Natete Market Traders Face Imminent Eviction Crisis

The future of hundreds of traders at Natete Market hangs in the balance following an eviction notice issued by landlord Shaka Augustine on July 1st. The directive, which orders vendors to vacate the premises by July 30th, has thrown the bustling marketplace into turmoil, leaving long-term traders uncertain about their livelihoods.  

Generations of Commerce Under Threat  
During a visit to the market, the palpable anxiety among vendors was evident. Many traders revealed they have operated stalls at the location for decades, with some families maintaining businesses for 40 to 70 years. "This market isn't just our workplace - it's our home," shared one elderly textile vendor who preferred anonymity. The eviction notice has particularly affected older traders who lack alternative means of income.  

A History of Land Disputes  
This isn't the first time Natete traders have faced displacement threats. In 2017, vendors successfully resisted attempts to convert part of the market for road construction. However, the traders' position became precarious in 2019 when Shaka Augustine acquired the land title from Roko Construction Company, a transaction many claim occurred without their knowledge or consent.  

Leadership Attempts to Calm Tensions  
Market chairman Harima Nabukalu and other leaders have sought to reassure the trading community, but confidence in their ability to resolve the crisis is fading. Some officials privately acknowledge the challenging legal position created by Augustine's ownership documents. "We're exploring all options, but the law favors property owners in these cases," one leader admitted off the record.  

Broader Implications for Urban Markets  
The Natete situation reflects a growing pattern across Kampala, where private land acquisitions are displacing established trading communities. As the July 30 deadline approaches, vendors face difficult choices between resisting eviction or negotiating for more time. The standoff highlights the precarious nature of informal commerce in Uganda's rapidly urbanizing spaces.  

City officials have yet to intervene in the dispute, leaving traders to navigate the crisis through their market associations. With just weeks remaining before the eviction deadline, the Natete trading community remains deeply divided about their best course of action, their generational investments in the market now threatened by the stroke of a pen.  

The coming weeks will determine whether this marks the end of Natete Market as generations have known it, or if the traders can once again rally to preserve their commercial home. The outcome may set a precedent for similar markets facing redevelopment pressures across the city.