Vendors at Kame Valley Market in Mukono Central Division, Mukono Municipality, have firmly rejected a government proposal to relocate to a temporary working space that lacks essential sanitary facilities and adequate security.
This standoff could delay the planned construction of a modern market under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program (GKMA-UDP).
The GKMA-UDP, a Ugx 40 billion project funded through a World Bank loan, aims to modernise markets in the region.
Since last year, officials from the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, in conjunction with municipal authorities, have held several meetings with the vendors, urging them to relocate to pave the way for the project’s commencement.
Authorities identified Kamwanyi, an area behind the Unique Garments building along Kampala-Jinja Highway, as the temporary relocation site.
However, during a meeting held on Wednesday evening to introduce vendors to the site, tensions flared.
Vendors confronted municipal authorities, including the town clerk Francis Byabagambi, market master, and Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Mwogeza, over the absence of basic amenities.
Vendors’ Key Concerns
The vendors expressed outrage over the lack of sanitary facilities at the proposed site.
Currently, the only available toilet belongs to a private recreation center, which charges shillings 1000 per use.
Additionally, the area is prone to flooding due to its location near a stream that connects to Njogezi swamp.
Compounding the issue is the presence of decomposing waste from a former dumping site and the large population of homeless street children, locally referred to as ‘Gawunye.’
Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, who attended the meeting, sided with the vendors, calling for the government to address the highlighted issues before any relocation.
“The government should consider establishing sanitary facilities, temporary structures for better storage of vendors’ produce, and fence off the place to enhance security,” Nambooze said, drawing applause from the gathered vendors.
Following Nambooze’s remarks, local residents, primarily ghetto dwellers from Kamwanyi, left the meeting in protest, insisting that the authorities should first address the concerns raised.
Tense Exchanges with Officials
Despite the vendors’ clear dissatisfaction, the town clerk and Assistant RDC attempted to close the meeting without allowing further discussion.
Mwogeza’s abrupt call for the national anthem to conclude the meeting triggered further protests. Vendors surrounded the officials, demanding answers, until MP Nambooze intervened, urging calm and insisting on dialogue.
One vendor, Juma Kafeero Kabugo, criticized the authorities for ignoring alternative secure sites proposed by the vendors themselves.
“We identified and notified the municipal authority about more suitable locations, but they dismissed our suggestions, claiming to have found a better space. Now, looking at its condition, we are worried,” Kabugo stated.
Another vendor, Godfrey Sserunjogi, raised concerns about transparency in the relocation process. He claimed that authorities had failed to release an updated list of registered vendors or issue identity cards to all.
“Their intention after relocating us is to forge new lists and allocate stalls to new members, sidelining those who have been here for years,” Sserunjogi alleged.
Land Disputes Add to the Chaos
Dauda Zziwa, the Gawunye ghetto leader, questioned the legality of relocating vendors to land with unresolved ownership disputes.
“Everyone knows there are encumbrances on this land. The town clerk is dealing with people who grabbed land, not the real owners. This might be a ploy to grab land under the guise of relocating vendors,” Zziwa said, adding that the site is too small to accommodate all 2500 vendors.
Records indicate that over 2500 vendors operate at Kame Valley Market. If the relocation to Kamwanyi proceeds without addressing these concerns, some residents may have to offer their private yards for use.
Despite the rising tensions, municipal authorities insist on relocating vendors by February 2, 2025, to begin the long-awaited market construction.
Whether the government will heed the vendors’ demands remains unclear, but failure to resolve these issues risks further delays and unrest.
END
English 