Richard Rwabuhinga the LC5 Chairperson Kabarole district, Charles Businge outgoing LC3 Chairperson Kicwamba sub-county and Peter Bazira the area district councilor have been accused of masterminding the proposed transaction of Kyakagusa government Market to a private company.
Jubilee radio has landed on a document dated 03rd March 2021 addressed to Kabarole district local government in which a private company called House of Tooro based in Kampala highlights on the intended takeover of the market.
Our reporter has understood that the same document titled: A Preliminary Business Idea to Establish a Modern Public Market in Kyakagusa Nyankwanzi Village, Kicwamba sub-county Kabarole district was presented before Kabarole district local government authorities in a meeting held on 03.3.2021 at LC5 Chairman’s office Kitumba Fort-portal City.
According to sources, the company is in final stages of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kabarole district local government after which Kyakagusa market will be shifted from a government land to private individuals land.
The proposed 9.66 acres of land owned by House of Tooro Company limited is located on plot 8, Burahya, Block 40 Kyakagusa. Under the arrangement Kabarole district is partnering with House of Tooro through a Private Public Partnership PPP.
Now, a disagreement has erupted after area local leaders rejected the move questioning how the district allowed the takeover of the market without their consent.
During a meeting held at Bwanika parish hall on Monday, LC1’s suspected leaders at the district and sub-county level had received a bribe from the company. They vowed to mobilize residents and traders to refuse signing on the attendance list during a consultative meeting slated for Thursday 18th March 2021.
They want to use the attendance list as evidence to claim that citizens accepted the shifting of the market, said Stephen Bagonza, one of the local leaders during a meeting!
Elizabeth Asaba, an elder wonders why leaders are interested in shifting the market from a government land to the hands of private individuals. How a man dare leave his own house and start renting from the neighbor, she questioned.
Dominic Kato an elder says that Kyakagusa market has for years acted as major source of revenue for Kicwamba sub-county and Kabarole district, but if they allow individuals to build a new one on their private land that means government will have no authority over a private business.
Project Description:
The modern market will include 1,000 stalls, Shops, Banks, Pharmacy, Police post, Hostels, Restaurants, Water Points, Exit, Entry gates, Packing Space, Stores, Cooling system for fresh foods, Butchers, and Toilets among others.
What is being done at the moment:
According to our investigations:
(I) Plots demarcations, and planning permission is ongoing
(II) Construction of planned ring road and inside the plot access roads is due to commence
(III) Architectural drawings and BOQs are in final phases to be presented before district council for approval
(IV) A feasibility study is ongoing and will be completed by end of April 2021.
Overview.
Kyakagusa market is an old market is an old market in Kicwamba sub-county Kabarole district benefiting around 25,000 people from Kabarole, Fort-portal, Ntoroko and other parts of the region
It has been in existence for so many years, and its growth has been gradual and operates once in a week (Fridays). It began as a farmers market and now attracts various traders with diverse merchandise drawn from various parts of Tooro kingdom and beyond
2nd controversy in Kicwamba.
Jack Magezi the Kicwamba sub-county LC3 elect 2021-2026 argues that this project has no difference from the 2015 Ferdsult saga.
In 2015 Kabarole district local government and Ferdsult Engineering Company Limited entered into an agreement in which Ferdsult was to restock fish in 20 crater lakes in the district. Some of the creator lakes are in Kicwamba sub-county
However, Twerwaheno Listeners Club, a human rights organization based in Fort Portal and six residents surrounding crater lakes in the district sued Kabarole district, the Attorney General and Ferdsult over the deal.
In June 2017 Fort Portal Resident Judge Anthony Ojok Ayuko, cancelled the MOU on grounds that the consultations with the fishermen and residents were not conducted.
Magezi says they will not accept to lose Kyakagusa Market to investors who are profit oriented which will affect hundreds of residents that operate in the market.
We couldn’t get comments from some leaders because they couldn’t pick our phone calls by press time.
