Rugunda probes Kisekka market stalemate

Kampala- The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, has commenced investigations into the Kisekka market leadership wrangle which has stalled the redevelopment of the facility.
The redevelopment of the market, whose concept was hatched in 2013, has been characterised by court battles and wrangles between two factions that are claiming leadership of the market, leaving traders in suspense on when the construction works will be completed.

In a January 3 letter from Dr Rugunda, which Daily Monitor has seen, the Prime Minister invited some ministers to his office on Thursday to discuss the market impasse and avoid clashes which pose a security threat in the business district.
The ministers include; Beti Kamya (Kampala Affairs), Jeje Odongo (Internal Affairs), Tom Butime (Local Government) and Mr William Byaruhanga, the Attorney General.

“I invite you for a meeting to consider among other things, how the wrangles in Kisekka market may be resolved and clear leadership of the vendors restored,” reads the letter in part.
The letter is also copied to Mr Robert Kasoro and Mr Geoffrey Kayita, the leaders of the factions.

The Registrar General of Uganda Registration Service Bureau has also been invited to explain the circumstances under which the traders’ association got divided over management. Ms Kamya acknowledged receipt of the letter and said she would attend the meeting. The other ministers could not be reached.

Dr Rugunda’s probe follows a a petition by a faction led by Mr Kayita who noted that normalcy has not returned in the market despite a court ruling which directed that there should be an annual general meeting to resolve the wrangles.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Mr Kayita said the traders believe the Prime Minister can help them find a lasting solution to the controversy surrounding the redevelopment.

“It is true the Prime Minister has invited us and we are ready to explain to him all the issues. There have been court rulings but our colleagues have defied them, making us irrelevant yet the land on which the market sits was donated by the President for low income traders,” he said.
Mr Kasoro could not be reached on phone but sources close to him said he would attend the meeting.

Background

Last week, Daily Monitor published an investigation which sought to inquire why the market redevelopment has stalled. According to documents that were presented to court, copies of which this newspaper has seen, majority of the rich people have acquired multiple shops in the market at the expense of the low income traders. Mr Kayita accused Mr Kasoro of allegedly selling off the shops yet the President had directed that every trader should get one shop. However, in a recent interview with this newspaper, Mr Kasoro said he was giving out the shops to people who have money so that the construction works can be completed.

[email protected]