St. Balikuddembe vendors petition IGP

By Juliet Waiswa

LEADERS of St. Balikuddembe Market Vendors Co-operatives society limited have asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP). 

The vendors allege that some of them paid sh1m to the chairman of the market Godfrey Kayongo through a SACCO but are not certain of their fate ahead of the redevelopment of the market.

In a petition signed by the traders, copied to the minister in charge of Kampala, Inspector general, executive director KCCA and the lord mayor they said they are not sure of the stand in the market after they committed themselves and paid the money to Kayongo.

“We paid the money through the vendors SACCO, St. Balikuddembe Stalls, Lockup Open Space Association (SSLOA) and we are not certain whether our money is still safe,” John Baptist Kivumbi the chairman of St. Balikuddembe Market Vendors Co-operative Society said.

The vendors in a meeting held at the market on Tuesday vowed not to leave the market until a proper location is given to them.

“We were told to vacate this place by March 31, 2012 for redevelopment and we have not got a chance to see the alleged relocation venue. We need government’s guidance,” Nakibuuka a trader said.

Kafeero Sewankambo, trader who said he has operated in the market for over 30 years said they are ready to battle it out with Kayongo.

“I am not sure whether the space Kayongo has availed to us will be enough. We need to fight for our rights as the first traders in the market,” He said.

“Kayongo does not respect our councilors and this makes it difficult for us to negotiate our position,” Salongo Bwanika a service provider in the market said.

When contacted, Kayongo said that he is ready to abide by whatever decision KCCA comes up with.

KCCA executive director, Jennifer Musisi said, the authority will come up with a decision which will help all the vendors in the market.

“We reviewed issues concerning all markets in the city including St. Balikuddembe market and we want these people managing the market to come up with a win-win situation for both parties,” she said.

Recently government said that it will act as a guarantor for vendors to enable them access loans from international banks to redevelop their markets.

The state minister for economic development, Henry Banyenzaki, made the disclosure at St. Balikuddembe Market. Banyenzaki was on a tour of Kampala markets recently.

He suggested that the Government could recommend about $50m to be loaned to vendors from the World Bank.

“All you need is to organize yourselves and submit your project proposals as soon as possible,” he said.

Vendors’ leaders in both Nakasero and St. Balikuddembe markets had earlier briefed the minister about the redevelopment plans for their markets and urged the Government to support them.

St. Balikuddembe Market plans to set up a six-floor market worth $200m. In a statement vendors were told to protect their market until they hear from KCCA, they also warned KCCA that in case they failure to listen to their grievances they will take to the streets on 31 November.

Following their meeting with Kampala Capital City Authority officials, vendors of St. Balikuddembe market Vendors /trader’s co-operatives society said they are ready to fight for their plights.