Kampala street vendors given seven-day ultimatum to vacate streets

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All vendors operating on the streets of Kampala city's central business district (CBD) have been ordered to leave within seven days.

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) directive, issued on October 24, 2025, gives a grace period of seven days.

The move, according to the city authority executive director Hajati Sharifah Buzeki, is intended to restore trade order and public safety in Kampala city, by relocating all street vendors who have been operating in ungazetted spaces to designated trading locations.

“KCCA hereby issues a directive to all individuals currently operating in unauthorised trading spaces, including roads, walkways and other non-gazetted areas to vacate and relocate to designated trading locations within seven days from the date of this notice, (October 24, 2025),” the statement reads.

To support this transition, the director states, the Government has availed over 2,000 free workspaces in KCCA-owned markets.

She encouraged the affected vendors to apply through the KCCA market allocation committees and market administrators, who, she says, have been instructed to expedite the allocation process.

Buzeki also issued a strong directive to people preparing or selling food using charcoal stoves (sigiri) or other fire-generating equipment in taxi parks and along the streets to vacate.

“These activities pose a risk of serious fire hazards that may endanger lives and property”.

Buzeki said full enforcement of the new trade order will commence on Friday, October 31, 2025, in the CBD, starting with Ben Kiwanuka, Luwuum, Namirembe, Nakivubo and Allen roads and streets as well as the busiest Kikuubo Lane.

She says the seven-day grace period will provide sufficient time for all affected vendors to transition to gazette/regular workspaces.

“KCCA appeals to all stakeholders to fully cooperate in this effort to restore order, enhance safety and promote a clean, organised and liveable city for all”.

The directive comes amidst concerns from businesspeople who have been complaining against vendors who often operate on their verandahs, often blocking their customers and interfering with business flow.

The executive directors, however, says the Government has provided trading spaces in various markets around the city, including Nakawa (100), Luzira (120), Ntinda new market (100), Usafi market (1,000), City abattoir (250), Kamwokya market (250), Busega market (500), all totalling to 2,320.

She urged the vendors to contact the market administrators to assist them in obtaining workspaces in KCCA markets without any charge.

“Please note that these spaces are free of charge. You are only required to provide an LC1 letter and a copy of your national identity card,” she said.