Zombo, Uganda: The Paidha Town Council in Zombo District has launched the construction of a permanent protective canopy at Paidha Central Market, a move aimed at shielding hundreds of vendors from harsh weather conditions and boosting the market’s trading environment.
The new structure, already at foundation level, will provide long-awaited relief for vegetable traders who have for years endured extreme sunshine and heavy rains while conducting business in open-air stalls.
Pascal Kumakech, the Chairperson of the Finance Committee at Paidha Town Council, said the project is part of the council’s infrastructure enhancement plan designed to sustain uninterrupted vendor operations and increase revenue generation.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to enabling uninterrupted vendor operations in this market,” Kumakech said during a weekend monitoring visit. “We have mobilized resources to deliver this facility within 30 days, ensuring efficiency and value for all stakeholders.”
Dubbed the “food basket of West Nile,” Paidha Central Market serves as a key commercial hub attracting traders from across West Nile, northern Uganda, and eastern DR Congo. The market is renowned for supplying affordable agricultural produce, including matooke, avocados, beans, maize, cassava, coffee, and Irish potatoes.
The market generated UGX 230 million in FY 2022/23, with projections indicating an 18.3% annual growth rate to UGX 286 million following recent infrastructural improvements such as the 2023 commissioning of 30 modern lock-up retail units funded by the UNCDF.
Vendors Welcome the Development
Vendors this publication spoke to hailed the project as a long-overdue intervention to address poor working conditions. Joyce Afoyocan, Chairperson of the Vegetable Vendors Association, said the canopy will significantly improve daily operations.
“Our vendors go through many challenges. Both the rain and sunshine land on us here. We thank the council for starting this,” she said.
Another trader, locally known as Skol, urged the council to expedite construction before the rainy season intensifies. “We urge the council to scale workforce deployment to avoid delays during the rains,” Skol said.
The oversight of the construction rests with the Town Council’s Engineering Department, though detailed budget allocations have not yet been disclosed.
LCIII Chairperson Innocent Godfred Onega reaffirmed the council’s commitment to service delivery and lasting infrastructure. “As stewards of public mandate, our legacy hinges on enduring infrastructure rather than unnecessary expenditures. This project exemplifies high-impact service delivery that will resonate across generations,” Onega said.
Established decades ago by local entrepreneurs, Paidha Market remains a springboard for small-scale traders and cross-border commerce. The new canopy, once complete, is expected to enhance the market’s resilience and solidify its reputation as a regional economic lifeline.
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