The traders argue that since they were not affected by the demolition of Kabale central market in August last year to pave they were told by the council that the construction will not include their lockups located behind Visitours Hotel because they are not part of the market.
A row has erupted between Kabale Municipal council authorities and traders operating adjacent to Kabale central market over extension of market boundaries.
The traders argue that since they were not affected by the demolition of Kabale central market in August last year, they were shocked when officials from Kabale Municipal council stormed the area and surveyed the land.
The officials told the traders to relocate since the market boundaries are being extended and their lockups will soon be demolished.
Robert Byansi, one of the affected traders says that he witnessed how the boundaries were followed during the demolition of the central market to pave way for construction of a modern market.
He also says that the authorities assured them that their lockups will not be affected by the construction.
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Desire Rwamutemani, another trader criticized how the authorities want to demolish the lockups. He explains that traders are yet to be formally notified by the authorities.
Rwamutembani says that the municipality should follow right procedures because the traders’ lease is still valid for the next 29 years and have been paying ground rent, occupation permit and trading license.
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Rehema Kagwa, a trader who owns a hotel at the affected lockups says that they have tried to plead with authorities to at least provide them with an alternative space in vain.
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Emmanuel Setaro Byamugisha, Mayor for Kabale Municipality says that initially, they had thought that the available space is not enough but later realized that they need additional space. He however says that the dispute will be resolved.
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Story by Samuel Amanya
