Kampala, Uganda – After months of unrest and disputes among vendors at Portbell City Batour Market, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has installed a new leadership committee, sparking mixed reactions from traders.
What Happened?
1. KCCA Intervenes to Resolve Chaos
- Leadership conflicts, mismanagement, and vendor protests had plagued the market.
- KCCA’s Trade Manager, Julius Kasirye, announced the new committee, stating:
"This change will bring order and end the endless fights in this market."
2. New Leaders Sworn In – Some Reject the Process
- Madinah Kyalisima was elected as the new market chairperson but faces immediate opposition from a faction of traders.
- Kayima Ndiriisa, another contender, was defeated and accused the election of being unfair, claiming some voters were bribed.
3. Vendors Divided
- Some traders celebrated the change, hoping for better management and reduced fees.
- Others rejected the new leaders, vowing to continue protests.
Why This Matters
- Economic Impact: Portbell Market is a key trading hub; instability hurts businesses.
- Vendor Distrust: Many believe KCCA’s intervention favors certain groups.
- Precedent for Other Markets: If successful, KCCA may replicate this model in Owino, Nakawa, and others.
What’s Next?
- New committee begins work immediately.
- Opposing vendors threaten legal action.
- KCCA monitoring to ensure smooth operations.
