Tensions continue to escalate at Kabale Central Market as vendors accuse Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture, Peace Rugambwa, of failing to fulfill her Shs 100 million pledge.
The vendors claim that at the start of the presidential, parliamentary, and mayoral campaigns, Rugambwa mobilized them to form associations so they could benefit from the Boona Bageigahare Nyekundiire initiative.
The initiative was founded by Rugambwa, a resident of Mukenyanya in Kayonza Sub- County, Ntungamo District. It reportedly operates under the Operation Wealth Creation-OWC program, with the aim of promoting poverty alleviation through agriculture in Kabale, Ntungamo, Rukiga, and Rukungiri districts, among others.
According to the vendors, they formed various associations in August in anticipation of receiving financial support. However, they say they have waited in vain for the promised funds.
The Chairperson of the Kabale Central Market Fishmongers Boona Bageigahare Association, Isma Mukhdad, says members completed all the required procedures to qualify for the initiative. He questions why Rugambwa gave funds selectively to vendors in Owino Market while leaving out those at Kabale Central Market.
He also criticized what he described as inconsistency in guidance, first asking vendors to form separate associations based on their trades, and later directing them to merge into one umbrella association despite dealing in different businesses.
Mukhdad is demanding that Rugambwa fulfills her promise, arguing that vendors risk losing the money they contributed to register their associations.
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The Secretary of the Kabale Central Market Fishmongers Boona Bageigahare Association, Rona Tumwebaze, echoed Mukhdad’s concerns. She said each of the 35 members contributed 25,000 shillings to join the association. According to Tumwebaze, Rugambwa pledged 100 million shillings for the entire central market and reportedly encouraged vendors to vote for NRM mayoral candidate Sam Arinaitwe, who later lost the election. She says members are now uncertain about the way forward.
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Another association member, Patience Atukunda, says she paid 25,000 shillings with hopes of boosting her business through the promised support. She says her expectations have been shattered.
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Peninah Nabimanya, the Vice Chairperson of the Kabale Central Market Boona Bageigahare Association, says Rugambwa tasked her with mobilizing vendors across the 11 sections that make up Kabale Central Market. She explains that they formed the association, opened an account, and submitted all the necessary documentation in anticipation of receiving the 100 million shillings.
However, she says vendors are now demanding accountability from the association leadership, yet the leaders themselves have not received feedback from Rugambwa. Nabimanya adds that frustrated vendors recently mobilized and went to Rugambwa’s home on Wednesday seeking answers, but claim they were embarrassed and sent away without a clear response.
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In response, Rugambwa says she has been unable to deliver on her promise, blaming the delay on Kabale Municipality Mayor-elect Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha.
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