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Kasese, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Mpondwe-Lhubiriha One Border Post Market in Mpondwe town council, Kasese district has been handed over to government after completion.
The over 5 billion shillings facility was funded by the World Bank through Great Lakes Trade Facilitation Project has now been handed over to the Ministry of Trade and Cooperatives for management.
The construction work was undertaken by Ambitious construction Limited. The facility is meant to enable cross-border trade by increasing the capacity for commerce and reducing the costs faced by traders, especially small-scale and women traders, at targeted locations in the borderlands.
Tom Kajumba, the construction Project manager assured the government of the quality of the works adding that the facility is still under the defects liability period of up to one year.
He pledged that that any other issues that might arise during this time will be sorted within the given time possible.
Geraldine Ssali, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives explained that the ministry aims at having many business entry points across the borders so that the community is easily connected across the region.
She hoped that the market will add economic value to Kasese and the Rwenzori region entirely.
Ssali also challenged authorities to ensure the facility is properly maintained so that it can serve its intended purpose for a longer period of time.
The Kasese district chairperson Eliphazi Muhindi said the project is meant to improve their welfare with anticipation of organized business.
Selevest Masereka Mapozi, the LC3 Chairperson for Mpondwe Lbuhiriha Town Council-MLTC says the border market is now a game changer for the town council that has been struggling with local revenue collections.
He added that the market is now under the resettlement process of the vendors that had been shifted to other places adding that they will not allow traders on streets.
Mapozi says the facility has 42 stalls which in the near future will call for expansion.
According to the government, Uganda’s trade with DRC has progressed over the years with the country’s export to DRC now amounting to over $300m.
Export through Mpondwe majorly comprise of agriculture produce and industrial products.
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