Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is seeking additional funding under the Kampala Capital City Roads Rehabilitation Project to complete the stalled Kitintale Market, with a revised design expected to include a rooftop parking facility to improve access for traders and shoppers.
KCCA Deputy Executive Director Benon Moses Kigenyi said the market project, which was previously undertaken by the Government of Uganda and KCCA, stalled before completion due to design changes and inadequate funding.
According to Kigenyi, some of the work already undertaken will also need to be redone to align with the revised design, further affecting the project’s completion timeline.
“Previously, the Government of Uganda and Kampala Capital City Authority had undertaken works on this market, but the project was not completed. There was a need to change the design, and at the time, we also lacked the resources required to proceed,” Kigenyi said.
He added that KCCA is now seeking to secure the resources needed to complete the market through the Kampala Capital City Roads Rehabilitation Project, which is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The project includes a component for market development and public transport infrastructure, including bus bays, which the authority hopes to use to finance the outstanding works at Kitintale Market.
“Fortunately, the Kampala Capital City Roads Rehabilitation Project has a component for market development and public transport infrastructure, including bus bays. We have requested funding under this component to enable us to complete the market,” he said.
Kigenyi expressed optimism that construction would resume and progress more quickly once the required funding is secured, allowing traders and members of the public to benefit from the facility.
Revised design to include rooftop parking
One of the key features of the revised design is a parking facility on the roof of the market, intended to address accessibility challenges arising from its location along the roadside.
Kigenyi explained that inadequate parking could inconvenience shoppers travelling in private vehicles, making it difficult for them to access the market and shop conveniently.
“One of the new features of the revised design is a parking facility on top of the market,” he said, adding that the arrangement is intended to make it easier for people to visit the market and do their shopping.
The proposed completion of Kitintale Market is expected to improve trading conditions and access to market services for traders and shoppers.
However, the resumption and progress of the remaining works will depend on whether the requested funding is secured.
KCCA has not indicated when the additional funding is expected to be approved or provided a specific timeline for completing the market.