Amber Court Market, a decades-old trading hub that supports thousands of traders and supplies fresh produce across eastern and central Uganda, has become the centre of a growing dispute after the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) ordered Jinja City Council to relocate the market from airfield land.
The market was established in early 1970s before it was relocated from Faraday Road to the current UPDF land in 2004, but UCCA argues that its presence it poses a threat to aviation safety.
UCCA also highlights the need for the upgrading and full utilisation of the airfield. The standoff has sparked a difficult debate over balancing public infrastructure development with the livelihoods of about 3,800 traders and thousands of people who depend on the market.
In a June 30 letter to Jinja City Council, signed by Eng Ayub Sooma, the Director of Airports and Aviation Security at UCAA, the authority directed the immediate relocation of Amber Court Farmers’ Market, saying the land it occupies has been reserved for the planned upgrade and full operationalisation of Jinja Airfield.
According to UCAA, the area is required for the expansion of the runway, taxiway and apron. The authority also argued that market activities generate waste that attracts birds, domestic animals and other wildlife, creating a significant risk of bird strikes and other aviation hazards.
UCAA further said the market contravenes the Civil Aviation (Aerodromes) Regulations, 2022, warning that failure to relocate it within three months could jeopardise the licensing of the aerodrome.
Unrealistic demands However, Jinja City Council says while it supports the expansion of the airfield, the relocation timeline is unrealistic and ignores the livelihoods of thousands of traders.
Jinja City Council Speaker Mr Juma Ssozi said the council has formally written to the relevant government authorities seeking an amicable solution.
“We have officially written to the relevant authorities after receiving UCAA’s directive. Before this, there had only been verbal communication about relocating the market,” Mr Ssozi said. He said the market has operated on the site for many years with the knowledge of government authorities.
“The land belongs to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), not the airport, and UPDF allowed traders to operate there legally. The issue of relocation has only arisen because of the planned expansion of the airfield,” he said.
Mr Ssozi said the council is not opposed to the redevelopment of Jinja Airfield but believes the government should first secure a suitable alternative site before relocating the traders.
“We appreciate the importance of expanding the airfield, but the government should not simply chase people away without providing an alternative. These are people whose livelihoods depend on this market,” he said.
He added that Amber Court also generates revenue for Jinja City Council and accommodates many traders who were previously removed from the streets during the city’s enforcement of trade orders.
“These traders were relocated here by the government. It would be unfair to evict them again without a clear plan,” he said.
Mr Ssozi revealed that the city had intended to modernise Amber Court Market rather than relocate it.
He added that although land in Budondo has been proposed as a possible relocation site, no final decision has been reached.