Senior Presidential Advisor on Political Affairs, Hajjat Hadija Namyalo, today visited Iganga District to resolve the long-standing leadership dispute at Iganga Central Market. She was warmly received at Iganga Municipal Council by Resident District Commissioner Eric Ssewandigi, Iganga Municipality Mayor Nasser Kongola, District Police Commander Sajabi Abasi, and SSP Elpot Eria, who represented the District Woman Member of Parliament. The meeting attracted hundreds of market vendors eager to have their grievances addressed.
The dispute arose from a loan scheme that was introduced through the market SACCO to support vendors in expanding their businesses. However, traders alleged that the money they contributed was mismanaged by the market administration and that the intended beneficiaries never received the promised loans. Several vendors accused the market leadership, particularly the chairman, of misusing their savings, creating mistrust and dissatisfaction among the business community.
Addressing the gathering, Hajjat Namyalo listened to submissions from both the vendors and the market administration before announcing decisive measures to restore confidence in the market’s leadership. She directed that the current market administration be dissolved and instructed vendors to elect a new leadership committee within two weeks. To ensure transparency and a fresh start, she ruled that members of the former administration would not be eligible to contest in the forthcoming elections. She also tasked the RDC and the Mayor with supervising the election process to guarantee fairness and accountability.
Hajjat Namyalo emphasized that government programmes can only succeed when they are managed with honesty, transparency, and accountability. She reminded leaders that initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of ordinary Ugandans must serve their intended purpose and not be diverted for personal interests. She further pledged to closely monitor the implementation of key government wealth-creation programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, to ensure that they benefit the people they were designed to support.
The market vendors welcomed Hajjat Namyalo’s intervention, describing it as timely and reassuring. They thanked her for fulfilling her promise to return and address their concerns, expressing optimism that the new leadership would restore trust and improve the management of the market. Many also praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for appointing leaders who are committed to listening to citizens and ensuring government programmes deliver meaningful results.
The intervention marks a significant step towards restoring accountability and stability at Iganga Central Market. With fresh leadership expected to be elected within the next two weeks, vendors expressed hope for a new chapter built on transparency, unity, and responsible management that will support business growth and improve livelihoods across the market.
