From Struggle to Prosperity: Thousands Applaud President Museveni, Local Government for Kitooro Market

By Brian Mugenyi

mugenyijj@gmail.com

KITOORO, ENTEBBE | WATCHDOG UGANDA — Before the rise of Kitooro Market, many small-scale traders in Entebbe faced the daily struggle of finding reliable spaces to conduct business, attract customers, and secure their livelihoods.

Today, a very different story is being written.

Thousands of vendors have applauded President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the Central Government for establishing Kitooro Market, describing it as a landmark investment that has transformed a basic trading space into a bustling economic hub where ordinary Ugandans are building sustainable enterprises, generating income, and supporting their families.

For these traders, Kitooro Market is far more than a collection of stalls—it is a launchpad where technical skills are converted into business opportunities, where micro-enterprises grow, and where strategic public investment meets the raw ambition of citizens.

“This market is a major blessing for us because it gives us a secure place to operate, make money, and earn a living. We deeply appreciate President Museveni for prioritizing ordinary traders,” said one vendor.

The success story of Kitooro Market answers a fundamental economic development question: how public infrastructure can serve as a true foundation for grassroots economic empowerment.

A Market Built to Transform Local Commerce

According to Ms. Christine Damalie Nazziwa, the Kitooro Market Master and Deputy Town Clerk, the modern facility was officially opened in 2020 following its construction under the government’s Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP).

Nazziwa explained that the infrastructure was specifically designed to provide vendors with an organized, modern, and safe environment tailored for multi-sectoral commercial activities. Today, the facility accommodates general merchandise shops, weekly butcher services, fresh fish stalls, live poultry sections, and dedicated food-roasting areas.

"We opened Kitooro Market in 2020, and since then we have continuously created opportunities for local traders... The story of Kitooro Market is inspiring because it is a expansive, multi-story market with well-structured spaces. We remain grateful to President Museveni for championing this establishment."
— Christine Damalie Nazziwa, Market Master & Deputy Town Clerk

The facility is equipped with modern operational and security infrastructure, including built-in CCTV surveillance cameras and centralized public address systems for seamless management communication.

On the financial front, Nazziwa revealed that Kitooro Market generates between Shs 25 million and Shs 35 million in monthly revenue. While some clients face occasional payment delays, management actively engages vendors to boost compliance and ensure smooth operational cash flow.

Looking ahead, management plans to introduce additional roasting operational days and establish an on-site daycare facility to cater to traders with young children.

During a recent Entebbe Municipality induction held at Penile Beach, Entebbe, Town Clerk Mr. Emmanuel Gakyaalo alongside local leadership briefed the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ben Kumumanya, highlighting the market as an outstanding government intervention enabling both locals and regional traders to conduct business effectively.

Grassroots Stories: Hope, Enterprise, and Growth

1. Eddy: Turning Craft into Capital

On the first floor of the market, Mr. Eddy sits behind his sewing machines, turning fabric into tailored solutions. Specializing in clothing design, embroidery, and knitting, Eddy produces a wide range of garments, including school uniforms and custom orders.

“This project has given us a clean, organized environment to work comfortably,” Eddy shares. “The rent is reasonable, allowing us to stay afloat, serve customers, and feed our families. However, if we could get support to acquire 10 to 50 additional industrial machines, we could expand production significantly and train dozens of unemployed youth in practical skills.”

2. Vera: Expanding Retail Reach

At Shop Number 8201, Ms. Ainomugisha Vera runs a thriving perfume shop. She notes that the clean and professional layout of the modern market has boosted consumer confidence and foot traffic.

“We thank the government for giving us a dignified place to trade,” Vera says. “We would warmly welcome a visit from President Museveni so we can express our gratitude in person and show him the direct impact of this investment.”

3. Jonathan: Stability in the Poultry Sector

For poultry vendor Mr. Mwanje Jonathan, Kitooro Market provided the physical stability his enterprise desperately needed. Selling chickens priced between Shs 20,000 and Shs 40,000 depending on size, Jonathan has built a steady clientele.

“Having a dependable space means my business can grow consistently, ensuring a reliable income to care for my household,” he notes.

4. Fatuma: Dignity for Small Vendors

Ms. Fatuma Nangendo, a charcoal vendor, previously operated along informal street sides in the Kitooro-Entebbe area. Moving into the structured market completely changed her daily operations.

“President Museveni’s vision for this market saved small traders like me. It gave us security, dignity, and a clean environment to sustain our livelihoods,” Nangendo says.

An Engine of Empowerment

Ultimately, Kitooro Market is a testament to human resilience and smart urban planning. It is seen in Eddy’s humming sewing machines, Vera’s retail counters, Jonathan’s poultry trade, and Fatuma’s charcoal enterprise.

More than just bricks and mortar, Kitooro Market has become a beacon of economic mobility in Entebbe—where ordinary citizens are turning physical spaces into viable enterprises, enterprise into steady income, and income into brighter futures.