Kampala, Uganda – Businessman Bosco Muwonge has drawn sharp criticism for forcefully evicting vendors from the contested Smart City Market in Kisenyi, using hired militia to destroy property and intimidate traders off land he claims ownership of.
- Muwonge’s men armed with clubs descended on the market, demolishing stalls and violently ejecting vendors.
- The eviction comes three years after vendors were relocated to the site by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) under former Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka.
- Vendors accuse Muwonge of exploiting a land dispute to grab the prime city property, measuring 10 acres.
Vendors Fight Back, Accuse Government of Neglect
Richard Lubega, chairman of the affected vendors, revealed:
- KCCA and Finance Ministry officials have refused to compensate Muwonge despite the government allegedly allocating funds long ago.
- Vendors were legally allocated the land after being displaced from Kampala streets but now face homelessness and lost livelihoods.
- They are now appealing to President Museveni to intervene before Muwonge’s threats escalate.
KCCA’s Controversial Role
- Traders accuse KCCA of abandoning them, despite earlier assurances.
- New KCCA ED Sharifah Buzeki has not visited the site or addressed their plight, with aides claiming "security concerns."
- Vendors demand proof of payment if the government truly bought the land, questioning why Muwonge is still pursuing evictions.
Muwonge’s Motives Under Scrutiny
The tycoon insists the land is his and has stepped up pressure to reclaim it. However, vendors allege:
- No court order authorized the violent eviction.
- His actions appear politically motivated, taking advantage of bureaucratic delays in land compensation.
Vendors’ Plea to Government
"We beg President Museveni to direct responsible agencies to pay Muwonge so we can trade in peace. Otherwise, we have nowhere else to go." – Frustrated vendor
Key Takeaways:
- Violent evictions leave Kampala vendors stranded.
- KCCA accused of failing to secure the disputed land.
- Vendors petition Museveni to resolve compensation dispute.
- Muwonge’s tactics raise questions about land justice in Uganda.
"If the government paid for this land, where’s the proof? Why are we suffering for their failures?" – Richard Lubega, Vendors’ Leader
Next Steps:
The traders vow to resist further evictions, calling for urgent government intervention before the situation worsens.
