The Ministry of Local Government has ordered the removal of 83 private landlords from lock-ups at Mbale Central Market in Uganda. This decision was made after a four-day verification exercise found that they were occupying council facilities and renting them out to vendors. The exercise, led by Ministry of Local Government Assistant Commissioner Ettedu J.J. Geoffrey, aimed to address complaints raised by vendors over alleged unfair allocation of lock-ups and high rental charges.
The verification exercise, which ended on Saturday, confirmed 514 vendors among the 604 lock-ups inspected at the market. During the exercise, authorities collected Shs17.5 million in outstanding market fees after some vendors cleared their arrears. The ministry directed the landlords to hand the facilities back to the vendors, emphasizing that allocation of market facilities is the responsibility of the city council.
According to Ettedu, the exercise established that 83 of the verified facilities were occupied by people who had obtained the lock-ups from the city and were subsequently renting them out to other vendors. He stressed that allocation of market facilities should follow the principle of "one person, one vendor, one facility." Ettedu urged the market allocation committee to ensure that the facilities are allocated transparently, with consideration given to women, youth, elderly people, and vendors who had previously operated in the market.
Mbale Central Market Administrator Michael Ojambo welcomed the exercise, saying it would help ensure that rightful vendors occupy the council-owned facilities. He called for enforcement of the law prohibiting private individuals from letting out market facilities belonging to the city council. Ojambo emphasized the need for continued monitoring to ensure that the changes are sustained.
The verification exercise left 67 lock-ups unverified, which Ettedu said would be subjected to a fresh allocation process. The Council will advertise and invite prospective vendors to apply for the available facilities. The Allocation Committee will then allocate the facilities, taking into account the needs of women, youth, elderly people, and vendors who had previously operated in the market.
Vendors at Mbale Central Market have welcomed the removal of the private landlords, citing the need for fair allocation of facilities and reduced rental charges. They have called for continued monitoring to ensure that the changes are sustained and that the market facilities are allocated transparently. The Ministry of Local Government has assured vendors that it will work to ensure that the market is managed in a fair and transparent manner.
The removal of the 83 private landlords from Mbale Central Market is part of a broader effort to reform the management of market facilities in Uganda. The Ministry of Local Government has been working to address complaints from vendors and ensure that market facilities are allocated fairly and transparently. The exercise at Mbale Central Market is expected to serve as a model for similar reforms in other markets across the country.
Key points
- Ministry of Local Government orders removal of 83 private landlords from Mbale Central Market
- Verification exercise confirms 514 vendors among 604 lock-ups inspected at the market
- Authorities collect Shs17.5 million in outstanding market fees during the exercise
