Poorly located Ruhango modern market boycotted by traders, converted to factory

A modern market built by President Paul Kagame in Byimana sector of Ruhango district is set to be converted into a factory processing Macadamia nuts. The market, which was officially opened in 2002 having cost more than Rwf 30,000,000 was not occupied by traders, citing long distances that clients had to walk to Kirengeri where it is now located, resulting into low sales and losses and therefore transacted their businesses from elsewhere. Realizing idleness of the property, local leaders tendered the market to a Japanese investor who will convert it into a macadamia processing factory.

The former market was located in a commercial locale of Byimana town, easily accessible and could attract a big clientele from schools, health centers and sections of the population. It was later relocated to Kirengeri, a location traders say to be unfavorable for business.

Uwamariya Marie Rose, a resident of Muhororo cell said that they couldn’t find needed products in the modern market built in Kirengeri village.

“The market is useless since traders don’t have the required commodities,” she says. “We were disappointed over relocating our market to a place which didn’t interest sellers and buyers, “says another resident Niyonsaba Diogene.

Buyers from Mbuye, Mutara and others do now buy from other markets including Ntenyo.

The executive secretary of Byimana sector, Nahayo Jean Marie also highlighted that the market was not exploited over poor feasibility study of the project.

“Residents have been frustrated by the relocation of the market. They were not consulted about the project before relocating it to Kirengeri. The project was poorly designed by local leaders of that time. Even the police intervened to relocate traders to the modern market but they completely refused,” he said.

He says that they have informed Ruhango district’s administration after realizing traders’ refusal to relocate to Kirengeri.

“During the recent district of advisory committee meeting, we decided part of the market premises to be used as a post-harvest store and another part for processing fertilizers of rice. We also have a Japanese sponsor who will use another part for processing Macadamia,” he added.