By Mike Rwothomio 

Beatrice Ubima, the newly sworn-in District Councillor for Paidha Town Council, Zombo District has prioritised the development of modern, gender-responsive sanitary facilities at the historic Paidha Central Market to address the needs of thousands of vendors, the majority of whom are women.

Ubima, who assumed office after she was elected early this year , fill the void left following the resignation of former District Female Councillor Acan Monica in 2023.

Speaking at a press conference held at Sky-Lux Motel immediately after her swearing-in ceremony, She highlighted the acute sanitation challenges facing market vendors due to rapid growth in trading activities.

“Our mothers in the market don’t have enough latrine facilities. We need to work as a unit as leaders to ensure we get more accommodative facilities to help our vendors,” Ubima stated.

The Paidha Central Market currently has only two existing latrine blocks, one at Gaga Market and another behind the old market block. However, sustained increase in vendor numbers has severely strained this infrastructure.

In 2025, former Zombo District Woman MP Esther Afoyocan initiated construction of an additional facility in the section occupied by matooke, charcoal, simsim, and groundnut paste vendors, but the project remains incomplete.

Ubima urged Paidha Town Council leadership to allocate resources in the upcoming fiscal planning cycle to resume and complete the stalled sanitation project, framing it as a critical public health and market infrastructure intervention.

Council Support and Broader Development 

Pascal Kumakech, Councilor for Zingili Ward and former Finance Committee Chairperson, acknowledged the capacity gap.

“The growing number of vendors has in recent years overwhelmed the existing latrine facility,” he said, pledging that the council would prioritise budgetary provisions to finalise the project.

Ubima also committed to championing child rights, particularly for girls engaged in street vending of groundnuts and sweet bananas, alongside other key development priorities.

Speaking at the event, Bony Obedgiu, Nyibola Ward Councillor, elected on the NUP ticket called for post-election unity.

“Time for politics has passed. Let’s work and ensure our people get the services they deserve.” He said.

LCIII Chairperson-elect Amos Jacan promised seamless cooperation and synergistic leadership to accelerate socio-economic development in the semi-autonomous town council.

Meanwhile, Bruno Mananu, Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Zombo, emphasised the need for transparent, corruption-free governance from the new leadership.

Paidha Town Council, with a population exceeding 40,000, faces multiple development pressures including the push for municipal status upgrade, elevation of Paidha Health Centre III to Health Centre IV, improved physical planning, street children rehabilitation, solid waste management, and rehabilitation of the market’s dilapidated mud-walled sections.

The post-swearing-in celebration, organised by Councillor Ubima at Sky-Lux Motel, drew hundreds of attendees including NRM party leaders, local politicians, business community representatives, religious figures, security officials, and members of the Congolese community from both Uganda and the DRC.

Gospel artist Herbert Shine headlined the event with energetic performances that kept the crowd engaged.

Ms Beatrice Ubima, Female District Councillor Paidha Town Council

Mike Rwothomio is the News Editor at Zoomer Africa, your trusted grassroots information hub for African stories, voices, and updates.