📸‘Gov’t to build more markets in Kampala to accommodate evicted vendors’

KAMPALA - President Yoweri Museveni has directed Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to construct more markets across the city to accommodate vendors who were recently evicted from the streets.

Scores of vendors were recently affected by the trade order operations in Kampala City and other cities and districts countrywide and were directed to operate only in gazetted markets and designated spaces.

Enforcement officers, backed by local government technical teams, have since last month evicted vendors from the streets, removed illegal structures, enforced licensing laws and stopped any form of transactions in ungazetted places.

The Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Hajji Lule Mawiya, said that they had received new directives from the President to build more markets and expand some of the existing ones to create more space for the street vendors. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

The Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Hajji Lule Mawiya, said that they had received new directives from the President to build more markets and expand some of the existing ones to create more space for the street vendors.

Areas to benefit from the Presidential directive include Usafi, Kalerwe, Gaba and other places.

In the meantime, Mawiya said, the President also directed KCCA to find more space in the existing markets like Usafi, Owino (St. Balikuddembe), Busega and others to give stalls to the jobless vendors.  

The RCC, however, warned that the authorities would not tolerate vendors who had started returning to the streets and traders putting back illegal structures on their shops in areas where they were removed.

“We are going to use the long arm of the law to deal with some people who are coming back on the streets and those putting back illegal structures,” he stated.

He warned that all people must abide by the standing directives, saying the trade order that had been halted had been reinstated.

“We appeal to whoever had again abandoned the markets and returned to the streets, including boda boda riders parking in ungazetted places to leave immediately,” he stated, adding that this was a serious matter for the government.

The RCC was Saturday, May 02, 2026, speaking at the Thanksgiving ceremony (Shukr) organised by Hajji Muhammad Kamulegeya, the head teacher (Team Leader) of Kitebi Secondary School, to thank Allah following his enrollment as an advocate of the high court.

The function, which took place at Bukasa-Nakulabye, was attended by Savio Kakooza Ntensibe, the Director of Ombudsman Affairs at the Inspectorate of Government (IGG), who was the guest of honour, Prof. Muhammad Musoke Kiggundu, the spokesperson of Kibuli, religious leaders, advocates, among others.  

Kamulegeya also received blessings from the Rev. Fr. Deogratias Kiibi, the parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Mpigi, who graced the occasion and commended him for being highly generous by donating even to projects outside his religious belief.

“Hajji Kamulegeya shocked me when he travelled to my parish in Mpigi and gave me over sh5m as contribution to the construction of my church, even when I had never known or met him,” Fr. Kiibi said.

Kamulegeya also introduced his adopted son, Abdul Lukwago, whose mother, Regina Nakayenze, his former classmate at the Law Development Centre, fell sick and died suddenly before completing her course.

He said her death devastated her because he was using her notes to read, but colleagues encouraged him to push on.

Kamulegeya explained that although he was already employed, he would practice the law for charity and do pro bono services.

Kamulegeya also received blessings from the Rev. Fr. Deogratias Kiibi, the parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Mpigi, who graced the occasion and commended him for being highly generous by donating even to projects outside his religious belief.

He later continued reading her notes and passed, and decided to bind a book to keep it in her memory. He is also sponsoring the son and looking after Nakayenze’s mother.

Kamulegeya explained that although he was already employed, he would practice the law for charity and do pro bono services.

“I thank Allah who has enabled me to be enrolled as an advocate of the high court. I am committed to providing services above ordinary”.

“I want to do more pro bono services for the vulnerable. I am convinced that God will appreciate me, protect me and elevate me higher,” he explained, adding that he will continue serving in the education sector.

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Rev. Fr. Deogratias Kiibi, the parish priest of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Mpigi,  graced the occasion and commended Kamulegeya for being highly generous by donating even to projects outside his religious beliefs. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)