Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /usr/www/users/urnnet/a/story.php on line 43 Vendors Protest Illegal Allocation of Space in Kitooro Market :: Uganda Radionetwork
In June 920 vendors were allocated space in the market, but more than 40 vendors who were in the old Kitooro market and those formerly at Lubigi market in Lugongo-Nakiwogo village say they have not been allocated space in the new market.
Vendors in Kitooro Market are accusing the leaders of fraudulently
allocating space in the new market. The market is under the Markets and
Agriculture Trade Improvement Projects (MATIP-2 Program).
In June 920 vendors were allocated space in the market, but more
than 40 vendors who were in the old Kitooro market and those formerly at Lubigi
market in Lugongo-Nakiwogo village say they have not been allocated space in the
new market.
They claim that the leaders are pocketing bribes to allocate space to
outsiders. The market leaders include Isabirye Marijan, the chairman, his
deputy Abubaker Bukenya and Salim Ssemujja Mazembe.
He, however, insists that they will insist that only traders who
appear on the list, which was used during the relocation exercise, are given
priority.
Vincent Byaruhanga, a shopkeeper in the old Kitooro market, says he was
not given a lockup in the new market. According to Byaruhanga, the leaders
asked him to pay 5 Million Shillings.
//Cue in:"Abasajja....
Cue out: “bangoba."//
Two vendors who preferred anonymity said that their stalls were
allocated to another person because she failed to pay 800,000 Shillings
and 1 Million Shillings respectively.
//Cue in:"Nze nga...
Cue out: “obukadde satu."//
However, Isabirye denies the allegations saying that he was not a member of the
space allocation committee. He advised the vendors to channel their grievances
to the Council leadership.
Hassan Kikomeko, the Chairperson of Entebbe Municipality youth
council, says that the local leaders and technical staff must intervene. He
also wants vendors to elect new leaders.
//Cue in: “Government should help...
Cue out:...committee is rotten."//
Godfrey Bandinga, the Municipal Development Forum-MDF Chairperson
says that they are investigating the vendors’ complaints.
"We are still receiving complaints and also evidence from the
aggrieved vendors. We shall compile a report of our findings next week and
engage the Town Clerk's office so that we resolve this matter,” Bandinga said.
Charles Magumba, the Entebbe Town Clerk dismissed the claims saying that the matter was handled. According to Magumba, the new market can't accommodate more than 1,000 traders.
