Owino market burns: who is the arsonist?
Written by Alex Sentongo   
Thursday, 05 March 2009 20:51
Billions of shillings were lost on Wednesday (25.02.2009) morning when a fire whose cause has not been established destroyed property estimated in Billions. The early morning fire ravaged the Western wing of St. Balikuddembe market famously Known as Owino. The cause of the fire has not yet been established according to Police but angry vendors have pointed to the Allied Bus Services owned by NRM MP's Sam Otada, Nathan Byanyima and Felix Okot Ogong. The fire follows a tight disagreement between the vendors and the Management of Allied Buses over the Nakivubo Bridge with the bus owners expressing interest in using the brigde as an outlet for their long distance route buses. On Wednesday morning Police, Firemasters and the Entebbe Airport Ambulance struggled to put out the 6 hour inferno but little could be saved as thousands of vendors watched helplessly as their merchandise burnt to flames. This is only the recent of a series of fires starting with schools in the mid of last year, since then over 200 fires have been registered. From the outlook these might seem as mere accidents but with the recent wave of killings in the country, the possibility of arson cannot be ruled out at this time.

Politicians manipulate grief for political capital.

Grief however turned into political tensions as politicians competed for space in the country's media for sympathizing with the affected traders. Kampala Musician Bebe cool (son to People's Progressive Party president Bidandi Ssali) was first to donate 60 iron sheets, Ghetto President Bobi wine who first offered his sleek escalade donated 10 million. Bobi wine has been said to harbour intentions of standing for Member of Parliament Kampala Central in 2011. Heavy weight singer Jose Chameleone offered 7 million. Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago set up a fund with a initial contribution of 1 million. The Kingdom of Buganda raised 5 Million on top of pledges and material support offered by the Kingdom radio CBS. President Museveni whose Minister of disaster had ealier proved a disaster when he intimated that government won't be assisting the traders arrived on Thursday midday amidst tight security. Mr. Museveni angered aggrieved vendors when he attacked them for operating in poor standard market. Sensing their displeasure, the president offered 1bn shillings to be delivered in a span of two weeks, Mr Museveni's support however was not received with anticipation. The support which would be received as loans with no security did not generate appreciation as vendors cursed for being promised instead of a direct contribution. Traders interviewed by The Citizen wondered how the president could offer 21bn to Basajjabalaba and fail to offer the same to affected traders. They argued that even then the 1bn would be shared among NRM mobilisers in the Parkyard Market. FDC president Dr. Kiiza Besigye offered a lorry full of timber and 100 kgs of nails. He pledged more support from his party members and attacked the government for negligence. On his part DP President John Ssebaana Kizito contributed 2million shillings to the traders and pledged more support. Mr. Ssebaana who underwent a leg surgery the same day called upon government to investigate the cause of the fire and publish its report in time.

Kabaka Visits Traders

Grief turned into happiness as the Kabaka of Buganda briefly visited the traders to console them upon this happening. Flanked by Erias Lukwago, Mengo Ministers Kabuuza Mukasa, Kaddu Kiberu, Councillor Salim Uhuru, Betty Nambooze and many prominent Baganda, the Kabaka expressed concern at the sad happening and urged his subjects to remain calm as they reconstructed their market. Speaking to close to a million vendors from allover Kampala, the Kabaka, on whose land sits the market , said the Kingdom could have done more to help had it been powerful under a federo arrangement. The Kabaka speaking in Luganda said "ekikutte obudde kiributa" reffering to the sad tensions existing between his government and the Central government. The Kabaka not speaking in his usual calm mood consoled the traders and vowed to support them. The Kabaka's speech which must have been calculated to inspire sentiment was well received throughout the kingdom. Many people The Citizen talked to expressed satisfaction with the Kabaka's change of voice. This comes at a time when the Mengo leadership is expected to enter talks with the central government. While many could not have realized the reason behing the Kabaka's fiery speech, our analysts point to the fact that Mr. Museveni had earlier on acted indifferent to the sentiment of the traders. The Kabaka who is the embodiment of Ganda identity rose to the occasion when he sympathized with traders the majority of whom are Baganda. It is also believed that because the owners of the buses who also double as Mr. Museveni's henchmen and the perceived perpetrators of the arson are non-Baganda, the Kabaka's speech serves right this argument. Business came to a standstill as the Kabaka toured parts of Kampala amidst traffic jam. The Cardinal Emmnauel Wamala on behalf of the Clergy donated 10 million. The same evening the new grand Mufti Sheikh Zubairi Kayongo offered donations from the Muslim community.

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