Food vendors relocated from Gatimba Market to Kisoro Old Market will not pay market dues until further notice, municipal authorities have said.
The tax waiver covers traders dealing in matooke, Irish potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes and other agricultural produce. The announcement was made by Kisoro Central Division Town Clerk Gloria Busingye.
Busingye said Old Market is a gazetted public trading space specifically designated for farmers and food vendors.
“We exempted them to help their businesses recover after the relocation,” Busingye said.
She, however, clarified that traders operating permanent stalls dealing in textiles, groceries and shoes will continue paying taxes as required.
Gatimba Market was established during the COVID-19 period to reduce congestion in the town. After the pandemic, the municipality moved to shut it down in line with the town’s physical development plan.
Vendors were subsequently relocated to Old Market, Rusiza Market and New Park Market.
Busingye said the Gatimba site was originally intended to serve as a green space.
“We plan to plant trees there for shade and to improve the town’s environment. Claims that the land was sold are false,” she said.
She added that the municipality will demolish remaining structures that were previously marked for removal, with a clear schedule to be communicated to affected parties.
The exercise, according to authorities, is aimed at cleaning up the town, restoring order and enforcing urban planning regulations.
Local leaders say the move is part of broader efforts to improve Kisoro’s urban environment while ensuring orderly and sustainable market operations.
