By Aaron Okotel
MBALE CITY
The Ministry of Local Government on Saturday, 3rd October, 2026 concluded a four-day physical verification exercise at Mbale Central Market, confirming 514 vendors while ordering the removal of 83 Landlords occupying market facilities.
The exercise was conducted following concerns raised by vendors during a recent visit to the market by Local Government Minister, Balaam Barugahara over alleged unfair allocation of lock-ups and high rental charges imposed by landlords.
Led by Assistant Commissioner at the Ministry of Local Government, Ettedu J. J. Geoffrey, alongside the Industrial Division Town Clerk, Mr. Mugisha Geoffrey, the verification team inspected all 604 lock-ups in the facility to restore order and ensure that rightful occupants are running the spaces.
Speaking after the exercise, Ettedu said the verification established that 83 of the 514 verified facilities were occupied by landlords who had rented them out to vendors.
Ettedu said the ministry directed that the facilities be handed back to the tenants, stressing that only the city council has the legal authority to allocate market facilities.
“One person, one vendor, one facility. You either have a lock-up, you either have a stall, you either have a pitch or you have an open space. You cannot have more than one,” he said.
Ettedu said the verification exercise also resulted in the collection of Shs17.5 million in market fees after some vendors who had outstanding payments rushed to clear their dues.
Ettedu urged the market allocation committee to ensure that the 67 unverified lock-ups are allocated transparently, giving consideration to women, youth, elderly people and vendors who were previously operating in the market but missed out during the initial allocation.
“The Council is going to advertise and get prospective and intending vendors to apply for them, and the Allocation Committee will be able to give them,” Ettedu said.
Mbale Central Market Administrator, Ojambo Michael says the exercise would ensure that rightful vendors occupy the lock-ups and urged authorities to enforce the law prohibiting private individuals from letting out council-owned market facilities.
Wakoli Ferguson, a textile vendor, welcomed the removal of landlords but called for continued monitoring to ensure the changes are sustained.
He said private landlords had made the market expensive for low-income vendors and asked city authorities to sensitise traders about the applicable market rates.
Madoi Ali, a vendor and market ambassador, also welcomed the exercise, saying it would give vendors confidence to conduct their businesses without intimidation.
He said the removal of landlords could also increase council revenue, which could in turn improve service delivery at the market.
