Government, Build Us a Market Too — Kanoni Traders Cry Out Over Poor Working Conditions

Traders at Kanoni Daily Market in Gomba District have appealed to government to construct a modern market, citing congestion, poor sanitation, lack of storage facilities and rising losses due to inadequate infrastructure on privately owned land.

Traders operating in Kanoni Daily Market in Gomba District have appealed to the Government of Uganda to consider them among taxpayers deserving better services by securing land and constructing for them a modern market.

Kanoni Daily Market, located in Kanoni Town Council, is considered the main trading hub in Gomba District, serving hundreds of farmers and traders who depend on it to sell produce and earn a living. The market sits on about an acre of land but accommodates more than 500 traders, making congestion one of its biggest challenges.

The market hosts a wide range of businesses beyond produce trade, including chapati vendors, fish sellers, meat dealers, chicken roasters, chips vendors, small restaurants, electronics dealers, mobile money operators and other small enterprises.

However, traders say the conditions under which they operate are increasingly difficult, especially during rainy seasons when the market floods due to lack of permanent structures.

“We improvised using timber and iron sheets while others use umbrellas. Whenever it rains, water floods our merchandise, some items are blown away by wind, and we are forced to stand in the rain guarding our goods,” some traders said.

They also decried the lack of storage facilities, saying they are forced to leave merchandise in the open overnight, exposing it to theft and damage.

“At night we simply cover our goods and leave them outside because there are no stores. Sometimes you return in the morning only to find items stolen or destroyed by strong winds,” the traders added.

According to the traders, congestion in the market has also affected business, with many vendors selling similar products in squeezed spaces, leading to losses as fresh produce rots before it is sold.

“When customers buy from the first few stalls, those at the back fail to sell anything. Tomatoes rot, bananas get damaged, and at times we end up making losses because produce spoils before it is sold,” they explained.

Led by market chairperson Juliet Nakayemba, the traders also accused Kanoni Town Council of neglecting garbage collection despite collecting monthly fees from them.

“It is shocking that despite the poor conditions, the Town Council has failed even to collect garbage. Every trader pays Shs3,000 monthly for garbage collection, but rubbish piles up and eventually decomposes within the market,” Nakayemba said.

She added that the market lacks basic facilities such as toilets and clean water.

“This market does not even have a proper toilet or water source. The existing toilet filled up long ago but people still use it. Others resort to relieving themselves outside, especially at night. Garbage is everywhere because the Town Council no longer collects it,” she added.

The traders are now calling on government to acquire larger land and construct a modern market similar to others being developed in different parts of the country.

“Most people in Gomba are farmers and livestock keepers. This market is where they sell milk, animals and produce, but they continue to suffer losses because the market is too small and below standard,” they said.

“We hear that government is buying land and building modern markets in other areas. We ask leaders to also think about Kanoni because the place we operate from is private land and the owner can evict us anytime,” they added.

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