The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has asked the Kampala Capital Authority (KCCA), the government, and other stakeholders of Kampala city to take action to combat the poor hygiene conditions in the Nakasero market.

According to the FDC spokesperson, John Kikonyogo, the situation at Nakasero market is at a crisis level that requires immediate government intervention. He asked the market to be closed to avoid any possible disease outbreak.

“We have been seeing KCCA authorities closing small restaurants around Kampala because of poor hygiene but can’t close Nakasero market, which supplies food to the city. We cannot have such a crisis in the heart of the city, and we don’t close that market,” he said.

Kikonyogo made those remarks on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala.

He also appealed to Frank Rusa, the Executive Director of KCCA, to use his expertise and restore a clean city, stating that Kampala should not become a stinking city under his leadership.

“How can Rusa be the leader of KCCA when there is garbage in the city? As FDC we are more concerned because people may get sick because of the poor hygiene in the market,” Kikonyogo said.

Meanwhile, the issue of poor sanitation is not only at the Nakasero market but also at Usafi market.

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While speaking to Dorothy Namatovu, a restaurant owner in the corridors of Usafi market on Monday, December 2, 2024, she said that the garbage heaps continue to increase, yet they keep paying money for its collection.

“Everyone of us here operating in the market has paid money for garbage collection, but the garbage continues to pile, and the stench is scaring away our customers because no one wants to eat food in a dirty environment,” she said.

Both Nakasero and Usafi markets are located in the heart of Kampala city, and they are the major markets for supplying foodstuffs such as fresh food, textiles, shoes, and cheap electronics.