City markets: Government issues new guidelines

The minister of state for Kampala, Namugwanya Bugembe, has issued guidelines for the operation of markets and abattoirs in the city.

This follows a directive issued by President Museveni for the removal of all current associations leaders from government markets and abattoirs in Kampala to pave way for the election of new leaders.

Museveni's directive followed a vast outcry by market vendors/sellers and those operating in abattoirs in Kampala over exploitation by cliques of leaders that have overtime hijacked the administration of markets and market associations.

While addressing journalists in Kampala, Namugwanya said KCCA shall manage all government markets and abattoirs in the city.

She said the ministry of Kampala has established an inter-ministerial committee comprised of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Ministry of Local government and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)  to study the issues raised by the president and have the necessary guidelines in place.

"In the interim KCCA shall manage all government markets and abattoirs in the city. As for private markets, KCCA is mandated to regulate and control operations in these facilities as guided by the Markets Act Cap 94,"said Namugwanya.

In line with this law, Namugwanya said the engagements will be initiated with owners of these markets to ensure that the directive issued by the President are implemented in private markets as well.

She appealed to all vendors and operators to remain calm as they streamline operations in the markets to ensure their prosperity and to conclusively address exploitation by unscrupulous elements.

"We note with concern that in some markets and abattoirs, some vendors are trying to exploit the situation by hijacking leadership. We want to warn them that what they are doing is illegal and we shall not hesitate to deal with them decisively,"she said.