Construction of Shs32bn Ggaba Market Begins in Kampala

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has officially started constructing a new modern market in Ggaba, Makindye Division, at a cost of Shs32 billion. The groundbreaking ceremony was led by KCCA Executive Director Hajat Sharifah Buzeki. The project, awarded to Ambitious Construction Ltd, is expected to take two years to complete, followed by a one-year review period to ensure compliance with approved design and specifications.

The proposed Ggaba Market will feature 743 stalls, 173 lock-ups, 60 shops, 47 pitches, and 168 restaurants, among other facilities. The market will also include a modern day-care centre for breastfeeding mothers, ample parking, designated areas for loading and offloading goods, a water treatment plant, and a standby generator. According to Buzeki, the construction of the market is part of the government's efforts to expand modern trading infrastructure across Kampala.

The project follows a Cabinet directive in which President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni directed KCCA to construct at least two markets in each division of the city. The KCCA Executive Director linked the project to the government's agricultural and economic development agenda, saying the construction of government markets is intended to provide reliable outlets for farmers to sell their produce.

Buzeki said the new Ggaba Market will also help address challenges faced by street vendors and hawkers who have been affected by enforcement of the Trade Order. She commended local council authorities for their contribution to the design and planning of the project and urged them to closely monitor the construction to ensure that taxpayers' money is properly utilised.

State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Kabuye Kyofatogabye said the proposed market would help address the shortage of organised workspaces for market vendors and street traders. He urged traders to embrace designated trading spaces as KCCA continues implementing the Trade Order and efforts to restore order in the city.

The Kampala Lord Mayor, Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, challenged Ambitious Construction Ltd to deliver quality work and complete the project within the stipulated two-year period. Balimwezo also urged market vendors to prioritise cleanliness and maintain good sanitation within the market and its surrounding areas, cautioning against activities that could pollute Lake Victoria.

The Ggaba Market project is expected to combine commercial infrastructure with improved sanitation, organised trading spaces, and supporting facilities as KCCA continues efforts to modernise Kampala's markets. The project was funded by the World Bank, and KCCA pledged to closely supervise the works to ensure that the market is completed according to the agreed standards and timelines.

Key points

• The construction of the Shs32 billion Ggaba Market is part of the government's efforts to expand modern trading infrastructure across Kampala.
• The market is expected to provide organised working spaces for vendors and other businesses, transforming trading activities in the area.
• The project combines commercial infrastructure with improved sanitation, organised trading spaces, and supporting facilities.