Elections for city market leaders set for next week

Following the removal of all government-owned markets leaders in Kampala, the Government has set a date for the election of the new market association leadership in the 16 markets and abattoirs.

On Friday, while addressing journalists at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, Benny Namugwanya, the Minister of State for Kampala, said the elections, which are expected to take several days, will start next week on October 26.

She said the process will be carried out under the supervision of the Minister for Kampala.

"I appeal to all market and abattoir vendors and operators to remain calm as we streamline operations in markets to ensure their prosperity and conclusively address exploitation by unscrupulous elements," Namugwanya said.

She warned rival factions of vendors against attempting to take advantage of the situation to hijack the leadership of the markets.

A faction at the city abattoir last week purported to have effected change of leadership in line with the presidential order.

As markets prepare for the elections, the minister said Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) will take over the management of the markets and abattoirs.

Daniel NuweAbine, the acting KCCA spokesperson, on Sunday said they already have teams that are working with the vendors to ensure the smooth operation of the markets. He said there are 13 government markets and three abattoirs in the city.

However, there is conflicting information indicating that out of a total 13 abattoirs in Kampala, the Government only owns two abattoirs: Lufula (City Abattoir) and Meat Packers on Port Bell Road. The rest are on private land. It also indicates the government-owned markets are seven, not 13.

The city's two biggest markets — St Balikuddembe (Owino) and Nakasero — were leased to private companies a few years ago. Owino was leased to St Balikuddembe Market Stalls, Space and Lock-up Shop Owners Association (SSLOA).

According to study by an organisation called Advocates for Public Space, only 14% of the city markets are government-owned, 76% are privately-owned, 5% owned by vendors' associations while 5% are owned by Buganda Kingdom.

The total number of markets, public and private, is 84, but 48% temporarily operate in the same location every day, 14% are temporary with a different location and period of operation every day, while 10% are temporary but in the same location for the same period every day.

NuweAbine said the interministerial committee that was instituted to study the issues that were raised by President Yoweri Museveni and implement his directives, were expected to meet on Monday to decide on placing caretakers in each of the 16 markets and abattoirs, as they await elections.

The committee consists of the trade, Kampala, local government and KCCA ministries.

On the private markets, Namugwanya said KCCA will initiate engagements with the owners. She noted that the Markets Act Cap 94 alsomandates KCCA to regulate operations in the private facilities.

On September 25, President Museveni directed the immediate removal of association leaders from all government-owned markets in Kampala to pave the way for the election of new leaders by the sellers.

The President said vendors operating in abattoirs and markets were being exploited by market leaders.

Previous compensation

In 2011, then Attorney General Kiddu Makubuya and Syda Bumba, then gender minister, were forced to resign over sanctioning compensation to Brig. John Mugenyi and Hassan Basajjabalaba, amounting to sh156b.

Mugyenyi had earlier leased Kisekka Market through his Rhino Investments company.He was paid sh14.9b in compensation.

Through his Haba Group of Companies, Basajjabalaba had acquired St Balikuddembe Market, Nakasero Market, Shauriyako and Constitutional Square. After protests by vendors, facing eviction, the President intervened.

Basajjabalaba was given sh142b in compensation. Basajjabalaba was also seeking additional compensation for the City Abattoir (Lufula) that he also controversially acquired from the KCC.

But in March this year, the Constitutional Court ordered Basajjabalaba to refund the money that he was paid by the Government after his city market leases were cancelled.

Court ruled that Basajjabalaba was illegally paid compensation for the cancellation of the market leases and contracts.

The Constitutional Court, led by Kenneth Kakuru, ordered that the High Court ascertain the exact amount of money Basajjabala should pay back.

The judgement followed a 2011 suit by Legal Brains Trust (LBT), seeking orders compelling Basajjabalaba to refund the money.

The court declared that the cancelled contracts and leases between defunct Kampala City Council (KCC) and Basajjabalaba's companies were null and void, having been executed in contravention of the Constitution.

Court found that Basajjabalaba and his companies entered into contracts with KCC to manage, own and redevelop city markets. But contracts were entered without the advice of the Attorney General.