Kampala: Govt disbands market leadership; sets charges for vendors, abattoir operators

The Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs on Monday announced disbandment of association leadership in the 16 government-owned markets and one abattoir under Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

According to the line minister Betty Amongi, the development was activated by complaints from the market community who told President Museveni that the current leadership had been abusing office leading to multiple fees/taxation, inflated rates for utilities (water, electricity, toilet fees, maintenance, etc.) and the associations have “manipulated vendors and hijacked management of the markets which were handed over to all vendors to own and operate.”

The vendors and those operating abattoirs also reported to the president that old leaders had failed to organize regular elections and have continued to enrich themselves from overcharging vendors.

Against that background, the Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs established an inter-ministerial committee comprised of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Ministry of Local Government and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) who studied the issues raised and decided to institute an interim leadership ahead of elections.

As of now, KCCA has rolled out a committee comprised of Market Master or Abattoir Master and three support staff (from Directorates of Revenue Collection, Public Health & Environment and Administration) to oversee operations in the markets.

The team will, among others, keep a verified and updated database/register of vendors, collects fees, handle grievances, ensure that public health regulations are observed, provide security, and quality and timely weekly, monthly and quarterly reports and data within the market.

The markets are St. Balikuddembe, Nakasero, Usafi, Kiseka, Kamwokya, Bukoto, Busega, Nakawa, Kasubi, Bugolobi, Kiswa, Luzira, Kinawataka, Namuwongo 1, Namuwongo 2 and Wandegeya.

In each market, the leadership committee will be comprised of 10 members, a third of whom shall be women.

The committees, who elections started today and will end November 17, will be structured as: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Women Representative, Publicity Secretary, Head of Security, Head of Public Health and Sanitation, Youth representative, Representative for People with Disability and Discipline Champion.

Minister Amongi also announced that effective today there will be only one type of charge per annum and one other fee that shall be determined later.