By Ben Musanje
Kampala is facing rising tensions as city leaders and government ministers clash over the fate of tens of thousands of street vendors and roadside transport operators.
On Thursday, the Minister for Kampala, Minsa Kabanda, issued a two-week ultimatum, directing all street vendors, roadside sellers, and Boda Boda paraders operating without official stages to vacate the city streets or face arrest. The minister claimed that investigations showed congestion in Kampala had worsened, largely due to people migrating from rural areas during election periods and engaging in street vending along major roads.
However, Nakawa East Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister for Kampala, Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo, who is also the Lord Mayor-elect, criticized the directive, describing it as irresponsible, illegal, and potentially chaotic.
Accompanied by KCCA Lord Councilors from the National Unity Platform (NUP) in a press conference held at Bal Restaurant Mutungo on Friday, Balimwezo argued that vendors could not be forced off the streets without providing alternative arrangements and warned that such a move could destabilize the city and harm already struggling families.
Balimwezo emphasized that city policies must work within the law and be coordinated with council resolutions. He explained that the council had already set aside certain roads for vendors in the evenings and maintained standard and seasonal markets, but the minister had not consulted key stakeholders before issuing the order.
During a field visit, journalists observed streets across Kampala crowded with vendors selling food, household goods, and other merchandise, while roadside taxi and boda boda operators indicated they would not leave unless a clear resettlement plan was provided by the President.
Kabanda defended the crackdown, stating that congestion had worsened over the years and that enforcement would begin immediately, targeting illegal transport operators as well as street traders. He added that the city had directed vendors to relocate to gazetted markets such as Busega, Nakawa, Luzira, and Usafi, although only about 970 traders were currently accommodated out of an estimated 30,000 operating across Kampala.
Vendor leaders accused authorities of exploiting them during election periods and then pushing them out once the elections ended. Meanwhile, Balimwezo stated that he would work to ensure Kampala remains a city for all residents including the rich, poor, youth, widows, and entrepreneurs by advocating for inclusive policies.
As the two-week deadline approached, Kampala faced a tense standoff, with city streets potentially becoming the site of a political and social showdown unless a compromise was reached. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
