time, business training, and airtime. They also have challenges communicating with their local authorities. Even their sources of information are unreliable. They are further constrained by lack of infrastructure, and access to a number of utilities, like water and sanitation facilities.

To improve information access, there is need for active participation of women in the identification and definition of their information needs. More research and dissemination of research findings is critical in this subject. The starting point should be to disseminate information about women in different activities of the informal sector. The Uganda Bureau of

Statistics classified the informal sector into six broad categories as follows: Agriculture,

Forestry, and Fishing; Manufacturing; Trade; Transport and Storage; Hotels, Restaurants; and other services. Therefore, it is important to conduct studies and disseminate information on women participating in these activities because they have unique information needs that need to be identified.

In light of this, the study made some recommendations as presented below.

5.4 Recommendations

Based on the research findings and, the researcher makes the following recommendations. The recommendations are as follows:

a) The study recommends that women market vendors be provided with relevant training

particularly on information literacy and business. There exists Informal education in

Uganda that aims to serve those persons who did not receive or only partially received

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formal education. Under this informal system, a range of practical/hands-on skills are

imparted. The Informal system includes Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) programme in

Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and Adult Basic Education for

Karamoja (ABEK).

b) Information providers should repackage and disseminate information in a few local

languages through channels like newspapers, newsletters, magazines, pamphlets, flyers,

posters and other audio-video materials (such as CDs or tapes) that are accessible to the

society in general and women in particular.

c) Government should team up with telecommunication companies to enable them distribute

airtime through airtime vendors across the country. Even in hard to reach areas. They

should also look into the option of bringing back the airtime scratch cards to supplement

this “easy load” airtime. This will improve communication among women market

vendors.

d) The local authorities (Town Clerk) should recognize the economic contributions made by

women market vendors in Kasangati Town Council, and use that as a basis to include

them in urban development planning processes. They should meet them every once in a

while and listen to their grievances. This can be done through having regular meetings

with vendors at their designated markets.

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5.5 Suggestions for Further Research

It is important to note that women in the Informal Sector have different information needs, depending on the sector or products they trade in. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics classified the informal sector into six broad categories as follows: Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing;

Manufacturing; Trade; Transport and Storage; Hotels, Restaurants; and other services. Therefore, it is important to conduct studies and disseminate information on women participating in these activities because they have unique information needs that need to be identified.

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: INFORMED CONSENT LETTER

To Whom It May Concern:

I, Caroline Nankinga, of Makerere University East African School of Library and Information

Science, who is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Information Science, kindly invite you to participate in this research project entitled “Information Needs of Women Market Vendors in

Kasangati Town Council”. This research project is going to be undertaken as part of the requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Information Science of

Makerere University.

The aim of this study is to establish the information needs of women market vendors in

Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District for better improved information services to them.

I have identified you as someone who could be involved in this project because:

1) You match the criteria of my project. You’re a female and you run your own small

market vending business in either Nalyamagonja or Kasangati Market.

2) The Office of the Town Clerk, Kasangati Town Council helped me identify you as an

important person to include.

Participating in this study will involve the following things:

1) Being Interviewed. Each interview will be thirty minutes or less.

2) Being observed doing some daily activities around vending (e.g.: setting up, settling,

interacting with customers)

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3) Taking photographs of you, your activities and experiences during a normal week of

market vending.

Participation in this research project is voluntary. However, it may require some time out of your day if you agree to talk to me; you will do so at a time that is most convenient for you. You may refuse to participate or withdraw from the research project at any stage and for any reason without any form of disadvantage. The information you provide will be used for academic purposes only and not otherwise.

If you have any further questions, please contact me on 0771 – 807092.

Thank you,

Caroline Nankinga

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APPENDIX B: INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR WOMEN MARKET VENDORS IN KASANGATI TOWN COUNCIL, WAKISO DISTRICT

Name of Market…………………………………………………………………………………

Date of Interview……………………………………………………………………………….

Business Ownership

(Background, Education and Motivation for starting the business)

 How old are you?

 Tell me where you come from?

 How did you get into this business?

 Why did you choose this business?

 What did you do before starting this business?

 How far did you go in school?

 Where did you learn how to run a business?

Business Type

(Products, services, working hours, income)

 When did you start this business (year)?

 How did you start this business?

 What products do you sell?

 Where and how do you get the products you trade with?

 How much capital did you start the business with?

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 Where/how did you get the capital?

 How long have you been running this business?

 How much do you make a week? A month?

 How many days do you work in a week?

 How many hours do you put in a day?

 Do you have any employee/s? How many? What do they do?

 Who are the main buyers of your product?

 What do you do with the income/profit you make out of your business?

Information Needs

 What types of information do you need to run this business?

Information Sources

 When you need to know something about your business, where do you go? Who do you

consult? What sources do you use?

Barriers to Information Access

 What problems do you have in running your business?

 What problems do you face when looking for information for your business?

Measures to Improve Information Access

What do you think should be done to overcome the problems you just mentioned?

DO YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS TO ASK?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING

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APPENDIX C: OBSERVATION CHECKLIST FOR WOMEN MARKET VENDORS IN KASANGATI TOWN COUNCIL, WAKISO DISTRICT

Name of Market………………………………………………………………………………….

Date ……………………………………………………………………………………………….

Task Behaviour Observed

Physical setting

1. Physical characteristics of the market.

Work environment

2. What is happening within the market?

3. Interactions between women market

vendors and their customers.

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APPENDIX D: PERMISSIONS TO CONDUCT THE STUDY

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