Local government minister Balaam Barugahara has directed that tenderers be removed from matooke markets in Sheema district, ordering instead that the traders themselves be handed the tenders to run the markets.
The minister argued that the current arrangement had allowed tenderers to exploit traders for years, collecting millions of shillings from the markets while remitting very little to local councils and offering no services or development in return.
Directive Issued During Anti-Corruption Visit
The order came during his Expose the Corrupt anti-corruption crusade and monitoring visit to Sheema district on Saturday, November 6. His first stop was Itendero Market, where matooke traders raised concerns about being relocated by the council from Itendero town to Nyabuhama, on the outskirts of Itendero.
The minister instructed Sheema Municipality Mayor Lukia Nakalisa not to renew the current tender when it expires at the end of this financial year. He said the traders should organise themselves into a SACCO and be given the tender to manage the market.
"You will be paying sh15 million of what you collect monthly to the council and the rest of the money you use to develop yourselves. This is better, as the money will be benefiting many instead of the three members of the group that currently has the tender to manage the market," he said.
Traders Allege Draconian Conditions
The traders accused the current tenderer of imposing harsh conditions, including requiring that their own trucks be the only vehicles allowed to transport matooke from the market to Kampala, at a high cost.
Adrine Atuhiirwe, a trader at the market, said traders in other markets paid sh2,000 to transport each bunch of matooke to Kampala, while the tenderers at Itendero charged sh3,000 per bunch, which she described as expensive.
"They often leave our matooke in the market yard and refuse to transport it, claiming it is little food, yet they don't allow other trucks to come in and support us," she said.
The traders also told the minister that they had no recognised elected market leadership. During the visit, he asked them to nominate candidates they considered suitable to lead them, followed by an election.
Kabwohe Traders Speak Out
The minister later visited Kabwohe Matooke Market, where traders complained that the current tenderer had operated the market for 20 years without providing adequate services or development.
The directive is seen as a significant shift in how local markets in the district will be managed, with traders expected to take greater control of their own affairs.
