Masindi mobile traders seek Shs 66mln to build own store

MASINDI– In a bid to cut storage costs and ensure the safety of their merchandise, members of Masindi Mobile Market Traders Association [MMMTA] have decided to establish their own store expected to cost them Shs 66 million.

Speaking during their annual general meeting on Tuesday in Masindi town, Gerald Byaruhanga the association’s chairperson noted that they are facing many challenges due to the lack of their own store.

He explained that they are grappling with insufficient space, high rent charges, and theft of their items, among others.

“We need to build our own store in order to avoid all these challenges. We keep our things in a place that is not secure,” he said.

He told the meeting that the mayor of Masindi Municipality, Ronald Businge, has promised to allocate them land within the town where they can be able to build their own store.

Kasifa Kyomuhendo, the association’s vice chairperson said that they also lack transport means to different markets.

“We are asking government to give us a helping hand such that we can be able to our own store and also get our transport means. Those transporters mistreat us. They also overcharge us and yet we have no money,” she explained.

Christine Nyakamooli, a member of the same association said that they are overcharged, adding that every month they pay Shs 520,000 for rent.

The meeting was also attended by Joab Businge the Member of Parliament for Masindi Municipality, and Robbinah Nyangoma the municipal commercial officer.

Businge contributed Shs 1mln towards the construction and promised to support them more, on top of lobbying from government.

Kyomuhendo the mayor contributed Shs 500,000 and assured them that he was going to ensure that land is allocated to them to erect a store.

Nyangoma, the municipal commercial officer asked the traders to also involve themselves in other government programs like Emyooga, Parish Development Model [PDM], and the Youth Livelihood Program [YLP] among others saying that this will help boost their business.

https://thecooperator.news/new-market-opened-in-masindi-town-residents-to-be-given-priority/

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