RWAMPARA – The Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has ordered an immediate halt to the collection of market dues at Rugando Matooke Market in Rwampara District after vendors decried deplorable conditions despite paying daily taxes.
Hon. Balaam, who is on an Anti-Corruption and Service Delivery Monitoring tour in Rwampara, made an impromptu visit to the busy Matooke market where vendors confronted him with complaints.
The vendors, the majority of whom are women dealing in Matooke, revealed that they pay Shs1,000 per bunch of Matooke to the district authorities.
However, according to the vendors, there is nothing to show for the money collected.
“The toilets have been closed for three years, when it rains this entire place floods, cars get stuck in mud, there are no shades, no water. What does the money we pay do?” one vendor told the Minister.
The market, which serves as a major food hub for Rwampara and neighbouring districts, was found in a sorry state with no proper drainage, garbage littered around, and dilapidated latrines locked with padlocks.
Visibly disappointed, Hon. Balaam questioned district officials present on why collections continue when services are not being delivered.
“How do you collect money from poor mothers every day and you cannot even open a toilet for them? Where does this money go?” Balaam asked.
He subsequently directed that all collections at Rugando Market should stop with immediate effect until government finds a lasting solution to the challenges.
Hon. Balaam further directed the district to immediately dump murram at the market to ease movement and prevent vehicles from getting stuck in mud.
