Allen Makweta, a referee who joined the protest, said that they decided to block the trade show from taking place in the stadium to protect the green grass.
Uthman Mugoya, the Vice President of Mbale Heroes FC wonders why the City council authorities decided to rent out a stadium whose grass is just growing. “We are warning the Organizers to stay away from the stadium, We shall not sit back and watch when the stadium is being damaged,” he said.
According to Robert Mubiru, the Programs Execution Manager at Umeme Limited, the refurbishment of the lines will start next month, to be completed by November and they are going to renew most of the lines which have become weak leading to continuous power outages.
John Musila, the BCU Board Vice-chairperson, said the Bamasaba, whose mainstay is coffee farming, are likely to be the biggest loser if this deal takes effect. According to Musila, the government didn’t consult coffee farmers before signing this deal, which directly affects them.
"This is to inform you that your bid has been detailed below has been accepted. A written contract is being drafted and shall be forwarded for your signature as soon as it is ready,” a letter dated 04th/November 2021 from the City Clerk to Nalu Tours and Travels Limited reads in part. Nalu Tour and Travel Limited were supposed to sign the contract with the city authorities in the same month and commence work on November 15th, 2021.
Madoi has dismissed all the allegations levelled against him by the vendors, saying that he will not vacate office until elections are held. He says that the market master is the one accountable for the money collected from the vendors and not his executive.
The building, one of the oldest and tallest in the Central Business District will be renovated and changed from a commercial building to a state of the art hotel, to be named Masaba Hotel and Apartments.
Nandala said the board has confidence in the contractors and that he is hopeful the renovation will be completed in the stipulated.
David Wabukye, a communication lecturer at Uganda Christian University, Livingstone International University, and UMCAT School of Journalism in Mbale city was one of those affected by the lockdown. However, Wabukye reorganized himself and resorted to online food vending for survival.
The Taxi drivers under their umbrella Mbale Taxi Drivers, Conductors and Owners' Association accuse the proprietors of Express Transport Companies of parking along the streets and transporting passengers yet they are licensed as courier service providers.
She said it is essential for all coffee farmers to join cooperatives and market their produce collectively.
According to Wambi, because of the failure by farmers to join cooperatives, they have been cheated by middle men and that they lack the bargaining power and they are not in position to lobby for better markets.
The Taxi drivers under their umbrella Mbale Taxi Drivers, Conductors and Owners' Association accuse the proprietors of Express Transport Companies of parking along the streets and transporting passengers yet they are licensed as courier service providers.
Last week, the Mbale City task force threatened to close the market should the vendors fail to adhere to the presidential directive. Muhammad Wedala, a dealer in produces says that they were promised nets which they are yet to receive.
Ayubu Madoi, the Chairperson of the Mbale Central Market says that the leadership of the market is struggling to pay the bills which he says utilities in the market are on and off.
The council's financial officer Richard Mabala explains that the shortfall in the revenue collections was mainly caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. He says that the city was not able to collect revenue as anticipated at a time when businesses were closed, and the level of activity was suffocated.
Despite carrying at full capacity, the operators have doubled the fares. For instance, from Mbale to Soroti which was 10,000 Shillings, the fares have increased to 15,000 Shillings and 20,000 Shillings.
While Mbale RDC Pamela Watuwa said beginning to manufacture buses in fulfillment of government's industrialization policy that for increasing youth employment and boosting exports, Ronald Owembale and his fellow boda boda riders said that after buses, they now expect Kiira Motors to start making aircrafts.
The cutting of the line has affected over 10,000 customers from the city and the neighbouring areas like Kachumbala in Bukedea, Budadiri town council and Sironko town council in Sironko district. Police has already launched investigations to establish the motive behind the action of cutting the poles.
“With reference to your letter Ref:TBL/ED/72/20 dated 24th November 2020 on the above caption, We hereby convey Bank of Uganda approval of the request by Tropical Bank to permanently close Mbale and Mbarara branches by 31st January/2021” the letter reads in part adding that the central bank when the process of closure is complete.
The Manafwa RDC asked members to desist from using the money in reckless ventures like buying phones, marrying wives and others since this is a revolving fund aimed at assisting other beneficiaries
