The Shs24.6 billion Kitgum Central Market, commissioned by President Museveni on October 10, remains unoccupied three months after its inauguration. The market, part of the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme-2 (MATIP-2), was designed to enhance economic and social infrastructure in urban markets, stimulate agricultural production and marketing, and improve vendors’ incomes.
Despite its impressive facilities, including fruit and vegetable stalls, meat lockups, fish stalls, assorted shops, saloons, and more, the market faces delays in occupancy due to conflicts of interest regarding space allocation. The Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Fred Ebil, revealed that a market allocation committee has been vetting vendors, and the market is expected to be ready for occupation by mid-January 2024.
The delay is attributed to consultations with vendors, and a specific date, January 10, 2024, has been designated for occupation. Mayor Richard Okwera Ojara explained that the prolonged process aimed to address concerns about ghost vendors and the overwhelming number of applicants seeking space in the new facility.
The new market has a capacity to accommodate only 1,652 vendors, while there are over 3,000 applicants. The allocation prioritizes sitting tenants, existing vendors, and additional applicants. Alfred Ocan, the secretary of Kitgum Main Market Vendors Association, mentioned a disagreement over how many years the original traders should occupy their spaces, contributing to the delays.
In 2019, the government awarded the construction contract to Chinese State Construction Engineering Company Limited (CSCECL), with a completion deadline of June 2021. However, delays in the delivery of raw materials and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the construction timeline. As the allocation process continues, concerns grow over the significant delay in fully utilizing the newly constructed market.
