Owino market is the largest market in Kampala and Uganda. It is found right at the heart of Kampala city. The history of its establishment dates back to the year of 1971 when about 320 traders were shifted to its current location from Nakasero Market. Nakasero Market had become very crowded and the government decided to de-congest it. How did the name Owino Market come about? There once lived an elderly trader called Owino who was already in the area became it became the famous market it is today. Owino would roast maize and potatoes in the area before the traders from Nakasero arrived. As the market grew, people did not forget the elderly Owino. They would refer to the market as Owino Market.
History of Owino Market and Change of Name to St. Balikuddembe Market
After a major facelift/revamp in recent years, the Kampala City Council (Now Kampala Capital City Authority) decided to change the name to St. Balikuddembe Market. St. Balikuddembe was one of the Uganda Martyrs who were killed in 1886 under the orders of Kabaka (King) Mwanga of Buganda. Unlike the other Martyrs who were burnt to death at the current Namugongo Shrine, St. Balikuddembe was beheaded in a place called Nakivubo just next to Owino Market. The City Authorities decided to honor him by naming the market after him. However, despite the change in name by the City Council, the name Owino Market has stuck.
What is sold at Owino Market?
Owino Market has grown to become the largest in Uganda and sits on an area measuring 7.04 hectares. It can accommodate more than 50,000 traders most of whom are women. Owino Market is famous for second hand/used clothes in all their forms. This is the place to get baby clothes, ladies/men’s clothes, bedding, shoes, bags and many other used accessories. Visitors to the market can be sure to get some of the world’s well known labels like Calvin Klein, Gucci, Armani, Nike, Adidas and others in excellent condition. The price for the second hand clothes is half what you would pay for at official high-end stores. The market is popular with foreign Travelers who are surprised to find clothes or shoes I excellent condition from high-end designers. Are you looking for second hand and original Air Jordans 
in mint condition? This is the place to go. Traders in Owino Market also deal in almost any other commodities you might think of. You can find scholastic materials, home appliances, electronics and foodstuffs among other things.
Owino Market attracts a lot of people compared to others because it unites people from all income levels and social backgrounds. Both the rich and poor can find what to buy from the market. Prices of items start from as low as 500 Ugandan shillings. The market also attracts buyers from other parts of the country and neighboring countries. These buyers come from as far as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. They buy from Owino Market in bulk and transport the products back to their cities or countries. The task of transporting goods back to their countries is made easy because there are several bus terminals and taxi parks surrounding the market.
Why you should visit Owino Market
Owino Market is one of the top places to visit while in Kampala city. Travelers on a Uganda Safari are advised to include a visit to Owino market so as to experience the feel of shopping in a crowded busy African market. It is the best place to experience the culture of Ugandans as they go about with their daily routines. You will find traders smiling at passers-by and giving them all sorts of compliments just to make a sale. Other traders can be sited singing funny songs related to the products they are selling while others dance along to musical sounds made by rubbing two empty plastic water bottles together. The market even has kid dancing groups and local medicine men selling traditional herbs.
Are you interested in the language or latest political gossip? Owino Market is the place to get all the information you need about what is happening in Uganda. St. Balikuddembe market also has thousands of stalls dealing in delicious Ugandan local dishes. Visiting the market therefore offers one a good opportunity to taste some of the dishes like matooke (cooked plantains), kamalewa (smoked bamboo shoots), ensenene (seasonal edible grasshoppers), kalo (millet bread), smoked fish in groundnut paste and lots of other delicious dishes.
How to get to Owino Market
Owino Market is large with many entrances from all directions. The entrances also serve as exits. It can be very difficult to know where you entered through. Many get lost or fail to get back to the initial 
entrance they used. They end up getting out from a completely different gate which might lead to another part of the city that they never knew existed. It’s always important that you are in the company of someone who understands the map of this enormous market.
The market registers the greatest number of visitors during weekends and holiday seasons. Given the shear variety of goods/services available, it’s important that one makes a shopping list that they will stick to. The urge to buy out of impulse is very strong if you don’t have a pre-planned list. Additionally, it’s important that you don’t carry along valuables as you may lose them to pickpockets. Dress casually to avoid looking rich as traders could decide to charge you twice the actual price of the commodity. Women 
should dress decently to avoid becoming the attention of uncouth men. It is highly recommended that foreign travelers visit the market in the company of a local Guide or friend. This will help a lot when bargaining for a specific commodity.
In conclusion, Owino Market is an excellent place to visit if you wish to get a glimpse of the kind of life lived by the ordinary Ugandan. It is also a one stop center where buyers can find almost everything they need at home. While visiting, it is important to learn the art of bargaining because prices in St. Balikuddembe Market are not shown or fixed. After visiting Owino Market, you can also consider the Nakasero market which is famous for fruits and vegetables. Outside the city center is the Wandegeya market, Bugolobi market, USAFI market and Nakawa market among others.
