Traders in Mpanga Market in Fort Portal City on Thursday staged a demonstration following the death of two of their colleagues after a building wall collapsed inside the market.
On Wednesday evening, a wall of an old building at Struggle Market (an extension of the main market) gave way after a heavy downpour, killing two vendors and injuring two others.
The deceased were identified as Ronald Muganzi, a secondhand shoe dealer, and Wilson Muhumuza, a tomato seller. The injured, whose identities are yet to be confirmed, are receiving treatment at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital.
The traders closed their shops in protest and demanded an explanation from their leaders forf the poor condition of the market.
According to eyewitnesses, the building which belongs to one Mudaki Asaba had long been in a dilapidated state, and the heavy rains are believed to have weakened it further.
Muhammad Katusabe, one of the traders, blamed the Fort Portal City Council and the building owner for failing to demolish the structure despite its visibly poor condition. He called on the city authorities to immediately evacuate all traders operating in the affected building.
Priscilla Kansime said the traders are now living in fear, worried that the remaining parts of the building could collapse if it rains again. She appealed to the city council to demolish the structure for their safety.
Another trader, Rose Kabahenda, who witnessed the incident, said the wall fell on the deceased as they were passing by.
Besides the collapsed building, traders raised other concerns about the poor state of Mpanga Market. Scovia Mbabazi said the market is dirty, the toilets are blocked, and the city leadership has ignored their cries. She noted that traders pay rent and taxes, but these funds are not reflected in market maintenance.
Annet Asaba added that when it rains, the market roof leaks and drainage pipes are blocked, leaving them worried that even the main market structure might one day collapse.
Jackline Kajumba urged the authorities to renovate the market urgently and restore it to proper working condition.
Steven Sabiti the market Chairperson said that they have written to the Fort City Central Division leadership who are the overseers of the market about the challenges in the market but have not been helped.
Richard Muhumuza, the Fort Portal Central Division Mayor, urged the traders to remain calm as the city leadership engages the building owner over the next course of action.
Muhumuza revealed that the building had earlier been condemned by the City Council as unfit for occupancy and had not been paying council taxes. He said they investigate why a condemned structure continued to operate and will also inspect other potentially unsafe buildings for evacuation.
On the traders’ concerns, Muhumuza said the city council has released UGX 5 million to clean the market, unblock drainage systems, and carry out other maintenance works.
The Town Clerk of Fort Portal, Ambrose Ocen, said a team of engineers had been dispatched to the scene to conduct investigations and that a report will be issued in due course.
Efforts to reach Mudaki Asaba, the building owner, were futile. His caretaker told URN that Asaba was bedridden and unable to speak, and he had no authority to comment on his behalf.
By press time, police had not yet issued a statement on the incident.
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