More than 200 vendors at Amber Court market have resisted attempts by Mpumudde division authorities to demolish their stalls. On Monday evening, a team of law enforcement officers and officials from the division descended on Amber Court market to demolish about 50 stalls erected outside the market. However, the officials were blocked by the angry vendors who threatened violence should the authorities insist on breaking down their stalls.
Ayub Kitamirike, Chairperson Amber court market explains that the affected stalls are outside the gazette market. He says that the affected vendors put up resistance forcing the authorities to give them one week to demolish the stalls. Joseph Masaba, a vendor at Amber court market says that they will not respect the ultimatum unless Mpumudde division authorities respect the agreement reached with the vendors last year.
He claims that in their agreement division officials promised to allocate them an alternative place to relocate their stalls but nothing has been done. Ben Kulaba, the Assistant town clerk in charge of Mpumudde division concurs with the vendors that they reached an agreement with the vendors to relocate them to another area. He however says that they have not yet demarcated the area.
Kulaba has promised to consult the town clerk Jinja municipality on the way forward. But William Ebusa, Mpumudde division LC 3 chairperson says the proposed area for the relocation of vendors is too small. He says they need more time to plan and see how the affected vendors can fit in the area.
