Wrangles between market vendors and city or municipal authorities are increasing and escalating to uncomfortable levels throughout Uganda. In most cases, vendors feel city or municipal authorities do not listen to them and that the authorities manage markets in an authoritarian and dictatorial manner.

“It is unfair as vendors are making losses and leaders are not listening nor doing anything to restore trade order.”

Mr. Ronald Kusambira, Kitoro Market Chairman

The current status quo is not only harming the livelihoods of vendors, it is negatively impacting on generation of much needed revenue that local governments require for public services provision.

“The (Entebbe Municipal) Council is collecting less than 25 million Shillings per month (from Kitoro Market) compared to the projected 285 million Shillings per month.”

Mr. Fred Lutaaya, Assistant Town Clerk Entebbe Division B

The reason for the low revenue collection from Entebbe’s Kitoro Market is because the market is reportedly operating at about only 28 percent stall and lock shop occupancy.

Indeed, on a recent visit to Kitoro Market we did observe that the majority of the stalls allocated to fish vendors, for example, were empty. Apparently, many of the vendors have decided to abandon their market stalls, because they are unable to pay steep market rates, among other reasons.

The case of Kitoro market is not unique. Similar scenarios are playing out throughout Uganda. And so, kudos to Hon. Margaret Rwabushaija Namubiru for successfully sponsoring a new law on the administration and management of markets. Yes, among the bills that Gen. Yoweri Kagutta Museveni, in his capacity as the president of the Republic of Uganda, has recently signed into law, is The Markets Bill, 2021, which Hon. Rwabushaija sponsored.

Hon. Margaret Rwabushaija Namubiru, Workers’ Member of Parliament 2021-2026

The new law, The Markets Act, 2023, replaces Uganda’s archaic colonial law, the Markets Act, 1942, which did not “provide for the management of vendors, including the involvement of vendors in the affairs of markets and vendors registration.”

The Market Act 2023 gives hope that the voice of vendors is now strengthened. That vendors are now in position to better negotiate with city or municipal council authorities. And that the authorities will be compelled to better listen to vendors and to agree on win-win solutions. Indeed, we hope it will soon be applied to solve the protracted wrangles between Kitoro Market vendors and the Entebbe Municipality authorities that are ongoing for years.

CPAR Uganda welcomes this development, which fits well within our mission to mentor young people to possess an attitude of self-reliance. Providing an enabling environment in which people get involved in the affairs of their respective communities, nurtures in people the spirit of self-reliance.

An enabling environment, such as The Market Act, 2023 provides, which enables people to participate in decision-making on issues that have direct consequences to their livelihoods fosters the spirit of self-reliance. And it is an effective way in which to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.

It is our hope also that vendors will use the rights and responsibilities that The Market Act, 2023 entitles them to ensure hygiene in all markets in which they trade – be it permanent markets, temporary markets and or seasonal markets. Of particular interest to CPAR Uganda is menstrual hygiene – provision of period-friendly toilets in all markets.

All markets should have hygienically clean “female toilets” which have special bins for disposal of used sanitary pads, clean water and a washroom. We hope that vendors will ensure that clear systems are in place and are implemented with regards to collection of used pads from toilet bins to be taken to incinerators for burning.

CPAR Uganda is committed to educating local governments and relevant private sector actors to exercise corporate social responsibility in stemming the irresponsible manner in which used sanitary pads are currently being disposed.

For public health and for environment protection, used sanitary pads should not be ending up in landfills, as is Uganda’s current reality.

Please support CPAR Uganda’s campaign for Uganda’s menstruating workforce to work with dignity while they go through their periods. A donation of US$ 10 (Ug. Shs. 38,000) buys us a week’s internet data to advocate for menstrual health services.

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