During the liberation war (1990-1994) the Rwanda Patriotic Army rebels enjoyed much support from Rubaya where they had established a base very close to the Ugandan boarder.
Five years ago a market was built by President Paul Kagame in honour of the support rendered to Rwanda Patriotic Army by residents of Rubaya sector in Gicumbi district.
However, this market has been idle and no business activity has ever taken place there.
According to reports, there is a plan to turn this market into a vocational training school.
Nteziryayo Anastase the vice mayor in charge of economic development says the district was considering utilizing this market as a maize flour depot and “there is another plan of turning the market into a technical vocational training school.”
Dunia Theoneste representing the Private sector in Rubaya sector says the market has not been attractive to traders because, people always walked across the border into Uganda to buy commodities at very low prices compared to Rubaya.
“By the time the market was constructed, borders were open making it easy for access to markets across in Uganda,” Dunia said adding that’s the reason the market lacks activity.
Other critics argue that the market was placed far away from an active trading centre- this makes it difficult for traders to trek to the facility.
Since the residents of Rubaya were not used to the tax man, it is believed that the first time some traders used this market, they were taxed to their surprise.
source: Umuseke
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