Hoima street vendors given new seven-day ultimatum to vacate

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Authorities in Hoima West Division have rescinded the four-month ultimatum previously given to street vendors to relocate to designated markets.

The authorities in the city have now issued a fresh eviction notice directing all street vendors in the area to vacate within seven days.

In March this year, authorities in the division issued a four-month ultimatum requiring vendors to vacate city streets. They noted that vendors dealing in used clothes and other merchandise were causing congestion and disorder.

The officials had stated that once the four-month ultimatum elapsed, the vendors would be moved to Kyesiga, Kibingo, and Nyarugabo markets by June 30, 2026.

However, in a fresh eviction order issued on April 9, 2026, the division town clerk, Catherine Mbambu, directed that street vendors should voluntarily vacate the various streets within seven days.

“All vendors and roadside vendors are directed to move away and relocate to various markets in the division, like Kyesiga, Kibingo, Nyarugabo, and Karongo. All fresh foods being sold in shops or in front of shops should be immediately removed and taken to markets,” the letter states.

Owners of illegal structures, such as wooden and metallic kiosks and containers erected by the roadside, have been asked to voluntarily demolish them.

Boda boda stages located in front of buildings and along walkways were also instructed to relocate to enclosed areas.

“All illegal structures such as wooden houses, metal kiosks, and containers existing beyond building lines or additional unapproved structures in front of or beside buildings or attached to perimeter walls, road reserves or walkways, and on undeveloped plots along the road should voluntarily be removed or demolished. All boda boda stages established in front of buildings and along walkways should be removed and taken to enclosed places,” Mbambu further stated.

The division authorities also want carpentry workshops displaying furniture on walkways, beyond building lines and road reserves, to vacate immediately.

According to Mbambu, the fresh eviction directive takes immediate effect and warns street vendors against violating it. She noted that the order is intended to ensure visual clarity, sanitation, trade order, and orderly city development.

However, some vendors have expressed concern over the newly issued eviction order.

Joyce Karungi, a street vendor in Kibingo cell, Kibingo ward, wonders why the division authorities have reversed their earlier decision that had given them a four-month ultimatum to relocate.

“We are ready to relocate to any place which will be allocated to us, but let them give us time as we prepare to go,” she said.

Christine Kusiima, a roadside vendor in Kasasa cell, said that the designated markets are far from the city centre and lack customers.

Margret Katwesige, another vendor, said the city authorities should acquire land in the city centre to make vending accessible before evicting them.

Edward Ayesiga Busiinge, the division council speaker, said they want an organised division and that the eviction of street vendors will help restore order and sanity.

Robert Ruhiigwa Kyomuhendo, the LC3 chairperson for Hoima West Division, maintained that the trade order is a national directive beyond the authority of the division leadership, adding that all vendors operating on the various streets in the division should adhere to the directives and vacate immediately.

At the beginning of March, Hoima City Council law enforcement officers carried out evictions on major streets, including Hoima-Fort Portal Road, Bunyoro Kitara Road, Old Toro Road, Freedom Road, Persy Street, Kwebiha Street, Duhaga Roundabout, and Butiaba Street.

The crackdown targeted vendors who had ignored repeated warnings, and authorities confiscated goods to restore order.

Despite the eviction, hundreds of vendors returned to the streets, highlighting ongoing challenges in balancing city management with street trade.