Vendors have protested the selection of the allocation committee that will vet vendors to occupy the new Kabale Central Market.
The 23 billion Shillings facility is being constructed by the Chinese Chong Chuing International Construction Company under the World Bank-funded Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement program – MATIP III.
When construction started in December 2019, traders were relocated to Kabale Police Barracks playground in Kigongi central division, and others in Mwanjari cemetery business center, southern division.
Last month, Kabale Municipality authorities converged in Kabale municipal stadium and selected Rev. Canon Jack Katarishangwa to head the committee.
However, a section of vendors is protesting the committee arguing that it is against the market vendors’ registration and resettlement reference guide issued by the Ministry of Local Government.
George Rwandare, Justine Kemigisha, and Jackson Robinson Kiiza argue the allocation committee should comprise two representatives from the vendors.
Rwandare, Kemigisha, and Kiiza say that municipality authorities rushed to hold a meeting to select a committee that was not selected by all the vendors. They want the selection exercise repeated.
Emma Niwagaba, the Kabale Municipality Principal Community Development Officer says that everything is being done within the law. Niwagaba says that the committee that was selected is verifying whether the market has 10,023 lockups.
Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha, the Kabale Municipality Mayor says that the vendors protesting against the committee were invited to the meeting, but failed to turn up.
He adds that there is no cause for alarm since, during the allocation and occupation period, an appeal committee will be established to handle complaints of the vendors.
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