A man sells items to the ladies in Mabunu Market in Ruhama County, just a kilometre off the Mbarara-Kabale highway, last weekend. PHOTO/COSLINE NAKAHIIRA
Every last Saturday of the month, Itojo Hill is thronged by hundreds of people from all corners of the country to enjoy life and conduct business in Mabunu Market.
The market was established during the Covid-19 lockdown by four relatives in Rwemihanga Village, Ruhanga Parish, Itojo Sub-County in Ruhama County, just a kilometre off the Mbarara-Kabale highway. It now serves as a trading hub for residents.
Explaining the origin of the unique name, Mr Denis Muhumuza Savimbi, one of the market’s proprietors, said it was named after “women’s buttocks” to attract attention, given the abundance of similar local markets in the Ankole Sub-region.
“The reason we chose the name Mabunu is that we wanted a catchy word to draw crowds. Mabunu is a Runyankore word meaning buttocks in English. Many people visit the market because of its name, and now it is trending in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and on social media,” he explained.
He added: “We know that this will help our area develop, and we are not only targeting the local market but also the corporate class.”
Mabunu Market operates differently from others in the region.
“We have many markets here, such as Kabanshwere, Kabagarame, Kagarama, and Kitwe, but we wanted to create a market with a unique approach. At Kabagarame, people just eat, drink, and leave until the next Saturday. Kitwe Market sells clothes and livestock, but people simply shop and go home. Mabunu, however, takes place on the last Saturday of the month, and we intend to operate differently,” he said.
He continued: “We plan to install the fastest internet in western Uganda, establish top-quality coffee cafés, and build beautiful cottages where people from cities can escape the noise to relax and work. We want a market that allows people to unwind while doing business.”
In addition to trading, the market entertains, including sack racing, wrestling, and traditional storytelling sessions. These activities create a unique experience that attracts customers, increasing sales for local products such as waragi (local brew), roasted meat, soft drinks, and bushera. This, in turn, encourages residents to bring their products to the market.
“Our mission in starting Mabunu was to develop our community. This area was still underdeveloped. When we bought this land, there was only one building. Now, people are buying plots and investing here,” said Ms Aidaha Nturanabo, another market proprietor.
The market has spurred real estate development, attracting investors and raising land prices.
“The price of plots has gone up. People appreciate the market’s impact. Farmers are benefiting by selling their livestock and produce. We hope to see a thriving town emerge,” she noted.
Ms Dina Kabarebe, a trader who has been with the market since its inception in September 2021, said it has significantly improved her livelihood.
“I have benefited a lot from this market. I bring my goods and earn a decent income. Sometimes, I make a profit of Shs100,000 in a single day. In the past, we had to travel long distances to sell our goods with little profit,” she said.
Mr Peter Rukundo, a resident of Rwemihanga Village, confirmed that the market has driven development.
“Before this market, plots of land were sold at giveaway prices, but now they are in high demand. We also used to walk long distances in search of food, but now everything is easily accessible. Life has become much easier, and we expect further improvements in the future,” he said.
Mr Ivan Nayesiga, another trader, noted that easy access to the market has reduced transport costs.
“Mabunu Market has helped increase our household income. We now have money to sustain our families, and life is much better than before,” he remarked.
Mr David Kihumuro, the market’s publicity secretary, said that each market day attracts about 1,000 traders, but they face challenges such as poor infrastructure and bad roads, especially during the rainy season.
“During the rainy season, our goods get damaged, and the roads become impassable. We appeal to the government to help us improve the road network,” he said.
He added: “We also lack access to clean water, which is essential for such a community. Additionally, we still rent part of the land and face issues with theft, as traders’ goods and money are sometimes stolen.”
Despite these challenges, Mabunu Market continues to thrive, attracting traders and customers while contributing to the economic transformation of the region.
