We have No Plans to sell off Gatimba Market – Town Clerk

Kisoro Municipality officials have no intent to sell off Gatimba market, Alikwan Ayub Kisubi, the town clerk, has said.

In a letter dated March 5, 2025, Mr Alikwan Ayub Kisubi addressed concerns raised by some citizens, including Gatimba market vendors, regarding the alleged plan to sell the property to an investor.

The alleged sale of the market had drawn anger from the vendors and sections of the public. The alleged investor remains unknown.

In the letter, seen by www.vomuhabura.com, Mr Ayub clarified that Kisoro Municipal Council has no plans to relocate or remove traders from Gatimba Market.

He emphasized that no investor had taken over the market land, describing such claims as baseless propaganda spread by unscrupulous individuals.

Last week, a meeting that had been scheduled by the Central Division LC3 Chairperson, Ramathan Ndikuyeze, was called off, as rumours said it was meant to address alleged plans to sell the public land.

Invitation to the meeting was addressed to all the Gatimba market vendors and the general public, but Mr Ndikuyeze says it coincided with the District Security meeting, which centered at the land problem in the district on the same day.

Kisubi emphasizes that Gatimba Market remains property of Kisoro Municipal Council, and there is no intention of disposing it of, whether through leasing or any other means.

He assured traders that they are free to continue utilizing the facility until the Market and Trade Infrastructure Program (MATIP) market is constructed, at which point they will be guided accordingly by the authorities.

Meanwhile, Ndikuyeze insists that Gatimba market is a key trading hub that serves the entire Kisoro District. He questioned why anyone would consider selling or leasing such a vital market.