CARNEGIE A1 COMMUNITY MARKET IN ARUA CITY COMMENCES OPERATIONS

Vendors at the new Carnegie A1 market in Arua city.

By Onzoma Albert
Arua City
 
The Carnegie A1 Community Market in CEFORD, located along Arua-Nebbi highway in Arua City, was officially opened on September 22, 2025.
 
Constructed by a private developer on a 2.5 hectare plot, the market aims to provide a structured, secure, and organized environment for local vendors, particularly women and youth, to conduct their businesses.
 
The construction process began in May 2025, with approval from the Ayivu division council, which also agreed to collaborate with the developer on revenue collection through a memorandum of understanding.
 
The market has already attracted numerous vendors occupying stalls and lockups, signifying its immediate impact on the local trading activity.
 
Joseph Amandua, the management team leader, highlighted that the market was established to address challenges faced by vendors and to facilitate a safe trading environment, which could reduce accidents along the busy highway.
 
“We are currently at the verge of allocating lockups, stalls and other places for vendors to start their businesses, we are very hopeful that within one week we shall have allocated all the places to the vendors to settle in, even those whom we have allocated places have already started selling today, we started this market after observing the challenges our communities go through especially roadside vending which comes with a lot of challenges and littering of the roads by vendors” he said.
 
Recho, a vendor in the market, believes that the new facility will help decrease high accident rates involving vendors along the highway, improving safety for both traders and passersby.
 
“We have been vending on the streets of Awindiri which has not been easy for us as vendors where accidents used to happen each and every time at least we are happy and very safe in this new market because the administration of the market works closely with us the vendors” she said.
 
Joseph Ayaba, the city councilor of Oluko to Arua city council believes that the market will generate increased revenue for Arua City, through Ayivu Division council, and will stimulate economic opportunities for traders and entrepreneurs.
 
“As the city councilor of this area I am very happy for the construction of this community market which is one of the well-constructed markets in the city and will serve my people and this is another source of local revenue for the city through Ayivu division council” he said.
 
It also has plans to further develop infrastructure, including tarmacking the road passing the market's main entrance and establishing a livestock market in the future.
 
The market is set to positively impact local businesses by attracting more customers and providing vendors with a better environment to showcase their products.
 
It is also anticipated to boost local economic growth, improve traffic safety, and facilitate urban development, contributing to the overall development of Arua City and its surrounding communities.