Vendors operating in Busega Market have appealed to the Ugandan government and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for assistance regarding their 100-year land lease. Their plea comes as they face significant operational challenges, primarily a prolonged lack of electricity.
The vendors' Chairman, Fahad Kawooya, has highlighted a critical issue: the market has been without electricity for several months, severely disrupting their business activities.
These claims by the vendors' chairman were corroborated by the NRM Chairperson for Lubaga Division, Majjambere Ssemakula Kamuntu. He explained that the NRM Vice Chairperson for Makindye Division, Hassan Lukyamuzi, was invited to represent the party at a vendors' meeting focused on developing Kampala, held at the newly relocated Busega Market.
Lukyamuzi stated that Chairman Majjambere was unable to attend and sent him instead. He urged the vendors to also inform President Museveni's Senior Advisor on Kampala Affairs, Faridah Kimuli, who is the key official for addressing issues of electricity and other directives from the President concerning Busega.
All this took place at a meeting of the KCCA Vendors Association, which was also attended by President Museveni's Advisor on Kampala Affairs, Faridah Kimuli. She leads the national umbrella organization, the Federation of Uganda Market Vendors Association.
Faridah Kimuli, who is also the chairperson of Nakasero Market, is known for her role in reclaiming land that had been taken from the government. Recently, President Museveni appointed her as his Advisor on Market Vendors Affairs. She has assured the Busega vendors that she will take their problems directly to the President.
Another key issue the vendors raised with the President's Advisor is the "Market Loan." They are requesting the government to provide them with soft loans without stringent conditions, allowing them to invest in their businesses.
In response, Kimuli emphasized that lifting people out of poverty is a top priority for the NRM government. She urged the vendors to quickly formalize their associations so the process of disbursing the funds can begin.
Finally, the vendors signed a document pledging their support to President Museveni. The Busega vendors have set a deadline of January 15th, 2025, for their demands to be met, and they have also inaugurated their new leadership office for the Federation at Busega Market.
