By KT Reporters
70,000 people have expressed interest in acquiring plots of land at the proposed Okuti border market in Kitenyi Sub County, Kitgum District.
The Okuti international border market at the Uganda-Sudan border seeks to attract 100,000 business people from Northern Uganda, aiming to transform the region’s development and enhance trade between East Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Mathew Otto, Kitgum’s Senior Management Officer and the architect of the Okuti Border Market project noted that the overwhelming response from the local community highlights the project’s potential to reshape the region’s economy.
The idea for the Okuti Border Market was first conceived in 2011, when the government identified six markets, including Okuti, to be upgraded into international border markets under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) policy. The other markets include Katuna in Kabale, Elegu in Amuru, Mutukula in Rakai, Malaba in Busia, and Bwera in Kasese district.
The project aims to promote regional trade and economic integration. Despite the initial enthusiasm, the Okuti Border Market project faced setbacks due to various challenges, including political interference, the local mindset of potential land grabbing by the government and the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, renewed interest from the local community has reignited momentum for the project. Otto revealed that to build on this momentum, his office is collaborating closely with the district to educate interested residents on the importance of forming a cooperative union. This union will enable them to effectively manage their interests and benefit from the project. “We want to ensure that our people are well-prepared to take advantage of the opportunities this project presents,” Otto explained.
He said that the people who have shown interest will be trained on the concept of the project and the formation of cooperative unions.
In 2014, the Kitgum district council allocated 100.05 hectares of land at the Uganda-South Sudan border for the construction of the market, leasing the land for 49 years.
Although no physical construction has begun yet, the district engineering department has budgeted 200 million Shillings to build essential facilities, including a borehole and access roads. “We are confident that the Okuti Border Market project will be a game-changer for our district and the region as a whole,” Otto said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
