By Weswa Ronnie
SIRONKO
Two main markets from a hard to reach area in Sironko are on the verge of facing closure due to impassable roads.
The two markets are Top market at Zesui Sub County and Kipande market located at Namaguli Sub County all in Sironko district.
These two are the main markets in Sironko which generate lots of local revenue for the district local government through bidding.
While speaking to this website in an exclusive interview on Monday, 27th November, 2023, Suleiman Mukone, the Secretary for Kipande market says that the state of Buwere to Zesui road is currently in a very bad condition.
He adds that traders who used to come from Kenya, Busoga and Teso areas to buy agricultural products like sweet bananas, bananas, cabbages, tomatoes, and onions no longer come due to impassable roads.
Mukone also says that likewise, farmers who used to bring different food crops from different sub counties like Masaba, Bugitimwa, and Zesui among others can no longer do so because they are cut off due to poor state of roads which link to the market.
Stephen Madanda, a bidder also doubling as trader at Kipanda Market says that this time he has made a big loss adding that he may not recover his money he bid for this market since the turn up of vendors is too low.
He urged the district leaders to extend his term of operation from three months that he was given to six such that he can recover his money.
Bosco Wasukila, the LCII chairperson of Bulujewa Parish, Namaguli Sub County says that the transport costs and prices of essential commodities have doubled due to poor state of roads.
Geoffrey Wamanyala, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Sironko urged Madanda to put his complaint in writing to the office of CAO so that they can sit and see how to grant him extension.
Herbert Musika, the Secretary for Social Services at Sironko District Local Government says that the minister of Transport and Works, Gen. Katumba Wamala last week wrote a letter suspending works on district roads and bridges until the current rains end.
He adds that Sironko can’t defy the directive of the government but says that not only Kipande and Top markets but all markets in the district are affected with poor roads and as a district they are losing lots of local revenue.
