Oyam, Uganda – A persistent dust storm sweeping through Oyam Town Council, Oyam District is crippling business activities and causing financial losses for street vendors, restaurant owners, and bodaboda riders.
The dust, stirred up by the dry season and the town’s marram roads, is damaging products displayed for sale and driving customers away.
Vendors and business owners say the ongoing dust problem, which began in December 2024, is making daily operations difficult and reducing their earnings significantly.
Daniel Atoo, a chapati maker along Minakulu Road, said his business has been severely affected by the constant dust. He explained that the dust contaminates his products, making them unfit for human consumption.
“During the rainy season, I used to earn between 45,000 and 60,000 shillings a day,” Atoo lamented. “Now, with the dust calamity, I barely make 15,000 to 20,000 shillings daily.”
He added that his flour consumption has dropped from 10-15 boxes per day to just five or seven due to reduced customer demand.
Akullo Molly, who owns a restaurant along Loro Road, also reported a significant decline in customers.
She said dust infiltrates her restaurant, making the environment uncomfortable for dinners.
“I used to earn 50,000 to 70,000 shillings a day before the dust problem,” Akullo said. “Now, I can only manage 45,000 to 60,000 shillings daily. The dust makes it hard to maintain cleanliness, and customers are staying away.”
Bodaboda riders are equally affected by the dusty conditions. Brian Onyang, chairperson of the Oyam Town Council Bodaboda Operators, said many riders are avoiding their usual stages to protect themselves from the dust.
“Our members are worried about the health risks posed by the dust. Many are choosing to park their motorcycles away from the busiest streets,” Onyang explained.
Michael Omara, who owns a shop along Mac-Odwogo Road, said he can no longer display his goods outside due to the dust, sensitive products like sugar, flour, and clothes are particularly vulnerable.
“The dust reduces the quality of my products. I’ve had to keep my goods inside to protect them, but that also means fewer customers can see what I offer,” Omara noted.
Despite these complaints, local authorities say there are currently no resources to address the dust issue. Stephanie Okello, Chairperson LCIII of Oyam Town Council and Secretary for Works and Technical Services, admitted that the town lacks the funds needed to pave the roads.
“At the moment, we have no way of controlling the dust because our roads are marram,” Okello said. “Although we rehabilitated 10 kilometers of roads last October, 25 kilometers remain in poor condition. We have no immediate plans for tarmacking due to budget constraints.”
With no clear solution in sight, business owners and residents of Oyam Town continue to endure the harsh effects of the dust storms. As the dry season lingers, hopes for improved conditions remain uncertain, and local businesses are left to navigate the financial and health challenges posed by the relentless dust.
It’s good that even the common man is feeling the dust storm, a good suggestion would be that all families should plant trees especially fruit trees that act as wind breakers. If it’s a collective effort within 4 years the dust will have reduced