Jinja Market vendors get relief as new dues scrapped

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The Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, has announced the scrapping of the recently introduced dues at Jinja Central Market, citing concerns over unfair charges imposed on vendors.

The minister, who was accompanied by presidency minister Milly Babalanda, reaffirmed the reinstatement of the previous market levies that had been in place before the controversial new fees were introduced.

Speaking on April 4, 2025, during a visit to Jinja Central and Napier markets in Jinja city, Magyezi emphasised that the government seeks to create a fair and predictable environment for market vendors, most of whom are low-income earners.

He cautioned Jinja City Council (JCC) to enforce the old levies effective April 1, 2025, and ensure that no additional fees are unlawfully charged. He also warned against individuals or groups attempting to exploit traders under the guise of fee collection.

Magyezi said the decision was in line with a presidential directive aimed at addressing the various challenges facing markets in Jinja city. Newly imposed dues on pitches and stalls, which vendors began paying last year, were raised from sh10,000 to sh15,000, including a bank charge of sh3,000. However, he clarified that other allocations for larger stalls and stores, which pay sh30,000 and sh50,000 respectively, would remain unchanged.

"We have listened to the concerns of vendors. The new dues were a burden and we have decided to abolish them. However, the original fees that were legally established before remaining in place effective April 1, 2025, to support market operations because government constructed the market for lower-income earners," he stated.

He instructed the Jinja City Council Speaker Benard Mbayo to forward both the council minutes that imposed the new dues and the one with the old charges to his ministry so that an official circular could be written to the mayor, outlining the ministry’s decision.

The move follows long-standing conflict with vendors who claimed the new charges were excessive and introduced without consultation. Many said the high fees were eating into their profits and making it hard to sustain their businesses.

The minister also directed city authorities to ensure that vendors currently working in unauthorised areas return to the market, in line with the Markets Act, which stipulates that vendors must operate from gazetted places designated by the relevant authority.

He pledged continued engagement to ensure a transparent and fair revenue collection system in markets across the country.

During the visit, Magyezi directed Nathan Kitakule, the Jinja Southern Division city clerk, to clean up the visibly unhygienic market within two weeks. He urged the development of a cleaning plan to restore proper sanitary conditions.

“I’m not impressed. I have been told the market has a lot of leaking sewerage pipes, cobwebs, and observed garbage littered all over. These people need a service because they pay a lot of money for it,” he directed.

Other directives included the reconnection of water in the toilets, the replacement of broken taps with showers, and the installation of a camera system to aid market monitoring.

On the matter of the market association, Magyezi advised vendors to hold elections and select leaders of their choice as guided by existing laws and in a transparent manner, to ensure leadership that supports their welfare.

Minister Babalanda, noting that most of the stalls were empty, was informed that many vendors had relocated to Amber Court and Napier markets, where dues are slightly lower.

She said the changes were in response to a presidential directive issued during his recent tour of government projects in the Busoga sub-region.

Nathan Igeme Nabeta, MP for Jinja South East, where the market is located, commended the vendors for their patience in working under difficult conditions, saying that the government had now finally declared its position.

“For long, vendors have been crying over the harsh working conditions, but now the ministry has pronounced its position. Most vendors are working for a daily meal while others have bank loans, and we hope this relief will give them a chance to clear them on time,” he said.

Earlier, while listening to complaints from vendors, Moses Isabirye from the dry fish section claimed the market had recently been turned into a space for high-end businesses such as supermarkets and large hardware shops.

He said many stalls were empty because vendors had become like “rebels” in a place meant for low-income earners. “You find an old woman with sh10,000 for dodo, which she sells in open space, but she is also paying sh18,000 – for what? This is total extortion. If you don’t handle this matter correctly, no vote for NRM come 2026,” he warned.

Charles Buswula, a dealer in second-hand clothes, accused market master Sarah Babyerabira and an enforcement officer identified only as Sowali of arrogance and intimidation during fee collection. He said they had also impounded vendors’ goods, leaving them without operating capital.

In his concluding remarks, Magyezi directed Richard Gulume, the Jinja resident city commissioner, to work with the police to ensure vendors’ confiscated property is returned.

He also ordered that market master Babyerabira and the enforcement officer Sowali be removed from the market and reassigned to other duties.