Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has stepped up consultations with leaders of public markets as it seeks to improve market management, restore order and increase traders’ understanding of the Markets Act, 2023.

The latest engagement was held on Wednesday at Kitante Primary School, bringing together representatives of public markets across Kampala. Traders used the meeting to raise concerns ranging from inadequate trading spaces and poor infrastructure to sanitation, registration and the management of markets.

KCCA said the consultations are part of its implementation of the Markets Act, 2023, as well as Presidential Directives issued on November 17, 2022, which placed the management of public markets in Kampala under the Authority.

KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki said educating traders about the Markets Act is important because vendors need to understand how public markets are administered and how disputes and other concerns affecting them can be handled.

The Authority is also engaging traders over the long-running relationship between landlords and tenants in public markets.

“When we took over management, we took over investments that had been made. We are still discussing the issue of landlords and tenants, and it is on the City Executive Committee agenda,” Buzeki said.

Under Section 21 of the Markets Act, 2023, an allocation committee is responsible for designating and allocating workspaces, shops, pitches and stalls in public markets. The law also gives priority to existing registered vendors when spaces are allocated.

The legislation further requires vendors to keep their allocated spaces clean and dispose of waste at designated points.

Buzeki said KCCA will continue engaging traders operating outside designated market areas and help them access appropriate trading spaces.

The Authority has recently said it has more than 550 vacant spaces in government markets, including Wandegeya, Usafi, Nakawa and Luzira, as it encourages traders operating in unauthorised areas to move into formal market spaces.

Buzeki also warned traders against using market facilities as residential accommodation.

“Markets are not lodging places. They are not supposed to sleep in,” she said.

The engagement comes as KCCA continues its wider push to move commercial activity into designated spaces and improve trade order in the city.

While welcoming the dialogue with KCCA, market leaders used the meeting to outline problems they want the Authority to address.

Moses Nsimbe, representing Namuwongo II Market, asked KCCA to repair the market's leaking roof and improve other facilities.

He said traders were willing to cooperate with the Authority in efforts to restore order in the market.

At Usafi Market, a representative welcomed plans for a new market but called for existing traders to be formally registered so they can be identified and considered for space once construction is completed.

The issue of trader registration is significant under the Markets Act because the law provides for existing registered vendors to receive priority when public-market spaces are allocated.

Other concerns raised during the meeting included the welfare of women traders.

Aisha Nakigozi, from Owino Market, asked KCCA to consider introducing daycare facilities to support women who operate businesses while caring for young children.

The request comes as KCCA expands market infrastructure. In September, the Authority announced that the new Ggaba Market would include a daycare centre specifically intended to support traders with young children. The planned market is expected to have 743 stalls, 173 lock-ups, 47 pitches, 60 shops and 168 restaurant spaces.

KCCA Director of Public Health and Environment Dr Sarah Zalwango urged market operators and vendors to take greater responsibility for managing waste.

She noted that markets generate significant amounts of waste and called for cooperation between traders and the Authority to maintain clean facilities.

The Markets Act also places a direct responsibility on occupants of market spaces to keep their work areas clean and dispose of waste at designated locations.

Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo urged market leaders and traders to resolve disagreements through dialogue and maintain unity within their markets.

“Let us be united in our markets. We should stop being disunited and causing problems in the markets. Let us work together and maintain peace in our markets,” Balimwezo said.

Other trader representatives also pledged to cooperate with KCCA. Judith Asiimwe of Kiswa Market commended the Authority for addressing disputes in the market, while Zaitun Nakiganda of Nakasero Market said she would help mobilise traders to work with KCCA.

KCCA currently manages 17 public markets in Kampala and says its engagements with market leaders will continue as it works to improve management, strengthen compliance with the law and ensure traders understand their rights and responsibilities.

The latest consultations are therefore part of a broader effort by the Authority to combine enforcement of designated trading spaces with improved market infrastructure, sanitation and engagement with traders.