Local Gov't PS Blocks Market sale to Bassajabalaba

John Kashaka Muhanguzi, the local government permanent secretary has blocked the sale of Kizinda Market land, to Hassan Bassajabalaba.

 

A letter blocking the sale has been forwarded to Yiga Mukasa, the Bushenyi chief administrative officer.

 

The letter states that the CAO should halt all negotiations over the prime market land located near Ishaka division.

 

The permanent secretary’s letter also states that the sale of Kizinda market land should be shelved because it could spark off unrest in the area.

  

Bassajabalaba approached Nyabubale sub-county authorities and requested them to exchange the land in question with another piece of land located in his home village, in Nyrutuntu, about five kilometers from the main road.

 

The sub-county council sat and approved the deal, which was also approved by the district council.

 

This was however done without the knowledge of the traders who have been using the market.

 

But the traders were opposed to their relocation to Nyarutuntu village, about 15 kilometers off the Ishaka –Kasese high way.

 

It is not clear whether Basajabalaba would top up some money on the prime land, because his own land is of less value.

 

The traders however threatened to demonstrate and pitch camp in the market until the deal is cancelled.

 

Through their association, Kizinda United mobile traders Ltd, the traders wrote to the minister of local government, Adolf Mwesige expressing their dissatisfaction.

 

The traders alleged that Basajabalaba bribed all the sub-county and district councilors to approve the sale of their market.

 

Norman Ntorinwe, noted that the traders have the capacity to redevelop their market and that there was no need to hand it over to Bassajabalaba.

 

 

The minister directed the permanent secretary to study the concerns of the traders.  

 

In February this year, Gastone Maliro, the resident District commissioner, noted that the land transaction between Basajabalaba and the council failed to follow the procurement procedures. He also ordered a halt to the land takeover.

  

The permanent secretary on behalf the minister order the Bushenyi CAO to gazette Kizinda land as a market.

 

Efforts to talk to Basajabalaba were futile, as he could not pick his mobile phone.

 

The traders have in the meantime photocopied and distributed copies of the PS’s letter to the people in Busheny-Ishaka municipality and Nyabubale sub-county.

 

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