Gulu market vendors fail to pay Shs26m

The new Gulu modern market. Photo by John Okot 

In Summary

Two months after occupying the new Gulu modern market, the vendors have already accumulated more than Shs25.6 million in unpaid utility bills, according to the Gulu Municipal Council authorities

GULU. Two months after occupying the new Gulu modern market, the vendors have already accumulated more than Shs25.6 million in unpaid utility bills, according to the Gulu Municipal Council authorities.
The new market located in Laroo Division in Gulu Municipality was built at a cost of Shs28 billion and was occupied by vendors in October this year.

The assistant town clerk for Laroo Division, Mr Gilbert Oloya, says unpaid electricity bills currently stand at Shs11.984 million while National Water and Sewerage Corporation is owed Shs4.3 million. Mr Oloya in an interview with Daily Monitor said the authorities are yet to pay for the services offered by a private security firm, amounting to Shs1.6 million.
Other debts are for cleaning services totaling Shs4.8 million and market employees who are demanding Shs2.83million. In total, Gulu Municipal Council officials must pay Shs25.6 million if they are to keep the new market running.

During the commissioning of the market, President Museveni ordered Municipal council authorities to grant a two-month grace period to more than 4,400 vendors at Gulu main market.
Last week, vendors at Gulu main market failed to reach an understanding with Gulu municipal authority officials over the latter’s proposal of standardised monthly rates for operating at the site, claiming that the rates are too high and not business friendly.

The charges
According to the municipal officials, lockup shops will be charged between Shs70,000-200,000, depending on the location of the lockup shop and stalls Shs15,000 on a monthly basis.
However, the vendors argue that the rates should be reduced to between Shs35,000-100,000 for lock-up and stall to be between Shs6,000-10,000. The market has 1,050 stalls and 474 lock up shops and is meant to accommodate 4,400 vendors.

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