Traders and vendors from Kampala City’s Kiseka Market have petitioned to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, urgently seeking his intervention in a longstanding land dispute concerning their market premises.

Frustrated by the delayed fulfilment of promises made to them, the vendors took their grievances directly to the Office of the NRM National Chairman (ONC) in Kyambogo on Wednesday afternoon.

During the petition handover to the ONC Manager, who also serves as the Special Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo Uzeiye, the vendor delegation revealed that despite promises, the land earmarked for their redevelopment remains unallocated. Instead, they allege that the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is allocating the land to foreign investors.

“Our livelihood depends on this market, and we have waited patiently for the promised redevelopment. But now, we see the land being given away to foreign interests,” a member of the delegation told SPA Namyalo.

In her response, Hajjat Namyalo assured the traders that she would convey their concerns to President Museveni. “I understand your frustration and the importance of this issue. I will ensure that your plea reaches the president,” she said.

The vendors are hopeful that presidential intervention will expedite the resolution of the land allocation issue, allowing them to proceed with the much-needed redevelopment of Kiseka Market.