Over 500 traders operating businesses along the no man's land in Sofia, Eastern Division, Busia Municipality, Busia District, are facing an uncertain future after being forcibly evicted by authorities. Ronald Baganza, the Busia Town Clerk, stated that the eviction was necessary to clear the area of illegal structures and ensure there are no encumbrances. The decision to remove the traders was made during a district security committee meeting, with the aim of curbing criminal activities facilitated by the illegal market and encouraging traders to relocate to the Busia main market.
The Busia main market, commissioned by President Museveni in December 2020, was built at a cost of Shs24.5b, funded by the African Development Bank through the Municipal Agricultural and Trade Improvement Program (MATIP). However, the market has struggled to perform as expected due to issues of corruption and favoritism in the allocation of stalls to vendors. Baganza expressed that collecting revenue from the market has been challenging because of its location in no man's land, which has attracted criminal syndicates operating between Kenya and Uganda.
Sofia market primarily dealt with fresh foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, and catered mostly to Kenyan customers. Baganza stated that the decision to evict traders from illegal markets was supported by a council resolution that revoked the status of Mawero, Nangwe, Sofia, and Equator Markets, leaving only Busia main market and Arubaine as the authorized markets within the municipality. The move was aimed at addressing security concerns and ensuring traders return to the designated marketplaces.
Traders who were affected by the eviction have expressed their frustrations. Ali Mpeera, a banana seller, shared his disappointment at being unable to secure a stall in the main market despite registering his name. Majid Kiwanuka, another evicted trader, expressed concerns about the potential impact on customs premises in both Kenya and Uganda, as they are also situated on no man's land. Carolyn Nabwire, who sold food in Sofia market, mentioned that her main customers were Kenyans who may find it inconvenient to travel to the main market, even if she is allocated a stall there.
The eviction operation was justified by the authorities on the grounds of security and the need to combat smuggling and the sale of substandard goods that deprive the government of revenue. The decision was also motivated by the desire to improve social services within the municipality, as dwindling revenue has made it challenging to meet the needs of residents.
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