HOIMA CITY, 9th October 2026 – The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam, this morning visited Hoima Central Market to resolve long-standing grievances affecting vendors. The visit is still ongoing.
The inspection established several critical issues currently crippling operations in the market:
First, sanitation is in crisis. The toilets are very dirty with no water for flashing.
Second, the public market has been turned into a private business. There are landlords operating inside the market, renting out stalls. One of the named landlords is Margret of Bank of Uganda, who is renting out market stalls in Hoima City Central Market.
Third, district leaders have stalls in the market that were meant for ordinary vendors.
Fourth, there is soliciting of money from vendors. One member, Katusiime Juliet, who operates a stall downstairs on the ground floor, was paying UGX 1m for the stall.
Fifth, the free Wifi for Hoima Central Market was stolen, affecting business.
Sixth, the Airtel mast installed in the market is not helping the market and is actually disrupting operations.
Hon. Balaam is currently meeting vendors, market leadership and city officials to find immediate solutions and restore the market to its intended purpose.
This is a developing story.
