Kajjansi vendors protest hefty fees 

Kajjansi Market vendors on Tuesday protested what they termed exorbitant market fees that the Kajjansi Town Council tax enforcement team levies on them.

The bitter market vendors protested before Entebbe RDC, Rose Kirabira, during an open forum meeting that was held at the market.

They revealed that owners of lock-up shops pay sh1.8m while stall owners pay sh400,000 as lease fees every after three years on addition to paying several other fees.

The vendors went ahead to disclose that besides paying the lease fees, they also pay monthly revenue tax of sh17,700 for owners of lock-ups while stall owners pay sh10,000. 

"On top of paying the lease fees and monthly revenue tax, we pay for electricity at shs2000, security at sh3000, toilet fees of sh200 per visit and water at sh200. Many of us are single mothers and widows who are really finding it hard to pay the lease fees and remain with balance to cater for our children," narrated one vendor. 

In her remarks, Kirabira tasked the newly appointed Kajjansi Town Clerk, Geoffrey Muganga, to form a committee comprising of market vendors and town council officials to iron out the contentious lease fees issue.

Kirabira vowed to weed out all the rotten leaders at Kajjansi Town Council who intentionally stifle government programs and service delivery in order to paint a bad image of government.

RDC Kirabira speaking during the forum. Photo by Julius Luwemba

"I've therefore directed the Wakiso District CAO, James Ssemambo, to immediately arrest the former Kajjansi Community Development Officer, Ronnie Mukiibi, who was transferred to Kyengera," Kirabira said.

"Reports indicate that Ronnie Mukiibi misused the Youth Livelihood funds while still in office as Kajjansi CDO and it's absurd that government disbursed sh62m as Youth Livelihood funds in this area but there is nothing to show on ground" she added.

Kirabira went ahead to call for immediate closure of all gambling outlets (slot machines) in Kajjansi stressing that many youth are wasting away because of gambling. 

Muganga who is barely five months into office, disclosed that he inherited a mess from his predecessors and begged the Kajjansi residents for time to rectify the mistakes and uplift the area they deserve to live in.