EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA—They wake up and head to the highway to withstand all the days’ sunshine or rain in order to earn a living by vending bananas and vegetables.

Givine Musanabera has been doing this so long, with so many others, that this very informal economic sector has even begun forming associations.

"We are determined to depend on street vending for a living rather than begging. We have been in the business for quite long but we have of recently formed an association and named it Duharanire-Gukora,” Musanabera recently told The New Times.

Those who have been traversing Kigali-Rwamagana road see what’s going on.

This group of street vendors is found at a stage commonly referred to as Kabahima in Bushenyi Cell in Mwurire Sector, two kilometers before Rwamagana in the direction of Kigali.

It is here that you will notice a unique and natural advertising strategy different from window display common in the cities.

Here you will notice bunches of bananas hanging on tree branches. You will also notice yellow banana bunches hanging in ropes under certain trees along the road. 

Duharanire-Gukora is made up of 19 members and have begun transforming it into a cooperative. However, they complain of delay in getting the required legal documents from local leaders.

Although each member has contributed personal funds to the association, without the legal documents a bank account cannot be opened in its name.

The group appeals to local leaders to play their role in this matter. Speaking to them in group discussion, the vendors say they need to work and develop.

"We need sensitization but no body minds about us,” says member Donatha Mukanyirigira.

"We have not been sensitized on how to do business but we try our best to keep it going. We take losses but we persist.”  
Lea Byukusenge said the highway vending business is catering for food needs of both passersby and the residents at large.

"Look! Ours is a highway market that benefits drivers and passersby who never get time to go to market places. But local residents also benefit from the business because we buy the items from far distant places and bring them near.

Alongside bananas, we sell tomatoes and other sorts of vegetables needed by residents for daily feeding,” Byukusenge said.

Ends