UGANDA: EUROPEAN UNION’S OVERCOME CHINESE MARKET ECONOMY AS THEY BUILT 11 GLOBAL CORRIDOR MARKETS ACROSS AFRICA.

On August 13, 2025. The new scramble for Africa reached its peak as EU launched Elegu Climate Resilient and EU launched Elegu South Sudan-Uganda cross border Global gateway Responsive Cross-Border Market Euros 9.8M (UGX 418M)from Danida and EU under Term Europe.
The EU early on launched an African Europe investment package worth E150 billion under its Global Gateway initiative, with 11 Corridor strategies identified. This package aims to boost public and private Investment in key sectors and infrastructure development in African supporting sustainable growth and job creation
Rebecca Kadaga, the second Deputy Prime Minister when asked whether the Elegu Climate Resilient and Gender Responsive Cross-Border Market project, EU strategic global war taking over the Chain in Africa. Rebecca Kadaga says. “There is no West of North.”
AMURU DISTRICT-NORTHERN UGANDA AUGUST 13, 2025.
By Okumu Livingstone Langol
From 9:20 AM local African time, teams of three Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMC), departed from Gulu City to joined their early 8 media crew to cover one of the biggest EU global Corridor market across Africa at Elegu, the market hosting over 22,000 African migrants refugee 111 kilometer North of Gulu City on Gulu Juba highway.
Verbatim reporting from Elegu
Mike Lakony, the Amuru District Local Government Chairman dubbed the National Resistance Movement NRM elected MP for Kilak South County, Amuru District crowned it all, thanks be to God, echoed it the first time the Amuru Residence District Commissioner Osborn Ocheng Robinson invited me.
Greetings to Trade Mark African, the EU representative, Danish Ambassador to Uganda, say in 2009 when we came here in Elegu, this place was in the bush. There was no one to lead us here, we came to the family Tuju Julius by the time when the government of Uganda and Lord Resistance Army LRA rebels signed the hostility agreement we came here too.
However, as the Amuru Local Government Council we passed a resolution to complete the land agreement comprising 200 acres, later we got the land title and we initiated the process of acquiring it in 2018, when Amb.Julius Onen was still the Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Amuru Chairman gave the background
Mike Lakony narrative discourse sent everyone listens to a heart breaking episode, stressed that when the war broke out in South Sudan we offered this place for refugee to settle, and in years 2021 we presented the motion on the floor of Parliament, my Area Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya convened the August House to degagzzeted the area into Town Council since the Elegu has no garbage equipment nor Health Unit the 22,000 population has to travel 12 kilometer to Bii Bia where the Health Centre IV is allocated on Juba-Nimule road.
However, we have pot health facilities in Elegu Town Council, but it has not been established now.

Elegu Town Council has no schools, no heath Centre, we don’t want to raise hooligan children, Elegu Town Council is hosting refugee across African Countries, we have South African community here, the Nigerian Community here, Rwandese, Kenyan and even Egyptian, but the EU and Uganda government has not recognized them. When you don’t consider Amuru District when Elegu Town Council is hosting refugees, but you consider schools and hospitals, Elegu will become epic centre” Mike Lakony mooted.
Lucy Akello, the Woman MP for Amuru District revealed to the EU countries that Elegu is a bank corridor, please she pleaded that a community without a banking system is a dead society.
Stressed that during the COVID-19 outbreak the Elegu border post had no health facility, but when they presented the issues to the ministry of Health, the Health structure was out, but soon the constructor abandoned the work construction due to underline problems including funds.
“Elegu women have many challenges, they suffer but in East Africa we have so many projects in Arusha, the East African Communities head office, I beg you Rebecca Kadega the Minister for the Regional Block for East African Communities.” Lucy Akello decried.
Allen Asiimwe Deputy CEO at Trade Mark Africa argued the EU and Danish Ambassador to Uganda that this Trade Mark Africa has been in the lead for years; we just in 2016 when we came to Elegu in the world map because of the flood severely affected every household.
In 2020-2022 we started talking with Danida, this woman Margret we convened the Denmark government to sponsor the construction of Elegu Global Gateway Corridor Market with Euro 10-11 million to kick-start the work.
Stressing most especially the readers as we tour the market, this is a resilient climate market; we come together with the family of FIDA, we forth together for women rights.
“What do we means, market of resilient climate, this market is the first of its kind in Africa, we have studied the weather pattern for the last 30 years, we know when it’s going to train, the local government has to take leadership for the waste and the drainages system, this market is going to serve the African not only the East African. We are going to deliver to this market within 24 months.” Chief Executive Officer Allen Asiimwe disclosed.
EU representative Ambassador spokes value during on Friday August 13, 2025 in Elegu climate resilient gender responsive, she argued that the stable state way is a new EU market for clean climate.
“I am Froude to be present in Uganda to register the decision we are talking about is to raise the market ground construction two and half meter high to the location of the market. Why is it a resilient climate, the European Union studied that 80 percent of the populations are women who are residing in Elegu, women who cannot cross to South Sudan? Because of this market located at the border, as the EU we played a part to design the market, because this is the corridor that runs from Cairo, Khartoum to Juba city.” She was stressed.
The EU representative says this is to increase cross border trade, we want to improve this, the EU realized 1 billion shillings for the market, and the market has more traders that need access roads.
She cautions that the EU realized that the building market was not enough when this road was built, it was wonderful. But, look at the road in a sorry state. We don’t want the market to look like that after five years when we come back, we want cooperation from the trader, when we come back we want to see a clean market with good toilets.

