Are we seeing the last of markets in Kampala?
Jun 03, 2007
AT the end of April, President Yoweri Museveni wrote to the local government minister asking him to stop selling off markets in the city. For the last few months,however, Kampala City Council (KCC) has been giving out markets in the city to various people to develop them.
By Joshua Kato
AT the end of April, President Yoweri Museveni wrote to the local government minister asking him to stop selling off markets in the city. For the last few months,however, Kampala City Council (KCC) has been giving out markets in the city to various people to develop them.
The debate on whether Kampala should continue having big markets has been raging over the past year. According to a master plan revealed by Kampala mayor, Nasser Sebaggala, big markets like Nakasero, St. Balikudembe and Shauri-Yako will be replaced by shopping malls. However, the vendors are not happy with the move.
Nakasero Market
In 1927, the city authorities decided to construct a market in the city to cater for the grocery needs of mainly whites and Indians, who lived in Nakasero. The market developed into a major shopping centre for the rich.
For many years, the market did not get any new construction until it was taken over by Sheila Investments, which constructed a two-storey structure there.
“Before the construction of that building (the storeyed one) the market was not so crowded. We no longer have parking space,†says Umur Kizito.
According to Sebaggala, the market will be razed in June.
St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market
The market, which lies on more than seven acres, is older than Nakasero Market. It is said that the market was started by a man called Owino, thus the name.
The market is known for selling second-hand goods, although new items can also be found there. The market has 7,500 stalls with around 50,000 traders, who offer services to over 100,000 people every day. Over sh120m is collected from the market every month.
Until about 10 years ago, the market was made of papyrus shades, which provided shelter to the traders. However, KCC through the central Government got a loan from the World Bank that was used to develop the market.
In 2002, KCC started tendering out tax collection to private people. This is when the market was given to Bassajjabalaba, but KCC recently took over its management.
However, looking at the traders’ proposal of developing the market, it is obvious that they have moved away from the original impression of a market to a shopping mall.
The United Market Vendors Association has a plan to construct a six-storey structure.
Shauri-Yako Market
The word Shauri-Yako is Swahili which means ‘Your Problem.’ Located on Nabugabo Road opposite the New Taxi Park, the market had over 600 stalls and over 900 traders. However, it was recently cut into two under controversial circumstances.
“The modernisation will help small traders develop into bigger ones. I want to see people who have been selling tomatoes switching to modern gadgets like phones and electric wares,†Sebaggala says.
Garbage
The three markets have been generating a lot of garbage in Kampala. According to the city authorities, over 100 tonnes of garbage are generated everyday in the city, a big percentage of this from markets.
Alternatives
Even if the three markets were razed, every division of Kampala has an alternative market.
For example, Nakawa Division has both Nakawa and Bugolobi markets. Rubaga has Nateete and Wakaliga markets, Kawempe has Kalerwe, Bwaise and Wandegeya markets while Makindye has Katwe Market.
AT the end of April, President Yoweri Museveni wrote to the local government minister asking him to stop selling off markets in the city. For the last few months,however, Kampala City Council (KCC) has been giving out markets in the city to various people to develop them.
The debate on whether Kampala should continue having big markets has been raging over the past year. According to a master plan revealed by Kampala mayor, Nasser Sebaggala, big markets like Nakasero, St. Balikudembe and Shauri-Yako will be replaced by shopping malls. However, the vendors are not happy with the move.
Nakasero Market
In 1927, the city authorities decided to construct a market in the city to cater for the grocery needs of mainly whites and Indians, who lived in Nakasero. The market developed into a major shopping centre for the rich.
For many years, the market did not get any new construction until it was taken over by Sheila Investments, which constructed a two-storey structure there.
“Before the construction of that building (the storeyed one) the market was not so crowded. We no longer have parking space,†says Umur Kizito.
According to Sebaggala, the market will be razed in June.
St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market
The market, which lies on more than seven acres, is older than Nakasero Market. It is said that the market was started by a man called Owino, thus the name.
The market is known for selling second-hand goods, although new items can also be found there. The market has 7,500 stalls with around 50,000 traders, who offer services to over 100,000 people every day. Over sh120m is collected from the market every month.
Until about 10 years ago, the market was made of papyrus shades, which provided shelter to the traders. However, KCC through the central Government got a loan from the World Bank that was used to develop the market.
In 2002, KCC started tendering out tax collection to private people. This is when the market was given to Bassajjabalaba, but KCC recently took over its management.
However, looking at the traders’ proposal of developing the market, it is obvious that they have moved away from the original impression of a market to a shopping mall.
The United Market Vendors Association has a plan to construct a six-storey structure.
Shauri-Yako Market
The word Shauri-Yako is Swahili which means ‘Your Problem.’ Located on Nabugabo Road opposite the New Taxi Park, the market had over 600 stalls and over 900 traders. However, it was recently cut into two under controversial circumstances.
“The modernisation will help small traders develop into bigger ones. I want to see people who have been selling tomatoes switching to modern gadgets like phones and electric wares,†Sebaggala says.
Garbage
The three markets have been generating a lot of garbage in Kampala. According to the city authorities, over 100 tonnes of garbage are generated everyday in the city, a big percentage of this from markets.
Alternatives
Even if the three markets were razed, every division of Kampala has an alternative market.
For example, Nakawa Division has both Nakawa and Bugolobi markets. Rubaga has Nateete and Wakaliga markets, Kawempe has Kalerwe, Bwaise and Wandegeya markets while Makindye has Katwe Market.