Will the free stall offer bring Adjumani’s World Bank-funded Pachara Market to life?

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In an effort to revive a long-idle public asset, local authorities of Adjumani district's Pachara sub-county have announced that all stalls at the newly constructed Pachara Market will be offered free of charge.

The move is aimed at luring traders into a facility that has stood vacant since its completion in 2024.

Built at shillings 550 million under the World Bank-funded Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project (DRDIP) project and technically handed over to local leadership in 2024, the market was envisioned to boost regional trade and improve livelihoods.

Adjumani district's Pachara sub-county have announced that all stalls at the newly constructed Pachara Market will be offered free of charge. (Photo by Doreen Tasia)

Despite modern amenities, such as dedicated stalls, storage units and latrines, the facility has remained deserted since because of its location. Situated far from residential settlements, the market has failed to attract the very vendors it was designed to serve.

Local traders have consistently rejected the site.

“We can’t operate where there are no customers,” local trader Amoko says, adding that a market depends on people. Community leaders stress that the absence of nearby populations renders daily commerce unviable.

Responding to persistent stagnation, sub-county officials have pivoted towards an incentive-driven approach.

Pachara LC3 chairperson Kanzo Kennedy says the new policy of offering the stalls for free in the meantime will likely ensure that traders occupy the market.

“We are committed to ensuring this market serves its intended purpose,” he told New Vision Online on February 11, 2026, and expressed optimism that an initial influx of vendors could catalyse broader customer traffic.

Regular auctions

However, Adjumani district LC5 vice-chairperson Richard Kaijuka Artha proposed complementary actions to stimulate activity. He urged sub-county leadership to organise regular auctions to draw traders and called on local landlords to permit residential development near the site.

“We also encourage the local landlords to allow settlements around the area so that the market becomes busy,” Kaijuka said.

“A Police post will also be constructed near the market and sub-county as well,” he added.