Africa-Press – Uganda. With the market’s private ownership, the city council has limited control over its operations, leading to disputes and concerns over management.
Kikoona Matooke Daily Market, located in Ruti trading center in Mbarara city, has been a hub for the buying and selling of bananas for over four decades.
However, despite its long history, the market, sitting on private land, has become a source of frustration for both the city council and traders.
With the market’s private ownership, the city council has limited control over its operations, leading to disputes and concerns over management.
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi explained that the council has no full control over the market because it belongs to private individuals.
“We only collect shs. 10 million per month, which is remitted to the Mbarara City South division, but this money doesn’t go towards maintaining the market facilities,” Kakyebezi said.
The market collects substantial revenue, with traders paying a fee of shs. 300 per bunch of bananas.
On a typical day, between seven and 15 lorries carrying up to 500 bunches of bananas each enter the market.
With each bunch charged shs. 300, the daily revenue from the market can reach up to Shs2.25 million, translating to about Shs67.5 million monthly.
Of this, the city council receives only Shs10 million.
Despite the high fees, traders complain about the poor condition of the market, especially during the rainy season.Zaitun Najjumbwa, a trader, lamented the poor sanitation, muddy conditions, and lack of improvements.
“We don’t know where the money we pay goes because there’s still a lot of mud when it rains, the garbage is everywhere, and the latrines are poorly maintained,” she said.
Another trader, Naboth Nyondo, called for a reduction in charges, pointing out the scarcity of bananas and the terrible working conditions.
Kakyebezi added that the council had proposed increasing the revenue from shs. 10 million to shs. 16 million, but the market owners rejected the proposal.
In response, the city council plans to construct a new market on land they’ve purchased near Nyakayojo Secondary School.
The new facility is intended to provide better control and improved infrastructure.
The situation at Kikoona Matooke Market highlights the challenges of managing privately-owned public markets and underscores the need for better regulation, sanitation, and collaboration between the city council and market owners.
Source: Nilepost News
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
