Lack of a latrine and poor garbage collection in Bugembe Central Market in Jinja, are the cause of distress among vendors and customers in the market.
Rachael Mutesi, Bugembe Market Vendors Committee chairperson, says there is a stench around fresh food stalls and butcheries because of the latrine that got filled up two months ago.
When it rains, human waste flows with the running water through some of the stalls which poses a health risk.
Bugembe central market has close to 700 vendors with 450 stalls.
In the market, a swarm flies inconveniences vendors.
Mutesi says the latrine problem at Bugembe Market has been brought to the attention of the Town Council but no action has been taken.
Describing the situation as a disgrace, Mutesi warned of a possible outbreak of cholera and dysentery if the issue is neglected.
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Disgruntled market vendors told Uganda Radio Network that the failure by Bugembe Town Council to construct a new latrine is unfortunate, particularly because they pay their operational duties on time. They want to know where the money intended to provide them with public services has gone.
Each vendor pays Shs 300 per day, but food vendors pay an addition Shs 1000 per bag of cassava, potatoes and bananas.
Vincent Muyima, one of the vendors selling bananas, is disgusted with the condition in the market. He says that in the 2011/2012 budget, the town council allocated Shs 20 million for the construction of a new five stanza latrine for Bugembe central market but nothing has been done so far.
The communication from Bugembe town council clerk, Abdul Batambuze, late last year was welcomed with joy, but the vendors are worried the financial year is ending without a new latrine being constructed.
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Batambuze, however, says the money was approved, but the bidding process and processing of the money had some delays which resulted into delay of construction of a new latrine.
Steven Wante, Chairman LC3 Bugembe town council vows to push for the construction of the latrine before this financial year comes to an end. He fears the money would be sent back to the central government.
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