New city market to house 10,000

But some vendors say they were not consulted on matters pertaining the new market.

More than 10,000 vendors are set to benefit from a new market gazetted by the Kampala Capital City Authority. The opening of the market, which was delayed for two months, will be graced by President Museveni on February 5.

According to officials temporarily manning the construction of the Usafi Market in Kampala, the delay was due to technical hitches from the government.

“We have received confirming reports from State House that the President will officially open the market accompanied by KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi,” said Mr Muhammad Ssegwanyi, the in-charge of vendors’ registry and confirmation.
Mr Ssegwanyi said the market will be divided into the southern and northern divisions to accommodate 3,500 and 7,000 vendors respectively.

“The southern division has already been completed and all the 3,500 stalls have been paid for by vendors,” Mr Ssegwanyi said
He added that by the time the facility is opened, the northern division will be ready.

A section of vendors from the Nabugabo Vendors Association, however, dispute the management of the market. Mr Abdukrim Segawa, the leader of the association, said no vendor was involved in the determination of the monthly Shs120,000 fee, to the registry process.

“KCCA should make it clear who they constructed the market for... we cannot afford the fees they are charging,” Mr Segawa said.

He added: “If the management that has been established was not elected by the vendors, who then mans the market?”
The KCCA spokesperson, Mr Peter Kaujju, however advised the vendors to understand the role of the authority in the market.

“KCCA’s role was to find a place for the vendors and gazette it as market. Neither KCCA nor vendors had the money [to develop it], so a developer will man it,” he said recently in an interview.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com