IRA donates garbage skips to boost cleanliness at Ggaba Market

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The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) has donated garbage skips to Ggaba Market in Makindye Division, in a bid to improve sanitation at the busy fish trading hub.

Speaking during the handover, IRA CEO Ibrahim Kaddunabbi Lubega highlighted the critical role of hygiene in public health.

“Today, in partnership with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), we are providing these containers to separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste. They will be strategically placed to maintain hygiene and ensure a safer, cleaner market environment,” he said.

Kaddunabbi added that the initiative is part of a broader effort to include market traders in programs promoting responsible and sustainable livelihoods, particularly through micro insurance.

He said in places like Ggaba market, traders are the backbone of their families, hence the need to guard against communicable diseases that may arise out of poor disposal of garbage.

He encouraged the traders to take up insurance, providing a safety net against risks such as illness, accidents, or loss.

Paul Zzimbe, representing the Makindye Division Town Clerk, praised the intervention, emphasising the market’s regional significance.

“Ggaba Market serves residents from Mukono, Buvuma Islands, Paradise Island, and nearby Lake Victoria islands. Traders bring fish and other goods, generating significant waste. Therefore, these containers will help address long-standing sanitation challenges,” he said.

The market, which currently operates in temporary structures, is set for redevelopment in collaboration with the World Bank. The upgrade will feature modern facilities, organised trading spaces, and better infrastructure, benefiting traders and surrounding communities. Over 500 million shillings have already been committed to the project.

Deputy Mayor of Makindye Division, Bbaale  Bwanika, emphasised the urgent need for improved hygiene.

“Good sanitation is crucial to our health, and so we continue to educate residents and traders on responsible waste management. It is not an easy task, but with determination and support, we can reach more people,” he said.

Sabiti Katuramu, Chairman of Ggaba Market, encouraged traders to take personal responsibility. He noted that 75% of the disease burden on the market can be addressed through proper hygiene, arguing that cleanliness protects health, strengthens the community, and attracts more people to the market.

“Wash your hands, clean your stalls, and dispose of waste properly. Let us use these containers effectively,” he urged.

KCCA has also supported the market through regular garbage collection, including self-loading trucks. However, the volume of waste generated by traders, especially from island produce, has remained a major challenge.

He said the introduction of designated skips is expected to improve sanitation and overall market conditions.

“With the combined efforts of KCCA, IRA, and other stakeholders, Ggaba Market is on the path to becoming a model of cleanliness, order, and economic opportunity, benefiting tens of thousands of traders and residents who rely on it daily,” Katuramu said.