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By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/KMA Updates.
Kampala, Uganda: Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka has today commissioned and presided over ground-breaking ceremony of over 2 acres of land for Kampala hawkers and vendors in Kalerwe, Kawempe Division as part of Authority’s robust plan to decongest the City.
Dorothy Kisaka the Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director speaks to hawkers and vendors in Kalerwe before the ground breaking ceremony. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
The acquired land is adjacent to Kampala-Northern by-pass near Kalerwe Market on the left hand side as you head to Bwaise-a suburb town in Kawempe Division.
While addressing media, Kisaka lauded hawkers’ cooperation with the Authority ever since they were suspended from operating in the City center saying it has paid off.
“In order to organize the City, we were supposed to get you out of it and it was after consultation from H.E Yoweri Museveni. Museveni said it is a good idea but what will you do for my people and we promised him that we shall secure for you legitimate places to work from and here we’re today”. Kisaka remarked.
Dorothy Kisaka the Kampala Capital City Authority Executive Director addresses Press after the ground breaking ceremony. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“With engagement of Ugandan government, the Authority is dedicated to securing more land in all divisions of Kampala City to cater for a big number of hawkers and vendor who’re rendered no places to work from”. She added.
She told the congregation that they should use the place appropriately in order to revamp their incomes which were interrupted but the suspension.
Kisaka implored vendors and hawkers out there to join the Federation of Hawkers and Vendors Association as it is one step towards systematic working for example security, legal and fighting bad elements that may destabilize their peace.
“This land is only for low income earners/hawkers and vendors, I don’t expect rich people here. This is for you to boost your small incomes to sustain your economic situations”. Kisaka told hawkers.
Additionally Kisaka rallied the hakers to indulge themselves in all government programs like Emyooga and Parish Development Model-which is aimed at lifting the 39% of Uganda’s population that work for hand to mouth.
“Make sure you’re always available whenever they call for village/Parish meetings, this will help you to know government programs that can benefit you”. Kisaka told hawkers.
Tukamushaba Joseph, a representative from Microfinance Support Center informed this News Website that they paid for renting of Kalerwe hawkers land to enable them run their businesses since supporting small businesses is part of their obligation.
“We have committed ourselves to rent this land for the first six months on behalf of hawkers (without paying “busuulu”) to enable them first stabilize but the tenancy agreement is ten years”. Joseph remarked.
Tukamusima also committed that the center will be in position to assist hawkers with credit financing, say all they need is organizing themselves in groups then they can submit their request.
“We paid for rent of this land, we shall level it, put marram, and compact it in order to enable them lay down their products since it is a flair market”. He informed.
He also informed that in a bid to capacitate low income earners, Microfinance Support Center has supported over 25 SACCOs for hawkers and venders in Kampala City.
Kawempe Division Mayor Dr. Emmanuel Sserunjoji ‘Oweddembe’ lauded KCCA’s obligation of securing a legitimate place for hawkers however this would have been this first before suspending them from the City.
He said that the place is close to the Kampala Northern bypass which would not be secure for buyers so as the Division working hand in hand with KCCA ways to the place and parking places for trucks will be designed and constructed to enable business there.
He pointed that since the palace is new, it is the obligation of Kawempe Division leadership to market it by declaring specific products they deal in such that buyers can storm it.
“What has happened today should not only be limited to hawkers but should also be done to boda boda people because it is another field that is likely to face the challenges hawkers have gone through”. Sserunjoji tasked KCCA.