Authorities from the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have initiated a joint investigation into the unlawful nighttime demolition of a section of St. Balikudembe Market (commonly known as Owino Market) over the weekend.
The incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, when unidentified individuals used heavy machinery to demolish part of the market structure along Sebaana Road at the boundary of Nakivubo Channel.
The operation destroyed traders’ goods stored in lockups and shops, with significant damage occurring before intervention.
KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Bazireke was alerted to the destruction and arrived on site with police from Central Police Station (CPS), halting the demolition after it had been underway for about 45 minutes.
Several suspects, including truck and machine operators, were arrested at the scene.
The affected area is now under heavy police security.
KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabine condemned the act as “unlawful and reckless,” stating no demolition permit or order had been issued by the authority.
“Our teams, led by the Executive Director, received the information and reached the scene… It was halted, and we also arrested the truck drivers found at the scene,” he said.
He emphasized that Owino Market remains part of planned development initiatives, noting: “That market is in our plan as the president promised each Division should have two standard markets for low-income earners, so Owino is one of the markets we’ll develop, which is why we must protect the land.”
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirmed the ongoing joint probe with KCCA to identify those responsible and apprehend additional suspects. Some arrests have already been made, though details remain limited.
Traders reported that merchandise was stolen during the raid.
Vendors and critics, including Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago, have accused businessman Hamis Kiggundu of involvement in an effort to seize the land for private development, amid ongoing disputes linked to nearby arcade constructions along Nakivubo Channel that previously led to street vendor evictions.
Kiggundu has not commented publicly.
The demolition has sparked outrage over public space encroachment and concerns for the livelihoods of vendors in Kampala’s oldest and busiest market.
KCCA reiterated its commitment to protecting the site for future upgrades benefiting low-income traders.Investigations continue to determine who ordered and financed the operation.
 and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have initiated a joint investigation into the unlawful nighttime demolition of a section of St. Balikudembe Market (commonly known as Owino Market) over the weekend.){kind=link}