Three committee members of the Kabale new Central Market allocation Committee were arrested on Sunday on charges of misconduct and gross extortion during the market allocation process.
The individuals taken into custody are Andrew Bijja, the health inspector of Kabale Municipality, Wilson Agaba, the Chairman of the relocations team, and Alex Muhumuza, another member of the registration team.
The arrests were made under the direct orders of Raphael Magyezi, the minister for Local Government. Magyezi had visited Kabale to address the issues raised in the investigative report prepared by Ronald Bakak, the Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, and the committee instituted by the minister, which included other officials from the Ministry of Local government.
The committee was formed in January 2023 in response to numerous complaints from vendors regarding the alleged mishandling of the relocation exercise by municipal authorities, led by Mayor Emmanuel Sentaro Byamigisha and Prossy Tuhiriirwe, the Assistant Program Officer in Charge of Community development under the Ministry of Local government.
According to vendors, municipal leaders had been accepting bribes ranging from shs2m to shs50m in exchange for selling stalls and lockups to unidentified individuals, civil servants, and even their own relatives.
After conducting interviews with various vendors during a special meeting at Kabale Golf Course Makanga, Minister Magyezi received overwhelming complaints and allegations. In this gathering, 36 vendors openly accused Byamugisha Sentaro, Andrew Baija, Muhumuza, Agaba, and Fidelis Akankwasa, the Kabale Municipality Commercial Officer, of engaging in extortionary practices.
During the meeting, Baija, Muhumuza, and Agaba offered conflicting statements as they tried to defend themselves against the accusations. Unable to determine the truth amidst the contradictory testimonies, Minister Magyezi ordered for their immediate arrest. Fidelis Akankwasa, who was said to be on run, was also pursued and apprehended under Magyezi’s directive.
Minister Magyezi further announced that a thorough investigation would be conducted to examine the conduct of Byamugisha and other officials affiliated to the Ministry of Local Government, who were responsible for overseeing the market allocation exercise.
The suspects were taken to Kabale Central Police Station, where they are being detained pending further legal proceedings. It is important to note that the Kabale Central Market underwent an extensive renovation project valued at shs23bn.
The project was awarded to the Chinese company Chong Chong International Construction (CICO) in 2019 and received funding from the World Bank through the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Program (MATIP III).
It was successfully completed and handed over to the government in December 2022, marking a significant milestone for the region’s market infrastructure.
About The Author
