Traders, vendors and local leaders in Rukiga District have appealed to President Museveni to intervene over a disputed section of Rushebeya Market land in Rwamucucu Sub-county after part of the historic trading ground was fenced off by an investor.
The development left hundreds of traders stranded on Monday, forcing them to squeeze into a smaller portion of the market, which operates twice a month and serves multiple districts in the Kigezi region.
Rushebeya Market, located in Rweeza Village, has existed since colonial times and is a key trading and social space, also hosting sports events, community meetings and political rallies due to its central location in Rukiga.
Rwamucucu Sub-county LCIII chairperson Eddy Mugisha said the local government had previously sought presidential intervention after a court ruling favoured private claimants over the sub-county.
He said Museveni had directed then State Minister for Lands, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, to identify funds to compensate the investor in order to preserve the community market.
Mugisha added that the sub-county does not have clarity on the identity of the investor who reportedly acquired the land through a chain of transactions involving an initial buyer, Adroni Alfred.
Traders say the fenced-off section has severely disrupted operations.
The market attracts traders from Kabale, Rukungiri, Rubanda, Rukiga and Ntungamo districts dealing in both manufactured goods and agricultural produce, Mugisha said.
Rukiga Resident District Commissioner Zadok Kamusiime urged calm, saying the matter was already known to the Office of the President.