Town clerks across Uganda have been urged to enhance service delivery in markets by upgrading infrastructure and ensuring the provision of basic amenities such as water and electricity. The call was made by Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, during a meeting with town clerks overseeing the Markets and Agricultural Trade Improvement Program (MATIP).
Kumumanya emphasized that improved conditions in markets would attract more vendors and significantly increase revenue collection for urban authorities.
“Better infrastructure and essential services will draw more vendors to our markets and enhance local government revenue,” Kumumanya stated during the meeting held at the Ministry Headquarters in Kampala.
He also called on the clerks to strictly enforce the provisions of the Markets Act, specifically the section that eliminates landlords in government-owned markets — a move intended to streamline market management and prevent exploitation of vendors.
The Permanent Secretary commended Gulu and Arua Cities for their efforts in restoring trade order and improving revenue collection, respectively. Arua City was particularly praised for its outstanding performance.
Arua Town Clerk David Kyasanku attributed their success to significant improvements in market amenities. “We have ensured that Arua Central Market has reliable access to water and electricity, and we’ve acquired garbage trucks to facilitate daily waste removal,” Kyasanku said.
The Ministry’s engagement comes amid broader efforts to revamp urban markets under MATIP, which aims to improve trade infrastructure and support economic growth in municipalities.
