President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the newly constructed Busega Central Market in Rubaga Division, Kampala, as he kicked off his nationwide tour assessing the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation initiatives in the capital.
Accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataaha Museveni, the President toured the facility and interacted with vendors.
Speaking during the commissioning, President Museveni underscored the market’s strategic role in boosting urban livelihoods through services and trade. “I am happy to see you creating wealth through the services sector by selling what others produce. What you needed was a clean, safe, and secure place to work from,” he said.
Constructed under the government’s Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) with funding from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the Busega Central Market opened to vendors in November 2024. It currently hosts over 2,800 vendors and is poised to transform urban commerce in Rubaga and the wider Kampala area.
President Museveni highlighted the services sector’s importance in wealth creation, alongside agriculture, manufacturing, artisanship, and ICT. He noted that the new facility protects traders from weather-related disruptions.
“In this building, your merchandise is now secure from the rain. I remember how you used to struggle on the streets during bad weather,” he recalled.
He welcomed a proposal by the market leadership to construct a connecting road from the Northern Bypass directly to the market, calling it a smart idea that would boost access and business flow.
However, the President criticised opposition MPs representing Rubaga for failing to engage the government on local priorities like feeder roads, which hamper development. “The market is a big project provided by the government, but smaller infrastructure like roads needs your MPs to push for it. Unfortunately, they are not doing their job,” he said.
His comments followed an appeal from Mr. Kawuma Jimmy, Chairperson of Busega Market Vendors, who cited poor access roads as a challenge affecting customer traffic and the preservation of perishable goods like fish.
In response, President Museveni pledged to follow up with KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki on acquiring more land to expand the market and accommodate over 700 fish traders.
To support grassroots economic empowerment, the President capitalised three SACCOs—Busega United Fish Dealers and Processors SACCO, Busega Market SACCO, and Tuli Bumu Drivers SACCO—with Shs 100 million each. He also contributed Shs 50 million to a SACCO for the division’s sheikhs.
Politically, President Museveni urged Rubaga residents to vote wisely in the next elections, expressing concern over reports of mismanagement of PDM funds and weak local accountability.
“Where I have been, people tell me PDM money isn’t reaching them and is being stolen. I blame you partly for electing leaders who don’t demand accountability,” he said.
He stressed the importance of electing leaders who actively engage with both their constituents and government structures. “I can intervene, but you need someone close to you, like your MP, to follow up regularly. I want you to liberate your area,” he added.
Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, commended the President for investing in urban markets and strengthening KCCA’s management role. She assured him that with coordination between the government and NRM leaders, Kampala would become better organised and more efficient.
KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki briefed the President on market management efforts, noting 2,836 registered vendors at Busega Market, though about 300 stalls remain unoccupied.
President Museveni’s week-long Kampala tour will focus on key pillars of urban economic development under the PDM, with engagements involving city leaders, market associations, youth groups, and the media to deepen awareness of the PDM’s potential to combat urban poverty.
The tour will culminate in a grand rally at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Sunday, July 20, 2025. The commissioning event was attended by Government Chief Whip Hon. Hamson Denis Obua, ministers, KCCA officials, NRM leaders, and other dignitaries.
