Nabbanja’s Orders Trigger Tension Amongst Landlords Near Busega Market

Tension is high among landlords and traders in Kigwanya Village that neighbors Busega market following a directive by Prime Minister Robbina Nabbanja ordering them to vacate within two months to paveway for the construction of feeder roads around the market and parking. On Wednesday, last week, Nabbanja visited the newly constructed Busega market and ordered the demolition of all the buildings in the road reserve.

He also instructed the Local Government Ministry to construct feeder roads leading to the market to create proper access for goods and services. However, a number of people around the market, say Nabbanja was misguided by people who want to disrupt the peace of the people around the market.

Nalwanga Lwanga, the secretary of Kigwanya market, says that the land around Busega market belongs to individuals. She said that the market was built on 3-acres of land, which was used up. She also said that the parking, which the minister wants to create was built on the rooftop of the market.

//Cue in: “Kakati Prime Minister….

Cue out…. era nga balimirawo,"//

Christine Kizza Nabunjo, the vice Chairman of Kigwanya Market, said that the people living around the market gave out part of their land for the construction, adding that it is very disturbing to see that they are the same people, the Prime minister wants to leave their land.

//Cue in: “ Local government eveeyo…..

Cue out….bebalina ennyumba zabwe awo,”.//

Pius Kabuye Mukasa, the chairman of Kigwanya Village, says that over 60 landlords approached him following the prime minister's directive. He, however, says that they waiting for written communication from the prime minister’s office before they take any action. 

//Cue in: “ Naye ngenda okufuuka….

Cue out….eneeva mu government,”//

Henry Bukenya, the director of commercial services in KCCA, says that the landlords misunderstood the prime minister. He says that KCCA is going to only evict the people who are in the road reserve in front of the market and a resident who deliberately constructed a house on the access road to the market.

//Cue in: “Those people were…..

Cue out…..constructed in access roads”.//  

Government constructed Busega market under the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) with support from the Arab Bank of Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). BADEA financed the first phase of the construction works at US$5.42m (Shs19bn) while the Government of Uganda bankrolled the second phase to a tune of $6.8m (Shs 23.8bn).

The market has shops, stalls, open spaces, toilets, and a parking lot in addition to ramps for easy access by People with Disabilities (PWDs). It can house at least 2,000 traders at a time.