Kampala City Council has today resolved to hand over the management of St. Balikuddembe Market to the market vendors.
Earlier this month, KCC terminated the contract of Victoria Investments, which has been managing the market, over the non-payment of 3.8 billion shillings in remittances. Victoria Investments, owned by city tycoon Hassan Basajabalaba, recently signed a deal to manage St. Balikuddembe market for eight-years. The company had managed the market since 2002.
During a parliamentary scrutiny of its accounts, KCC was asked to explain why Basajabalaba and Victoria Investments continued to manage the market with such large debts. Basajabalaba's other company, Sheila Investments, also owes KCC more than 2.5 billion shillings in unpaid dues for managing Nakasero Market.
Parliament asked Kampala Mayor, Nasser Ntege Ssebagala, to immediately rectify the matter by canceling Basajabalaba's contracts.
Speaking to the vendors in downtown Kampala today, Ssebagala said the vendors would be handed the management St. Balikuddembe market. His announcement defied a High Court order restraining KCC from interfering with the management of the market.
Despite this, Ssebagala said the process of changing management would start with the vendors presenting a comprehensive management plan to KCC before the market can be handed over to them.
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This development does not come without apprehensions
