Traders In Moroto Demand Investigation Into Cracked UGX25 Billion Market

Posted by: Kyeyune Andrew Jonathan in Uganda news September 28, 2021

Traders in Moroto Municipality have asked the government to instigate an inquiry into how and why a shillings 25 billion market developed cracks so quickly.

This is intended to establish how the recently constructed UGX25 billion market in Moroto developed cracks months before handing it over for occupancy.

The Moroto Market construction happened under the markets and Agriculture trader improvement program (MAIP). The deal happened in partnership with co-funding Arab Bank of Economic Development in Africa.

Construction started in 2018, under a contract given to Ambitious Construction Company limited.

Authorities expected the construction works to be complete in 2020. However, the constructor has dragged the works on and will probably continue into 2022.

Despite the delays though, discoveries last week at the market showed the structure had developed cracks already.

This happened during a site visit by State Minister for Local Government Victoria Rusoke. She was in accompanied by members of the community as well as the community leaders.

After the discovery, the traders tasked the government to give them assurance that the building would not collapse and bury people. One of the traders, Joseph Lokiru called the building a death trap.

‘’How can a market whose construction has cost Shs25 billion develop major cracks even before it’s handed over for the public to use,’’ Grace Nakiru a trader said.

Rumor also has it that not so long ago, part of this same building collapsed. It apparently injured five workers when it was on the second floor.

Mr. Ismail Mohamed, the Mayor of Moroto Municipality said they will only occupy the market after authorities have fixed it. He also demanded an explanation for what caused the cracks before traders occupy it.

Efforts to get a comment from one Mr. Patel, the managing director of Ambitious Company were futile as he failed to pick up calls.

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