St. Balikuddembe (Owino) market traders have dragged their chairperson to court.
Suzan Kushaba, the chairperson, was dragged to the High Court by traders that have been supplying water in the market under their umbrella body Balikuddembe Owino Suppliers Uganda Limited, over what they called causing them financial losses.
They allege that Kushabe suspended them from supplying water to market vendors and yet they had a tender that had been given to them through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the former leadership led by Godfrey Kayongo and the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).
Baligeya Isabirye displays documents that permit them to supply water in Owino Market. (Photo by Moses Kigongo)
“We’ve been forced to open a case against Kushaba in the High Court after asking her to stop interfering in our business but all in vain,” said Baligeya Isabirye, their leader while showing some of the court documents in the market.
President’s directive
When contacted, Kushaba rebuffed their claims saying it was the President’s directive that caused their woes.
She said by the time she came into office, their services had been suspended by the former resident city commissioner (RCC), Farida Mayanja, over complaints of overcharges from market traders.
This incident comes at a time when market wrangles are happening in various markets in the Kampala Metropolitan area.
Last year, the Workers MP, Margaret Rwabushaija, tabled a private member’s bill, “The Markets Bill, 2021”. It was passed by Parliament on February 15, this year. It awaits being assented to by President Yoweri Museveni.
Source: New Vision