The market is being constructed under the second phase of the Market and Agricultural Trade Improvement (MATIP-2) program with funding from the African Development Bank and Government of Uganda.
MATIP-2 refers to as Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvements Program- Project -2.
Chinese State Construction Engineering Company limited (CSCECL) has been contracted to construct the 23.8 billion shillings market which will be completed in 24 months.
The Infrastructural Engineer at the Ministry Of Local Government who doubles as the contract manager, Philip Pichan Cwinyai stressed the need by the contractor to ensure quality work in line with the project’s scope, design and standards.
Kitgum Municipality MP Beatrice Atim Anywar asked stakeholders to exhibit vigilance and ensure that the initial market plans and design are not altered.
She also cautioned leaders against politicizing construction of the market but instead set aside their differences and work collectively.
Concy Atim, the chairperson of Kitgum main market vendors association says the market has been long overdue and its construction will end the animosity between the traders and municipal authorities.
The modern market will have lockups, stalls, banking institutions, beauty care Centre, parking spaces, storage facilities, open spaces. It will be able to accommodate over 1650 market vendors.
After a delay in construction due to change in design, the contract was signed on June 5 between the Local Government and China firm- CSCECL.
The technical handover of the site was done on June 12 under the supervision of Kitgum District woman MP, Hon. Beatrice Anywar.
Local government has advised the contractor and supervising Consultant SABA Engineering PLC to take into consideration the policy of local content.