The verification and allocation of stalls and lockups at Kabale Central Market in Kabale Municipality has finally commenced amidst tight security and dissatisfaction among some vendors. The exercise presided over by Raphael Magyezi, Local Government Minister, kicked off on Saturday afternoon and is scheduled to run until Monday, May 27, 2024.
This follows protests by a section of vendors in early 2023, citing irregularities in the allocation process. In February 2023, Magyezi ordered the arrest and suspension of Fidelis Akankwasa, the Kabale Municipality Commercial Officer, following allegations from dissatisfied vendors of mismanagement in the allocation process, including the alleged sale of lockups and stalls at inflated prices. Although Akankwasa was arrested in December 2023, he was released on police bond after a week and subsequently reinstated to his position.
Magyezi informed vendors on Saturday evening that under the new guidelines, vendors will sign an agreement with Kabale Municipal Council after both parties agree on the new terms and conditions. Among these terms, an assessment will be conducted every two years, and in the third year, vendors will be required to reapply. Those who have become wealthy will be advised to seek other locations, giving space to poorer vendors. Additionally, the new guidelines stipulate that a vendor can only have one lockup.
However, some vendors, led by Rev. Canon Jack Katarishangwa, accused Magyezi of conducting the fresh allocation and verification using a list provided by Justin Barekye, the Kabale Municipality Town Clerk. Katarishangwa alleges that Barekye’s list includes ineligible vendors, such as civil servants.
In 2019, Chong Chong International Construction (CICO), a Chinese company, was contracted to upgrade the Kabale market under the World Bank-funded Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Program (MATIP III), with a budget of 23 billion shillings. The market was handed over to the government in December 2022.
