Mbarara Central Market vendors are awaiting their tenancy agreements.
During a meeting at the city headquarters with city leadership, vendors raised concerns about the new verification process directed by Minister of Local Government Raphael Magyezi.
Magyezi, when issuing the directive in May, explained that the President tasked him to investigate and re-verify the vendors. He emphasized that markets constructed under The Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project (MATIP) aim to benefit low-income vendors rather than larger businesses.
Zelda Nkwikiriza, a vendor, attributed the confusion in the central market to the absence of tenancy agreements, which are crucial for determining ownership of stalls.
Assan Abireebe Tumwesigire, the City Town Clerk, assured that the tenancy agreements are prepared and awaiting signatures. He highlighted that these agreements are essential to prevent the council from losing stalls to money lenders who accept them as collateral, citing instances where vendors have lost stalls due to loans secured against them.
Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, Mbarara City Mayor, urged vendors to remain patient until the re-verification report is issued next month.
Emmanuel Muhumuza, Chairperson of the Central Market Vendors, expressed concern over individuals registering vendors without consulting market leadership, leading to confusion with the town clerk.
According to the MATIP Market guidelines and Ministerial Statement 2014, the new markets are managed under a Landlord-Tenant relationship, with the Municipal Council as the landlord and eligible vendors as tenants.
