Parliament has on Thursday reconsidered and passed the Markets Bill 2021 after adjustments that were proposed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The new Markets Bill 2021, a private Member’s Bill moved by Workers’ Member of Parliament, Margret Rwabushaija now repeals the existing law since 1942 and addresses the management of markets across the country.
In his letter dated 16th January 2022 to Speaker Anita Among, the President declined to assent to the proposed Bill and directed Parliament to review sections 19 to 27 to avert extortion of public market vendors by markets management committees.
The President also cited the existence of illegal landlords in the public markets, charging of illegal fees and levies on utilities, among others, and recommended a review of Section 4(5) on the establishment of public markets.
Godfrey Onzima, the Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Public Service and Local Government said the President’s proposal in the Bill were all incorporated to mitigate conflict of interest in the management of public and private markets.
Rwobushaija concurred with the review and moved a motion for the House to reconsider the Bill that seeks to prioritize the rights of vendors including facilities favorable for persons with disability, health and safety precautions, and managing garbage collection.
Among put a question to the Members of Parliament who unanimously voted for the Bill to be read for the third time and be passed following the adjustments.
-URN
