national 3 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Jinja Traders Face Uncertainty as UCAA Orders Market Relocation for Airfield Expansion
Traders at Amber Court Market in Jinja are in limbo following a directive from the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) to relocate the market from land designated for Jinja Airfield expansion. The UCAA cites aviation safety concerns and the need for infrastructure upgrades. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/traders-in-limbo-as-ucaa-orders-market-relocation-5545032
Amber Court Market, a vital trading hub in Jinja for decades, is at the center of a contentious dispute. The Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) has ordered Jinja City Council to move the market, which it claims occupies land crucial for the expansion and operationalization of Jinja Airfield.
In a formal letter dated June 30, UCAA, through its Director of Airports and Aviation Security, Eng. Ayub Sooma, stated that the market’s current location poses a threat to aviation safety. The authority highlighted that the area is needed for the expansion of the runway, taxiway, and apron. Furthermore, UCAA pointed out that market activities generate waste, attracting wildlife that could lead to dangerous bird strikes.
The UCAA also noted that the market’s presence contravenes the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2022, and warned that failure to relocate within three months could jeopardize the aerodrome’s licensing.
However, Jinja City Council officials argue that the relocation timeline is unrealistic and fails to consider the livelihoods of approximately 3,800 traders and thousands more who depend on the market. Juma Ssozi, the Speaker of Jinja City Council, stated that the council has formally communicated with relevant government bodies to find an amicable solution.
Ssozi clarified that the land currently occupied by the market belongs to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who had previously permitted traders to operate there. He emphasized that the council is not against the airfield’s redevelopment but stressed the necessity of securing a suitable alternative site before any relocation takes place. He added that the market also generates revenue for the city and serves as a relocation point for street vendors previously removed from the city center.
While a site in Budondo has been proposed as a potential relocation area, no concrete decision has been made, leaving traders in a state of uncertainty.