200 Market Vendors Evicted

There is conflict in Jinja arising from the eviction of approximately 200 vendors from land commonly known as Hospital Market which is property owned by the hospital near it.

According to the Jinja Municipal council the vendors were issued eviction notices over a month ago and simply refused to move because of the ready market coming from the hospital inform of patients and caretakers. The hospital wants to use the land to construct housing for their staff members and thus the eviction.

On the vendors’ refusal, the police was dispatched to forcefully remove them. The vendors did not take too kindly to the police efforts and threw stones at the police. The police were forced to retaliate with tear gas, some of which got into the hospital and affected staff and patients.

The municipal council claims nothing can be done for the vendors except point them towards Jinja Central market which has free stalls.