Elegu Gets Multi-Billion Shillings Cross-Border Market

Elegu Gets Multi-Billion Shillings Cross-Border Market

By Patrick Uma 

Amuru District, Uganda – The First Deputy Prime Minister, Rtd. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, on Wednesday presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a multi-billion shillings, climate-resilient, and gender-responsive cross-border market in Elegu Town, Amuru District.

The market, which will cost €9.9 million (approximately UGX 41 billion), is jointly funded by the European Union and the Government of Uganda under the Global Gateway initiative, in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark and TradeMark Africa.

In her keynote address, Hon. Kadaga hailed the project as a symbol of “resilience, inclusion, and transformation,” underscoring the importance of strategic partnerships in national development.

“This partnership with the European Union and the Embassy of Denmark demonstrates what can be achieved when development is both collaborative and visionary. Uganda is proud to lead the way with a border market that responds to the realities of climate change while advancing our national and regional trade goals,” she said.

The new market will be constructed with elevated infrastructure to withstand flooding and will incorporate environmentally sustainable features, including reinforced drainage systems, permeable paving, stormwater retention basins, solar energy, and water harvesting technologies.

The facility will host 1,500 market vendor sheds, a modern restaurant, daycare centre, sanitation blocks, an on-site banking facility offering affordable credit, as well as a grain handling and post-harvest storage center.

Michael Lakony, the LC V Chairperson of Amuru District, welcomed the development, describing it as a long-overdue solution for Elegu's persistent infrastructure challenges.

“For years, Elegu traders have suffered the consequences of inadequate facilities, with markets being washed away by floods and children falling sick due to poor sanitation,” Lakony said. “This groundbreaking represents a promise—that no trader, especially our women and youth, will have to choose between safety and survival.”

Sanne Willems, Head of Green Transition and Private Sector at the EU Delegation to Uganda, reiterated the EU’s commitment to integrated development. “This initiative is part of our broader Global Gateway strategy. It shows how climate adaptation, gender inclusion, and trade development can go hand in hand,” she noted.

Local trader Gloria Ababiko expressed optimism about the future. “The flooding in Elegu has affected our businesses for years. We hope this new market will bring better sanitation and stop the flooding, so we can work in peace.”

Elegu Town currently has a population of over 20,000 people, serving as a critical commercial hub for communities from both Uganda and South Sudan.

This transformative project is expected to not only boost cross-border trade but also foster regional integration and socio-economic empowerment. With construction underway, residents and traders alike look forward to a new chapter of prosperity, resilience, and dignity at the heart of Uganda’s northern gateway.

Rtd. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga was flanked by State Minister for Trade, Gen. David Mbadi, Danish Ambassador H.E. Signe Winding Albjerg, and other dignitaries during the groundbreaking ceremony.