I was one of the MPS in the 8th Parliament who honestly supported a motion that authorised Uganda Government to secure a soft loan from the Africa Development Bank (ADB) and Arab Bank for Economic Development (BADEA), for purposes of financing the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Project (MTIP-1).

The sum total of the said loan was US$70 Million meant for the re-construction of 21 markets in various parts of the country to wit:Kampala, Jinja, Gulu, Fort Portal, Mbale etc. 1…9.8% of the said loan, translating into US $ 13.5 million, was allocated to Kampala for the construction of the following six (6) markets: Wandegeya (US$2.4M), Ntinda (US$3.OM), Nakulabye (US$2.7M), Busega ($1.4m), Kasubi ($2.6m) and Kansanga Nabutiti($1.4). The agreement with the development partners expressly stated that these common-user facilities, to be complete before December 2014, would help us address the critical issues of unemployment, trade order and street vending.

It was around the same period that the following major markets in the Central Business District were alienated or sold off ostensibly for want of capacity on part of Government to develop and maintain them: St. Balikuddembe-Owino, 7.7 Acres (Ug.shs.4bn), Nakasero market, 2 Acres (Ug. Shs.1.8bn), Kisekka market 3.4 Acres(Ug shs.1.5bn) Shauriako market (Ug. Shs. 500m). During the period 2010-2011…apiece of land in Kalitunsi area measuring six Acres, hitherto being used as a lorry park, was sold off to one Kassimu Ssessimba and Umar Ssekamatte at a paltry sum of Ug.110m. They subsequently constructed thereon a makeshift market called USAFI. In the KCCA budget for 2014-15 amounting to Ug. Shs. 268bn , pending approval before Parliament, the Minister for Kampala and the Accounting officer have earmarked an astronomical sum of Ug. Shs. 37.9bn to re-purchase USAFI market. The question am posing to you, fellow Ugandans: would you accuse an elected leader of being anti development by raising such pertinent issues?

By Erias Lukwago

Lord Mayor Kampala