Tension and chaos erupted in Kisoro Municipality on Monday after municipal authorities moved to evict a group of vendors who had relocated to private land in Central Division following their removal from Gatimba Market.
The operation was overseen by Kisoro District Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Dan Ndikumwami, alongside municipal authorities, who insisted that all traders must operate from officially gazetted market spaces.
The affected vendors had reportedly shifted to land belonging to businessman Ramadhan Ndikuyeze after being relocated from Gatimba Market to Old Market, New Market, and Rusiza Market.
However, some traders argued that the designated markets lacked sufficient space to accommodate all vendors displaced by the relocation. In response, Ndikuyeze explained that he had voluntarily offered his land as a temporary solution to support the vendors while authorities worked to identify a permanent location.
He denied allegations that he had mobilized or encouraged traders to occupy the land unlawfully.
Deputy RDC Ndikumwami described the arrangement as illegal, emphasizing that traders are required to conduct business only in authorized and gazetted market areas. He noted that the municipality had already designated Old Market, New Market, and Rusiza Market to accommodate the affected vendors and urged traders to comply with the directive.
Following the eviction, municipal officials and security personnel escorted traders to the three approved markets to ensure they were allocated space and resumed business operations.
Meanwhile, speaking during a security meeting held at the RDC’s office, the Kisoro District Resident District Commissioner, Hajj Badru Ssebyalla, warned politicians against misleading residents by claiming that Gatimba Market had been sold to an investor.
According to Ssebyalla, the municipality plans to redevelop the market area using Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) funds. He directed vendors to begin relocating to Rusiza Market starting Tuesday morning and continue their business operations from there.
CUE IN RDC SSEBYALLA….ON THE MATTER….ENG//
The Central Division Town Clerk, Gloria Busingye, said the decision to relocate vendors from Gatimba Market was partly intended to protect them from the Ebola threat.
She warned that municipal enforcement officers, working alongside security personnel, would take action against traders who fail to comply with the relocation directive.
CUE IN BUSINGYE…..ON THE MATTER…..RR//
