Kim Grahams

Dear @GuluCityCouncil, does Gulu City have any local law, regulation, or provision that prevents another legally licensed business from operating a similar retail business to that of market vendors? If not, was today’s demonstration really necessary? From my understanding, @YaleloUganda is giving the people of Gulu another option to access fish directly at retail level. In a city that is growing, competition and consumer choice should not be treated as a threat. Yalelo operates in other cities and districts across Uganda, where it sells fish directly to consumers. Why should Gulu be different? I also believe there is an important question about the current arrangement. If vendors want Yalelo to sell fish to them first, so that they can then resell to consumers, what happens to the ordinary customer who wants to buy directly? What happens when limited preservation facilities, additional handling, and multiple layers of resale contribute to higher prices? We should also ask ourselves: why don't shopkeepers demonstrate whenever supermarkets and wholesale shops open and sell products that other retailers also sell? Competition gives consumers options. If Yalelo has obtained the necessary licences and met the required health, safety, business and regulatory standards, then it should be allowed to operate within the law. If there are specific legal or regulatory concerns, let the relevant authorities address them through the proper channels rather than through confrontation. Gulu should be a city of options, fair competition and opportunity. There is enough room for different businesses to operate, compete and serve different customers. No group should feel that it is too important to coexist with another business simply because it has operated in a particular market for years. At the end of the day, the most important person in this conversation is the ordinary person at the grassroots, the person trying to stretch their little income and put food on the table. Let consumers have choices. Let businesses compete fairly. Let the law decide who operates, not demonstrations or intimidation. Gulu is big enough for all of us. #GuluCity @PaLabeja @GifterAber @InfluencerRoyUg