Hawking in Kampala and other urban centres is not a welcome activity, with many organizations and urban councils not allowing it. However, there are people who make a living out of it and do not regret choosing this kind of business.

42-year old Ronald Mutesasira is an itinerant trader, who has been hawking since 1994.

Mutesasira says a hard life led him into hawking. “Hawking might not be the most fabulous job out there, but it has filled my stomach with food, shielded my head from rain and it has cast smiles upon my children," he says.

He acquired capital from selling bananas and with his passion for the clothing business, he decided to invest his little savings into hawking.

"I always buy my bale of clothes from Namugabo and in one sack of second-hand clothes, if all goes well, I am able to get profits worth 400,000 shillings but this also depends on the kind of second-hand clothes you have bought," he adds.

This however doesn’t mean that the business is without challenges. “The major problem is that it is so tiresome since it requires me to move to different places in order to sell off my merchandise,” he recounts.

Mutesasira has now also opened a shop in Hoima district to enhance his income. This is an investment that helps him to prepare for life after hawking.

The trader is married to Margaret Mutesasira and have two children, Mutesi Sarah (22 years) and Kiwanuka Dickson (20 years). Mutesi is pursuing a diploma in Nursing at Hoima School of Nursing while Kiwanuka is pursuing a Bachelor of Mass Communication at Ndejje University.

"My children fill me with immense hope and pride. And I am glad that one day they are going to be better people in society unlike me who didn't get a chance to finish my studies," says the proud father.

Margaret speaks highly about Mutesasira. I am so proud of my husband that every day he works so hard to see us prosper and for our children to get a good life that they deserve," says Margaret.

Mutesasira moves with clothes and bags in many districts around the country like Hoima, Mubende, Kibaale, Kampala, among others.