Fort Portal directs evicted vendors to Mpanga, Kabundaire markets

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Vendors evicted from streets and other unauthorised trading areas in Fort Portal have been advised to relocate to designated markets within the city, with authorities directing them to available spaces in Mpanga and Kabundaire markets.

The enforcement exercise, carried out on Monday, March 16, targeted vendors who had been selling goods along streets and walkways in the central business area. City authorities say the move is aimed at restoring order, improving sanitation and reducing congestion within the city.

The town clerk of Fort Portal Central Division, Didas Muhanguzi, said the affected traders can continue operating from the two markets, which the division says have enough space to accommodate them.

Police stand guard during the eviction process. (Photo by Jonan Tusingwire)

“We have so many stalls in the two markets that are empty; we advise these vendors to go and use these spaces,” he said.

Muhanguzi said Mpanga and Kabundaire markets were established to provide organised spaces for traders, with stalls and facilities intended to support small-scale businesses.

In September last year, Fort Portal officials revealed that many traders who had been operating from the markets had since moved to the streets.

According to him, relocating to these markets will also help improve the appearance and accessibility of the city’s central business area.

“Most of these vendors who have been operating from the streets initially worked from these markets; they instead left their stalls and came on the streets,” he told journalists.

Muhanguzi said the leadership had earlier notified the vendors about the planned eviction.

“We wrote to the vendors and delivered the letters to them, while the rest were communicated to through their chairpersons,” Muhanguzi said. “The letter communicating the impending eviction was written on 5th March this year, so the traders were aware of the directive.”

The operation, which started in the morning around the Fuelex area, was led by Muhanguzi, who said the exercise was conducted peacefully.

Traders, however, said the operation left many of them frustrated, with some claiming they were given little time to relocate their businesses.

Several vendors were seen hurriedly removing their merchandise from the roadside as enforcement officers moved through the streets.

“I have been operating from this place for 17 years, paying all the license fees; they, however, only gave us one week to leave. For sure, even if the landlord wants to chase a tenant, can he give her only one week to leave?” Justine Ahimbisibwe asked.

“I depend on this business to feed my family, but this morning we were told to leave immediately without being shown where to go,” said Juliet Kamukama, a fruit vendor on Fuelex Street.

Cobbler Emmanuel Buhamizo said vendors were not given adequate notice before the eviction was carried out.

“We were abruptly informed. They should have given us at least two months to prepare and find somewhere else to operate from,” Buhamizo said.

He added that many traders were shocked when enforcement teams arrived and immediately started confiscating goods from vendors who were still operating along the streets.

“They simply came and started taking people’s things. Many of us have nowhere else to go, yet this is the business we depend on for survival,” he said.

Others raised concerns about the conditions in the markets where they have been asked to relocate.

A visit to Mpanga Market revealed dust-covered countertops, shuttered shops and abandoned stalls, with some wings completely deserted.

“Customers don’t come here anymore; business is better outside. People see you easily,” said Annet Kabahuma, who moved her vegetable stall to the roadside in Kisenyi.

Traders look on as their stalls are confiscated by the authorities. (Photo by Jonan Tusingwire)

Some traders also cited the cost of renting stalls as a major challenge.

“A stall in Mpanga market is around sh200,000 a month, my capital is not even shs50,000, telling me to go and get a stall in Mpanga market is an outright insult,” said James Kyaligonza, a fruit vendor.

However, not all traders opposed the move. Some welcomed the decision, saying street vending had created congestion and unfair competition for those operating in designated markets.

“Those of us who pay market dues feel it is only fair that everyone operates from the markets,” another trader said.

City authorities maintain that relocating traders to designated markets is necessary to restore order in Fort Portal’s central business area while ensuring vendors operate from organised trading spaces.

Kenneth Kariba, the deputy mayor for Central Division, warned that anyone who returns to the streets after the eviction will face the law.