Kamya to set up a commission of inquiry into city markets

Following over 30 petitions from different markets in Kampala, the Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Beti Kamya has decided to set up a commission of inquiry into market wrangles and other issues.

Kamya told Journalists at the media center that rather than handling each petition separately, the Ministry has agreed to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the problems of markets including USAFI, St. Balikuddembe (Owino), Kasubi and Wandegeya and come up with solutions.

"There are problems in almost every market in Kampala. That is why I have decided to invoke my powers and set up a commission to investigate all these issues at once. We hope once the problems are identified, government will come up with a market policy," she said. She however did not say when the commission is expected to start work.

Currently, there are about 72 markets in Kampala but Kamya said the ministry has been receiving petitions of people complaining about market issues such as management, sanitation, multiple taxation, dues and others.

She also told journalists that a number of traders and other individuals in Kampala have petitioned the ministry through their associations on a number of issues including the return of vendors on the streets, noise pollution, rental charges in dollars, crime in the city and others.

However she assured Ugandans that the ministry is aware of the problems and is working on strategies to resolve them.

"I am happy that the relationship between the political and the executive leadership in KCCA has improved and willing to work together to find solutions to these issues. Previously, there was a challenge of coordination but now we have resolved it and we have agreed to put aside our differences for the good of our people," she said.

When Journalists asked her to explain what became of the previous inquiries into markets, Kamya said, "there was no minister for Kampala. This time, things are going to be different."

While appearing before the Parliamentary committee on Presidential affairs last week, Kamya said the commission is estimated to cost about sh300m. The money will be provided by both the ministry and KCCA

However KCCA mayor Erias Lukwago doubted whether the Commission will take off saying the money is not in the budget.

"The minister has suggested putting a commission of inquiry. That in itself shows you that there's a crisis. But am sorry I don't know whether we even have this money in our budget. I don't know where it will come from," he said.

During the press briefing, the Minister also told journalists that government is willing to intervene and save St. Balikuddembe Market land which hangs in balance after DFCU bank recently sought to auction part of the market land to recover a debt of sh2.8bn which the traders failed to clear. The money is a result of interest and default fees off a sh4bn loan that traders obtained a few years ago.

"The traders have not asked for money. Government's intervention is to try and talk with DFCU to extend the loan period. I know that will be worked on," she said.