Kampala — HARDLY two weeks after chaos broke out in St. Balikuddembe Market (Owino), unrest yesterday returned to the market where rival traders' groups clashed.

Several armed traders from the market confronted a rival group operating on Nakivubo Road in the afternoon brawl.

Traders operating within the market said those working outside the market snatch their clients, which they said had thrown them out of business.

Members of the two groups hurled metals and sticks at each other, while others exchanged blows.

Angry traders within the market uprooted and smashed kiosks and telephone booths, which they said were collection points for stones used by their rivals outside the market to hit them.

As the scuffle intensified, traffic and business at the often busy spot downtown Kampala came to a halt.

Two unidentified people were injured in the clash. The New Vision, however, could not establish their names.

Yesterday's incident, like the previous one, attracted several policemen, among them anti-riot Police, who fired tear gas and bullets to repulse the rowdy traders.

A Police officer, only identified as Mugabi, appealed to the traders to stay calm as authorities find a solution to the problem.

But the traders accused the Police of shielding the traders operating outside the market.

Traders within the market also said the vendors, who were recently evicted from the market, were backed by the Kampala Central Division chairman, Godfrey Nyakaana.

Nyakaana's efforts to mediate in the traders' grievances reportedly hit a dead-end when the traders chased him away.

Iddi Kasozi, the chairman of the Park Yard youth group, said the traders based outside the market often assault those within the market due to a long-standing rivalry.

"The vendors terrorise our people , snatching merchandise and pick-pocketing them," he said.

Some traders said politicians were backing the rivalling groups.