By KT Reporter
The ban on traders adjacent to Kabale Regional Referral Hospital has angered traders and patient attendants.
For many years, traders had installed wooden and metallic kiosks at the hospital’s main entrance and on the road leading to the mortuary and psychiatric department.
Some traders were operating Mobile money, selling food, tea and other soft drinks, fresh foods, charcoal and alcohol. Others had stocked clothes and other necessities used by patients and attendants, like face masks and household utensils.
In addition to targeting patients and attendants, traders have been targeting students and staff of Kabale School of Comprehensive Nursing, Kabale School of Health Sciences and Kabale University’s Medicine Department.
Last month, the office of the Resident District Commissioner issued an order for all traders to vacate the place. On Wednesday, authorities started the implementation of the order as traders were compelled to demolish the kiosks and vacate.
Godfrey Nyakahuma, Kabale Resident District Commissioner, says the order is now under implementation due to complaints from hospital administrators about insecurity and poor sanitation.
According to Nyakahuma, the kiosks had been turned into hideouts for criminals, selling alcohol to patients, attendants and stores for stolen medicine from the hospital.
Nyakahuma also says that the kiosks had caused congestion and inconvenience at the hospital’s main entrance. He also says that the area had no toilets, hence putting hygiene and sanitation at stake. He adds that the kiosks are illegally constructed on government land.
Emmamuel Sentaro Byamugisha, Kabale municipality Mayor, says that the affected traders have been advised to go and operate from Garage Street in Kabale town.
But Joyce Mbaziira, one of the affected traders, says she has been operating at the space since 1994 without any problem.
Mbaziira says she was surprised to see authorities ordering her to demolish her kiosk and vacate. Mbaziira says the order is unfair because the alternative place they are being directed to go to is not strategic and favourable to their business.
Martin Mugabe, another affected trader, protests, wondering why the Kabale municipal council has been collecting licenses from them.
Peter Arinda, a patient attendant, says that the order is unfair because attendants will walk for about two kilometers to Kabale town to buy some items, hence putting their lives at risk, especially at night.
In February 2019, Gad Rugaaju Ahimbisibwe, the then Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, had moved in to chase the traders away from the same land. Rugaaju’s move, however, hit a snag after he was transferred after developing a feud with his senior, Darius Nandiinda-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
