GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTES JOINT GRIEVANCE REDRESS COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS WAKISO CENTRAL MARKET VENDORS’ CONCERNS

What the report says

Wakiso District Local Government says government has set up a Joint Grievance Redress Committee to handle complaints from vendors at Wakiso Central Daily Market over stall allocation and related disputes. The move follows allegations raised by traders about irregular allocation of stalls, extortion, loss of trading space to new entrants, multiple stall ownership and other concerns linked to the relocation of vendors into temporary structures during construction of a modern market.

According to the district’s statement, the committee brings together officials from the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Programme under the Ministry of Kampala City and Metropolitan Affairs, the Ministry of Local Government, Wakiso District Local Government, the Office of the Resident District Commissioner and security agencies. It has been instructed to begin work immediately and review the complaints comprehensively.

The report says the issue was escalated to the Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, who supported steps including the election of new market leadership and investigations into claims that people were collecting money from vendors in exchange for stalls. During a stakeholder meeting, officials told vendors to remain calm, avoid confrontation and submit evidence to support their claims.

Wakiso district leaders and the RDC also urged traders to avoid violence and misinformation while the committee works. The district says the aim is to ensure the market becomes a modern and orderly trading facility while protecting legitimate vendors. As a local government statement, the report reflects the authorities’ account of the process and grievances under review.