Kampala Central Parliamentary aspirant Suzan Kushaba has criticised the current management of government markets, saying poor leadership and exploitation of traders have turned once-promising facilities into disorganised and hostile business environments.
Speaking during the Kampala Central political debate on NBS TV, Kushaba highlighted her two decades of experience working in markets, advocating for vendors, and pushing for better working conditions.
“I have been in the markets for over 20 years fighting for poor people so that they can have a good environment to do business,” she said.
“I brought all government markets back to the government, but when you go to these government markets, everything is a mess now.”
Kushaba accused appointed leaders in Kampala of mismanaging the markets, claiming they have failed to enforce order, regulate fees, or protect traders from exploitation.
Many vendors who had hoped for stability after government reclaimed the markets are now frustrated by chaos and unfair treatment.
“The appointed leaders in Kampala have really messed up the city,” she said. “As an MP, the first business will be to amend the law of tenancy because people are convincing traders to extort.”
She explained that the current legal framework governing tenancies in markets and arcades leaves room for manipulation, allowing some individuals to charge illegal fees, create parallel leadership structures, and intimidate small traders.
Kushaba vowed to push for strong, clear, and enforceable tenancy regulations that protect vendors from exploitation and ensure transparency in stall allocations and rental payments.
She argued that fair systems are essential for improving livelihoods and supporting the informal sector, which employs thousands of Kampala residents.
As the Kampala Central race heats up ahead of the 2026 polls, Kushaba is positioning herself as a candidate grounded in grassroots struggles, with a focus on restoring integrity and accountability in city markets.
