Vendors defy order to leave streets

Sep 05, 2011

Street vendors were by yesterday still transacting business despite a government order that they vacate or risk being dealt with by the law. When New Vision toured the city centre yesterday, vendors were transacting business normally, probably to make the last buck on the last day of the ultimatum.

BY TADDEO BWAMBALE

Street vendors were by yesterday still transacting business despite a government order that they vacate or risk being dealt with by the law. When New Vision toured the city centre yesterday, vendors were transacting business normally, probably to make the last buck on the last day of the ultimatum.

The order follows an earlier directive by Kampala executive director Jennifer Musisi to street vendors and hawkers to leave the streets by yesterday or face forceful eviction.

Addressing journalists at the Media Centre on Friday, minister for the presidency and in charge of Kampala Kabakumba Masiko said the Government had secured over 8,000 spaces in 69 city markets for the vendors.

Masiko urged the vendors to register with the respective market leaders to get space. Over 8,500 street vendors are estimated to be operating in the city’s central business district alone. Most of them operate on pavements, road reserves and outside shopping centres.

They deal in household items, including clothes, pastries, beverages and shoes. She cautioned the vendors against heeding advice from politicians to resist the move.

The minister explained that the eviction was intended to restore order in the city, prevent security threats, reduce congestion and address unfair competition suffered by shop keepers.

Masiko warned politicians within Kampala Capital City Authority against interfering with the eviction, saying the exercise was an administrative function under the Kampala Capital City Act, 2010.

“This is an administrative matter, not a policy issue. The law is clear on who implements policies. The administrative function is led by the executive director,” she said.

She observed that in the law, the powers of politicians had been reduced, and urged them to cooperate with the Government to streamline business in the city.

Masiko disclosed that the Government had acquired land in Nalukolongo, in the outskirts of the city, to construct an ultra-modern model market.

She added that the Government had secured funds to renovate existing markets in various city suburbs.

In June, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago opposed a two-week ultimatum given to vendors to leave the streets.

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