A dispute has erupted between Masaka City Council Mayor Florence Namayanja and Michael Mulindwa Nakumusana, Chairperson for Nyendo-Mukungwe division, regarding the utilization of a new market infrastructure in the area.
The disagreement stems from differing opinions on relocating vendors to the new market, commissioned last year by the Minister of Local Government at a cost of Shillings 18.3 billion, funded through a loan from the African Development Bank under the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Program-MATIP-II.
Nakumusana accuses the Mayor of hindering efforts to persuade vendors to move into the new market by allowing them to continue operating open-air weekly markets on roadsides rather than seeking stalls. Consequently, many vendors are abandoning allocated stalls in the new market, causing underutilization and maintenance issues.
Despite resistance from the Mayor, Nakumusana is rallying vendors on a weekly basis to occupy the yard and walkways of the new market, aiming to encourage them to seek stalls in the structure. He suggests offering some vendors free space initially, with rent payments commencing after they settle in.
However, Mayor Namayanja opposes this approach, citing congestion in the city’s central business area and damage to newly planted vegetation caused by vendors outside the new market. She suggests allowing some vendors to continue operating temporary stalls on selected roads exiting the city while authorities work on relocating them to the new market.
The disagreement has caused confusion among vendors, with Chairperson Chrysostom Kyobe Mutebi warning of potential street merchandise placement if the stalemate persists.
This dispute occurs as Masaka City Council also grapples with maintaining a Shillings 13 billion market in Nyendo township, constructed in 2017 but shunned by vendors due to perceived unsuitability for their businesses.
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