By Aggrey Twesigye
Landlords operating under the Mbarara Makhan Singh Market Landlords Association have commenced the construction of a modern market estimated to cost Shs40 billion.
The project is being undertaken by 539 landlords who own plots within the market. According to the association chairperson, Thomas Mukundane, the redevelopment aims to transform the market into a state-of-the-art commercial facility that will improve business operations and provide a better trading environment for vendors.
Mukundane said each landlord will contribute Shs7 million towards the initial capital required to kick-start the project. The market is expected to be completed within three years.
The construction contract has been awarded to Planbuild Technical Services Limited, a Kampala-based firm, which has already started clearing the site. Mukundane revealed that the contractor has construction materials, including cement and steel bars, worth about Shs3.4 billion ready for the project.
However, he expressed concern over the rising cost of construction materials, especially cement, following new taxes introduced in the recently presented national budget.
