BUSEGA MARKET LEADERS SENSITISED ON MARKETS ACT 2023

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki has called on Busega Market leaders to embrace their legal responsibilities as stipulated in the Markets Act, 2023, and to be the bridge between city authorities and vendors in ensuring organised and accountable market operations.

Speaking during a sensitisation meeting held at the Mayor’s Parlor July 17, Buzeki urged the leaders to operate within the law and champion unity and progress within their respective departments.

“You are leaders because the law gives you authority,” Buzeki told the gathering. “You are the people who speak the vendors’ language and understand their needs. Use your positions to foster organisation, unity, and development in the market.”

The meeting was attended by Busega Market leaders, members of the Interagency Committee on the Management of Kampala Markets with government representatives including the Ministry of Local Government and the Internal Security Organisation (ISO).

The Markets Act, 2023, now serves as the guiding legal framework for all public market operations in Uganda.

The law requires every public market to be spatially organised into departments based on the goods sold and services provided. Each department must elect a head and a deputy head from among the vendors in that section, with the law mandating that one of the two must be a woman. These leaders serve a term of two years and are eligible for re-election.

According to Section 19 of the Act, departmental heads are charged with ensuring proper organisation, cleanliness, and orderliness within their designated areas. They are also responsible for vetting new vendors who wish to join the department and for mediating and resolving disputes before such matters are escalated to the market administration. This structure is intended to promote internal discipline, peer accountability, and efficient self-governance within vendor groups.

The Act further empowers KCCA to appoint market administrators who oversee the day-to-day affairs of the markets. These administrators are legally mandated to ensure that all vendors and leaders operate within the law.

Failure to comply with the lawful instructions of an appointed administrator is a punishable offence under the law, attracting a fine not exceeding 480,000 Uganda shillings or imprisonment for a term of not less than six months.

Utility responsibilities were also clarified during the meeting. Vendors are expected to manage and pay for their individual utility connections, such as electricity and water, within their own stalls. Meanwhile, KCCA remains responsible for the maintenance of common user facilities, which include toilets, security lighting, and water access points in shared areas.

Geoffrey Etedu, the Assistant Commissioner and National Coordinator for Markets at the Ministry of Local Government, reminded the leaders that their positions are defined by law, not by popularity or power struggles.

“You are not in those positions by accident,” he said. “The law recognises your leadership, and you must now work within its boundaries. If you have a grievance, report it to the market master or administrator do not bypass procedure or incite confusion.”

Adding his voice, Lt Col Musa Mukibi from ISO emphasized that the government’s objective is to see order and economic growth in city markets.

“We want markets that are structured and peaceful. Confusion undermines economic growth. The goal is to build markets that support wealth creation for ordinary Ugandans,” he said.

Busega Market, located in Rubaga Division, is one of Kampala’s largest modern markets and was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in July 2025. The market accommodates over 2,800 vendors, dealing in a wide variety of products such as fresh produce, meat, textiles, and household items.

It is one of 16 public markets managed by KCCA, including Wandegeya, Nakawa, Bugolobi, and Nakasero, among others.

Present at the meeting were leaders like David Katongole, in charge of security at Busega Market, and Tom Nyanzi from the butcher department.

Steven Kyomuhendo one of the department leaders expressed appreciation for the legal guidance and raised concerns regarding infrastructure gaps and vendor welfare, which KCCA pledged to address in collaboration with the newly empowered administrative teams.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to uphold the law, maintain order, and work together for the transformation of Kampala’s markets.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer