Matooke and Mayhem: Just how clean is your local market?
In Kampala, where open-air markets are essential to daily life, concerns over hygiene are rising - particularly at Kireka Farmer’s Market, which has become a striking example of the problem.
Poor waste disposal around Kireka Farmer's Market. (Photos by Francis Emukule)
By Francis Emukule
Journalists @New Vision
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Have you ever stopped to consider the cleanliness of the markets where you buy your food? Or do you simply assume that your local vendor operates in a sanitary environment?
In Kampala, where open-air markets are essential to daily life, concerns over hygiene are rising - particularly at Kireka Farmer’s Market, which has become a striking example of the problem.
Situated in Kira Municipality, Kireka Farmer’s Market draws hundreds of shoppers seeking fresh, affordable produce - everything from cassava and sweet potatoes to leafy greens and tropical fruit.
For many, it serves as a welcome alternative to the bustling centres of Nakasero and Nakawa. But beneath the market’s vibrant façade lies a growing issue: poor waste management is threatening both public health and the long-term viability of this vital trading hub.
From the moment one approaches the market, the signs are unmistakable. Rubbish clogs the drainage system, stagnant water collects in murky pools, and the air is heavy with the smell of decaying waste. Vendors routinely toss refuse into already-overwhelmed drains, creating an environment ripe for disease.
So, where does the responsibility lie?
According to local leaders, the situation has been exacerbated by a landslide at the Kitezi landfill, which occurred roughly eight months ago. Since then, the costs of transporting waste have surged, placing an unsustainable burden on vendors and market administrators.
Waste dumped in the drainage just near Kireka market. 
“Initially, waste collection was affordable because the distance between Kitezi and Nakawa was manageable. But now, with the new, more distant landfill, costs have skyrocketed,” explains Sulait Mugano, the market’s treasurer.
Before the incident, a small truck would collect waste for sh170,000, while a larger one would charge sh370,000. Today, vendors are paying nearly twice that amount—up to Sh1 million for two trips.
Mugano breaks down the expenses: “There are seven people loading the waste, each paid sh10,000, totalling sh70,000. Fuel costs sh270,000 for the longer distance, hiring the truck costs sh150,000 and the cheapest driver will charge sh30,000 per trip.”
On top of these fees, the landfill itself charges trucks between sh30,000 and sh50,000, depending on size. With the costs mounting, many vendors have taken matters into their own hands - dumping rubbish into the drains rather than paying for collection.
Mugano believes there is a viable solution: “We have nearby places where waste could be conveniently deposited, but NEMA is always on the lookout for any truck attempting to do so,” he says, referring to the National Environmental Management Authority, which has banned the use of unauthorised sites. Mugano argues that allowing privately-owned landfills to operate would help ease the pressure.
Meanwhile, Alex Niwabine, head of security at Kireka Market, says the market’s income hasn’t kept pace with the growing expenses.
“We can't justify raising market taxes from sh500 to sh1,000 or Shs1,500,” he says, noting that any increase would further burden traders already struggling to get by.
To address the crisis, market officials are exploring partnerships with farmers who might use organic waste as compost. But Robert Magumba, the market’s chairman, admits the current measures fall short.
“We are currently suffering from a severe waste management issue,” he says.
Yet many vendors believe the blame lies not only with external factors but also with the market’s own leadership. One trader, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration: “We pay all the taxes in this market, including hawkers who are charged sh500. For every bunch of Matooke I sell, I pay a tax of sh200; a general tax of sh500. A box of tomatoes is taxed at sh1,000. With all the money we pay, why should we have to deal with this situation?”
Others argue the problem predates the Kitezi landslide entirely.
“Sometimes, we have to clean the market ourselves, clear the drainages because waste can accumulate for days without being collected. This has been the case even before the Kitezi issue. They are just making excuses,” says James Okia, a produce farmer.
In search of a comparative perspective, I visited Nakawa Market, another major trading centre within Kampala. The contrast was striking.
Upon arrival, KCCA workers in reflective vests were busy sweeping and hauling waste in wheelbarrows to waiting trucks. The market was immaculately maintained.
Neema Agnes, the coordinator of cleaning staff at Nakawa, credited the city’s waste collection programme.
“Nakawa is the best market now; our waste is regularly collected by KCCA trucks, making our work easier,” she said.
Kireka, in contrast, falls under local government jurisdiction—and therein lies part of the problem.
Julius Mutebi, Mayor of Kira Municipality, says that without central government support, the resources simply aren’t there.
“Local governments can't fund themselves. A specialised waste collection truck costs about Sh1 billion, which we don't have,” he says.
While the municipality has partnered with private providers, Mutebi admits it’s not a sustainable model.
He calls on the national government to intervene—both to provide waste management vehicles and to establish a more accessible landfill.
“If a landfill is too far from the city centre, the cost of waste management will burden service providers, leading to illegal dumping in wetlands and other unauthorized areas,” he warns. He also advocates for regulatory reform, allowing private companies easier access to waste management equipment through streamlined procurement.
A solution may already be in the works. Kira Municipality has secured 32 acres of land in Menvu, Busukuma (within Nansana Municipal Council) for a new landfill. But according to Mutebi, the roads leading to the site are in disrepair, hampering access. “This is something the government needs to address.
After fixing the roads, they should procure the necessary waste trucks because if we don't deal with this problem now, the next thing we'll be facing is an epidemic.”
As Kampala continues to grow, the consequences of neglecting its informal markets could be profound. The waste piling up in Kireka is not just a matter of aesthetics - it’s a question of public health, local governance, and ultimately, accountability.