November 25th, 2025: The State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) held a baraza with administrators of Mbarara City, market leaders, and vendors operating in Mbarara Central Market to address a range of grievances affecting traders.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including Ms. Nandawula Sarah, Town Clerk of Mbarara City South Division, alongside representatives of vendors and investigators from SH-ACU. It aimed to provide a platform for vendors to air their concerns and explore practical solutions.
Opening the session, Emmanuel Muhumuza, Chairperson of the Market Vendors, commended Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the government’s investment in constructing a modern and well-equipped market facility. However, he highlighted several persistent challenges that continue to hinder business operations and growth.
Among the key concerns raised were high electricity bills and frequent power outages, allegations of corruption within the Market Vendors’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO), extortion of traders, and inadequate office space.
Vendors expressed frustration over being overcharged for electricity, attributing the problem to the lack of individual meters for each stall. They noted that the current shared billing system leads to unfair charges and called for the installation of prepaid meters. Additionally, traders proposed exploring alternative energy sources such as solar power or generators to mitigate the impact of regular blackouts.
In her remarks, Town Clerk Nandawula Sarah assured the vendors that the city authorities are actively working to resolve these issues. She revealed that the city has already initiated the process of procuring a service provider to install individual electricity meters, a move expected to improve billing transparency and reduce disputes. She also indicated that the city is considering alternative energy solutions to ensure a reliable and cost-effective power supply within the market.
Speaking on behalf of SH-ACU, Principal Legal Officer Sebikari Samuel emphasized that the Unit’s mandate includes investigating corruption and embezzlement. He assured vendors that their concerns, particularly allegations of financial mismanagement within the SACCO and extortion, are being taken seriously.
He further noted that SH-ACU will work closely with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Local Government, the Resident City Commissioner, and the City Clerk’s office, to expedite investigations and ensure accountability.
Constructed between 2015 and 2020 by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Local Government, Mbarara Central Market is part of a broader national initiative to modernize markets under the Market and Agricultural Trade Improvement Programme (MATIP). The initiative covered several markets across the country, including those in Entebbe, Lugazi, Kasese, Masaka, Tororo, Busia, Soroti, Arua, Moroto, Kitgum, and Kabale.
Currently hosting over 1,700 vendors, the market plays a vital role in supporting small-scale traders and improving the marketing of agricultural produce. The baraza forms part of ongoing efforts by SH-ACU to engage citizens, address service delivery gaps, and strengthen the fight against corruption at the grassroots level.