Government has announced plans to revive the historic Kyetume cattle market in Nakisunga Sub-county, Mukono District, in a project expected to transform livestock trade, create employment opportunities, and promote value addition in the livestock sector.
The project is being implemented under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP) through the Office of the President and the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs. Mukono District Local Government will oversee implementation on a 50-acre piece of land in Kyetume Parish.
According to government officials, the revamped facility will go beyond livestock trading to include food markets, mini-processing facilities, and enterprises focused on adding value to cattle products.
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing GKMA-UDP projects in Mukono, Makindye-Ssabagabo and Wakiso, Infrastructure Development Specialist Eng. Dennis Adrole said the project is aimed at restoring the historical role of the site while expanding its economic importance.
“This livestock market is going to be a combination. There is going to be a food market, but we also have a plan to have mini-processing facilities for all goods related to cattle products,” Adrole said.
He explained that Kyetume has historical significance, having been earmarked during the colonial period as a livestock market intended to supply meat to Kampala.
“The plan at that time was to ensure that all the meat in Kampala City was loaded and prepared from there, then transported by train to what we now call the meat packers. We intend to revive this market, but this time it will be multi-dimensional to cover a wider range of activities related to livestock,” he added.
Adrole said the project has entered the procurement phase, with consultants expected to submit bids before the design process begins.
“The design is going to be done very soon. Bids have been issued and we hope to receive them by Friday. After evaluation, we shall proceed to the design process. Once the design is completed, we shall procure a contractor to undertake the construction,” he said.
He noted that the facility is expected to improve livelihoods for thousands of people in Mukono and across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area by strengthening livestock trade and supporting value addition.
The Kyetume project is part of a wider programme to develop modern markets across the metropolitan area. Adrole said other markets under the initiative include facilities in Wakiso, Mpigi and Kawuku along Entebbe Road, while Usafi Market in Kampala, Ggaba Market, Bulaga and Kame Valley markets are also in various stages of development.
He added that Kyetume’s proximity to the railway line presents a major advantage, as plans are underway to connect the market to the railway network to improve transportation efficiency.
“The cattle market is strategically located near the railway station. The plan is to connect the market to the railway so that products can be transported more easily. Livestock will be brought there, processed, packaged and distributed across the country,” Adrole said.
Mukono District Communications Officer Derrick Kaddu Mboijjana said the project is estimated to cost about Shs30 billion, with construction expected to begin during the current financial year.
“This market will be built in Kyetume on 50 acres of land owned by Mukono District. It was commissioned in 1971 during President Idi Amin’s regime,” Mboijjana said.
He described the project as a landmark investment that could position Mukono as a major livestock processing centre in the region.
“This market will be the first of its kind in East Africa, where cattle from across the country will be slaughtered from one point and meat distributed across the region,” he said.
Mboijjana added that the facility will include a skilling hub to support communities in developing products from livestock by-products such as hides and skins.
“The market will also have a skilling hub where people will make products such as shoes from hides and other livestock products. This will develop our district because people will get jobs,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of the railway connection in reducing transport costs and improving efficiency for traders.
Once completed, the Kyetume livestock market is expected to strengthen Uganda’s livestock value chain, improve access to markets for farmers, promote industrial processing of livestock products, and create employment opportunities in Mukono District and beyond.
