Gov't promises new markets for evicted traders

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Uganda’s controversial urban trade enforcement campaign is entering a new phase, with the government now promising to find alternative workspaces for traders displaced by the clean-up drive.

At a consultative meeting held on April 23 at the Ministry of Local Government headquarters, Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya told traders’ representatives that the state would work to create enough trading spaces so affected vendors can return to business quickly.

The meeting, according to an official statement released by the Uganda Media Centre, brought together officials and traders led by John Kabanda, president of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA), amid rising concern over how the nationwide Trade Order operations are being carried out.

The Trade Order campaign, launched to reorganise cities, municipalities and town councils, has aimed to move business activity into gazetted and approved trading areas. Officials say the broader goals are cleaner towns, less congestion, smoother traffic flow and better compliance with urban regulations.

But as with many enforcement drives, friction has come in implementation.

Kumumanya acknowledged growing complaints from traders and drew a distinction between the policy itself and the methods used to enforce it. He said the core issue was not the Trade Order framework, but how it is being executed on the ground.

He condemned what he described as inhumane actions by some enforcement officers, including forceful evictions, confiscation of goods and demolition of business structures without proper notice. Such measures, he said, run against the intended purpose of the initiative.

His remarks suggest the government is trying to recalibrate a policy that has delivered visible changes in some urban areas, but also generated resentment among informal traders whose livelihoods depend on daily access to customers.

For thousands of small-scale vendors, a trading location is more than a patch of pavement or a kiosk. It is school fees, rent, food and survival. Sudden displacement can quickly become a household crisis.

That may explain why officials are now placing more emphasis on relocation than removal.

Kumumanya said the government remains committed to improving implementation across all local governments while ensuring affected traders are supported with suitable alternative spaces.

The economic argument for formalisation was also made at the meeting.

David Nuwabine, spokesperson for Kampala Capital City Authority, who represented Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, said licensed traders in Kampala had increased from 12,536 to more than 20,000 since the exercise began in February 2026.

He said the rise demonstrated the policy’s role in formalising businesses and improving urban management.

That increase, if sustained, could mean a broader tax base and more regulated commerce. However, it also underscores the scale of Uganda’s informal economy, where many businesses operate outside licensing systems until enforcement begins.

Kumumanya promised a follow-up meeting within two weeks to update stakeholders on progress after further consultations.

He also said nationwide sensitisation campaigns and community barazas would be organised with traders across the country to help the public better understand the policy.

Other officials present included Commissioner for Urban Administration Charles Magumba, Jones Makula Mukasa from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and Presidential Advisor on markets Winnie Atwine.

For traders watching events unfold, the next test will be practical. Will the promised market spaces appear quickly enough to match the speed of enforcement?