But high-end businesses are apparently having little difficulty recruiting, despite high living costs.

Stephen and Gabrielle got a number of discounts, but not at the high-end businesses specified by the task brief.

However, as the population of Kampala has exploded in the 1990s and early 2000s, high-end businesses have moved into the area and raised its profile.

"It brings up the whole area," Mr. Nelson said of the high-end new businesses.

(Some of these owners, whose high-end businesses employ skilled workers, paid more than $8.50 to begin with.)

She said she was busy all summer with "high-end business, significant money, willing to buy $5 million to $10 million pictures."

The high-end business is probably, at retail, about $25 million, he says pleasantly.

"The high-end businesses are more likely to command full prices," he said.

Independent bakeries, coffee shops, and other small high-end businesses.

Many merchants reported an increase in high-end business.