Minister Balaam Orders Fresh Probe into Mpondwe Border Cattle Market Dispute

The lucrative Mpondwe-Lhubiriha cattle market, a key trading point on the Uganda-DRC border, is now under renewed scrutiny. Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has mandated a fresh investigation into a prolonged dispute concerning how revenue is collected and managed at this vital cross-border hub.

During an anti-corruption meeting in Kasese, Minister Barugahara directed the Kasese District Chairperson, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to jointly examine why the Mpondwe Cross Border Traders Cooperative Society Limited has been prevented from operating. The cooperative holds a valid contract for revenue collection.

Minister Barugahara expressed concern over the losses incurred by the cooperative, suggesting an extension of their contract to compensate for the lost operational time. He alleged that local officials may have interfered with the market’s operations due to its profitability.

The cooperative’s chairperson, Mr. Adam Masereka, stated that the group had paid Shs317 million to the Kasese District Local Government for the revenue collection tender. However, their operations were reportedly hindered when a parallel market was established by Isango Sub-county on private land, obstructing the cooperative’s revenue collection efforts.

This dispute has seen previous legal and ministerial interventions. A High Court ruling in November 2022 favored the cooperative, directing that their approved tender be respected. Additionally, former Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi had previously ordered the closure of the unauthorized market. The cooperative is seeking either the resumption of their operations or a full refund of their payment with interest.