Kitintale: Slow Progress of Market Construction

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Joseph Ssebugwawo the Vice Chairman of Kitintale Market Vendors says they are planning to meet Wasswa and persuade him to grant the vendors more time as KCCA expedites construction works.

Vendors in Kitintale Central Market have raised concerns about the slow construction works of the new market.

The vendors operate on a piece of land belonging to Ssenteza Wasswa which they occupied in 2019 to pave way for the construction of a new market. Each vendor has been paying 10,000 shillings every month.

Previously, Ssenteza asked the vendors to vacate as he sought to redevelop his land.

However, following several talks with the vendors, Wasswa granted the vendors a year of unpaid occupation on the land as KCCA constructs the new market. The vendors were supposed to vacate the land on Monday.

However, construction of the market is still on-going, raising concerns from vendors who fear they could be evicted by Wasswa.

One of the food vendors Janet Adera, says that contractor should at least complete construction of the stalls to enable them to start working as construction continues.

Adam Ssekabira another vendor says that KCCA should expedite works and also request Wasswa to grant the vendors more time.

Joseph Ssebugwawo the Vice Chairman of Kitintale Market Vendors says they are planning to meet Wasswa and persuade him to grant the vendors more time as KCCA expedites construction works.

Dr Esau Galukande, the Deputy Director of Gender, Community Services and Production says that the contractor needs about two months to complete the first phase of the market. He, however, says it is not yet known if vendors will occupy the market immediately.

The contractor Sarjan Construction Limited was supposed to complete the first phase of the market by August 4th.

However, the contractor says works were interrupted by the COVID- 19 pandemic that led to the total lockdown.

The five-storied market will accommodate 400 vendors and will consist of stalls, cold rooms, office space and a parking lot.

The first phase of the market according to KCCA has cost 3.5 billion shillings but the entire project including the second and third phase will take up 7 billion shillings.