In several parts of Kitgum municipality, armed soldiers deployed to effect the directives started chasing traders and motorists off the markets, shops and streets as early as 5:20pm.
William Komakech, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, says that there is limited development at the market site at the moment compared to the duration the works commenced. He attributed the delay to bickering between the contractor and consultant.
The vendors shifted on Saturday alleging that Kitgum municipal officials have failed to enforce eviction of rival vendors currently occupying an illegal market Tuma Atoo in central division.
William Komakech, the Kitgum Resident District Commissioner, says the disagreement between the two firms has greatly affected the progress of the work. Komakech says the poor working relationship between the firms visibly manifest by quarrels in their site meetings.
More than 40 workers led a peaceful procession from the market site under construction in central division and pitched camp outside the Resident District Commissioner’s office.
Through their lawyer, Opwonya of Opwonya & Company Advocates, the traders argue that the municipal authorities agreed to provide an alternative site, and yet the initial plan of transferring them to the temporary site did not cater for their interests.
The site was chosen last month after an evaluation undertaken by the technical planning committee. Two other sites were considered. They include a private land with an existing market for rent in Pager Division and an open space at the entrance to Kitgum General Hospital.
