Kakonge noted that some traders who do cross boarder trade have developed a mentality to use main entrance to enter into Uganda side but after loading goods they instead exit through the porous points a practice which is illegal.
BUFA members accused Mayende for conniving with key signitories to withdraw the money in the cooperative's bank which is in Finance trust bank without the consent of the members.
Allan Ssempebwa, the UNRA Spokesperson says that valuation is being conducted by the road acquisition team. He says that the team will ensure that all residents who will be affected by the works will be compensated before the construction work starts.
William James Wandera, a resident of Banda Sub-county, says that the deceased’s set fire to burn stones in the gold pit and died due to loss of oxygen.
The price of one full box has been hiked from 200,000 shillings to 400,000 shillings, while a full basin of tomatoes is currently at 60,000 shillings from previous price which was 20,000 shillings.
According to the farmers, they are worried over the fish fingerlings in the ponds whose growth is being retarded and their quality quality deteriorating due to lack of feeds. There's no shop currently selling fish feeds in the area. Those who were selling the feeds in Busia town have diverted to other businesses.
Suleiman Benzula, the chairman of Busia customs traders association says that over 400 members have abandoned their businesses because of the charges imposed on them by URA. He says that the increment could trigger protests among the affected traders, saying they are overtaxed.
The mayor says that they initially made a proposal to UNRA for construction of a three way road entering in Kenya and another one that connects back to Uganda for about 16Kilometers from the one stop boarder post to Busitema junction, to accomodate the trucks that do import and exports of goods as well as changing the face of Busia town to standard in terms of road networks.
Danis Magezi, the engineer from MATIP-2 in press briefing on Friday morning at the facility board room says they expect maize mill machine to process at least 2 to 3 tons of Maize per hour, in case of any loophole, they shall ask the contractor to rectify.
Eddy Wadenga, a fresh fishmonger at Busia fish market says that they are currently facing scarcity of supply from landing sites because of increased demand.
Achira says that the period given to the contractor has elapsed and they don't understand as to why whenever they go for monitoring in the market, they find incomplete work.
According to the traders, Kenya’s purported lifting of the ban on the importation of Ugandan maize was only reported on social media and there hasn't been any formal communication to them on the matter.
Samuel Wakul, another trader says that he exported 15,000 tons of maize worth Shillings 70 million but it has been returned. He says most of the maize is still loaded on trucks due to lack of space to store it and keep its moisture content.
Bakhali Magemeso, the General Secretary Busia produce dealers cooperative, says that they are stranded with thousands of metric tons of maize that are loaded on trucks and piled in stores due to lack of market.
Duncan Kakonge, the URA Manager in-charge of Eastern Region, attributes the increase in traffic to the impact of COVID-19 that restricted informal trade since some traders often prefer using porous border points to import and export goods.
A kilogram of Nambaale bean variety has dropped from Shillings 2300 to Shillings 2,100, Yellow and Kanyebwa from Shillings 2800 to Shillings 2600 and Wairimu, which comes from Mutukula now costs Shillings 1820 from Shillings 2000. Soybeans cost Shillings 2,100 from Shillings 2500. The traders are taking soya beans to Lira where it fetches Shillings 2,300.
Abdu Magidu Ogada, a bricks maker at Buchicha ‘B’ village in Sikuda sub-county of Busia district says that they have spared two acres of land specifically for making bricks due to the high demand.
