MBARARA: Mbarara City Council authorities have patterned with private investors to construct a new market where they will relocate street vendors.
The market, called “Tag Valley,” is constructed by the Tag Family Constructions.
There are already five other markets in the area: Kakoba, Nyamityobora, Rwebikona, Markhsign, and Central Market. This is the sixth.
The market, located in Nsiikye Kyera cell, Nyamitaga Ward, Mbarara City North Division, will operate weekly for the mobile traders and daily for those that will be relocated from the streets.
Richard Mugisha, the Mbarara City Deputy Clerk, says the construction of the new market will increase the city’s local revenue, adding to the projected 9 billion shillings this financial year, and in turn offer better service delivery to the people.
He says the city is ready to sustain the private-public pattern ship that is aimed at developing the city. He says the market will see the city remove more than 200 vendors that have been operating from the streets.
Taga Nuwagaba, the proprietor of Tag Valley Market, says the market, sitting on 15 acres of land, will accommodate more than 1500 vendors. He says the market will host all sorts of traders, from pitches, stalls, and kiosks.
He says the market will increase the incomes of the traders and also add value to the land.
The traders expressed excitement for the new market, noting that since the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, business has been slow.
They say the new market is going to save them from the daily run-ins with the city enforcement officers who have been confiscating their merchandise.
Christopher Aine, the deputy Mbarara City Commissioner, says the construction of the market will improve the security of the city since vendors that have been operating from the streets are going to be relocated.