Kampala markets absorb over 1800 former street vendors

KAMPALA - A total of 1,851 workspaces in Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) public markets have been occupied by vendors and hawkers.

KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabiine said the authority now has only 699 workspaces remaining out of the 2,520 that had been allocated to street vendors and hawkers.

Nuwabiine said the majority of the vendors who were previously operating along streets and on verandas have relocated into the public markets.

In early February, Kampala metropolitan affairs minister Minsa Kabanda gave vendors and hawkers a two-week ultimatum to relocate to city markets.

Out of the 16 KCCA markets, only four still have available spaces.

Nakawa Market master Joel Isabirye said most vendors and hawkers who had been operating outside the market and along the streets have now moved inside the market.

Isabirye said Nakawa Market still has 66 spaces remaining that have not yet been occupied by vendors.

“We had vendors and hawkers around the traffic lights, while others were selling their merchandise outside the market. These have entered the market,” Isabirye said.

At Busega Market, 310 workspaces are currently available. Before the relocation of vendors, there were 500 spaces available.

Market master Adam Waiswa confirmed that his market still has spaces for vendors and hawkers but declined to comment further.

Out of the 100 market spaces at Luzira Market, 54 remain unoccupied, while the City Abattoir has 165 workspaces available.

KCCA executive director Hajati Sharifah Buzeki said the authority aims to restore trade order in the city and ensure consumer protection by creating a safe and profitable working environment for legitimate and tax-paying business operators.

The relocation of vendors and hawkers is also intended to ensure hygiene and sanitation in the city, protect city infrastructure, including roads, walkways, drainage systems, street furniture and green spaces, and improve the overall aesthetics of the city.