Assessing, implementation and operational challenges of a public market infrastructure; a case study of Maddu market sheds of Gomba District

Abstract

This study investigates the planning, implementation, and operational challenges of the Maddu Market Sheds project in Gomba District, Uganda, with a focus on the effectiveness of the feasibility study and its influence on construction management practices. Uganda has invested significantly in public market infrastructure through programs such as the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) and the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) project, yet many markets across the country remain underutilized or abandoned (Nile Post, 2022, 2024). The Maddu Market Sheds project, developed under the LEGS program and funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), presents a critical case for assessing the gap between feasibility study recommendations and construction outcomes.Using a case study methodology supported by a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporated document reviews, key informant interviews, vendor surveys, field observations, and comparative analysis with similar markets in Lukaya, Lugazi, and Jinja. Findings reveal that while the feasibility study significantly influenced adjustments in site layout, structural improvements, and accessibility upgrades, several operational issues persist. These include poor security, vendor congestion, incomplete paving, and insufficient trading spaces, which continue to limit the market’s full functionality.Through the management of this project, valuable construction management experience was acquired, particularly in the areas of stakeholder coordination, adaptive design modification, risk management, and phased infrastructure delivery. The study highlights the importance of integrating feasibility insights throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that vendor needs, site conditions, and operational realities continuously inform both design and implementation (Johnson, Nduhura, & Tumwebaze, 2020; Bryson, 2004). Key construction management lessons include the need for flexible space planning, dynamic vendor allocation strategies, community-driven oversight, and robust utility and security planning from the outset.The study recommends a phased approach to completing critical infrastructure, including security upgrades, paving works, and modular stall installations, alongside continuous community engagement and capacity building for market management teams. These lessons contribute to improving construction management practices, strengthening project oversight, and enhancing the sustainable use of public market infrastructure in Uganda and similar settings (GIZ, 2015; Braun & Clarke, 2006).