For generations in Uganda, Nsenene (long-horned grasshoppers) have been harvested as a seasonal delicacy and a source of income, especially in the central region. The trade is deeply rooted in cultural tradition, once involving young men attracting grasshoppers with banana leaves and bright lamps before evolving into a structured economic activity with wholesalers, vendors, processors, and transporters. Today, thousands of families, particularly women and youth, depend on the harvest seasons for annual income and household survival.

It is against this historical backdrop that Nsenene traders at the Busega Roundabout Market along Mityana Road have appealed to the government to stop the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) from evicting them from their seasonal marketplace.

The traders, led by their chairperson Namuwonge Juliet, also known as Maama Sam, raised the concerns on November 19, 2025, when our press visited  the Nsenene Market in Busega. Namuwonge said KCCA officials have repeatedly ordered traders to leave, accusing them of operating illegally and occupying land without authorization. She explained that the business operates only during specific harvest periods and therefore should not attract harsh enforcement measures.

“We only work here twice a year, from May to July and again from October to December. This is not a permanent business. We only occupy this place during those months,” Namuwonge said.

She added that the traders maintain proper hygiene using internally collected funds. Each sack of Nsenene is taxed 2,000 shillings, and the money helps keep the market clean and safe. Namuwonge stressed that many families rely on these earnings to sustain themselves.

“If government stops KCCA from chasing us, we can make good money during the seasons. We save capital before the season begins, and the profits help us pay children’s school fees and support our families,” she noted.

Most of the vendors are women; widows, single mothers, and elderly women, who have no other source of livelihood. 70 year-old Nassanga Amina, who has been in the business for nine years, said Nsenene trading has helped her care for her children, grandchildren, and general household needs.

Another committee member, Namuli Sarah, described the market as a dependable source of seasonal income. “When the season is good, we buy a sack at 200,000 shillings and earn up to 70,000 shillings profit per sack,” she said.

Vendor Namatovu Rose added that while traders are willing to comply with regulations, constant evictions make it difficult to work. She insisted that they clean the area daily and deserve support rather than harassment.

The Nsenene vendors’ mayor, Lule Joseph, also urged the government to intervene, saying the business offers temporary employment to many unemployed youth and women. “This business has helped many young people stay busy and earn money. Stopping it now would hurt families who rely on it,” Lule said.

The traders are now calling on authorities to formally recognize their seasonal operations and instruct KCCA to halt the evictions, arguing that Nsenene is not just food, but a cultural and economic lifeline for thousands across the country.