Traders at St. Balikudembe Market, widely known as Owino Market, arrived early Sunday morning to find part of the busy marketplace reduced to rubble after an unauthorized overnight demolition.
The incident occurred late on March 7 when unidentified individuals reportedly brought heavy machinery to a section of the market located along the boundary of the Nakivubo Channel on Sebana Road in downtown Kampala. According to eyewitness accounts, the demolition began around 10:00 p.m. and continued under the cover of darkness.
When traders returned the following morning, they discovered that several wooden stalls and small shops had been torn down, leaving behind piles of debris and disrupted operations in one of the city’s busiest trading hubs. Fortunately, no injuries were immediately reported.
St. Balikudembe Market is one of the largest open-air markets in Uganda, hosting thousands of small-scale traders who sell clothing, electronics, food items, and second-hand goods. The demolished section reportedly included stalls that extended toward nearby trading areas such as Nakivubo Park Yard.
Many vendors depend on daily sales from the market to support their families, and the sudden destruction has left some traders uncertain about how they will recover lost property and income.
Authorities Condemn the Demolition
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) quickly issued a statement condemning the demolition, describing it as reckless and unauthorized.
According to the city authority, no demolition permit had been issued for the operation, and those responsible carried out the activity without official approval.
In its statement, KCCA said it is working with law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and ensure accountability.
Police officers and KCCA enforcement teams arrived at the site early Sunday to secure the area and stop any further activity. Authorities confirmed that the operators of the two machines used in the demolition were arrested at the scene.
Investigations are now underway to determine who ordered the demolition and why it was carried out.
Traders Demand Answers
The unexpected destruction has sparked frustration among traders and community leaders, many of whom are questioning whether powerful interests may be attempting to claim or redevelop the land.
Some vendors compared the event to past disasters at Owino Market, including fires that have previously destroyed sections of the trading area. However, unlike those incidents, this latest destruction was caused by deliberate mechanical demolition.
Local media outlets including NBS Television and NTV Uganda have called for transparency as investigations continue.
Authorities say they are still assessing the full extent of the damage and its economic impact on traders.
For now, the incident highlights ongoing tensions around land use, urban planning, and the protection of public infrastructure in Uganda’s rapidly growing capital.
