Riots as Basajja deploys guards at Owino
Mar 10, 2007
VIOLENCE erupted at Kampala’s Owino market on Friday afternoon when private guards, sent in by businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba to collect taxes, were attacked by angry vendors who injured three guards from Delta Force after disarming and thoroughly beating them up. <br><br>
By Mary Karugaba, Fred Ouma & Herbert Ssempogo
VIOLENCE erupted at Kampala’s Owino market on Friday afternoon when private guards, sent in by businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba to collect taxes, were attacked by angry vendors.
Basajja’s company, Victoria International, managed the market before the contract was cancelled by the Kampala City Council over arrears running into billions.
Three guards from Delta Force were disarmed and beaten up thoroughly by the crowd.
According to witnesses, the vendors resisted paying the taxes arguing that Basajjabalaba’s management contract had been terminated.
One of the guards was rushed to hospital unconsciously. A contingent of Police and Local Defence Unit rushed to the scene, causing more panic.
The vendors fled at the sight of the armed policemen. The spokesperson of the Uganda Market Vendors Association, Wilberforce Mubiru, condemned the deployment of armed guards.
“We were recently told armed people should not come to the market. Their appearance angered the traders,†he said. “We asked the Police to intervene when the situation went out of control.†He added that the arms, confiscated from the guards, were later handed over to the Police.
Market stalls, kiosks and shops along Nakivubo Mews Road closed as a result of the fracas as vendors feared looting.
Shortly after 7pm, the Police Boss of Kampala-Extra, Grace Turyagumanawe, ordered all traders to evacuate the market.
Basajja has challenged the decision of the Kampala City Council.
He insists that he would only hand over after KCC has paid him sh1.9b in compensation for prematurely terminating the contract and for the developments he has made on the market.
VIOLENCE erupted at Kampala’s Owino market on Friday afternoon when private guards, sent in by businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba to collect taxes, were attacked by angry vendors.
Basajja’s company, Victoria International, managed the market before the contract was cancelled by the Kampala City Council over arrears running into billions.
Three guards from Delta Force were disarmed and beaten up thoroughly by the crowd.
According to witnesses, the vendors resisted paying the taxes arguing that Basajjabalaba’s management contract had been terminated.
One of the guards was rushed to hospital unconsciously. A contingent of Police and Local Defence Unit rushed to the scene, causing more panic.
The vendors fled at the sight of the armed policemen. The spokesperson of the Uganda Market Vendors Association, Wilberforce Mubiru, condemned the deployment of armed guards.
“We were recently told armed people should not come to the market. Their appearance angered the traders,†he said. “We asked the Police to intervene when the situation went out of control.†He added that the arms, confiscated from the guards, were later handed over to the Police.
Market stalls, kiosks and shops along Nakivubo Mews Road closed as a result of the fracas as vendors feared looting.
Shortly after 7pm, the Police Boss of Kampala-Extra, Grace Turyagumanawe, ordered all traders to evacuate the market.
Basajja has challenged the decision of the Kampala City Council.
He insists that he would only hand over after KCC has paid him sh1.9b in compensation for prematurely terminating the contract and for the developments he has made on the market.