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Traders at St Balikudembe Market, better known as Owino, woke up to a nasty surprise after part of the market was quietly demolished overnight. Fingers are pointing at Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa along with a few other prominent names, including Minsa Kabanda and city businessman Hamis Kigundu.
Sources say the land lease under the market was recently transferred, and the paperwork somehow made it look as if Tayebwa had held it since 2012. That sudden change, followed by the nighttime operation, has left thousands of traders worried about their livelihoods and the future of one of Kampala’s busiest trading spots.
No one has come out with a full explanation yet, and the whole thing feels deliberately low-key. For ordinary sellers who depend on Owino every single day, this is more than politics; it is about survival. Expect more noise in the coming days as the market community pushes back.
