By Gorrete Kajumba
www.mknewslink.com
In Fort portal—
Vendors at Kabundaire Farmers Market in Fort Portal City have raised concerns over the allocation and use of market stalls, with some accusing authorities of unfair distribution while others have abandoned their stalls for roadside spaces where they say customers are easier to reach.
Maama Mercy, a vendor dealing in avocados and watermelons, said she has operated in the market for several years but was recently denied a stall after hers was allegedly allocated to another vendor.
She said she has sought intervention from local leaders but has not yet received a satisfactory resolution.
She also accused authorities of failing to ensure a fair allocation of stalls, saying disputes among vendors have increased as traders compete for the limited spaces.
Kirungi James, another vendor, said all traders were allocated stalls, but some chose to move to the roadside because they believe customers can access them more easily, particularly during the rainy season.
However, he said the decision has created serious sanitation challenges, with stagnant water collecting around the roadside trading areas and customers struggling to move through the flooded spaces.
Kirungi added that vendors also lack proper facilities for disposing of waste, forcing some to keep garbage at their stalls, which he said exposes them and their customers to the risk of disease.
Mwesige Abdu, Katwesige Rose among others have called on city authorities to take action against traders who have abandoned their allocated stalls and moved to the roadside.
They say the continued roadside trading is creating congestion, poor sanitation and unfair competition for vendors who have remained inside the market.
Other vendors said they have suffered financial losses since the transition to the new market arrangements, with reduced customer access affecting their businesses.
Kabarangira Jassy, the chairperson of Kabundaire Farmers Market, called on the city authorities to intervene in the ongoing disputes.
Jassy said every vendor was allocated a stall, but some traders chose to abandon them and operate along the road.
He said market leaders have therefore decided to reallocate vacant stalls to vendors who have not yet secured space in the market.
The Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Fort Portal City, Larry Nesta, advised vendors who have not received stalls to compile a list and submit it to the authorities so that the matter can be investigated and addressed.
Fort Portal Central Division Mayor Joram Bintamanya said no vendor should be charged for a market stall and urged traders who are being asked to pay to report the matter to the relevant authorities.
Bintamanya also warned vendors operating along the roadside to vacate the spaces, saying city authorities and enforcement officers will soon implement the trade order and return traders to the market.
He explained that during a meeting between the Minister for Local Government and market vendors, it was agreed that the traders would construct and roof their stalls themselves.
According to Bintamanya, the council will give the vendors a grace period of two to three months without collecting revenue, allowing them time to establish their businesses in the market.
The city authorities have now been tasked with resolving the stall allocation disputes while enforcing regulations against roadside trading and improving sanitation within and around Kabundaire Farmers Market.
