What kind of market is it, you ask? Well, the “everything” sort—the thousands of vendors at the three-story, four-acre Jinja Central Market meet a vast array of the needs and desires of locals and tourists alike. In a single walk-through, a shopper can purchase anything from fruits and vegetables to clothes, shoes, and furniture; they can acquire electronics, household appliances, arts and crafts, and many souvenirs. On top of all of this, the variety of products and energy of the atmosphere guarantee an unforgettable cultural and social experience.
The Jinja Central Market has served as a primary location for business, socializing, and tourism since 1932, but the local government recently recognized and responded to the need for updates and expansion in order to enable greater economic prosperity for the Ugandan people. Thus, in 2014, they undertook a $11-13 million dollar project, rebuilding the Jinja Central Market from the ground up.
Their purpose? According to the report published by Uganda’s official Office of the Auditor General, their aim was documented as follows: “Jinja Central Market was built to serve as a regional market for the districts of Buyikwe, Mukono, Kayunga, Iganga, Kamuli, Buyende, Pallisa, Kibuku, Budaka and Mbale districts. Following its completion and hand over, the market is now fully operational with registered vendors of over four thousand. The project objective [was] to provide additional working space, improve working conditions, [create] social amenities, [and establish] better trading opportunities for vendors.”
If you are interested in seeing the market for yourself but cannot travel there at this time, you may find a virtual visit via this video intriguing! Just follow this link!
