Nabbanja orders for demolition of structures erected in road reserve at Busega market
The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has ordered for the demolition of structures erected in the road reserve around Busega market to create parking space for the market.
She instructed the Ministry of Local Government to construct all feeder roads leading to Busega market to create proper access.
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"In two months, I want all these structures in the road reserve removed and the access roads constructed," Nabbanja said while touring the market on Wednesday.
Nabbanja also ordered the contractor to fix all the defects that have developed on the market building within two months.
"Your painting is not good; paint the doors afresh and make sure you fix the leaking roof and other defects within two months," Nabbanja said.
Busega market was constructed by Arab Contractors. The project is funded under the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP) implemented by the Government of Uganda with financial support from the Arab Bank of Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
BADEA financed the first phase of the construction works of the facility at $5.42m (Shs19bn) while the Government of Uganda bankrolled the second phase at a tune of $6.8m (Shs 23.8bn).
The market has shops, stalls, open spaces, toilets and a parking lot in addition to ramps for easy access by People with Disabilities (PWDs). It has the capacity to house at least 2,000 traders at a time.
Nabbanja assured the people of Busega that when the market is opened, priority shall be given to vendors who are currently operating in the makeshift market.
"This market is for the vendors, not for the rich who want to get stalls and rent them to exploit others. We are going to screen every beneficiary to avoid giving this market to exploiters," Nabbanja said.
The minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi, who accompanied Nabbanja, cancelled the old registration list of vendors and called for fresh registration.
The market was designed with rooftop parking, but Magyezi said this will be changed.
