DCIM100MEDIADJI_0670.JPG
The Busega Central market
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Busega Central Market, has been officially commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni.
The market was constructed under the government’s Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) with support from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
Museveni commissioned the newly constructed Market in Rubaga Division, today as he kicked off his nationwide Presidential assessment tour on Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation in Kampala.
The market opened its doors to vendors in November 2024. With over 2,800 vendors currently operating within the facility, the market is set to transform urban commerce in Rubaga and the wider Kampala area.
Museveni emphasized the critical role of the services sector in wealth creation, alongside commercial agriculture (both small- and large-scale), manufacturing, artisanship, and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
He pointed out that with the new facility, traders no longer have to worry about protecting their merchandise from harsh weather conditions.
“Now, in this building, the advantage is that you don’t have to remove your merchandise from the rain. They’re now secure,” he said, reminiscing about how vendors used to operate on the streets, exposed to rain and other elements.
“Previously, I used to see you on the streets struggling during the rain. I don’t know how you managed that time.”
He also welcomed a proposal by the market leadership to construct a connecting road linking the Northern Bypass directly to Busega Market.
“The road will bring more customers here,” he noted, calling it a smart idea that will support business flow and accessibility.
However, the President also used the occasion to criticize opposition legislators representing Rubaga Division, calling them out over their failure to engage the government on local issues such as feeder roads, thus hampering development.
“The market is a big project provided centrally by the government, like any other market in the city. But the small roads, like the one from the Northern Bypass to your market, I didn’t know about, because the Member of Parliament who would have told me is not there,” Museveni said.
This comment followed a heartfelt appeal from Jimmy Kawuma, the chairperson of the Busega Market Vendors, who noted that the lack of a proper access road was hurting business.
“Customers find it hard to access the market, and our perishable products, such as fish, are rotting. We shall be very grateful for that road,” he said.
In response, the President promised to follow up with the KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, on a proposal to acquire more land adjacent to the market. The additional space is intended to accommodate over 700 fish dealers who are in need of expansion opportunities.
To support grassroots economic empowerment, Museveni capitalized three Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) with Shs. 100 million each. These include Busega United Fish Dealers and Processors SACCO, Busega Market SACCO, and Tuli Bumu Drivers SACCO.
Additionally, he committed Shs. 50 million to a special SACCO for the sheikhs operating in the division.
Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs, assured the President that, with coordinated efforts between government bodies and NRM chairpersons, Kampala would become more organized and efficient.
Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, KCCA Executive Director, briefed the President on the progress made in market organization and vendor registration, done in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Police, Internal Security Organization (ISO), and other stakeholders.
“In the Busega market alone, there are 2,836 registered vendors. We still have about 300 empty stalls whose would-be occupants have not yet taken them up,” Hajjat Buzeki said, noting that further delays could lead to the slots being reassigned.
