Mbarara, Kiruhura fight over livestock markets

MARKET   LIVESTOCK   DAM

A bitter row has erupted between Mbarara and Kiruhura district local governments over cattle markets spread across their border line.

This comes after few weeks after Kiruhura district established a cattle market at Kyenshama (Kinshama II market) just a half a kilometre from another Kyenshama market in Kashare sub-county in Kashari, Mbarara district.

 New Vision has learnt that Mbarara district leaders recently held a crisis meeting and resolved to stop the operations of this market reasoning that it faults market setting and operation procedures, in an area that is environmentally not good, and operating under poor sanitation and hygiene conditions.

In an interview on phone with Basil Bataringaya, the Mbarara district secretary for finance, he said the standard procedure for setting and operating a market is that a market should not be established near the other, operate on the same days and traders should not be forced to use it because this is a free economy.

"This market is just half a kilometre to the already existing market, was established in an area already gazetted for construction of Kyenshama dam by the ministry of water, the market operates on Friday, the same day as our market, the place lacks sanitary facilities and Kiruhura district is using the Police to force traders into this market," said Bataringaya.

He said they have tried to remain restraint from intimidation, but warned if authorities cannot see this anomaly, they will also be forced to use high handed means as they are doing.

Bataringaya said in this Kyenshama market on their side has been operating for over 30 years and they generate over sh22m every month.

Deus Mugisha, the LC 3 chairperson Kashare sub-county, said it is lack of respect and arrogance that Kiruhura district can establish a market just neighbouring theirs even without sanitary facilities when it's within a water catchment area and around a water dam that serves water for both livestock and people in the sub-county.

"It's impunity and arrogance. This market has no toilet facilities. It is near a water source that serves the whole sub-county. Besides, the area has been earmarked by the ministry of water and environment for redevelopment of the over sh6b dam facility to serve the two districts. With this market, the project is now threatened," said Mugisha.

When contacted Kiruhura district chairperson Sam Katugunda admitted that the market has been established there, but said if their Mbarara counterparts have issues with this move, they should write to them officially and see how they can handle it amicably.