Whenever I go to town, I usually walk to the boda boda stage to catch a ride to the main road, where I can board a taxi. On one such trip, I asked a boda boda rider how much it would cost to take me to Gayaza kumukaaga. To my surprise, he said it was 4,000 Uganda shillings. Puzzled, I asked why it wasn’t 2,000 shillings, as I had expected he said, “anti olaba nawe tugenda mu charismas , buli kimu kati kya beyi’ which means ‘You see we are in charismas time and everything is expensive now.’
This is what everyone says during this period and I wonder when hiking prices will stop to be part of Christmas. This is the period where all sectors are at the peak. The transport sector, markets, hospitality industry, shops are all doubling costs.
As a consumer, it is important that you are vigilant during this season. This season down town is survival for the fittest. When walking in downtown Kampala, it feels like a wrestling ground with everyone pushing another so they have enough walking space. The goods sold on the streets are being sold to target the unsuspecting consumer. All those that have had substandard, damaged, and expired goods in their stores use this opportunity because consumers are desperately looking for what to use during the festive season at a little cheaper price.
As a consumer advocate who knows my consumer responsibilities, I too have fallen victim to the festive season rush. The traders using their techniques sold me damaged shoes. I tried to be critically aware and asked to have a good look at the shoes that I was being sold, when I asked for the second leg of the shoe I was buying to check it out, he gave me same shoe he had shown me as the first leg and packed them for me. I trusted him because many people were buying from him and I reasoned he must be trustworthy since many people were purchasing from him. On reaching home, the second shoe was torn and unrepairable.
Transport fares increase during this season. I know the demand for travel is high but I do not feel that it accounts for the close to 100% increase in transport costs. This implies that when the transport fares increase, consumers will spend more than planned which has a ripple effect to every aspect of their lives.
Food prices have also shot high since the whole season is about feasting. The demand for more food than usual is used as a reason to increase prices which is making profits at the expense of the consumers.
One of the hardest things to do during the festive season is to make the right food choices. Eating healthy food has a ripple effect to the rest of the year. Even during the festive season, it is important to take care of our health and work to prevent disease especially food borne illnesses and other related problems that are brought in by consuming unsafe food.
When sending money to a loved one using mobile money, one needs to be alert and pay attention to the recipient. Scammers are on the look out to find who to rob. Every number and digit need to be well cross checked before a transaction is complete.
A consumer making purchases using online shopping has to be vigilant about the transactions being done. It is important to know that you are getting value for money and the right deliveries are made to you and at the right time. There is an influx of purchases, so goods maybe delivered late and a consumer needs to be aware of the pros and cons of last-minute shopping.
All these call for responsible consumption and consumer awareness, let’s not waste food, use water sparingly, drive safely within the speed limits and while using seat belts, lets avoid drink driving and other distractions like use of mobile phone while driving, and also wasting other consumables in our household. January is another tough month with schools fees, paying off debts and settling in to work after the long holidays.
This time of year is filled with excitement and a bit of anger, there is a demand as people hunt for gifts, clothes, food stuffs and more as they seek out for the perfect choices to score great deals for themselves. It’s a blend of joy, anticipation, and perhaps a touch of stress as they navigate through crowded stores or online shopping.
To all consumers, let’s prioritize safety and well-being, by following the recommended safety measures, let’s be vigilant, critically aware and cautious as we shop, travel, and feast.
Consumer awareness and critical awareness is empowerment for all consumer during this festive season.
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A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
If Not Safe....
