Construction of Busia Modern Market Nears Completion

Construction of the Modern Busia market in Busia municipality is nearing completion. The construction work, which stared in April 2017, is being undertaken by Chinese firm, Zonghau-Zonghen at the tune of Shillings 24.5 billion. 

The market will host 3000 traders once completed. The Site Engineer, Philip Pichan Cwinyai, says construction work stands at 94 percent, adding that they have almost reached the final stage of roofing.

He is optimistic that they will complete the market by July this year and hand it over to traders.  Cwinyai called on the local authorities to devise means of making the market work.

   

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Doreen Nafuna, the Deputy Mayor Busia Municipality, says vendors in Busia will get the first priority to occupy the lockup before other people are considered. 

She says they have selected a committee that will handle the allocation of the stalls to vendors.

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Traders operating in ungazeted places are excited about the new market since their market was demolished to pave way for redevelopment. They say the new market will enable them to operate smoothly and allow their clients to easily locate them.  The vendors have already started registering for stalls.

Deborah Nasiirwa Taaka, a dealer in clothes, says her business has been struggling since the old market was demolished. Patricia Nabwire, another vendor, says she plans to improve her business now that they have received a modern market and good road network that facilitates easy movement of goods.  

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Sadhala Wegulo, another trader wants the Municipal authorities to come up with clear mechanisms of maintaining hygiene and sanitation to keep the market clean before it starts operating.   

     

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Kenyatta Wanjala, the Chairman Busia District Trader’s Association appeals to municipal authorities to start allocating them lockups before the market is commissioned.  

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The market is being constructed under the Government’s Markets and Agriculture Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) with funding from the government of Uganda and Arab Bank of Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). 

The construction of the epic commercial project is being supervised by the Local Government Ministry.