Cash collected, market neglected in Gulu City

8 June 2026, 3:05 pm

By Emmanuel Mwaka

Market leaders and vendors at Laliya Market in Pece-Laroo City Division, Gulu City, have raised concerns over the poor conditions at the trading centre, accusing the city council of neglecting them despite the collection of substantial revenue.

Speaking to our reporter at the market on Monday, 8 June 2026, Ms Rose Okumu, the market’s chairperson, highlighted a range of pressing issues, including a severe sanitation crisis and security challenges that are affecting daily business operations.

The chairperson revealed that the market is currently overwhelmed by filth due to a lack of adequate waste management infrastructure. She noted that the entire market relies on a single garbage skip, which is insufficient for the volume of waste generated.

She further said the market is plunged into darkness every evening due to a lack of electricity or solar lighting.

Corroborating the chairperson’s concerns, the Vice Chairperson, Mr Onencan Simon Tabu, echoed the urgent need for proper waste management facilities and public toilets. He revealed that the makeshift toilet they had been using was locked, with the leadership hoping to resolve the dispute later.

He also highlighted a growing economic crisis among the vendors, noting that many women are failing to make profits and are leaving the market to escape aggressive daily money lenders.

The economic strain was further echoed by Ms Sharon Apiyo, a vendor at Laliya Market. Ms Apiyo decried the declining daily sales, which have left many traders struggling to feed their families.

Weighing in on the crisis, Ms Atieno Mary, the Woman Councillor for Laliya Ward, attributed some of the blame to previous leadership, accusing them of turning a deaf ear to repeated appeals from vendors. Ms Atieno described the current state of dignity at the market as unacceptable, noting that men and women are currently forced to share the same latrine.