ANALYSIS: After Park Yard evictions

Protests and government backing

Kiggundu has the backing of the Minister for Kampala, Betty Olive Kamya. Kamya says Park Yard, where vendors had traded for nearly 30 years, was not meeting basic requirements as a market such as sanitary and toilet facilities, and was not regulated or gazetted.  Supporters of the eviction say it will bring order in that part of the city and also give a nice face for Uganda’s sports fraternity. Critics however, say the process of eviction was hurriedly done without thorough consultation with all key players which is why a section of the public doubts the anticipated actual implementation of the US$49 million (Shs172 billion) redevelopment plan of the area measuring 1.8 acres of land will materialise.

But the city politicians, led by Kampala Capital City Authority Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, and some MPs say the eviction of vendors from Park Yard market was illegal and inhumane. They allege that police stood by as stick-wielding goons beat innocent people. They say the KCCA council has never approved the eviction orders and are to sue Kiggundu in court.

“We don’t know whether this stadium is going to remain an asset of government or whether it is going to be Ham Stadium,” Lukwago says, adding “We want to review the entire process and see whether the interests of traders are catered for. Promoting the welfare of citizens is important.”

The eviction was also opposed by other senior government officials.

Trade Minister, Amelia Kyambadde told journalists on Mar. 3 in Kampala that she was not happy with KCCA for not involving her ministry in the entire process given that cautious decisions needed to be made because the economy was not favoring at that moment.

The other was Rebecca Kadaga, the speaker of parliament who demanded the minister for Kampala to present a list showing vendors evicted from the market and where they have been relocated to.

“This is an indictment on all of us; the poor are being pushed and shoved around without any solution,” she told Parliament, adding “It is only us who can speak for them…we cannot continue treating people like they are not Ugandans.”

A section of MPs demanded to know in detail the purported investor, Hamis Kiggundu given that there were unconfirmed reports linking him and his investments to the first family.