Written By | Jovita Hasto
Vendors at Saza Market display their goods to attract buyers
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IBANDA
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has unveiled the proposed plan for the modern Ibanda Saza Market, a daily market set to be constructed in Ibanda Municipality.
The Ibanda Saza Market is one of the infrastructure projects being implemented under the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) Programme. The programme is supported by the World Bank and aims to improve infrastructure in cities, municipalities, and refugee-hosting districts while promoting urban development and trade.
The project is estimated to cost approximately Shs700 million and is expected to accommodate about 2,000 vendors.
Mr. Arthur Abigaba, the Urban Development Officer at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, said funding from the World Bank was secured to support 10 cities, 26 municipalities, and 14 refugee-hosting districts to improve infrastructure and strengthen their capacity to deliver services.
"We implemented the project between 2013 and 2018 under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development Programme (USMID). Because of its good performance, we rolled it out under the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development Programme. Districts and municipalities such as Ibanda, Kisoro, Rukungiri, Bushenyi-Ishaka, Sheema, Koboko, Kumi, Kapchorwa, Kotido, Nebbi, and Masindi are among the beneficiaries," he said.
Abigaba added that since 2023, the ministry has been implementing an additional financing programme aimed at ensuring that all municipalities benefit from the initiative.
"Previously, 15 municipalities were not benefiting from the programme. Under this phase, all the 15 municipalities have been included as beneficiaries. Along the way, some municipalities became cities, and under the additional financing, we also introduced a component to support refugee-hosting districts."
He said the programme is focusing on the construction of markets, taxi parks, and public gardens, which are considered local infrastructure projects that are easier to implement than major road projects.
During a stakeholders' meeting held at Ibanda Municipal Council, participants shared views on improvements that should be incorporated into the market design before construction begins.
Abigaba explained that the consultation was intended to collect stakeholders' input on the proposed design.
"Today, the team that designed the Saza Market presented the plan so that stakeholders could give their views. Stakeholders generally approved the concept, although they proposed a few improvements. We shall incorporate the recommendations before presenting the final draft for approval," he said.
Mr. Mark Deo, the Principal Planner at Ibanda Municipality, said the new market should address the challenges currently facing vendors, particularly the need for adequate water facilities.
"As the municipal council, we currently have more than 650 vendors operating in the existing market. From the design presented today, there were no water harvesting facilities. We advised the planners to include them, and this may increase the estimated project cost from the current Shs700 million. Nevertheless, we hope for the best," he said.
Ms. Beatrice Katusiime, a vendor, welcomed the project but urged planners to prioritise security and sanitation.
"We have security concerns in the current market. We pay night watchmen, but our property is still not fully secure. The new market should address these challenges, especially by providing reliable electricity, water supply, proper sanitation, and improved safety," she said.
Mr. Sostine Mugizi, another vendor, also welcomed the development and called for modern facilities.
"We are happy about the proposed market. We want it to have modern facilities. The current market is overcrowded, and we need a market with enough space and proper ventilation. The current premises are not safe, so we hope the new market will improve safety," he said.
Mr. Akram Arinaitwe, a vendor and chairperson of the meat sellers (butchers) at Saza Market, emphasised the need for reliable electricity to support business operations.
"We have been making losses because of frequent power outages. It is difficult to preserve fresh fish and meat without refrigeration. We hope the new market will have cold storage facilities to help us reduce these losses," he said.
Ibanda Municipality Mayor Mr. Deusdedit Mulinde said the project would transform the appearance of the municipality and stimulate economic growth.
"This development is going to change the face of Ibanda. We are likely to have beautiful structures that will improve the appearance of our town while boosting business and economic development," he said.
