← Second-hand Markets Uganda
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Second-hand Markets Kampala
Uganda
5 Markets · Uganda
Second-hand Markets
📖 Kampala's second-hand markets are a vibrant hub for resellers, particularly for clothing, which often comes from Western countries. Owino Market (St. Balikuddembe Market) is the largest open-air market and a primary destination for affordable, quality used clothes, shoes, and bags, though you can find almost anything if you're willing to search. Nakasero Market also offers textiles and electronics alongside fresh produce. An insider tip for resellers is to visit Owino on Tuesdays or Fridays to avoid the highest demand days (Mondays and Thursdays) when traders from all over Uganda flock there, potentially allowing for better finds and prices.
5 markets
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Owino Market (St. Balikuddembe Market)
📍 Kampala
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Address
Kafumbe Mukasa Rd, Kampala, Uganda
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Open
Daily, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Uganda's largest and most chaotic market, famous for its vast selection of 'mivumba' (second-hand clothing). It's a goldmine for resellers who can handle the intense crowds and endless stalls.
💰 What to buy here
Designer 'Mivumba' Clothing
Buy5,000 - 25,000 UGX
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Sell online50,000 - 150,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
Look for intact labels (Nike, Adidas, Levi's). Check seams and zippers carefully.
Second-hand Leather Shoes
Buy15,000 - 40,000 UGX
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Sell online70,000 - 200,000 UGX on Jiji.ug for known brands
Focus on real leather. Minor scuffs can be polished out; avoid cracked synthetics.
Used Handbags and Backpacks
Buy10,000 - 30,000 UGX
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Sell online40,000 - 100,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
Check for quality hardware (zips, clasps) and clean interiors. Brands like Samsonite or Herschel are great finds.
Untested Small Electronics
Buy5,000 - 50,000 UGX
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Sell online25,000 - 200,000 UGX on Jiji.ug if working
High risk, high reward. Look for items with original chargers. Focus on older models of phones, radios, and game consoles.
Tip:Go on a Tuesday or Friday morning around 8 AM. This is when many vendors open new bales, offering the best chance to find unworn items and designer labels before anyone else.
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Nakasero Market
📍 Kampala
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Address
5B Market St, Kampala, Uganda
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Open
Daily, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
More organized than Owino, Nakasero is famous for fresh produce but has a covered section with hardware, textiles, and cheap electronics. It's a less stressful sourcing environment.
💰 What to buy here
Kitenge & Gomesi Fabrics
Buy20,000 - 40,000 UGX per piece
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Sell online50,000 - 100,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
Look for vibrant, authentic wax prints, not cheap digital reproductions. Uncut 6-yard pieces are most valuable.
Local Spices and Coffee Beans
Buy5,000 - 15,000 UGX per kg
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Sell online20,000 - 40,000 UGX on Jiji.ug (packaged)
Buy whole beans and spices for freshness. Create attractive bundles for resale.
Used Hand Tools
Buy10,000 - 30,000 UGX
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Sell online40,000 - 80,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
Look for older, quality brands like Stanley or Bahco. Surface rust is okay, but avoid pitted or broken tools.
Tip:Ignore the fruit stalls and head straight for the old, covered building. The vendors there are more established and often have older stock, including vintage textiles.
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Uganda Arts & Crafts Village
📍 Kampala
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Address
Behind the National Theatre, De Winton Road, Kampala, Uganda
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Open
Daily, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
A collection of stalls offering a wide range of Ugandan handicrafts. Prices are aimed at tourists, so hard bargaining is essential for reseller margins.
💰 What to buy here
Barkcloth Art & Tapestries
Buy30,000 - 80,000 UGX
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Sell online50 - 150 USD on eBay for unique pieces
Look for detailed patterns and high-quality, supple barkcloth. It's a unique Ugandan product with international appeal.
Woven Baskets (Kikapu)
Buy15,000 - 40,000 UGX
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Sell online60,000 - 120,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
Check for tight weaves and natural dyes. Baskets from the Kigezi region are particularly sought after.
Hand-carved Wooden Masks
Buy25,000 - 70,000 UGX
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Sell online40 - 100 USD on eBay for export
Older, heavier wood with intricate details sells better. Avoid the mass-produced, lightweight tourist versions.
Tip:Visit on a weekday afternoon when it's slower. Build a rapport with a few vendors and ask if they have any older or imperfect stock they'd sell cheaply.
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Bwaise Market
📍 Kampala
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Address
Sir Apollo Kaggwa Rd, Kampala, Uganda
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Open
Daily, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Located in a bustling Kampala suburb, Bwaise is known for its specialization in furniture and metalwork, both new and second-hand. It's the go-to place for restoration projects.
💰 What to buy here
Used Wooden Furniture
Buy30,000 - 100,000 UGX
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Sell online150,000 - 400,000 UGX on Jiji.ug (after minor repairs)
Focus on items made from solid hardwoods like Mvule or Mahogany. Check for woodworm.
Architectural Salvage
Buy20,000 - 80,000 UGX
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Sell online100,000 - 300,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
Old doors, window frames, and decorative metalwork are great finds for people building or renovating homes.
Sofa and Chair Frames
Buy25,000 - 70,000 UGX
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Sell online200,000 - 500,000 UGX on Jiji.ug (after reupholstering)
A solid frame is the most important part. You can get them reupholstered cheaply nearby to flip for a large profit.
Tip:Look for the workshops at the back of the market. You can buy furniture 'as-is' for a very low price and then pay a small fee to have them restore it on-site.
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Kireka Market
📍 Kampala
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Address
Jinja Road, Kireka, Kampala, Uganda
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Open
Daily, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Famous for its roadside stone and sculpture market, where artisans carve large garden statues and decorations. Behind this, a sprawling market offers furniture and hardware.
💰 What to buy here
Stone Sculptures & Garden Decor
Buy50,000 - 200,000 UGX
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Sell online150,000 - 500,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
These are heavy. Factor in transport costs. Offer delivery service as part of your resale price.
Off-cut Timber and Wood
Buy10,000 - 50,000 UGX per pile
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Sell online40,000 - 150,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
Carpentry workshops sell their off-cuts cheaply. Perfect for small DIY projects or for artisans who make smaller wooden crafts.
Used Light Fixtures
Buy10,000 - 30,000 UGX
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Sell online40,000 - 100,000 UGX on Jiji.ug
From renovation projects. Look for unique or vintage styles that can be cleaned up and resold.
Tip:Negotiate at the end of the day. Sculptors are more willing to give a discount on heavy items they don't want to move or store overnight.