📖 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.
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' ClothingBuy5,000 - 25,000 UGX→Sell online50,000 - 150,000 UGX on Jiji.ugLook for intact labels (Nike, Adidas, Levi's). Check seams and zippers carefully.
👟Second-hand Leather ShoesBuy15,000 - 40,000 UGX→Sell online70,000 - 200,000 UGX on Jiji.ug for known brandsFocus on real leather. Minor scuffs can be polished out; avoid cracked synthetics.
👜Used Handbags and BackpacksBuy10,000 - 30,000 UGX→Sell online40,000 - 100,000 UGX on Jiji.ugCheck for quality hardware (zips, clasps) and clean interiors. Brands like Samsonite or Herschel are great finds.
🔌Untested Small ElectronicsBuy5,000 - 50,000 UGX→Sell online25,000 - 200,000 UGX on Jiji.ug if workingHigh risk, high reward. Look for items with original chargers. Focus on older models of phones, radios, and game consoles.
💡 TipGo 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.
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 FabricsBuy20,000 - 40,000 UGX per piece→Sell online50,000 - 100,000 UGX on Jiji.ugLook for vibrant, authentic wax prints, not cheap digital reproductions. Uncut 6-yard pieces are most valuable.
☕Local Spices and Coffee BeansBuy5,000 - 15,000 UGX per kg→Sell online20,000 - 40,000 UGX on Jiji.ug (packaged)Buy whole beans and spices for freshness. Create attractive bundles for resale.
🔨Used Hand ToolsBuy10,000 - 30,000 UGX→Sell online40,000 - 80,000 UGX on Jiji.ugLook for older, quality brands like Stanley or Bahco. Surface rust is okay, but avoid pitted or broken tools.
💡 TipIgnore 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.
📍Address: Behind the National Theatre, De Winton Road, Kampala, Uganda
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 & TapestriesBuy30,000 - 80,000 UGX→Sell online50 - 150 USD on eBay for unique piecesLook 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→Sell online60,000 - 120,000 UGX on Jiji.ugCheck for tight weaves and natural dyes. Baskets from the Kigezi region are particularly sought after.
🗿Hand-carved Wooden MasksBuy25,000 - 70,000 UGX→Sell online40 - 100 USD on eBay for exportOlder, heavier wood with intricate details sells better. Avoid the mass-produced, lightweight tourist versions.
💡 TipVisit 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.
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 FurnitureBuy30,000 - 100,000 UGX→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 SalvageBuy20,000 - 80,000 UGX→Sell online100,000 - 300,000 UGX on Jiji.ugOld doors, window frames, and decorative metalwork are great finds for people building or renovating homes.
🛋️Sofa and Chair FramesBuy25,000 - 70,000 UGX→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.
💡 TipLook 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.
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 DecorBuy50,000 - 200,000 UGX→Sell online150,000 - 500,000 UGX on Jiji.ugThese are heavy. Factor in transport costs. Offer delivery service as part of your resale price.
🪚Off-cut Timber and WoodBuy10,000 - 50,000 UGX per pile→Sell online40,000 - 150,000 UGX on Jiji.ugCarpentry workshops sell their off-cuts cheaply. Perfect for small DIY projects or for artisans who make smaller wooden crafts.
💡Used Light FixturesBuy10,000 - 30,000 UGX→Sell online40,000 - 100,000 UGX on Jiji.ugFrom renovation projects. Look for unique or vintage styles that can be cleaned up and resold.
💡 TipNegotiate 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.
These categories hide the most undervalued finds at flea markets. Learn what drives their prices — or just scan the item at the stall and get an expert answer.
Well-known flea markets in Kampala include Owino Market (St. Balikuddembe Market) (Kampala), Nakasero Market (Kampala) and Uganda Arts & Crafts Village (Kampala). This page lists 5 markets with addresses, opening hours and what to buy there to resell.
When are flea markets open in Kampala?
Days differ from market to market. Owino Market (St. Balikuddembe Market): Daily, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM; Nakasero Market: Daily, 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Uganda Arts & Crafts Village: Daily, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM. Hours change with the season, so check the market's own website before you go.
What can you buy at flea markets in Kampala to resell?
Good finds at these markets include Designer 'Mivumba' Clothing (buy 5,000 - 25,000 UGX, resell 50,000 - 150,000 UGX on Jiji.ug), Second-hand Leather Shoes (buy 15,000 - 40,000 UGX, resell 70,000 - 200,000 UGX on Jiji.ug for known brands), Used Handbags and Backpacks (buy 10,000 - 30,000 UGX, resell 40,000 - 100,000 UGX on Jiji.ug) and Untested Small Electronics (buy 5,000 - 50,000 UGX, resell 25,000 - 200,000 UGX on Jiji.ug if working). Check what an item actually sold for before you pay — the FlipTip app shows real sold prices from a photo.
Tips from other hunters
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