Rubaga South MP Mukasa dragged out of Busega market

Rubaga South Member of Parliament, Mr Aloysious Mukasa, was on December 5 forcibly removed from Busega New Market, where he said he had gone to supervise activities as part of his constitutional mandate.

Mr Mukasa explained that his visit was prompted by numerous complaints from residents of Rubaga South and neighboring areas about neglect in the allocation of stalls, particularly affecting people with special needs. He noted that the market, constructed using funds borrowed from the World Bank, was meant to support underprivileged communities.

“On my way to the market, I met a group of people with disabilities who told me they were being overlooked in stall allocation. I also met a group of people who were evicted from roads and promised positions in the market but were not prioritized,” Mr Mukasa said.

He further criticized the involvement of affluent individuals who he claimed bought spaces in the market only to resell them to the poor at higher prices, exploiting them. “This is contrary to the purpose for which the market was constructed,” he added.

Mr Mukasa also alleged that residents of Rubaga South, who were supposed to benefit from the market, were being excluded, while people from other areas like Mpigi, Wakiso, and Mbarara were reaping the benefits instead.

“I have shared all the reports with the Leader of Opposition, and I am preparing a formal draft to present to Parliament as a matter of national importance. I intend to challenge the Minister for Kampala City about these inconsistencies and the failure to ensure space for the rightful beneficiaries,” Mr Mukasa emphasized.

State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Mr. Kabuye Kyofatogabye, dismissed Mr Mukasa’s claims.

Speaking to Monitor, he stated that the market was built to benefit residents. He acknowledged that individuals evicted from roads had been allocated space but admitted that the high demand exceeded available capacity, forcing some people to operate outside the market.

“I am also awaiting a detailed report from the Resident City Commissioner. However, over 4,000 people have been accommodated in the market. As for the group of Kitata, I do not know anything about it. Initially, he was operational in that area, but I am unaware of his current involvement,” Mr Kyofatogabye said.

Kampala Lord Mayor, Mr. Erias Lukwago, attributed the disorganization in Busega Market to President Museveni’s decision to centralize control of markets, which, he said, disenfranchised vendors and left them without local leadership.

“For the issue of Busega Market, who is responsible for the allocations? There are multiple allocations, and KCCA no longer controls everything. Some of the evicted vendors did not get positions in the market,” Mr Lukwago stated.

He called on the President to revisit the Markets Act of 2023, emphasizing the need to restore authority to vendors. “We need to conduct elections in the market to elect leaders who can collaborate with KCCA. If this is done, all the problems will be resolved. But if nothing changes, the situation will worsen, not just in Busega but in other markets like Wandegeya,” he warned.