KABALE: Authorities in Kabale District have pointed fingers at the Ministry of Local Government for the prolonged delay in addressing pressing issues concerning Kabale Central Market.
In January of last year, Minister of Local Government, Honorable Raphael Magyezi, initiated a committee led by Kabale’s Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Ronald Andrew Bakak, to investigate complaints from legitimate vendors who were excluded from the relocation process to Kabale Central Market.
The committee’s mandate was to scrutinize pertinent documents such as memoranda of understanding, national identity cards, and allocation slips from each vendor to uncover any discrepancies in the verification and distribution process. By June of the same year, the committee had completed its investigation and submitted a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the minister, aimed at addressing the grievances of affected vendors.
However, during a meeting convened by the Parliamentary Committee of Public Service and Local Government, chaired by Dodoth West Member of Parliament, Baatom Ben Koryong, today at Kabale Municipal headquarters, Kabale RDC, Godfrey Nyakahuma, expressed dismay over the lack of action by the Ministry of Local Government since the submission of the report. Nyakahuma highlighted that the ministry’s inaction has fueled discontent among vendors, leading to protests and insecurity in the area.
CUE IN RDC NYAKAHUMA…ON THE MATTER…ENG//
Chairman of the Kabale Central Market Lock-up Owners Association, Reverend Canon Jack Katarishangwa, emphasized that they are now demanding compensation from the government to vacate the market premises and explore alternative livelihood options.
CUE IN KATARISHANGWA…ON COMPENSATION…ENG//
Kabale Municipality Mayor, Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha, stated that the municipality lacks the financial resources to compensate vendors and suggested that the issue be addressed under the Market Act and by the Ministry of Local Government, rather than through his office. However, when questioned about the matter, Engineer Emmanuel Mwebesa, responsible for infrastructure at the Ministry of Local Government, claimed that the issue transcends his jurisdiction and deferred it to the minister.
CUE IN SENTARO AND MWEBESA…ON THE MATTER…ENG//
