Twelve years after the devastating fire at the central market in Bujumbura, construction efforts for its rehabilitation were initiated in 2024 by Ubaka Nation. This raises a critical question: can Ubaka Nation succeed where other companies have failed? Amid these concerns, Olucome has urged the government to take control of the market's rehabilitation process.

Early enthusiasm for the rehabilitation, marked by the release of a model on September 16, 2024, by Ubaka Nation, represented by Fablice Manirakiza, seems to have faded. The preliminary construction activities halted abruptly, and even the public invitations to buy shares to fund the market’s rebuild have quieted down. An anonymous Ubaka Nation official mentioned that all that remains is to secure a public market contract to commence the reconstruction.

Despite the long gap since the fire, lessons remain unlearned. Gabriel Rufyiri, president of Olucome, lamented on January 27, 2025, during the 12th anniversary of the fire, about the government’s lack of preventative measures against such disasters. He emphasized the necessity for constructing corridors in markets, installing fire extinguishers, and educating stall owners to insure their goods.

Rufyiri criticized the government’s approach to market protection and called for greater transparency in the rehabilitation process. He pointed out that Ubaka Nation has not secured the public contract yet; they have only a temporary six-month agreement with the government to conduct feasibility and environmental studies and secure full funding.

Regarding the shares purchased by the Burundian public, Rufyiri assured that the funds raised are secure in banks, with interests and guarantees in place. However, he expressed skepticism about whether Ubaka Nation is up to the task, noting past failures by various companies, including a possible Sino-Africa firm and the Association of Burundi Banks.

Marc N., a former gallery owner in downtown Bujumbura, shared his concerns about the distribution of stalls in the rehabilitated market, questioning whether the process would be fair and if former occupants would be prioritized.

Rufyiri has called on former occupants to actively engage with Olucome to ensure their involvement in the market's rehabilitation. He stressed the importance of their participation, especially in securing stalls in the newly constructed market.

Furthermore, Rufyiri urged the government to deploy fire trucks to protect merchant goods and suggested forming an independent technical commission to explore effective firefighting techniques and how to compensate affected merchants.

In conclusion, Rufyiri insists that government officials should cease their commercial activities to focus on governance, aligning with Burundi’s vision for 2040 and 2060. He advocates for a shift in habits and abandonment of outdated practices to foster a transparent and well-governed market rehabilitation.