George Bukenya
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) acting Executive Director Frank N. Rusa vow to crash however is Byobstructing the law in the allocation of market stalls in the different government markets.
This follows the forcefully entering of the newly constructed Busega market on the eve of 27th November, 2024 the day KCCA had planned to commence the allocation of stalls to the intended beneficiaries. It’s alleged those who entered the market where helped by Abdallah Kitatta and his group the NRM chairman in Rubaga Division.
The Director made the vow when addressing reporters at his office on the matters concerning markets, City Abattoir and Street Vendors mid this week. He said that those who allocated themselves stalls did it illegally and KCCA will use the law to repose them and give it the rightful beneficiaries.
“ As long as I am still the director of KCCA , I will not allow at any single day illegal taking over markets in disguise of helping poor people because in any way the government we are service put in place the law that is supposed to guide us while managing the markets in Kampala,’’ Rusa said.
He also revealed that those who forcefully entered the market illegally allocated themselves more than one stall and shops while some were being sold which contravenes Section 21 of the Markets Act, and government policy on markets and abattoir and this will be reversed through registration of all vendors.
The selling of stalls and shops according to Rusa will result into disputes and conflicts in the markets hence causing insecurity the director warned.
“ I am reliably informed that there’re people planning also to forcefully take over Kisekka Market and the City Abattoir but I want to assure them that will not happen and I will not tolerate that.’’ He asserted.
Rusa also said KCCA has already appointed the Allocations Committee and was inaugurated on 26th November, 2024, the list of registered vendors with a Memorandum of Understanding was submitted to the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affaires as she directed.
He revealed that KCCA and government face a risk of a lot of litigation and court cases arising from the fact that priority was not given to Vendors who signed the MOU’s with government as required by the Market Act.
The Manager Commercial Services at KCCA Simon Kasirye said that they have lists including even those who were working at the Busega round about but fresh registration of all vendors will commence in the first week of January. Meanwhile, KCCA has allowed Street Vendors during this Charismas season up to 5th January, 2025 to use only two streets that is, Namirembe and Luwumu respectively. However the vendors have spread in almost all streets in downtown.