Kabale traders to relocate as market reconstructions starts
Building. Ongoing construction works of the lockup shops at Mwanjari, a former cemetery in Southern Division, Kabale Municipality. PHOTO BY ROBERT MUHEREZA
What you need to know:
- The injunction restrained Kabale Municipal Council and its agents from, among others activities, evicting the traders until the court has heard the case. The hearing is scheduled to kick off on June 11.
- Kabale Municipal Council leaders claimed leadership of KCTA was sabotaging the project. They convinced majority traders to elect new leaders on April 17 amid protest by the old leadership.
Kabale. The traders operating in Kabale Central Market are relocating to Uganda Police playground in Central Division and Mwanjari in Southern Division to pave way for the reconstruction of the market.
The erection of buildings has kicked off with some traders constructing permanent structures, though Kabale Municipal Council had told them to put up makeshift shops.
The reconstruction of the market under Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme is expected to begin on May 2 and will take two years.
The mayor of Kabale Municipality, Mr Sentaro Byamugisha, on Monday said they have no problem with the vendors constructing permanent lockup shops but they will be demolished when they return to the main market.
The relocation of about 1,000 traders has boosted the price of construction materials and the cost of labour.
Mr Samuel Muhwezi, a brick maker, said the price of bricks has increased from Shs250 to Shs300 each.
Mr Moses Ruhinda, a lorry driver, says concrete stones are bought and delivered to the construction sites at Shs160,000. Initially the cost was Shs120,000.
Buying and delivering sand takes Shs90,000 from Shs 80,000.
“Getting porters or builders is now difficult because they are currently engaged in building lockup shops where they are paid good money. Six of my workers have abandoned my site because I have been paying Shs15,000 for the masons/builders and Shs8,000 for porters.
“I am worried that the construction of my house shall not be completed as I had planned,” Mr John Wycliffe Mugisha, a resident, said.
Mr Byamugisha said lockup shops are secure against fire outbreaks and burglary. He added that the council is not worried about the ongoing court cases because all the petitioners’ concerns are being addressed.
ONGOING COURT CASES
Kabale Central Market Traders Association (KCTA) sued Kabale Municipal Council claiming registration of traders was not done in a transparent manner.
They argued that the council failed to disclose a relocation site on which all the traders shall be operating from during the period of reconstruction of the central market.
Traders also wanted written assurance that they will reoccupy their lockup shops in the re-developed market after the project completion.
Kabale High Court halted market redevelopment activities in an injunction issued by the assistant registrar Didas Muhumuza on April 10.
The injunction restrained Kabale Municipal Council and its agents from, among others activities, evicting the traders until the court has heard the case. The hearing is scheduled to kick off on June 11.
Kabale Municipal Council leaders claimed leadership of KCTA was sabotaging the project. They convinced majority traders to elect new leaders on April 17 amid protest by the old leadership.
