Market traders have eulogised John Baptist Kalema, the chairperson of Uganda Markets and Allied Employees Union (UMAEU).

Kalema, 65, who was the chairperson of UMAEU, an affiliate of the Central Organization of Free Trade Unions-Uganda (COFTU), one of the national trade unions in Uganda, died on Saturday (November 11) at Mulago Hospital.

He was buried today (Tuesday, November 14) evening.

UMEA is a market traders umbrella association responsible for organizing and representing market traders on several issues affecting their operations in various markets in the country.
 
During his sendoff ceremony held at Kirinya Village in Bweyogerere parish, Kira sub-county in Wakiso district, several market traders spoke of him as an instrument in organising market stakeholders and fought for vendors' rights.
 
Godfrey Kayongo, the former chairperson of St. Balikuddembe, and one of the members of the first traders' umbrella body said Kalema was one of the few individuals who fought for the rights of market vendors at a time when the public looked down upon them because most of them were illiterate.
 
Others referred to him as an architect behind the formation of the Markets Union which organized and represented vendors' voices that advocated for private ownership of the land where their markets were seated following KCCA's move of leasing it to private individuals like Hassan Basajjabalaba.
 
Sharifa Kaliisa, one of the members of UMEAU, referred to Kalema as one of the most passionate and committed leaders to the markets' cause, adding that it will be hard to replace him.

Peter Kivumbi, a trader from USAFI market and also the Assistant Secretary General of UMEAU talked about him as an honest and genuine leader who was open to his members about various issues.
 
The former workers' Member of Parliament and current Secretary General of COFTU, Sam Lyamoki, said that it was very sad that the informal sector has lost an icon and a founder of the markets union.