President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has today commissioned the newly constructed Busega Central Market in Rubaga Division, Kampala.
The President commissioned the facility as he kicked off his nationwide Presidential assessment tour on Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation in Kampala.
Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President toured the market complex as he interacted with vendors.
The commissioning event was followed by a public address to market stakeholders, local leaders, and residents, where the President outlined the market’s strategic significance in boosting urban livelihoods.
“I’m very happy to see that here you’re engaged in wealth creation through the services sector by selling what is produced by other people,” President Museveni remarked.
“What you needed was a clean, safe, and secure place to work from.”
The Busega Central Market, constructed under the government’s Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) with support from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), officially opened its doors to vendors in November 2024. With over 2,800 vendors currently operating within the facility, the market is set to transform urban commerce in Rubaga and the wider Kampala area.
President Museveni emphasized the critical role of the services sector in wealth creation, alongside commercial agriculture (both small- and large-scale), manufacturing, artisanship, and Information Communication Technology (ICT). He pointed out that with the new facility, traders no longer have to worry about protecting their merchandise from harsh weather conditions.
“Now, in this building, the advantage is that you don’t have to remove your merchandise from the rain. They’re now secure,” the President said, reminiscing about how vendors used to operate on the streets, exposed to rain and other elements.
“Previously, I used to see you on the streets struggling during the rain. I don’t know how you managed that time.”
He also welcomed a proposal by the market leadership to construct a connecting road linking the Northern Bypass directly to Busega Market.
“The road will bring more customers here,” he noted, calling it a smart idea that will support business flow and accessibility.
However, the President also used the occasion to criticize opposition legislators representing Rubaga Division, calling them out over their failure to engage the government on local issues such as feeder roads, thus hampering development.
“The market is a big project provided centrally by the government, like any other market in the city. But the small roads, like the one from the Northern Bypass to your market, I didn’t know about, because the Member of Parliament who would have told me is not there,” President Museveni said.
This comment followed a heartfelt appeal from Mr. Kawuma Jimmy, the chairperson of the Busega Market Vendors, who noted that the lack of a proper access road was hurting business.
“Customers find it hard to access the market, and our perishable products, such as fish, are rotting. We shall be very grateful for that road,” Mr. Kawuma said.
He also thanked the President for removing vendors from the streets and relocating them to a cleaner and more organized facility.
In response, President Museveni promised to follow up with the KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, on a proposal to acquire more land adjacent to the market. The additional space is intended to accommodate over 700 fish dealers who are in need of expansion opportunities.
To support grassroots economic empowerment, the President capitalized three Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) with Shs. 100 million each: They include Busega United Fish Dealers and Processors SACCO, Busega Market SACCO, and Tuli Bumu Drivers SACCO.
Additionally, he committed Shs. 50 million to a special SACCO for the sheikhs operating in the division.
In his political appeal, President Museveni asked residents of Rubaga to vote wisely in the upcoming general elections, expressing concern over reports of mismanagement of PDM funds and a lack of leadership accountability.
“Please vote well, because where I have been, they’ve been telling me that the PDM money is not reaching them, and somewhere, money is being stolen. I also blame them for electing opposition representatives who don’t demand or follow up on what belongs to them,” the President said.
President Museveni reiterated the importance of electing leaders who are in constant touch with the community and government structures.
“I can come to try and solve your problem, but you need someone near you, say a Member of Parliament, who can follow up. I want you to liberate your area,” he added.
The Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, commended President Museveni for initiating city markets that provide decent working spaces for traders and his commitment to proper management through KCCA.
She assured the President that, with coordinated efforts between government bodies and NRM chairpersons, Kampala would become more organized and efficient.
KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, briefed the President on the progress made in market organization and vendor registration, done in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Police, Internal Security Organization (ISO), and other stakeholders.
“In the Busega market alone, there are 2,836 registered vendors. We still have about 300 empty stalls whose would-be occupants have not yet taken them up,” Hajjat Buzeki said, noting that further delays could lead to the slots being reassigned.
President Museveni’s week-long Kampala tour will focus on various pillars of urban economic development under the PDM framework. He will also meet with city leadership, market vendor associations, youth groups, and members of the media to further deepen awareness of how PDM structures can directly combat urban poverty and unlock business potential.
The Kampala PDM tour will culminate in a grand public rally at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by several high-profile leaders, including the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Denis Obua; Ministers; KCCA officials, NRM leaders, among others.
