Fourteen local government authorities in Kampala are on the verge of expiring, and for the thousands of vendors on the streets, this deadline has brought a wave of anxiety. With no clear indication of where they will go once these orders take effect, the uncertainty among traders has reached a tipping point.
When you arrive in the capital city, Kampala, the streets are so densely packed with vendors that one might think the roads have been transformed into a sprawling public market. The visual congestion has become a defining—and for authorities, problematic—feature of the city centre.
It is this degradation of the city’s image that has pushed Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to act. In a bid to restore what it calls the "Glory of Kampala," the authority, through the Minister and newly elected Member of Parliament for Kampala Central, Minsa Kabanda, has launched a sweeping operation to reclaim the city. The initiative is being enforced through a coordinated crackdown on street vendors, referred to by many as the "Iron Hand" operation.
Today, the leadership of the Kampala street vendors, led by Kagolo Joseph, formally submitted a petition to the offices of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA). The vendors are now appealing to the national business leaders within FUTA to intervene, urging them to engage with government entities to find a resolution and prevent what they describe as a forceful and chaotic eviction.
Kagolo reminded KCCA officials of a longstanding precedent. He emphasized that in the past, successive KCCA leaderships used to organize and allocate spaces for vendors rather than displacing them. He expressed disappointment that the current administration has resorted to forceful evictions, neglecting what he termed as its direct responsibility toward these traders.
Sarah Kirabo, alongside other women who vend on Nabugabo Road, voiced their distress over the强硬 measures imposed by Minister Minsa Kabanda. The women pleaded with the Minister to show empathy, reminding her that they are mothers struggling to raise their children. They appealed for consideration and proposed alternatives that would allow them to continue their trade lawfully.
John Ssekamate and Paul Kafero, who operate within the taxi parks, raised concerns over their treatment. They claim that KCCA officials often harass them, treating them as though they are not Ugandan citizens. They have called on the national government to reconsider these approaches before implementing Minister Kabanda’s directive.
The petition has now officially been handed over to FUTA’s leadership. John Kabanda, the head of the Uganda Traders Association, confirmed receipt and assured that discussions are underway. He stated that traders are ready to negotiate with relevant government bodies to find common ground, especially regarding the impending eviction deadline.
FUTA has stated that the vendors' demands are not unreasonable. Among their key requests are the allocation of Sunday markets, designated road spaces for trading, and the establishment of evening markets. The vendors have also appealed to President Museveni to procure a building within Kampala where they can operate from permanently. FUTA has backed these proposals, asserting that they are indeed feasible.
All this unfolds as the people of Kampala reflect on their past choices. Many believe they elected leaders who have since neglected them, and in most cases, the majority voted for NRM candidates with the hope that Kampala would prosper under their watch.
