Muhammed Ssegwanyi, the spokesperson Usafi Market, says that the group wants to grab part of the market land. He says that when they approached him, he advised them to follow the laid down procedures to access it.
The leadership of Usafi market is embroiled in a dispute with some individuals
attempting to occupy part of the market land.
Led by one Ssebulinde, the group claims to
have been authorized by the Kampala Central Division Mayor, Salim Uhuru to occupy the empty space.
A member of the group told URN on
condition of anonymity for fear of his safety that the space they want to occupy
is outside the boundaries of Usafi market.
Luganda Audio
//Cue in: “Ffe awantu wetwogela ko
Cue out:….bali bakama bange,”//
Muhammed Ssegwanyi, the spokesperson Usafi
Market, says that the group wants to grab part of the market land. He says that
when they approached him, he advised them to follow the laid down procedures to
access it.
//Cue In: “Waliwo…..
Cue out:….noli atebaganye,”//
According
to Ssegwanyi, the group claims that
the Kampala Central Division Mayor, Salim Uhuru permitted them to occupy the land. He says that
they asked them to get written authorization from the Mayor.
He, however, notes
that the group seems interested in collecting revenue in the market, which is
why they don’t want to follow the laid down procedures.
//Cue in: “Omuntu azze…...
Cue Out:….lwanirira,”//
Uhuru referred to URN to his political assistant, Geoffrey Sserwadda when
approached to comment on the issues at Usafi market. Sserwadda told URN that a group
of youths from Kisenyi approached the Mayor to give them jobs at the division
but there were no open vacancies.
He says that the group asked Uhuru to allocate
them space but he instead asked them to find a spot and inform him.
//Cue In: “Bye ya banyonyola..
Cue Out:…..si wa Usafi,”//
According to Sserwada, after establishing
that the space doesn’t belong to Usafi, Uhuru asked them to set up stalls and
start working from there but they were chased by the market leaders.
//Cue
in: “Abaana lwebajja..
Cue out:….temporarily,”//
Geoffrey Rwakabaale, the Kampala Central Division Town clerk asked the youths
recently to apply for open spaces in the market. He said they can not allow the
youths to operate in the road reserve.
//Cue in: “I have not….
Cue Out:….kind of spaces,”//
Hajjat Minsa
Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala told URN on the phone that she had allowed the youths to temporarily
operate from the space as they plan for them.
Dennis Kasule Ssebunya
Freelancer