From Muddy Grounds to a Modern Marketplace: How Kitooro Market Is Transforming Traders’ Lives Amid Lingering Challenges

On a chilly Tuesday morning in the Entebbe suburbs, Kitooro Market was already bustling with activity as traders prepared for another day of business.

Fresh produce vendors carefully arranged tomatoes, pineapples, watermelons and other fruits and vegetables, while customers moved through the market’s clean, organised walkways. In the fish section, traders welcomed buyers with smiles, displaying fresh fish selling for between Shs10,000 and Shs20,000, depending on size.

For Ms Fatuma Nalwadda, one of the fish vendors, the modern market represents a remarkable transformation from the days when traders operated in muddy, unplanned spaces.

“We thank President Museveni for establishing this market. We are now working in a good environment. Before, we operated in muddy areas, but today we have a proper place where we can do business,” Ms Nalwadda said.

Nearby, Ms Fatuma Najjita, the Vice Chairperson of Food Sellers at Kitooro Market, echoed similar sentiments, saying the facility has restored dignity and improved hygiene standards for traders.

“The market is good, and we thank President Museveni for establishing it. We are now operating in a clean and organised environment that has improved the way we serve our customers,” she said.

However, Ms Najjita believes that improving infrastructure alone is not enough. She appealed to the Ministry of Local Government to support food vendors with modern cooking equipment, particularly cooking pots and bowls.

“Our biggest challenge is that we lack adequate modern cooking equipment. We request the Ministry to support us so that we can improve our businesses and serve our customers better,” she said.

Despite the improved working environment, traders say customer traffic remains lower than expected and called for more efforts to attract businesses, investors and shoppers to the market.

Their concerns raise an important question about public investment: Can infrastructure alone guarantee sustainable livelihoods, or must it be complemented by measures that stimulate business growth and market activity?

A Government Investment Promoting Order and Economic Growth

Located in Entebbe Municipality, home to Uganda’s international gateway, Entebbe International Airport, Kitooro Market has become a symbol of organised urban development and economic empowerment.

The market recently hosted officials from the Ministry of Local Government during a monitoring visit led by Mr Ben Kumumanya, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government.

Mr Kumumanya described the market as a strategic government investment aimed at creating economic opportunities for ordinary Ugandans.

“Kitooro Market is a great facility for both government and the ordinary people. Entebbe hosts Uganda’s international airport, making it a strategic location for investment and business growth,” he said.

He noted that Entebbe’s unique position presents enormous opportunities for trade, tourism and investment, with facilities such as Kitooro Market playing a critical role in supporting local economic development.

“We Are Building an Empire of Business”

According to Mr Emmanuel Gaakyalo, the Town Clerk of Entebbe Municipality, Kitooro Market is more than just a trading centre—it is the foundation of a stronger local economy.

“We are building an empire of business. The interests of local people have been prioritised through our by-laws,” Mr Gaakyalo said.

He explained that effective management of the market remains essential to ensuring residents fully benefit from the opportunities created by the government’s investment.

Supporting Hundreds of Small Businesses

According to Ms Christine Damalie Nassozi, Deputy Senior Assistant Town Clerk of Entebbe Municipality and Market Administrator, the market has significantly improved the livelihoods of many residents by providing secure, organised trading spaces.

“Many business owners are now thriving. We have tailors, perfume sellers, banana traders, meat sellers, fruit vendors, clothing shop owners and many other businesses operating from this market,” she said.

Kitooro Market comprises 288 lock-ups distributed across the ground floor, first floor and mezzanine floor, in addition to 20 shops.

The ground floor has 79 lock-ups, of which 77 are occupied. The first floor contains 158 lock-ups, with 90 currently occupied, while the mezzanine floor accommodates 51 lock-ups.

These figures illustrate both the achievements and the remaining challenges of the investment.

The market has created hundreds of formal business opportunities, enabling traders to move from roadside vending into a safer and more organised commercial environment. However, with 121 lock-ups still vacant, authorities face the challenge of increasing occupancy and ensuring the facility achieves its full economic potential.

Behind the impressive infrastructure lies a continuing task: attracting more traders and customers to transform the market into a vibrant commercial hub.

Challenges Hindering the Market’s Full Potential

While acknowledging the market’s positive impact, Ms Nassozi said several operational challenges continue to affect its performance.

One of the most pressing concerns is the absence of an independent sewage system. The market currently depends on the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) sewer network, which increases operational costs.

“The market lacks its own sewage system, which raises our water bills because National Water charges additional fees for sewer services,” she explained.

She also identified political interference as a challenge, saying it occasionally affects the implementation of technical decisions required for effective market management.

Another concern is delayed payment of market dues and rent by some vendors, which affects maintenance, service delivery and the long-term sustainability of the facility.

“Some vendors do not have a culture of paying their rent and market dues on time. This affects the smooth running and maintenance of the market,” Ms Nassozi said.

She added that high rental charges for some lock-ups make it difficult for certain traders to meet their financial obligations.

Electricity is another challenge. According to Ms Nassozi, some vendors do not have individual Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) meters or sub-meters, forcing them to rely on costly third-party electricity arrangements.

Despite these challenges, Kitooro Market remains one of the government’s significant investments in urban market infrastructure, offering hundreds of traders a cleaner, safer and more organised business environment. Traders and local leaders now hope that addressing the remaining operational constraints will unlock the market’s full potential as a thriving commercial centre that creates sustainable livelihoods and drives local economic growth.

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