Entebbe modern market at 99 percent completion – Minister Namuyangu
Minister of state for local government, Ms Jennifer Namuyangu, on a guided tour of vending stalls by municipal officials in Kitooro. PHOTO | PAUL ADUDE
What you need to know:
- The construction of the market which is a two year project started in February 2018 and was supposed to get complete by February this year but faced a delay due to construction of roads around it.
The Minister of state for local government, Ms Jennifer Namuyangu has said Kitooro market which is part of the 12 modern markets being constructed by government across the country will soon be occupied.
“The market will be opened shortly to the public which will help vendors operate in a convenient place and earn a living in an efficient way. The 12 markets being constructed will be a big boost to the country’s economy by selling local produce and increasing on its exports to foreign markets,” she said.
Ms Namuyangu made the remarks on Thursday while touring the Shs25 billion modern Kitooro market which will accommodate over 930 stalls.
Ms Namuyangu urged the municipal leaders to ensure order in the market through training of traders on the importance of vending their items inside the market when it’s opened.
“Many times we construct markets and you find many people hawking outside on the verandah’s which destroys the constructed market” she said.
The mayor Entebbe municipality, Mr Vincent De Paul Kayanja, said all vendors in Kitooro will be required to cease operating their businesses along the roads and relocate to the market.
“The vendors have been involved in all the market construction process right from the beginning of the work plan and all the adjustments that have been carried out. We assure you that the vendors will be resettled in the market without any politicking” he said.
Mr Kayanja said the market will add value on the municipals revenue collections which will help the municipal enhance service delivery to residents.
“We shall ensure to maintain the market through use of the revenue that will be collected from the market to ensure its sustainability,” he said.
The project manager, Mr Patrick Rubongoya, said testing of the installed modern systems will be done next week to ensure functionality before handing over to the government officials.
“We have been doing tests, police carried out the fire fighting system which they cleared and now writing a report, after that we shall get an occupation permit then handover to the ministry of local government, which will work together with the vendors to have them smoothly occupy the market,” he said.
Mr Rubongoya said the construction of the market which is a two year project started in February 2018 and was supposed to get complete by February this year but faced a delay due to construction of roads around it.
