In almost every corner of Kampala, small chips stalls line the streets, operated mostly by women. A deeper look into this growing trend reveals that many of these women are single mothers struggling to make ends meet after being abandoned by their partners.
The chips business, which requires minimal startup capital and is relatively easy to run, has become a beacon of hope for them.
For many single mothers, the chips business is one of the few viable options available. It requires only basic cooking skills, which most of them already possess, and a small investment to start. A charcoal stove, cooking oil, potatoes, and salt are often enough to get started.
With the increasing presence of money lenders in Uganda, many of these women rely on quick loans to set up and sustain their businesses.
While the loans provide a stepping stone, they also come with high interest rates, leaving many struggling with repayments.
Julie Nakiyemba, commonly known as Auntie Julie, is a chips vendor in Nankulabye. She turned to the business after her partner left, leaving her to care for two young daughters.
“I needed something that would allow me to earn money quickly. I did my research and found out that chips sell fast because many people, especially youth, depend on them for supper due to their affordability and taste,” she said.
According to Julie, the majority of her colleagues in the business are also single mothers.
“Out of the 23 women I interact with regularly in this trade, only two are married. The rest are like me, raising children alone,” she explained.
Despite being a lifeline, the chips business comes with significant challenges.
Many of these women operate their stalls at night when demand is highest, putting them at risk of robbery, harassment, and assault while heading home in the early morning hours.
“I close my stall at around 2 a.m., and on many occasions, I have encountered dangers along the way some of which I can’t even talk about,” Julie lamented.
Another major concern is childcare. Many of these single mothers have no one to leave their children with. Julie, for instance, leaves her two daughters, aged seven and four, alone at home.
“Whenever I come to work, my heart remains at home. I return to find them already asleep, and it pains me that I can’t be there for them as much as I would like,” she shared.
Despite the high demand for chips, vendors frequently clash with local authorities over trading regulations. Many operate without proper licenses, making them targets for law enforcement officers who often confiscate their cooking equipment.
“Sometimes they take my frying pans. When that happens, I am left with no choice but to borrow money to replace them, or else my children will go hungry,” said another chips vendor whose name she did not want disclosed.
For many single mothers in Kampala, selling chips is more than just a business, it is a means of survival. While the challenges are many, these women continue to push forward, driven by the determination to provide a better life for their children.
