Minister Balaam Intervenes in Kabale Central Market Extortion Scandal

State Minister for Local Government, Mr Balaam Barugahara, has taken decisive action at Kabale Central Market by reallocating approximately 50 lock-up shops and 50 fresh food stalls. The intervention followed alarming revelations that original alloctees were illegally subletting the government facility to unsuspecting traders at exorbitant rates.

Reconstructed in 2019 using a Shs23 billion African Development Bank loan under the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvements Project (MATIP), the market strictly prohibits the subletting of working spaces. However, many affected tenants reported being forced to pay middlemen between Shs100,000 and Shs250,000 monthly for spaces that officially cost significantly less.

Armed with receipts and agreements, dozens of frustrated traders crowded the minister during his visit. In response, Minister Barugahara directed the Kabale district security team, led by the Resident District Commissioner’s office, to immediately arrest any landlords attempting to threaten or evict the newly installed tenants. Furthermore, the government announced an adjustment to rental fees, raising fresh food stall charges from Shs10,000 to Shs20,000 per month, while lock-up fees remain capped between Shs50,000 and Shs150,000.

Local leaders, including Kabale Municipal Mayor Sentaro Byamugisha and Town Clerk Ronald Baganzi, welcomed the move as a long-overdue solution to persistent ownership disputes. Conversely, some local officials like Deputy Speaker Tom Kazemera expressed concern that executing reallocations at a public rally could breed animosity among traders without adequate prior verification.

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