The Institute for Social Transformation (IST) in partnership with United Nations Women Agency have launched ‘Market Garden’, an application that will help female vendors in Nakawa and Kalerwe markets sell their vegetables.
During the launch on Monday, Rita Atukwasa, the executive director, IST said the app will wash away claims that their markets are not accessible.
“This is because customers can buy items while anywhere and they will be delivered to them,” said Atukwasa.
She also said that this digital sales and purchases app is going to increase customer’s satisfaction because clients will be attached to entrepreneurs who understand their tastes.
How the App works
Peter Nikowere, the application developer explained that this app is compatible to only android phones with Google PlayStore.
Nikowere said; “The moment a customer downloads and opens it, a list of markets will display on the screen such as Ntinda, Nakawa etc. Any market one selects this application will display its direction, the goods sold, the telephone number of the market chairman.”
At the bottom of the market display lies a shopping button. With one click, a list of goods will display with their prices.
Nikowera said every woman vendor with the app on their phone will see the orders. However, the first one to ‘accept’ the orders will be responsible for the customers. The rest will be disconnected.
So far, only 100 women possess smart phones that support the applications and training sessions are to start immediately.
Gorreti Nanyonjo, 28, from Kalerwe, Bivamuntuyo market vendors is among the few women who have been trained on how to use this app.
She said, “This app is another marketing tool for us so this means we have to be clean plus have fresh goods. We shall no longer pay middlemen.”
Hasifah Nakafero 49, sells green vegetables and avocado in Nakawa market was also full of praise for the app, saying although many people think that they are illiterate, this app will improve their lifestyle.
“Basically we need to be updated all the time,” she said.
The deliveries will be made in partnership with safeboda.
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