Construction of the Shs16.7 billion Kawuku Market has officially commenced under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Programme in Wakiso District.
The market, constructed by Scaffold Engineering and Construction Limited and supervised by UB Consulting Engineers, is scheduled for completion within 12 months.
Once operational, the modern facility will accommodate hundreds of vendors, improving public health standards and daily business operations.
In his remarks during the official site handover, Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye, the State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, urged traders and local leaders to prioritize economic development over political distractions. He encouraged residents to embrace value addition, maintain market hygiene, and adopt smart packaging and orderly trade practices.
Kabuye further urged local property owners to pave way for smooth road upgrades and mitigate dust. Kyofatogabye revealed that the broader development programme is valued at approximately Shs2.2 trillion, with Wakiso District slated to receive projects worth nearly Shs800 billion.
Wakiso Chief Administrative Officer Jude Mark Bukenya assured the public that civil servants are fully committed to the successful implementation of the project. He emphasized that the market is designed strictly for community benefit, warning that any government worker attempting to illicitly encroach on market spaces would face severe disciplinary action.
Engineer Ian Kyeyune, the District Governor, described the market as part of a wider vision to enhance social welfare, transport infrastructure, and employment opportunities in Wakiso. He urged the contractors to prioritize local labor and advised residents seeking work to register with the district labor office.
District Engineer Lillian Namutebi Jagwe outlined the extensive features of the new multi-purpose facility. The market will include lock-up shops, restaurants, cold storage rooms, security and administrative offices, a daycare center, a banking agency, sanitation facilities, loading zones, and solar power installations. The facility will also house a dedicated value-addition center and a waste management hub
He explained that the market would be strategically zoned to improve organization, efficiency, and service delivery for both traders and consumers.
Representing Scaffold Engineering and Construction Limited Managing Director Dinesh Patel, Sylvia Mabonga reaffirmed the contractor’s commitment to delivering the project within the agreed timelines and specifications. She pledged close cooperation with consultants and district authorities, appealing to the community for support during the construction phase.
Local vendor representatives welcomed the development, expressing optimism that the modern environment would significantly improve household incomes and transform livelihoods in the area.
