The bustling streets of Kampala are this evening expected to transform as KCCA launches one of its boldest enforcement operations in years, aiming to restore order to the capital city, reclaim walkways and roads from illegal traders, and formalize the sprawling informal economy that has long dominated the city’s streets. State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan […]
The bustling streets of Kampala are this evening expected to transform as KCCA launches one of its boldest enforcement operations in years, aiming to restore order to the capital city, reclaim walkways and roads from illegal traders, and formalize the sprawling informal economy that has long dominated the city’s streets.
State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Kyofa Togabye Kabuye, told journalists today with a mixture of stern warning and encouragement, the importance of compliance
“Thank you for your continued cooperation as we implement reforms to restore order, safety, and dignity in our capital city. I recognize that change is never easy, and actually nobody accepts change on the onset, but I commend the many residents, traders, and the business community as a whole who have responded to our call with patience and responsibility, responsibility here I mean those even this morning at the crack of dawn, who started vacating the streets voluntarily, showing that they understand the purpose of this exercise, and they are not like the others, not the new leaders,” he said.
Kabuye reminded the public that this is not an arbitrary crackdown but a carefully coordinated initiative backed by policy directives issued earlier this month, aimed at enforcing trade order, protecting infrastructure, and improving sanitation, hygiene, and aesthetics across the city.
“KCCA undertook massive centralization on trade order, including but not limited to providing alternative workplaces where current vendors can be accommodated on request, and street vendors have been engaged directly and informed about the transition in the 17 KCCA markets and the available spaces totaling 2,520 at that time, ” He said
The Minister added: “While also being provided with contacts of operators of the 69 private markets in Kampala as well as those in the greater Kampala metropolitan area, and given a venue for online trading, and the market vendors within the established markets have been consulted and encouraged to receive and work together with incoming traders in the spirit of Ubuntu, ensuring harmony, reducing congestion, and fostering collaboration among all market participants.”
The minister warned that by 8 PM tonight, non-compliance will carry consequences. Vendors still occupying roads, medians, walkways, or other gazetted areas will have their items impounded, and themselves presented in court.
“Starting February 19th today at 8 p.m., vendors should have left, I repeat, vendors should have left, and tax operators who operate around the roads and verandahs should have removed all their items from the streets that were facilitating their activities, because at the stroke of midnight today, vendors found trading illegally on walkways, roads, road islands, medians, or other gazetted areas will have their items impounded and themselves be presented before court where necessary, and enforcement will be firm, lawful, and consistent, ensuring that the city is reclaimed for lawful and organized activity.” he sais
Kabuye stressed that the initiative is people-centered and seeks to safeguard livelihoods while formalizing trade.
“I further appeal to all of you to note for the strong arm of the law; those who do not want to reach there and be taken somewhere for keeps, please help me, make our work easier and do as your colleagues have done,so please today avoid the strong arm of the law, do as your colleagues have done, go to all those places we are going to show you, and also return to where you came from, because however, this remains a people-centered intervention, not eliminating livelihoods; we are formalizing and safeguarding you and the buyers, ensuring that everyone benefits while city spaces are orderly and law-abiding.” he said
For traders with larger capital, Kabuye issued a direct challenge to formalize their businesses, warning against using the streets as storage spaces.
“Shockingly, we have been finding vendors in the courts with items that can fill a shop 10 by 20 feet; is that really a vendor? Vendors who have capital of almost 40 million, 100 million on the streets, please take that money to the shop so that I can also tap you somewhere to enable that we do good for the city, ensuring that the economy is formalized while your operations are safe, protected, and productive.”he stated
Transport and taxi operations are also coming under strict regulation. Illegal roadside taxi stages are now banned, and vehicles operating outside designated parks will be impounded.
Kabuye lauded the efforts of UTOF, which had already started mobilizing taxis back to approved parks.
“As part of the installation order, transport and trade order, KCCA is gazetting formal border stages across Central, Kawempe, Machindindi, Nakawa, and Rubaga divisions; so far 929 stages have been earmarked, of which 166 have been approved, and this will be the only authorized operating stages within the city, illegal roadside taxi stages are banned, and vehicles operating outside the authorized areas will automatically be impounded, and I want to appreciate the leadership of UTOF, who by yesterday had already started mobilizing and returning all taxis back to the parks, so this morning there was hardly any taxi illegally loading outside the parks.” he noted
