WAKISO, UGANDA – Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Local Government, including the Commissioner for Urban Administration, Mr. Charles Magumba is today meeting residents and market vendors in Kasimbili Central and Wakiso Central Market in Wakiso District, in a meeting called under the Presidential Directive to Expose and Eliminate Corruption in Uganda.

The meeting, which is organized by the Ministry of Local Government, is being held today, Saturday 5th September at 12:00 PM at Wakiso Central Market under the theme “WAKISO Central Market for TRADERS NOT for LANDLORDS.”

Hon. Balaam has been received by a large number of vendors who, before the main meeting could start, insisted on taking him through the market to see firsthand the conditions they operate in.

Vendors have led the Minister on a guided tour of the market interior, pointing out congested stalls, poor drainage, and dilapidated structures. On his way to the meeting venue, he has been made to walk through the garbage collection area, which is in a very bad state, overflowing and emitting a foul stench, highlighting the sanitation challenges the market has faced for months.

The vendors have told the Minister that despite Wakiso Central Market being built for genuine traders, most stalls have been taken over by landlords and rich individuals who are not vendors, while the real market vendors are left to operate on the verandas and in muddy open spaces. This is the same complaint that has been raised in other markets, where government recently warned civil servants and officials against grabbing market stalls meant for vendors.