Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has taken over the management of over 16 markets constructed on government land.
The development was announced on Tuesday by Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs. In 2009, president Museveni directed KCCA to offer leaseholds to vendors who were operating in government city markets. He, however, changed his mind and instructed KCCA to repossess the land and the property thereon.
She also stated that the government will manage City abattoir at Old Port Bell Road.
These include; Kisseka Market, Usafi, St Balikudembe alias Owino, Busega, Wandegeya, Kinawattaka, Bukoto, Bugolobi,Luzira,Namuwongo 2 , Kiswa, Kasubi and Kiswa.
The President in a letter dated October 23 directed the Minister to ensure that KCCA takes over the markets.
This was informed by leadership wrangles in most in most markets, poor leadership, fight for the market dues.
This development also follows a resolution by the KCCA for market ordinance.`
The president ordered a ban on market leaderships in 2020 and directed KCCA to institute interim leaderships. However, the problems persisted forcing him to order them to vacate office in February.
The ordinance provides for the licensing regime for permanent, semi-permanent and temporary markets, harmonizing the leadership process, market due collection and roles of each party in the market business.
The revised ordinance provides for the collection of market dues, the responsible party, the leadership structure, election and term of office of market leaders as well as establishment of market masters who will administer markets on behalf of the government.
After the official takeover of Owino and Wandegeya, KCCA on Tuesday moved to posses Kisekka Market.
Simon Kashyate, the KCCA spokesperson, explained that the authority is implementing a presidential directive to take over the contested land.
He explains that they started with the open space as they work out means of taking over the developed side as well.
“The president says that markets should be for low-income earners, and act as a business nursery, and this ever builds enough income leaves. So we are preparing for these people who will be paying a nominal fee to the authority as rent, and what they get enough capital they leave,” Kashyate said
The President advised that markets become places for start up businesses, which after growth should exit and allow other start ups to emerge.
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