Shattered hopes as Basajjabalaba takes over Nakasero market

By Elvis Basudde

CITY businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba recently paid sh4b to lease the 80-year-old Nakasero Market for redevelopment. However, before this starts, vendors have to vacate the market.

This was confirmed by Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala last week when he said: “Basajjabalaba paid four days ago, the vendors have to vacate the market because this is a massive development.”

Last month, Kampala City Council resolved that Sheila Investments, owned by Basajjabalaba, would get 70% of the market and tenants 30%. The move did not go well with tenants whose livelihood depends on the market.

It is about midday and I am at the market. Traders are carrying on their businesses as usual, but in a low spirit, contemplating their next move. They say the 30% offer by KCC is an empty promise.

“Sebaggala’s pronouncement may not work and the council will think twice before implementing it,” says a vendor, angrily.

Another trader adds: “Since we are the sitting tenants, we should be given priority to develop the market. Why give the market to only one individual?”
The market has been in existence since 1927 and some vendors have worked there for over 40 years.

Juma Ssentamu, 72, is one of the oldest traders in the market, having started in 1958. He says: “I came here in the 1950s during Augustine Kamya’s time. Kamya fought an economic war with Asian traders.”

Ssentamu says the best option is to give the market to the traders to develop it. “But if they are giving us 30%, let us accept because it is better than nothing.”
Christine Serunjoji, 56, has been operating Shop No 37 since 1997, after taking over from her father, who was one of the pioneers in the market.

Serunjoji welcomes the 30% offer, but says they should be given more time and a good plan for redevelopment.
Another vendor, Kezia Namagambe, says: “I started doing business here in January 1962.”

However, unlike her colleagues, Namagembe supports the idea of razing the market. “This market was started in 1927. It is in a bad state, with garbage everywhere. It should be demolished and a modern one set up.

Those who do not support the mayor’s move are short-sighted and do not support development,” she says.

Nalongo Bukirwa, a widow, claims she was given her shop by President Idi Amini 1n 1973, following the death of her husband in an accident that involved Amin’s convoy.

She says since there are two markets, KCC should give vendors the lower market and the upper one to Basajjabalaba.She welcomes the 30%offer, but believes getting it will be a tug of war.

Erisa Wesejjere, who owns a shop on Plot 34, says: “I have been here since 1977 and we shall be here tomorrow. We are going to rebuild ourselves.”
He says the two-month notice given to the vendors is unrealistic.

“The onus is on us to redeem ourselves out under the 30% offer, but it has not been finalised. We shall not leave before getting our certificate of entitlement.

I urge my colleagues not to panic. We shall be given more time.”