Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has condemned the escalating chaos in the newly opened Busega Market, claiming that ordinary traders—who should benefit the most are being marginalised and oppressed amidst disputes over stall ownership.
Two weeks after its opening, Busega Market has become a hotbed of confusion and unrest. Traders with stalls fear eviction, while those seeking spaces face mounting challenges.
According to Mayor Lukwago, the chaos stems from President Museveni’s directive to suspend interim committees in Kampala markets.
The Mayor pointed to disputes regarding the allocation of stalls, with accusations that wealthy individuals have grabbed all the spaces, leaving ordinary traders without opportunities.
Lukwago further explained that the market’s issues began during its construction, including controversies over the funds used and conflicts with businessman Andrew Kawuki, who claims ownership of the land.
“For over 10 years, this market has been a source of disputes,” Lukwago said.
He accused factions within the NRM government of fueling the unrest to seize control of the market for personal gain.
“The ordinary trader, who is supposed to benefit from this market, remains oppressed,” Lukwago remarked. “Even those who managed to acquire stalls have conflicting stories about how they did so.”
According to Lukwago, city administrators have received a detailed report on the situation and plan to address the issues soon. However, Lukwago noted that the turmoil in Busega reflects challenges in other government-run markets across Kampala, which he blamed on the President’s directive.
“The President’s order has worsened the plight of traders,” he added.
