By Mike Rwothomio

A rapidly advancing deep gully is posing an imminent threat of structural collapse to a major southern section of the multimillion-shilling Paidha Central Market in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.

Continuous head-cut erosion is progressively undermining the rear boundaries of the market, destabilizing retaining walls, storage sheds, and main trading structures near the edge. High-volume surface runoff from heavy rains is accelerating the process, dismantling unstable soils and turning rills into catastrophic gullies.

This has raised urgent disaster-risk concerns among vendors, traders, elders, the business community, and local authorities.

The gully continues to widen with every heavy downpour, uprooting trees, destroying gardens, and prompting residents to share videos and photographs online that document the progressive land degradation.

Jerose Acirocan, Chairperson of the Paidha Market Vendors Association, which represents over 2,000 vendors, said: “We call for action on that gully. It is either going to dismantle the entire market structure or someone will one day fall there and die straight away. This market earns more revenue to the government; something must be done about it.”

Jesse Okweda, Chairperson of the Paidha Elders Forum, urged that the matter be escalated to higher government offices in Kampala and to development partners through all available channels to mobilize support for mitigation.

Gilbert Okech, a resident of Awinjiri Cell, observed: “The problem with us here is we want things to get worse before we sort out issues. This gully is going to become a big problem because it started a long time ago and it’s extending and expanding every time it rains.”

Sam Abedu, a property owner and former local leader, called on area Members of Parliament to escalate the issue to national authorities.

Established decades ago by local entrepreneurs, the market has enabled numerous small-scale traders to integrate into regional supply chains. Its strategic location in a cosmopolitan town of over 40,000 residents, less than three kilometres from the DR Congo border, underpins its economic significance.

Okun Andrew, LC1 Chairperson of Kololo Cell, Central Ward, stated: “This gully started 10 years ago as a result of running water from the old market block. It continues to create holes every day here. It’s not only threatening the market block but also lives here”

A recently constructed Hope of Christ Church, sitting just 200 metres away, is also at risk of being undermined as the gully advances, dismantling vegetation and approaching residential and other structures.

The feature forms part of a wider network of gullies fragmenting Paidha Town Council. One extension threatens to sever the link between Awinjiri and Kololo cells by cutting the major Oyullu road that provides access to the market, while another is widening in Anyong and Solia cells endangering homes and infrastructure.

Response

Anthony Obedgiu, Physical Planner of Paidha Town Council, reported that a bill of quantities prepared by the council estimates the cost of stabilisation and rehabilitation works at approximately UGX 3.4 billion, far beyond the council’s capacity.

“We have submitted it to higher authorities and we call upon our leaders to add their voices on it,” he said.

Vice LCIII Chairperson Lewin Piyic confirmed that the required intervention falls outside the council’s budget envelope.

LCIII Chairperson of Paidha town council Amos Jacan highlighted the risks to infrastructure and the local economy, calling for coordinated escalation to the national level.

At district level, Zombo LCV Chairperson James Oruna Oyullu noted that development partners recently conducted a site inspection and that authorities are awaiting their feedback.

Meanwhile Zombo Woman MP Topista Acamfua, urged local authorities to submit a detailed technical report to enable her to follow up with relevant ministries and agencies.

In FY 2022/23 the market generated UGX 230 million in revenue, with projections of UGX 286 million annually. In 2023, with support from the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the council commissioned 30 modern lock-up retail units.

Despite progressive improvements, infrastructure challenges remain. A significant portion of the facility still consists of mud-walled structures with deteriorated, corroded and leaking roofs dating to the 1980s.

The council has also recently initiated protective shade structures to shield open-air vendors from harsh weather conditions, addressing long-standing exposure to intense sunlight and heavy rainfall. However, a sizable number of vendors still bear the brunt of strong sun and heavy rain.

In a continued effort to modernize market infrastructure and enhance local revenue generation, Paidha Town Council recently constructed eight modern lock-up shops at Paidha Central Market, valued at UGX 112.9 million. Upon completion, the new units will increase the total number of lock-up shops in the market to 58, as part of a phased strategy to replace dilapidated mud-walled structures, many dating back to the market’s establishment decades ago with durable, modern facilities.

Known as the “food basket of West Nile,” Paidha Central Market serves as a key regional trading hub, attracting vendors from West Nile, northern Uganda, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It offers high-volume agricultural commodities, including matooke, avocados, beans, maize, dried cassava, coffee, Irish potatoes, and sweet potatoes, at competitive prices.

The gully behind Paidha central market

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub for African news, Trends and Updates.