PAIDHA VENDORS BAN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS INSIDE MARKET PREMISES

Market vendors Association leadership making a speech during a thanksgiving ceremony organized by LCIII chairperson Paidha town council, Innocent Godfrey Onega. Photo by Mike Rwothomio.

By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo

The leadership of Paidha Central Market vendors Association, in Paidha town council, Zombo District, has banned politicians from holding campaigns within the market premises without the leadership’s greenlight.

Paidha Central Market has over 1000 registered members most of whom are women, trading under different smaller groups.

The leadership cited disorganization, chaotic scenes and rampant theft amongst other unruly activities orchestrated during political campaigns by gangs who disguise as usual voters.

The statement came out during a thanksgiving ceremony, organized by the LCIII chairperson of Paidha town council Innocent Godfrey Onega, at Paidha cultural center.

Jerose Acirocan, the Association’s chairperson while issuing the statement, called upon political aspirants to accord the vendors their deserved respect, noting their pivotal role in revenue generation to the government.

Acirocan noted that for long, they have been degraded and used by Politicians for their Political gains and disappear living them, unattended to.

“To you the Politicians who underrate us the vendors, listen to me well, we the vendors we don’t fear anybody, now the leadership of the market is with us, we have decided to stop any political campaigns inside the market  with immediate effect” Acirocan stated the strongly worded message amidst applause from the hundreds of market vendors.

She on the flip side noted that, “we shall see into it and allow you upon following procedures with the leadership.”

Some of the vendors accused many politicians of capitalizing on their numerical strength and influence to gain political mileage especially during election periods.

This statement is coming at a time when political atmosphere is heating to the core, in the lead-up to 2026 polls.

Apparently, the ruling National Resistance Movement party is systemizing up for its in-house nominations and aspirants are combing all corners, galvanizing for support.

Amos Jacan Cole , a businessman along Ofaka road  opposite Paidha Main Market who double as Zombo District youth chairperson, calls upon Politicians to listen to the voice of market vendors,  highlighting their revenue contribution towards the town development.

Meanwhile Innocent Godfrey Onega, the LCIII chairperson of Paidha town council, notes of a year-long cordial working relationship with the Paidha Market vendors, assuring of working together with them.

Onega highlighted the year-round continuous support of Market vendors in development of the town, noting that in a bid to blossom their businesses, they have installed street lights for them in their different night selling spots.

The linkage between Politics and businesses in Uganda is usually clear, and it’s nearly impossible for either parties to operate without the other.

Written by admin