Mbale vendors relocate for new market

Sep 28, 2011

VENDORS who have been operating in Mbale Town Central Market have demolished their stalls and lock-up shops.

By Joseph Wanzusi

VENDORS who have been operating in Mbale Town Central Market have demolished their stalls and lock-up shops.

The move aims at paving way for the construction of a modern market.

When New Vision visited the market on Sunday, several vendors were carrying away building materials, while a few others were still selling foodstuffs.

The construction works are expected to take two years.

The proposed complex located between Cathedral Avenue, Amber Road and Market Place had initially been budgeted to cost sh12b, but it would now cost about sh27b.

According to the architectural plans, the market has been designed to accommodate 600 lock-up shops and 1,600 stalls.

The market will be equipped with cold storage rooms, garbage disposal facilities and banking halls.

Mbale town clerk Joseph Kimbowa said the construction works would be done by Kampala-based Ambitious Construction Company.

The work is being implemented under the Markets and Agricultural Improvement Programme Project of the local government ministry and is funded with a loan from the African Development Bank.

The municipal senior commercial officer, Paul Soddo, said most of the vendors in the main market had been relocated, while others were expected to vacate before the ground-breaking ceremony early next month.

When the municipal council authorities approved the construction plans last year, vendors suggested that the construction work should be done in phases, but this was rejected.

The vendors also resisted relocation, claiming that it was a ploy by the municipal council to throw them (vendors) out.

This was, however, resolved after they signed a memorandum of understanding with the council to return to the market after construction is completed.

Salim Mubajje, who has been selling produce in the market for over 20 years, said he was happy to see that the project was taking off.

He said the new market would provide a conducive working environment for the vendors.

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