Several traders from Rwanda are still stranded in Kampala following the temporary closure of Kiseka market in Kampala, Uganda last week. At the height of the wrangle, police fired tear gas canister and rubber bullets at traders to quell the riot. Safari Nkubito, who deals in car spare parts and music equipment said the closure of the market is making them lose millions (money). “I had already bought equipment worth Shs15 million and I was only waiting to load it but then this violence started,” Nkubito lamented. He is one of the victims of the ongoing wrangle between electronics, cars and motorcycles’ spare parts dealer in Kiseka market and a developer. While the developer—Rhino Investments wants to raze the market and build a modern one, the vendors are resisting the move, saying they also have the financial capacity to redevelop the market but government allocated it to a private developer. “Now I am not even sure whether my goods are still where I left them. I hard hired a truck to take my merchandise and all that is a loss,” Nkubito said. Swalle Munyaneza who deals in Yamaha Motorcycle spare parts prays the standoff is resolved as fast as possible. “We have clients, our businesses and families are waiting for us, I had already booked the bus and now I cant leave without my goods,” he added. On Wednesday the government ordered the closure of the market so that it can look into the matter.Yesterday the market opened, but with low business.Ends
