Mixed reactions as thousands dash to China Store for ‘cheaper’ products

Thousands of Ugandan shoppers have descended on China Store, a new shopping centre that has opened at Lugogo Mall in Kampala, to purchase what they describe as affordable items.     

Thousands could be seen lining up at the store as they checked in to purchase various products made both locally and from abroad. The items included electronics, plastics, sugar and electrical appliances.

During an interview, several buyers said the items are cheaper than what they purchase from other shops and supermarkets in Kampala.

“The prices are beyond friendly. I feel sorry for supermarket investors, downtown, mini price and Kikubo business people. They will have to change how they do business, they just found a serious competitor,” one shopper remarked.

By Monday, most of the items in the store had sold out.

“These items are cheaper; for instance a TV screen of 800,000 shillings here goes for 700,000,” one of the people said.

Former Police Political Commissar Asan Kasingye said: “This China Town. I am confused. Every time we cry here how poor we are. How we can’t afford life. Why are there lines to the extent the police must tell people to go back? Something isn’t adding up for me!”

China store is based at Lugogo Mall, which previously housed Game Stores supermarket that has since quit Uganda.  This has left many shoppers sceptical about whether the new shopping centre will stand the test of time.

“Yes, let us buy the items before it closes like the others in the past,” a female shopper remarked on Monday evening.

Some shoppers were sceptical about the quality of the products sold in the store.

However, the coming of China Town has sent discomfort among Ugandan retailers, who say it threatens their businesses. 

“China town is now in Uganda. This already has many Ugandan retailers and whole sellers in great fear for their busines survival. This could also lead to trade imbalances since the goods sold are predominantly imported from China, potentially exacerbating trade deficits. What next for the omusubuzi we Uganda?” remarked Edwin Musiime, an entrepreneur.

Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) has previously warned that foreigners investing in retail businesses out-compete them. 

“It shows the government’s failure to protect its people. How can you allow foreigners to get involved in all these kinds of businesses which the Ugandans would be doing?” KACITA Chairperson, Thaddeus Musoke Naggenda said. “Even where foreigners have built factories, the opportunity to supply raw materials should be given to Ugandans, but instead, foreigners are involved even in sand extraction!” he lamented.