We are not a backing ourselves, but, we are creator of the market, EU remain committed to work with the government of South Sudan and the government of Uganda the future to continue trade with the cross border
Ambassador Signe Winding Albjerg of Denmark to Uganda, she was eloquently agog, says we are pattern with the government of Uganda, a lot of work has taken place as you see we know have stable trader policy and market is changing we have decided for the livelihood as Denmark, we provide for economic trade, we trade play accurate role for both South Sudan and Uganda.
This border market is a trade road, Elegu is strategically for regional trade that can be an avenue for trade and be a livelihood for society, and trade can transform the community. Trade can drastically change communities and the regions because as we are aware of the market, it is a challenge for the economic climate. We have seen Elegu for traders only two weeks as we read from Kampala how floods affected businesses in Elegu.
“The Elegu market vendors readers their product suffer on the ground that affect their sales , this challenges eroded to police of intervention work with trader increase stability and economic of this country sustainable trade and economy development because of the bigger achievements when provide sector and development there have been long trade pattern with Uganda for over 30 years. This is good for economic stability, this strategies compliance with the international community’s 650 billion shillings.” Denmark Ambassador warns.
In conclusion the ambassador argued that they support the accreditation with the EU, to enforce the market to the EU, the market will enable good climate.
Utility

Elegu Market Set to Transform East African Trade, Boost Economies in Uganda and South Sudan

Situated at Uganda’s northern gateway to South Sudan, this project, which is estimated to cost Shs41 billion, is more than just a market; it’s a strategic infrastructure initiative set to reshape regional trade and integration.
By formalising cross-border commerce and empowering local communities, the Elegu Market, which is to be built with funding from the government of Uganda and development partners from Denmark and the European Union, is set to have a profound economic impact on both Uganda and South Sudan.
Artistic impression of the new Elegu Market
Catalyst for Economic Growth
The Elegu Market is strategically positioned to unlock the economic potential of the Uganda-South Sudan border.
Historically, much of the trade between the two nations has been informal, which often leads to tax evasion, security risks, and a lack of official economic data.
However, the new market will serve as a hub for formal cross-border trade, which will significantly increase government tax revenue for both countries.
This formalization provides a stable and predictable environment for businesses to grow, which in turn encourages greater investment and economic activity.
For Uganda, the market will create a reliable export channel for agricultural products and manufactured goods, while for South Sudan, it provides a structured and secure access point for essential imports. This increased trade volume will directly benefit both economies, creating jobs and driving prosperity.
As Kadaga eloquently put it, “Let us not just implement integration. Let us live it, feel it, and build it together.”
This sentiment perfectly captures the project’s goal of turning economic cooperation into a tangible reality for communities on both sides of the border.
Empowering Communities and Fostering Peace
A key feature of the new Elegu Market is its focus on inclusion. The design and operational framework are specifically tailored to empower marginalized groups, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
By providing dedicated spaces and a supportive environment, the market will help these entrepreneurs formalize their businesses and access new opportunities. This focus on inclusive growth is crucial for building resilient communities and ensuring that the economic benefits are shared widely.
Bolstering Peace and Security
Furthermore, the market’s development is expected to strengthen peace and community ties. Trade is a powerful tool for diplomacy, and a thriving, shared economic space can reduce tensions and build mutual trust.
As people from both nations interact daily for commerce, they build relationships that transcend borders, fostering a sense of shared destiny that is vital for long-term stability in the region.
Aligning with Continental Ambitions
The Elegu Market is a powerful symbol of East Africa’s shared future. Its establishment aligns perfectly with the goals of both the East African Community (EAC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
By boosting formal cross-border trade and promoting economic integration, the market contributes to the vision of a unified and prosperous Africa.
The involvement of international partners like the European Union, Denmark, and Trademark Africa underscores the global recognition of this project’s importance. This is not just a local initiative; it’s a stepping stone toward a more integrated and economically vibrant East Africa.