Who are you? RCC ignores presidential directive, reinstates market toilet fares

Kampala – Vendors in the two Kampala markets of St. Balikuddembe Owino and Nakasero are helplessly bemused by the powers held by the Deputy Resident City Commissioner Yassin Ndidde, after he returned toilet charges in the markets which were banned by the president Museveni.

Vendors say that whereas president Museveni’s directive on the management of Kampala markets were very clear in 2022 but also his discussion with market leaders together with government officials in the same especially on issues of taxes (empooza), sanitation, water and electricity that were directly affecting their operations.

Vendors are now calling the upon the president to rein-in on D/RCC Ndidde after he single handedly reinstated toilet fares. According to vendors there was no consultation of sort on the matter.

They say that following the presidential directive, all market leaders were removed from management/operations in November 2-22, so they wonder whom he did consult on 15th December 2022 as he alleges in his directive.

They claim that the RCC’s action not only nullifies president Museveni’s directive, but also a disguise of fraud as the he and his associates use collections from toilets for their own selfish purposes.

They added that the management of these markets were technically taken over by KCCA who are supposed to cater and over look these services in markets, saying that the RCC is only poking his nose into markets management rather than focusing on security issues as he’s supposed to.

They allege that the same person has again tendered some toilets in other markets like Usafi where toilet fees have been hiked and each person to access parts with Shs500, up from Shs300.

The vendors are now imploring KCCA or anyone who can reach the president to inform him, since the leaders who would have raised their voices were chased from the markets.

In the same vein, Wallnetnews has seen a letter by Kampala Central D/RCC, Yasin Ndidde giving another directive of reinstating toilet fares by Shs100 per person to access toilet services in the two markets of Nakasero and Owino.

The RCC said that having been following implementation of the presidential directive on markets, the situation at Nakasero and St. Balikuddembe as it is, Kampala Capital City Authority is ably only managing solid waste.

However, the sanitary facilities (toilets) are not well managed. “I hereby allow you to authorize a modest charge of not more than Shs100 for buying consumables that must be used for buying detergents, toilet tissues, equipment, pay for water bills, electricity bills so as to facilitate the transition period until the Authority is able to cater for these toilets utilities and consumables,” the directive reads in part.

This is a developing story, we will keep you posted as we engage KCCA executive director, and office of the Kampala RCC concerning this issue.