The construction of Mutukula East African Market has stalled, two years since its launch in July 2019.
The private project worth over two trillion Shillings is jointly implemented by Rural United Business Association Network (RUSBA) Ltd and Digitech Energy Company Ltd from the Republic of South Africa, for the benefit of East African Member States; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sunda and neighbours in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It is meant to open the region to global trade at friendly policies, attract investments, boost trade and create employment as an alternative to Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Jimmy Kabuye, the Project’s General Secretary, says that although they started at a fast pace by opening up boundaries, the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly struck and affected the progress.
He adds that they were compelled to take a break when movements were restricted as per presidential directives coupled with the closure of various offices.
However, Kabuye says the construction will commence next year after securing all the paperwork including the Environment Assessment documents from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and recommendations from different government ministries.
Kyotera Natural Resources Officer Jamiru Kiyingi says that the project delays could have been caused by processes such as the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) which were not completed on time. He adds that the assessments are crucial in directing the course of the project.
Agnes Namusiitwa, the Kakuuto Female Councilor and Kyotera Secretary for Finance says that they expected the project to take a maximum of one year but it had several issues that may have delayed it. She noted that the Rural United Business Association Network did not declare its financial statement to ascertain whether they are in a position to take up and implement the project.
According to Namusiitwa, Rural United Business Association Network weakness was exhibited in mobilizing residents to book for the stalls in advance before the project started to enable the company raise some money.
Kyotera District Chairman Patrick Kintu Kisekulo says they have not heard from Rural United Business Association Network for some time. However, David Mujaasi, the Mutukula Town Council Chairperson says that he has already written to Rural United Business Association Network directors over the delayed implementation saying if they fail to act fast the town council and district leadership may be compelled to ask government to take it up.
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