By James Owich Originally published 13 Aug 2025
Uganda has secured around Shs41 billion (€9.8 million) from the European Union and Denmark under the Global Gateway Team Europe Initiative to construct a climate-resilient and gender-responsive cross-border market at Elegu, a key trade town in northern Uganda.
Elegu, located just 500 metres south of South Sudan’s Nimule Town, is Uganda’s third-largest informal trade gateway.
Over the past decade, it has handled substantial formal and informal cross-border trade. In the 2022/2023 financial year alone, trade through Elegu generated more than $200 million, transporting at least 1.35 million metric tons of goods to South Sudan.
The new market, expected to be launched Wednesday by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, will accommodate up to 1,500 vendors and include modern facilities such as a restaurant, banking hall, child care centre, waste management points, and a secure gatehouse.
Given the town’s flood-prone location along the Unyama River, the market will be elevated 2–2.5 metres above historic flood levels.
Drainage systems, stormwater retention swales, settling basins, and permeable parking surfaces are being integrated to manage water runoff.
The market roof will also be insulated to shield vendors from extreme heat, which often exceeds 30°C during dry seasons.
Flooding has been a recurrent problem in Elegu. In November 2020, flash floods killed at least three people and caused millions of shillings in losses for traders.
