Evicted Hoima street vendors set for relocation near Lagoon

The new marketplaces were part of the demands from the evicted street vendors to leaders at a post-eviction meeting. They demanded a plot of land within the city premises.

Earlier last month, Asinansi Nyakato, woman MP Hoima City, Ismail Kasule Hoima West MP-elect, Badru Mugabi, Hoima RCC, and city authorities had an inspection on the 2.5-acre plot of land.

The land which is currently under preparation, was rented last month from Peter Ndiwalana through vendors’ associations and will accommodate over 1000 vendors. Occupants are former traders at Duhaga roundabout and street vendors of Kiryatete.

The new market is located along the Hoima-Butiaba road near the lagoon in Kiganda 1 Cell, Hoima West City Division.

Speaking on behalf of the vendors, William Musinguzi, the Duhaga Roundabout Vendor’s chairperson appreciated the efforts by the area woman MP Asinansi Nyakato Kamanda in ensuring that vendors’ needs are fulfilled.

He, however, condemned the city authorities for allocating them marketplaces which are in poor condition.

During the visit to the under-prepared plot, Nyakato condemned self-seekers who are trying to politicise the proposed site by trying to convince the vendors not to relocate there, noting it is near the lagoon.

The evicted street vendors are going through hardships since they were getting money to look after their families through street vending, the MP said.