Vendors in Mwanjari market in Kabale municipality have boycotted the payment of market dues following a disagreement with municipal authorities. They accuse Kabale municipality of double taxation and failure to address their concerns such as security for their merchandise and poor sanitation. Some of the vendors interviewed by URN accuse the municipality of making empty promises to address their concerns. Simon Tumwekwase, a second hand cloth dealer says despite paying money for stalls in the Market, the municipality charges them each time they bring merchandise into the market.
Tumwekwase says they have repeatedly asked the municipality to address the anomaly in vain. Sheilah Mushabe, another trader says the authorities have failed to come up with a clear stand on the mode of paying dues, which has led to commotion. She explains that when they complain, the municipality stops the collection of the money and resumes a few days later. Mushabe also says the market is in a very sorry state and sees no reason why they should continue paying dues yet the authorities don’t care about their safety and sanitation.
Teddy Tabaro, the chairperson Mwanjari Traders Association says they have resolved to refrain from paying Market dues so as to send a clear signal to the authorities who only rush to collect money from them. Augustine Bujara, the town clerk Kabale Municipality says they have received the concerns of the traders adding that, they will be attended too.
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On the issues of Security and sanitation, Bujara said the Municipality plans to send sanitation gangs to clean up the market thoroughly.
