MUBENDE | President Museveni has commissioned the newly constructed Mubende Central Market and several tarmacked roads within Mubende Municipality, marking a significant step toward modernizing infrastructure and easing the cost of doing business in the region.
The market and road upgrades, valued at Shs61.6 billion, were implemented under the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) Program.
According to the government, the projects aim to boost local commerce, attract investment, and enhance the town’s urban image.
“We are investing in these projects so that Ugandans can trade in a clean, organized, and affordable environment, especially the low-income earners. These are not facilities for the rich to dominate,” President Museveni said during the commissioning ceremony.
The President took a firm stance against wealthier individuals occupying stalls meant for the urban poor.
He directed that public markets must serve low-income earners, whom the infrastructure is designed to uplift.
“Public markets are intended to empower the small traders—the women selling vegetables, the youth with small capital—not those who already own buildings and shops elsewhere. The rich must leave these spaces,” Museveni emphasized, drawing applause from the crowd.
He also criticized municipal leaders for allowing exorbitant market dues, which he said are deterring small-scale traders from earning a decent living.
“How do you justify charging high fees to someone selling tomatoes on a table? This is exploitation, and I won’t allow it,” the President warned.
Museveni challenged local leaders, including elected representatives, on their silence regarding the mistreatment of vendors in public markets.
“Where are your voices when town clerks and technical officers impose illegal charges? If you can’t protect the people who elected you, then you are part of the problem,” he said.
He further promised to take action against corrupt officials.
“If I receive evidence that technical staff are extorting traders, they will be arrested. No one should enrich themselves at the expense of the poor,” the President said.
The President also called on residents of Mubende Municipality to take responsibility for maintaining the new infrastructure, warning that negligence would undermine the government's efforts.
“This market and these roads belong to you. Take care of them as your own because they were built using your taxes. If you let them fall into ruin, you’ll be the ones to suffer,” he said.
The newly constructed central market is expected to provide a safe, clean, and well-organized trading environment for hundreds of vendors, most of whom had previously operated in informal and unhygienic conditions.
The tarmacked roads are also anticipated to ease movement, reduce transport costs, and attract more business into the municipality.
The event also served as a reminder of the government's commitment to inclusive development and equitable access to economic opportunities through targeted urban upgrades.
“Our vision is clear—transforming towns like Mubende into engines of growth. But this transformation must include the smallest earners at its core,” President Museveni said.
The president has also banned exorbitant dues charged in public markets, stating that public markets are meant for low-income earners from where they should grow their capital.
He has questioned the inaction of elected leaders on such matters and promised to cause the arrest of technical staff like town clerks and others involved in such vices.