All city markets must be modernised, says Otafiire
THE local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, wants all city markets redeveloped to match world standards.
By Geresom Musamali
THE local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, wants all city markets redeveloped to match world standards.
His remarks come amid a controversy between Sheila Investments owned by businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and vendors over the redevelopment of Nakasero Market.
Addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala yesterday, Otafiire insisted that vendors were not capable of modernising markets on their own.
“If they (vendors) are capable of redeveloping such a market (Nakasero) on their own, then why are they still selling rotten tomatoes?†he asked.
“Our purpose is to uplift the state of our markets. This system was started by the former mayor, Ssebaana Kizito, and I support it. If the markets are not improved, the vendors will lose out because they are beginning to compete directly with Shoprite, Metro, Uchumi (supermarkets) and many others entering the business,†he added.
Commenting on KCC’s decision to lease Nakasero Market to Basajjabalaba, Otafiire explained that the dispute between the council and Sheila Investments was settled out of court.
“What is going on at Nakasero is an out-of- court settlement. The lawyers of KCC said that they had looked at the matter from a legal view and noted that KCC could lose. So what can Otafiire, who makes noise everyday, say about an out-of-court settlement? Lock up the judges?†he asked.
The minister also dismissed allegations by some vendors that he has vested interests in the markets.
He said he was only concerned about upgrading the markets and ensuring that the vendors are not unfairly thrown out.
Recently, the vendors asked President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the sale of Nakasero Market, claiming that Otafiire had interests in the transaction.
Otafiire said he would sue the petitioners unless they produce evidence against him within seven days.
At the same briefing, the state minister for the elderly and disability affairs, Sulaiman Madada, pointed out that people with disabilities (PWDs) are involved in a land wrangle with a developer of the Old Taxi Park. Madada said he was working hard to ensure that PWDs get back their land.
He revealed that an investor had offered to construct a vocational training institution for the disabled in return for the land they currently occupy at Lweza.
THE local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, wants all city markets redeveloped to match world standards.
His remarks come amid a controversy between Sheila Investments owned by businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba and vendors over the redevelopment of Nakasero Market.
Addressing journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala yesterday, Otafiire insisted that vendors were not capable of modernising markets on their own.
“If they (vendors) are capable of redeveloping such a market (Nakasero) on their own, then why are they still selling rotten tomatoes?†he asked.
“Our purpose is to uplift the state of our markets. This system was started by the former mayor, Ssebaana Kizito, and I support it. If the markets are not improved, the vendors will lose out because they are beginning to compete directly with Shoprite, Metro, Uchumi (supermarkets) and many others entering the business,†he added.
Commenting on KCC’s decision to lease Nakasero Market to Basajjabalaba, Otafiire explained that the dispute between the council and Sheila Investments was settled out of court.
“What is going on at Nakasero is an out-of- court settlement. The lawyers of KCC said that they had looked at the matter from a legal view and noted that KCC could lose. So what can Otafiire, who makes noise everyday, say about an out-of-court settlement? Lock up the judges?†he asked.
The minister also dismissed allegations by some vendors that he has vested interests in the markets.
He said he was only concerned about upgrading the markets and ensuring that the vendors are not unfairly thrown out.
Recently, the vendors asked President Yoweri Museveni to intervene in the sale of Nakasero Market, claiming that Otafiire had interests in the transaction.
Otafiire said he would sue the petitioners unless they produce evidence against him within seven days.
At the same briefing, the state minister for the elderly and disability affairs, Sulaiman Madada, pointed out that people with disabilities (PWDs) are involved in a land wrangle with a developer of the Old Taxi Park. Madada said he was working hard to ensure that PWDs get back their land.
He revealed that an investor had offered to construct a vocational training institution for the disabled in return for the land they currently occupy at Lweza.