City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago speaks out after today’s arrest at Park Yard Market

By Najibu Mulema

Just hours after his arrest at Park Yard Market along with other opposition MPs, Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago insists that he will continue fighting for the traders in the troubled market.

Lukwago,opposition MPs; Allan Ssewanyana, Moses Kasibante and Mubarak Munyagwa on Wednesday morning were arrested by police at Park yard market where they had joined traders in protest over the Park Yard market land row.

According to Lukwago, he maintains that Park Yard Market Vendors deserve fair and just treatment because they are fellow citizens who are toiling to eke a living from odd but legitimate business ventures within the informal sector.

“ Our primary obligation as elected leaders is develop policies and programmes that would promote their humble trade and investments rather than hounding them like petty criminals. Our visit to park yard market today was prompted by the obnoxious orders of Hon. Betty Kamya, giving a 30 day ultimatum to the vendors to vacate the market,” Lukwago stated.

“Her main contention is that the land in question, being part of the Nakivubo Stadium complex was dolled out to Ham Kiggundu by Gen. Museveni for redevelopment,” He added.

Lukwago further condemned the police’s act of arresting them in course their duties citing that it was not only high handed but criminal in nature, since they had committed no offence.

“ Little wonder that even after detaining us at CPS for several hours, we were set free unconditionally, without any charge. That said, we shall not be deterred by the erratic behaviours of Hon. Kamya and the security agencies from executing our duties of planning for all classes of people. I have accordingly called for an emergency Authority meeting slated for Monday next week to chart a way forward,” Lukwago lamented.