After more than a decade of inactivity, the abandoned Madi-Opei sub-county market in Lamwo district is expected to resume operations in the 2027/2028 financial year, raising hopes among traders, farmers and residents who have long lacked a functional marketplace in the area.

The market, located at Apairiti near the Madi-Opei Border Post in Madi-Opei sub-county, was constructed during the 2013/2014 financial year using funding under the Peace, Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP).

According to Lamwo District Secretary for Finance, Planning and Administration Odur Justine Peace, the district expects the market to resume operations in the 2027/2028 financial year.

The planned reopening has generated optimism among residents who say the facility could improve trade and create a reliable market for agricultural produce and livestock.

From post-conflict recovery to local economic development

The Peace, Recovery and Development Plan was a government programme introduced to support recovery and development in Northern Uganda following years of conflict that disrupted livelihoods, infrastructure and access to social services.

The programme supported investments in community infrastructure and other interventions aimed at helping communities recover from the effects of conflict and rebuild their livelihoods.

The construction of the Madi-Opei market was part of this broader investment in local infrastructure. However, despite the public investment, the facility has remained largely inactive for years.

Shs220 million facility awaits revival

Lamwo District Commercial Officer Kadugu Powel Alex, said the market was constructed at a cost of about shs220 million. He said the investment was intended to provide a designated space for traders and producers to conduct business and improve commercial activity in the area.

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Kadugu said a functional market could also contribute to the growth of small businesses and improve the movement of agricultural products from producers to consumers. The market’s location near the Madi-Opei Border Post further gives it potential to serve traders and consumers from surrounding communities and contribute to cross-border economic activity.

Local leaders welcome reopening

Madi-Opei sub-county LC3 chairperson Nyero Felix Lawii welcomed the planned reopening, saying the market has the potential to transform commercial activity in the area.

Nyero said residents have for years been forced to look for alternative places to sell and buy commodities, despite having a market facility within their community.

He urged the district to ensure that the planned reopening is accompanied by proper management and maintenance of the facility. He also called for cooperation between the district, sub-county authorities, traders and the community to ensure that the market remains operational once reopened.

Vendors eager to return

For some traders, the reopening represents an opportunity to return to a familiar place of business. Aciro Evaline, a market vendor who previously sold her goods at the facility, said she is eager to resume trading at the market.

Aciro said the market provided traders with a convenient place to meet customers before its operations stopped. She hopes the reopening will attract more traders and customers and provide vendors with a reliable source of income.

She appealed to authorities to ensure that the facility is properly maintained and protected from falling back into disuse.

Farmers looking for reliable market

Lamwo District Production and Agricultural Officer said the long period of inactivity has affected farmers who need reliable markets for their agricultural produce. He said farmers can be encouraged to increase production when they have dependable buyers and accessible markets.

According to the officer, a functional market in Madi-Opei would reduce the need for farmers to transport their produce long distances in search of buyers. He urged farmers to take advantage of the market once it becomes operational and encouraged them to adopt good production practices to improve the quality and quantity of their produce.

Community sees economic opportunity

Another resident, Apire Everast, said the reopening of the market could stimulate economic activity in the area. Apire said a functioning market would attract traders, farmers, consumers and other service providers, creating opportunities for small businesses.

He said businesses such as food vending, transport services and retail shops could benefit from increased activity around the market. Apire urged the district to involve the community in the management of the facility and ensure that the market remains clean, secure and accessible.

Livestock trade expected to benefit

Lamwo District Chairperson Oyet Sisto Ocen said reopening the Apairiti livestock market could further strengthen livestock trade in Madi-Opei.

Ocen said livestock farmers would have a designated place to meet buyers, potentially reducing the challenges associated with selling animals through informal channels.

He said the market could also create opportunities for traders and other people whose livelihoods depend on livestock commerce. The chairperson said the reopening should form part of broader efforts to strengthen local economic development and improve household incomes.

Turning an abandoned investment into a productive asset

The planned reopening presents an opportunity for Lamwo district to turn a largely underutilised public investment into a productive economic asset. However, residents say reopening the facility will only be meaningful if the market is properly managed and maintained.

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The district will need to ensure adequate sanitation, security, waste management, maintenance and transparent management of market fees. Clear management arrangements will also be necessary to ensure that traders have confidence in the facility and are willing to return.

For residents of Madi-Opei, the planned reopening is more than the return of a trading centre. It represents the possibility of better access to markets, reduced transport costs for farmers, increased opportunities for vendors and stronger economic activity around the Madi-Opei Border Post.

If the plans are implemented successfully, the market could finally begin fulfilling the purpose for which it was constructed more than a decade ago, connecting producers to consumers, supporting agricultural and livestock trade and contributing to improved livelihoods in Madi-Opei and the wider Lamwo district.