The Assistant Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Kampala, Hajjati Zulaika Mubiru, has conducted an inspection visit to Usafi Market to assess the working conditions of traders and review the implementation of government directives aimed at improving their welfare.
The inspection focused on verifying whether President Museveni’s directives on market operations have been fully implemented. These include free access to toilets, affordable electricity through sub-metering, and the removal of rental fees for market stalls.
During the tour, Hajjati Mubiru engaged traders to get firsthand accounts of the challenges they continue to face despite the government interventions.
Several traders confirmed that they no longer pay rent for their stalls, but noted that they still incur costs related to waste management and other operational expenses.
“We appreciate the government’s directive on rent, but there are still charges such as garbage collection that affect our businesses,” some traders said.
The traders also raised concerns about declining business activity, saying many stalls remain vacant and have been turned into makeshift sleeping spaces due to a shortage of customers.
“Many traders abandoned their stalls after business declined. Some of the spaces are no longer being used for trade because there are not enough customers,” one trader said.
They further argued that some government poverty alleviation programmes have not reached all intended beneficiaries, prompting Hajjati Mubiru to pledge follow-up on the matter.
“We shall follow up on these concerns and establish whether the responsible leaders are effectively implementing government programmes meant to support traders,” she said.
The inspection also highlighted concerns about leadership and management within the market, with traders blaming delays in resolving key issues for the market’s poor performance.
Kampala RCC Shafic Nsubuga criticized the sanitation conditions at the market, describing them as unacceptable, and directed Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials to urgently address drainage challenges, particularly stagnant wastewater in parts of the market.
“The issue of sanitation must be handled immediately. KCCA officials should move swiftly to resolve the drainage problem and restore cleanliness in the market,” Nsubuga said.
Assistant RCC for Kampala Central Division Godfrey Kizza welcomed progress in implementing the presidential directives, noting that traders are no longer paying rent and that water services remain affordable.
“We are pleased that traders in Usafi Market are no longer paying rent and that water costs remain low, in line with the President’s directive to support business growth and improve livelihoods,” Kizza said.
The RCC team pledged continued monitoring of market operations to ensure government policies are fully implemented and that traders operate in a safe and conducive environment.
