TOILING FOR A LIVING

By Moses Kyeyune

10/U/14976/Ps A day in a life of Ms.Robinah Nakabiito

An essay showing a day in the life of Ms.Robinah Nakabiito, a food vendor at Wandegeya market. Despite the poor state of the house where she cooks, Nakabiito risks her life to earn a living. She also employs a maid who assists her during the day’s hectic activities.

JCO 4202 Photo Journalism

Business at the roof top.

Women setting up their cooking stalls. They cook from the roof top of a building which is in a poor state.

Death trap

Old and worn, this is the building whose roof top is used as a kitchen. This is the entrance through which people go to the cooking area

Getting set for the day.

Ms.Nakabiito’s maid cleans up their cooking area before commencing her routine work. Some of their customers eat from here.

Getting down to business

Shallow depth of field: Ms.Nakabiito’s maid peels matooke as she prepares to cook. Food must be ready by 12:00pm.

Rushing to catch time.

Ms.Nakabiito chopping meat in preparation for lunch. Her clients start serving at noon.

On time.

Ms.Nakabiito making final touches on her food before serving.

Emptying the source pans.

Ms.Nakabiito puts food on a plate before it is served.

Adding up to the diet.

Food is packed in plastic dishes and plates, stuffed with cooked vegetables before it is delivered to customers.

Ready to serve.

Portrait: Ms.Nakabiito covers the food before delivering it to her customers. She does this everyday.

Sanitation at its best.

Cover Photo: The maid washes dishes as the day goes by. Even when the area where they operate is in a poor state, hygiene is prioritised.