At the bustling border town of Elegu in Amuru District, a transformative Shs41 billion project is taking shape. Uganda’s first climate-resilient, gender-inclusive cross-border market. Launched by First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, the state-of-the-art facility promises to end years of devastating floods, boost trade along the Elegu–Nimule corridor, and open new opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Amuru, Uganda – Uganda has begun construction of its first climate-resilient, gender-responsive cross-border market in Elegu Town Council, a vital gateway between Uganda and South Sudan. The Sh41 billion project, funded by the European Union (EU) and Denmark through TradeMark Africa, is designed to transform regional trade while shielding vendors from the devastating floods that have crippled business at the makeshift Elegu Market for years.
Flagged off by First Deputy Prime Minister and East African Community Affairs Minister Rebecca Kadaga, the market is being hailed as a symbol of economic resilience and inclusion. Its design specifically addresses recurrent flooding caused by the bursting of River Unyama, which has annually destroyed goods and displaced traders. Raised 2.5 meters above flood level and fitted with reinforced drainage, permeable paving, and stormwater basins, the facility is expected to remain fully operational even during heavy rains.
“This market will not just be concrete and steel; it will be a space where women, youth, and persons with disabilities can thrive,” Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said in a message delivered at the event. She urged traders to take ownership of the facility, confident that cross-border commerce could surge by over 30% once it is operational.
With women making up 80% of Elegu’s current vendors many of whom have struggled to access South Sudanese markets due to poor infrastructure and bio-sanitary hurdles the project is expected to have a major impact. Danish Ambassador to Uganda, Singe Winding Albjerg, called it a potential model for other African border towns, while EU official Sanne Willems emphasized its importance for Uganda’s trade, noting that South Sudan remains one of the country’s largest export destinations, accounting for about $100 million annually in informal trade.
However, Amuru Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Osborn Oceng warned that while the new market is a milestone, other infrastructure challenges remain, including the poor state of the Gulu–Nimule highway and inadequate drainage in Elegu Town Council.
The market will feature solar power, cyclone ventilation, rainwater harvesting, and modern waste management systems. Traders will also benefit from improved storage facilities, quality control labs, a banking hall, sanitation blocks, a daycare center, loading bays, a restaurant, and designated parking.
For vendors like Babirye Edith, the development marks the end of years of hardship. “We have been praying for a good market. The fires, the floods we have suffered enough. Now we can finally work in peace,” she said.
Construction, undertaken by Ambitious Construction Company Ltd., is expected to be completed within 24 months, promising to turn Elegu into a modern trade hub and a beacon of climate-smart infrastructure in East Africa.