Africa-Press – Uganda. The Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, has assured Parliament that there are currently no plans to demolish St. Balikuddembe Market, popularly known as Owino Market. Instead, the Authority intends to make improvements to the aging market infrastructure.
Buzeki made the clarification while appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Commission, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) during discussions on the 2024/25 Auditor General’s report for KCCA. The Committee raised concerns regarding recent demolitions at Owino Market and sought clarity on the Authority’s future plans for the market.
“For the time being, do we have plans of doing away with the window market? In our strategic plan, we don’t have a plan to do away with the window market. What we have planned is to do improvements,” she said.
“You know, the market is ageing, and it has a number of areas that need improvement. So, for the time being, that is what we have in the strategic plan.”
Her assurance prompted Medard Sseggona (Busiro East) to inquire whether the current traders at Owino Market face eviction.
“I received a call from one of the vendors this morning, and she asked me a question I could not answer. She asked me, should we therefore pack our bags and go? Are we about to be evicted? Maybe you will answer that,” Sseggona asked.
Buzeki clarified that KCCA had engaged market leaders and vendors following recent demolitions. She emphasized that there are no plans to erase the market, but rather, improvements will be carried out.
“In the event that we get funding for reconstruction, like we are doing for Usafi, Kamwokya, Gabba, or Busega markets, we will engage the vendors and agree on the designs with them. Nothing will be done in the dark,” she said.
However, Mpindi Bumali (National PWD Representative) sought clarification on the nature of the improvements, questioning whether they were merely cosmetic. Sseggona intervened, noting that detailed structural designs are part of future plans and cannot be discussed at this stage.
Mpindi insisted that clarity was necessary for the vendors.
“I am asking this for people to understand properly because why they came to you, the issue was about demolition. And the ED is saying they are not demolishing and they don’t have it in the plan. She has also given a disclaimer that they are just improving, but not demolishing. So, I want to understand the improvement that she is talking about,” he said.
Buzeki explained that the planned improvements would prioritize critical areas requiring urgent attention.
“The kitchen area is leaking, the vegetable area has issues, and drainage is blocked. Some repairs cannot wait for five years. As soon as we receive requests, we address problems like electricity installation or faulty wiring immediately,” she said.
During the session, the Committee also learned that KCCA has assumed full possession of Owino Market following the expiry of the lease held by the previous market owners. When asked whether KCCA is currently collecting rent from traders, Buzeki confirmed that only utility bills are being paid.
Sseggona expressed concern over the use of taxpayer funds for repairs while traders are not paying rent. “So, you are spending our money to achieve what, if we are not collecting? And who are these people there?” he asked.
Buzeki responded, “The non-payment of rent is not unique to Owino Market. In all 17 markets managed by KCCA, traders occupy the markets as nurseries for growing their businesses. The only payment required by law is for utilities, while KCCA provides them space to operate.”
Richard Sebamala (Bukoto Central) also requested clarification regarding land ownership and the current size of Owino Market, noting fears that the market could be taken over by private developers.
“The people of Owino fear that at some point, their market may be taken over, like what happened with the drainage near the market. I would love the ED to clarify: Who owns the land, is it titled, what is the acreage, and does your strategic plan include removing the market completely?” Sebamala asked.
Buzeki requested additional time to provide details on the market’s exact acreage, promising a full update to the Committee on Tuesday.
