SIMPSON M
Over 100 market vendors in Burandiira Karama Market, located in Nyarushanje Subcounty, Rukungiri District, are crying out for urgent help following the abrupt closure of their market, a development that has left many jobless and heavily indebted.
The vendors, who had invested in constructing stalls and buying stock using loans, expressed frustration after being asked to vacate the area without a clear relocation plan. They say the market, which had operated for over five years and attracted more than 1,000 people every Saturday, was their major source of income.
The closure, which was ordered by the Nyarushanje Subcounty LC3 Chairperson, Mr. Michael Musiime, has left many traders stranded. Sellers of perishable goods are particularly affected, facing major losses, and the economic activity of the entire area has been paralyzed. The vendors have appealed to the government and relevant authorities to intervene and save their livelihoods.
In response, Mr. Michael Musiime acknowledged the decision to close the market but emphasized that it was necessary for the greater good. He revealed that a 1.7 billion shilling water project, approved by the Ministry of Water and Environment, is set to commence in the same area to address the long-standing issue of water scarcity in Nyarushanje.
According to Musiime, the area is needed for installing critical water infrastructure, including solar pumps and tanks. He explained that the government had earlier permitted temporary market structures with the understanding that the land would eventually be used for development projects. He urged affected vendors to visit the subcounty headquarters for further discussions on possible arrangements, but stressed that the water project must proceed to benefit the wider community.
While the closure has caused immediate hardship, the coming water project is expected to bring long-term benefits to thousands of residents in Nyarushanje once completed.
