Kampala is known for its rolling hills, kafundas (small roadside bars with a fridge, plastic chairs and a speaker blaring music) and street traders selling everything from secondhand shoes to matooke (green bananas) and luwombo (meat stew steamed in banana leaves).
But this year from March to July the way of life has drastically changed in Uganda with COVID-19 restrictions including a nationwide shutdown to slow the spread of infection, prohibition of private car use and public transportation, curfews, store closures and the banning of gatherings.
With these measures, Kampala’s ‘rush hour’ streets became deserted and its markets went quiet. The effects of national shutdown are felt more deeply by disadvantaged groups.