Grapevine

Entebbe vendors stranded as ban on open-air markets takes effect

Vendors at Kitooro Market in Entebbe Municipality are struggling after authorities enforced a ban on the open-air market, commonly known as "Kabubbu." The ban, introduced in July 2024, aims to protect vendors operating inside government-regulated markets from unfair competition and to boost revenue collection.

Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rulinda explained that the council decided to allow only one open-air market in Entebbe, the Entebbe Central Market, which operates on Saturdays.

"There will be no other open-air markets in the municipality," he said in an interview on October 8.

According to Mr Rulinda, Kitooro Market has been incurring losses despite government spending Shs21 million monthly on its maintenance.

"We collect only Shs4 million in revenue each month, which is insufficient," he added, noting that enforcement teams backed by the police have been deployed to implement the ban.