Business
90% of population positively respond to Trade Order directives — Govt
“The trade order directive has been implemented across the country following our circular instruction to the local governments," says Charles Magumba, a commissioner in charge of urban administration at the local government ministry.
The Trade Order has brought about positive occupancy of the markets, both government and privately owned. (All photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)
By: Eddie Ssejjoba, Journalist @New Vision
The Government has commended the efforts of the local government units in enforcing the nationwide directive on the Trade Order.
On a large scale, the government stated, many people have responded positively to the directives and have voluntarily cleared the streets to designated markets, commercial arcades and shops.
“The trade order directive has been implemented across the country following our circular instruction to the local governments. On a large scale, many people responded positively and close to 90% of the affected people have moved voluntarily,” said Charles Magumba, a commissioner in charge of urban administration at the local government ministry.
The Town clerk Masaka City, Christopher Kaweesi.
Assessing their countrywide responses to the directives that were first issued in February this year, most vendors countrywide who were trading in wrong places have eventually removed their structures after getting alerts from the law enforcement teams from various local government authorities.
“The few skirmishes registered in some areas arose from leaders who had political interests, but we engaged them, and they eventually supported the directives, Magumba explained, adding that currently there is general backing from both political and the local populations.
He noted that in many areas, including Seeta and Mukono along the Kampala-Jinja Highway, Najjeera in Kira Municipality, Busega roundabout on Masaka Road, Bugiri along the Busia-Malaba Highway and Soroti, the traffic jam that used to slow down business had cleared because people are no longer trading on the roadsides.
Vendors in Nyendo market said they now enjoy working in an organized workplaces.
Trade Order has also brought about positive occupancy of the markets, both government and privately owned.
“The occupancy rate in our markets has as a result gone high, since vendors have gone back, which is positive to us because we build these markets for them,” Magumba explained, adding that the government has planned to build more markets where they don’t exist yet.
Local government authorities are now able to easily identify traders to pay taxes and eventually plan for them. Magumba explained that owners of commercial buildings, supermarkets and other designated premises can now get enough revenue from rent to pay property tax.
“Our communities are now happy that they are living in an organised environment; the health workers can also properly locate the food handlers to test their health status before handling food,” he explained, adding that it would remain a continuous exercise.
In Masaka City, according to the Town Clerk, Christopher Kaweesi, the exercise was going well, being implemented gradually in phases.
“We appreciate the government for the initiatives taken in organising our trading spaces. Masaka City took up the exercise and is removing the vendors and other people trading on the streets,” he said, adding that their teams were at the same time doing community sensitisation.
He commended the city mayor, Florence Namayanja and councillors for supporting the exercise, which he said successfully led to the removal of the street vendors without any resistance.
Charles Magumba, a commissioner in charge of urban administration at the local government ministry. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
Local government authorities are now able to easily identify traders to pay taxes and eventually plan for them. Magumba explained that owners of commercial buildings, supermarkets and other designated premises can now get enough revenue from rent to pay property tax.
“Our communities are now happy that they are living in an organised environment; the health workers can also properly locate the food handlers to test their health status before handling food,” he explained, adding that it would remain a continuous exercise.
In Masaka City, according to the Town Clerk, Christopher Kaweesi, the exercise was going well, being implemented gradually in phases.
Masaka City town clerk Christopher Kaweesi. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
“We appreciate the government for the initiatives taken in organising our trading spaces. Masaka City took up the exercise and is removing the vendors and other people trading on the streets,” he said, adding that their teams were at the same time doing community sensitisation.
He commended the city mayor, Florence Namayanja and councillors for supporting the exercise, which he said successfully led to the removal of the street vendors without any resistance.
In addition, he said, vendors roasting meat and chicken had been relocated to a parlour and others fixed inside Nyendo and Masaka Central Market.
“We are now encouraging private individuals to get into partnership with us so that we can use their land to absorb the remaining vendors. In the next phase, we shall relocate all the motor mechanics because we have identified land for them and negotiations are ongoing,” he explained.
He added, “Our streets are now clear, most of the incumbrances have been removed, and this has caused a multiplier effect, especially for those people that did not have clients; they have taken up trading spaces where they get more customers,” he noted.
Kaweesi explained that tax collections had improved drastically since they began implementing the directive, rising from sh4.1bn to sh4.5 bn in the financial year that ended on June 30.
“This is a big achievement to get to that level; that is why we encourage people to continue supporting us on the enforcement of the trade order,” he stated, and assured the former street vendors that the process of fixing them in the Nyendo and Masaka Central markets was going on because they still have enough space.
Most vendors in Nyendo and Main Market welcomed the trade order but asked the authorities to increase the enforcement to ensure no one returns to the streets.
"We thank the government for building us a modern market, but we need all people to come and trade from inside because we still have space and they charge us little money for the stalls," Betty Nakayiza said at the Main Market.
Janat Namujju, a vendor in Nyendo market, said they appreciated the government for building them a well-spaced, modern market and encouraged even those who were still resisting the trade order directives to join them, as there is still space.
“We are now encouraging private individuals to get into partnership with us so that we can use their land to absorb the remaining vendors. In the next phase, we shall relocate all the motor mechanics because we have identified land for them and negotiations are ongoing,” he explained.
He added, “Our streets are now clear, most of the incumbrances have been removed, and this has caused a multiplier effect, especially for those people that did not have clients; they have taken up trading spaces where they get more customers,” he noted.
Kaweesi explained that tax collections had improved drastically since they began implementing the directive, rising from sh4.1bn to sh4.5 bn in the financial year that ended on June 30.
“This is a big achievement to get to that level; that is why we encourage people to continue supporting us on the enforcement of the trade order,” he stated, and assured the former street vendors that the process of fixing them in the Nyendo and Masaka Central markets was going on because they still have enough space.
Most vendors in Nyendo and Main Market welcomed the trade order but asked the authorities to increase the enforcement to ensure no one returns to the streets.
Betty Nakayiza who sells second hand clothes in Masaka Main Market thanked the Government for building them a modern market
"We thank the government for building us a modern market, but we need all people to come and trade from inside because we still have space and they charge us little money for the stalls," Betty Nakayiza said at the Main Market.
Janat Namujju, a vendor in Nyendo market, said they appreciated the government for building them a well-spaced, modern market and encouraged even those who were still resisting the trade order directives to join them, as there is still space.