Tororo Municipal Council Declares End Of Unauthorised markets, Osuna vendors face Relocation.

By Gabriel Oligo and Lazima Wangadiya

A major shake-up is looming in the municipality after the Municipal Council announced plans to phase out all unauthorised and ungazetted markets, putting vendors operating in emerging trading centres, including Osuna Market, on notice.

The council’s resolution signals a potentially disruptive transition for traders who have established businesses outside officially recognised market spaces, with vendors expected to relocate to the gazetted central market once ongoing preparations are completed.

Speaking after the council’s second meeting of the financial year, municipal leaders singled out Osuna Market, located around the central market, as one of the mushrooming trading centres operating without official recognition.

The council revealed that Osuna Market emerged as a temporary trading space during the construction of the main market, when some traders occupied the area.

However, the leadership maintained that the market was never gazetted and traders operating there are currently not paying any market fees.

With the council now determined to streamline market operations, the future of these traders remains uncertain as preparations gather pace to move them into the official market.

Municipal leaders said the relocation exercise will be undertaken after construction of the market’s toilet facilities is completed, adding that vendors will be organised and allocated space in the gazetted market.

The council further disclosed that the new market infrastructure will be developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, with the municipality retaining ownership of the land while ensuring that the structures comply with approved council standards.

Storm victims left waiting as government assessment takes centre stage

Meanwhile, families whose properties were destroyed by a recent devastating storm have been urged to remain patient as government moves to establish the extent of the damage and determine possible intervention.

The municipality disclosed that it had already communicated with the area Member of Parliament regarding the disaster and recently hosted a team from the Office of the Prime Minister’s Disaster Department to conduct a joint assessment.

The council said a list of affected residents is expected to be submitted to the relevant ministry by Friday, paving the way for government to consider the necessary response.

Although the municipality expressed sympathy with the affected families, the victims remain dependent on the outcome of government assessment and subsequent intervention processes.

The council pledged to stand with the affected residents as the government works towards addressing the disaster.

Rainy season raises pressure on municipal road works

On infrastructure, the municipality says it is preparing to commence road works even as the rainy season sets in, raising expectations over how quickly planned interventions will be implemented.

The timing presents an added challenge for road construction and maintenance, with residents looking to the council for improved infrastructure as weather conditions become increasingly demanding.

District engineer’s interdiction throws projects into uncertainty

In another development, the council has addressed growing concerns over the absence of the District Engineer, who is currently