Kabale market traders demand extension of eviction deadline
Preparations. Kabale Central Market that is to be reconstructed with funding from the African Development Bank. PHOTO BY ROBERT MUHEREZA
What you need to know:
- They also asked court to issue an interim order but the applications have never been handled.
- During the Monday meeting, some traders also declined to sign the memorandum of understanding with government on the market reconstruction, saying they need to first study it and be sure their rights and interests are protected.
Kabale. A section of traders operating in Kabale Central Market have asked the authorities to give them three more months to vacate the market ahead of its reconstruction.
Kabale Municipality leaders have given the traders up to May 1 to vacate the market ahead of its redevelopment at a cost of Shs25 billion under the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP), which is funded by African Development Bank.
However, the traders under their umbrella body, Kabale Central Market Traders Association, on Monday said they need the three months to conduct fresh registration of people operating in the market.
During a meeting convened by the town clerk, Mr Joseph Monday, and addressed by the mayor, Mr Sentaro Byamugisha, and the MATIP facilitator, Mr Emmanuel Mwebaze, the traders said the first registration exercise was not transparent as it was conducted by intruders.
“We want our market reconstructed but our rights as traders holding occupation permits must be observed. We also need the municipal council to issue written documents, confirming that all lock up owners and venders shall retain ownership of their lockups and operation spaces they have been occupying after reconstruction,” said Mr Simon Mashemererwa, the traders’ chairperson.
“We need also municipal council to avail us a relocation plan and sites where we shall be operating as the reconstruction process goes on,” he added. Mr Mashemererwa and the secretary for defence, Mr George Kabagambe, also accused the municipal council of imposing on the traders another chairperson in the names of Mr Benson Mfitumukiza
Mr Monday, however, said registration will not be repeated.
“The list of the registered vendors is available at the Kabale Central Market notice boards for viewing and anyone with a complaint can register it with the complaint handling desk in the market. Soon my office will advise and guide you on the relocation sites,” he said.
The deputy RDC, Mr Gad Rugaju, asked the traders to end their conflicts with the council authorities to allow reconstruction to start.
“Government goes with the majority. If the majority have agreed to vacate their business premises, the minority still opposing should follow suit. Endure the pain for the cause of development in your area,” he said.
About the market
Background: In December last year, Kabale Central Market Traders Association petitioned Kabale High Court, asking it to stop registration of vendors by the municipal council, claiming the exercise was not being done in a proper way.
They also asked court to issue an interim order but the applications have never been handled.
During the Monday meeting, some traders also declined to sign the memorandum of understanding with government on the market reconstruction, saying they need to first study it and be sure their rights and interests are protected.
