Kampala Vendors Face Christmas Eviction Threat as Minister Intervenes in Owino Market Dispute
October 29, 2025 — KAMPALA — A storm is brewing over St. Balikuddembe Market, commonly known as Owino, as vendors face Christmas eviction threats from businessman Hamis Kiggundu, prompting intervention from Kampala Minister Hajjat Minsa Kabanda and escalating tensions between city authorities .
Vendor Fears and Ministerial Directive
Minister Kabanda has directed Kampala Central Division Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Shafik Nsubuga to ensure vendors operating in Owino Market do not disrupt city security through planned riots over the eviction threats . The directive comes amid growing anxiety among vendors who are losing sleep guarding their properties against potential demolition.
“Last week, we saw Kiggundu with his people inspecting part of our market, they passed that side of the produce,” recounted Yusuf Matovu, a vendor at Owino Market. “That is what he did when he was going to evict vendors who were working on Nakivubo drainage channel and park yard market. We have to prepare for him because he has interest in our market” .
Vendors report that Kiggundu has already begun demarcating areas where evictions will begin before Christmas, prompting them to prepare a petition to Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among seeking intervention .
Conflicting Claims and Political Maneuvering
Table: Key Figures in the Owino Market Dispute
Figure Position Stance on Eviction
Hajjat Minsa Kabanda Minister for Kampala Claims Kiggundu denies takeover plans
Erias Lukwago Kampala Lord Mayor Opposes eviction, warns of commercial takeover
Hamis Kiggundu Businessman Reportedly inspecting market despite denial of interest
Zahara Luyirika KCCA Speaker Accused of greenlighting Kiggundu’s plans
Minister Kabanda claims to have met with Kiggundu, who assured her he has no interest in taking over Owino Market. “He assured her that he is going to follow the plan he was given to develop Nakivubo drainage channel without disrupting other people in the city,” according to ministerial sources .
However, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago contends that Kiggundu’s plan is to takeover Owino market and the surrounding area to build commercial buildings and lockups that current vendors cannot afford to rent . Lukwago claims “other shrewd businessmen” are targeting additional city properties including Nakivubo Blue Primary School and Nakivubo Settlement Primary School .
Environmental Concerns and Flood Consequences
The controversy extends beyond the market itself to the Nakivubo Channel, where Kiggundu’s developments have raised environmental concerns . A recent petition to the World Bank dated September 17, 2025, alleges that construction along the critical drainage system has been carried out without proper environmental impact assessments or transparency .
The environmental consequences became starkly visible when flooding on September 16, 2025, caused significant damage to merchandise in at least five arcades and parts of Owino Market. Traders reported substantial losses from flash flooding that petitioners attribute directly to obstruction of the channel by Kiggundu’s construction .
Lord Mayor Lukwago has accused the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of ignoring his requests for information about Kiggundu’s projects. “I wrote to NEMA requesting documentation on Ham Kiggundu’s projects, including the environmental assessment report on August 2, 2025, but they have refused to respond,” Lukwago stated .
Pattern of City Land Disputes
The Owino Market controversy follows a familiar pattern in Kampala’s ongoing struggles over prime city land. In a similar case, the High Court recently issued an order restraining KCCA and businessman Abdul Bakaine Kasai from tampering with the contested Old Taxi Park on Ben Kiwanuka Street .
That dispute involves businessman Haji Ahmed Zziwa, who secured a lease for the land in 2005 and has been battling KCCA and Kasai over the property for two decades. The court ordered “a temporary injunction preserving the land” and restrained KCCA from “disposing of, mortgaging, leasing, subleasing, transferring or dealing with the land” until the main case is determined .
Vendor Resistance and Next Steps
Despite Minister Kabanda’s assurances, vendors remain skeptical and are moving forward with their resistance plans. Market spokesperson Kamada Bukenya confirmed that vendors have collected signatures and intend to petition Parliament despite the minister’s request to handle the matter without legislative intervention .
Vendors have specifically accused KCCA Speaker Zahara Luyirika and KCCA National Unity Platform (NUP) councillors of colluding to pass a council resolution allowing Kiggundu to take over Nakivubo drainage channel and the surrounding area .
As the Christmas eviction deadline looms, the stage is set for a potentially dramatic confrontation that pits city vendors against business interests, with city officials caught between maintaining order and addressing legitimate vendor concerns about their livelihoods.
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