In July 2023, Minister Magyezi ordered a fresh allocation of lockups and stalls in the new central market after meeting dissatisfied vendors who had raised concerns about irregularities in the initial allocation process.
The verification and allocation of stalls and lockups at
Kabale Central Market in Kabale Municipality has finally commenced amidst tight
security and dissatisfaction among some vendors. The exercise presided over by
Raphael Magyezi, the Local Government Minister, began on Saturday afternoon and
is scheduled to run until Monday, May 27, 2024.
In July 2023, Minister Magyezi ordered a fresh allocation of
lockups and stalls in the new central market after meeting dissatisfied vendors
who had raised concerns about irregularities in the initial allocation process. The Minister also halted revenue collection by municipal council authorities
and pledged to return within a month to oversee the new allocation exercise.
In February 2023, Magyezi ordered the arrest and suspension
of Fidelis Akankwasa, the Kabale Municipality Commercial Officer, following
allegations from dissatisfied vendors of mismanagement in the allocation
process, including the alleged sale of lockups and stalls at inflated prices.
Although Akankwasa was arrested in December 2023, he was released on police
bond after a week and subsequently reinstated to his position.
Magyezi’s delay in returning to address the issues angered
vendors, leading them to threaten demonstrations and clash with members of the
parliamentary committee on Public Service and Local Government, led by Ben
Batom Koryong, MP for Dopoth West County, and Jimmy Lwanga, MP for Njeru
Municipality, during their visit to the market in March 2024.
On Saturday evening, Magyezi informed vendors that under the
new guidelines, they will sign an agreement with Kabale Municipal Council after
both parties agree on new terms and conditions. Among these terms, an
assessment will be done every two years, and in the third year, vendors will be
required to reapply.
Those who have become wealthy will be advised to seek
other locations, thereby giving space to the poorer vendors.
Magyezi also mentioned that the new guidelines stipulate
that a vendor can have only one lockup. Additionally, the authorities, in
collaboration with the police, will arrest those found occupying lockups
through fraudulent means.
However, some vendors, led by Rev. Canon Jack Katarishangwa,
accused Magyezi of conducting the fresh allocation and verification using a
list provided by Justin Barekye, the Kabale Municipality Town Clerk.
Katarishangwa alleges that Barekye’s list includes ineligible vendors, such as
civil servants.
//Cue in: “We who had…
Cue out: …remaining period,”//
In response, Magyezi explained that he has three lists: one
from municipal authorities, another from disgruntled vendors, and another
documented by the Local Government Ministry. He assured that all the lists will
be used to determine the real situation.
//Cue in: ‘the list we got…
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In 2019, Chong Chong International Construction (CICO), a
Chinese company, was contracted to upgrade the Kabale market under the World
Bank-funded Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Program (MATIP III),
with a budget of 23 billion Shillings. The market was handed over to the government
in December 2022.
