By Ben Musanje
Kampala was recently thrown into confusion after a dramatic midnight demolition at St. Balikuddembe Market, popularly known as Owino Market, destroyed dozens of stalls and left traders in shock. Bulldozers reportedly arrived around 10pm on March 7, flattening structures along the Nakivubo Channel near Ssebaana Road. Vendors woke up to rubble and immediately accused powerful interests of orchestrating a secret land grab.
Amid the chaos, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa found himself at the centre of a storm. Social media posts suggested that one of the affected plots was registered under his name. In response on “X”, Thomas Tayebwa clarified that he had obtained a lease for the Nakivubo area plot back in 2018, following all legal procedures and paying the required fees. However, he stated that the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) had taken possession of the land nearly three years ago for public purposes, compensating him fully.
“Today, I hold no legal claim, control, or involvement in the plot,” Thomas Tayebwa said, stressing that he had no part in the demolition and could not evict anyone from land he no longer owns. He also clarified that his lease predated his tenure as Deputy Speaker, dismissing claims that his political position influenced the land acquisition.
Despite the statement, the controversy continues to swirl online. Documents circulating on social media still appear to list Thomas Tayebwa as the leaseholder, fueling questions about the transfer and demands for proof of repossession. Some commentators have also linked the land dispute to other figures, including Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda and businessman Hamis Kiggundu, though neither has been officially implicated.
Police later arrested several individuals involved in the operation, including bulldozer operators. Two to four suspects were arraigned in court and released on Shs300,000 bail each, while investigations continue. KCCA officials, led by Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, condemned the demolition as illegal and reckless, saying the city authority had not authorized the exercise.
The Nakivubo corridor has long been a hotspot for land disputes and redevelopment battles. St. Balikuddembe Market, Uganda’s largest open-air trading hub, serves millions of customers and employs tens of thousands of vendors. For many traders, the demolition is yet another chapter in a long history of uncertainty and fear over market land ownership.
Calls are growing for a full and transparent investigation, with observers urging the Inspectorate of Government and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to clarify the land’s ownership and reveal who ordered the bulldozers. For the affected traders, however, the priority is immediate: rebuilding their businesses and recovering from the sudden destruction.
As the dust settles, the key question remains unanswered: who really pulled the trigger on one of Kampala’s most shocking nighttime demolitions, and why? (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
