MPs divided on eviction of vendors
Sep 06, 2011
PARLIAMENT yesterday failed to decide on a motion to suspend the eviction of vendors due to lack of quorum.
By MOSES WALUBIRI
and JOYCE NAMUTEBI
PARLIAMENT yesterday failed to decide on a motion to suspend the eviction of vendors due to lack of quorum.
After a highly charged debate in the house, 45 mainly opposition MPs voted for the motion moved by Patrick Amuriat, 76 voted against it, while two abstained.
The Deputy Speaker of parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, later cancelled the results after leader of opposition Nandala Mafabi raised the issue of lack of quorum.
For a motion to be passed, it requires a third of the 375 mps, which is 125 legislators. However, only 123 participated in the polls.
MPs were responding to Minister for the Presidency Kabukumba Masiko’s statement, which supported the on-going eviction of vendors from Kampala streets as part of the process to clean up the city.
Although most MPs were unanimous in their support for the decongestion of Kampala by relocating vendors, the issue of timing proved to be a bone of contention.
“The eviction of vendors should vigorously be effected. It’s grossly unfair to allow people to operate on verandahs of traders who are paying rent and taxes,†James Kakooza said.
“Let us regularise the conduct of business in this country because vendors are neither registered nor pay taxes,†he added.
John Nasasira called upon the opposition to support the move, saying cleaning up Kampala was going to be a painful exercise which would not be completed without hurting some sections of society.
“For many years, you have blamed the Government for not cleaning up the city, now is the time to support it in this endeavour,†said Nasasira.
However, a number of opposition MPs called for the stay of evictions, citing security and economic implications.
“We are not against decongesting the city, but the abrupt nature of the eviction will leave thousands of people unable to fend for their families, Kassiano Wadri said.
He also warned against the security threat posed by rendering thousands of people unemployed.
“You will not be safe in your bungalows if vendors are evicted. You will be the first targets of these poor unemployed people you are kicking off the streets,†Wadri said.
Sebuliba Mutumba said the Government should halt the evictions until viable alternative places or markets have been secured to relocate the vendors.
“Let us consider our backgrounds. Many of our parents did petty businesses to see us through school,†Mutumba observed.
Vendors have been told to relocate to 69 markets within and around Kampala.
and JOYCE NAMUTEBI
PARLIAMENT yesterday failed to decide on a motion to suspend the eviction of vendors due to lack of quorum.
After a highly charged debate in the house, 45 mainly opposition MPs voted for the motion moved by Patrick Amuriat, 76 voted against it, while two abstained.
The Deputy Speaker of parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, later cancelled the results after leader of opposition Nandala Mafabi raised the issue of lack of quorum.
For a motion to be passed, it requires a third of the 375 mps, which is 125 legislators. However, only 123 participated in the polls.
MPs were responding to Minister for the Presidency Kabukumba Masiko’s statement, which supported the on-going eviction of vendors from Kampala streets as part of the process to clean up the city.
Although most MPs were unanimous in their support for the decongestion of Kampala by relocating vendors, the issue of timing proved to be a bone of contention.
“The eviction of vendors should vigorously be effected. It’s grossly unfair to allow people to operate on verandahs of traders who are paying rent and taxes,†James Kakooza said.
“Let us regularise the conduct of business in this country because vendors are neither registered nor pay taxes,†he added.
John Nasasira called upon the opposition to support the move, saying cleaning up Kampala was going to be a painful exercise which would not be completed without hurting some sections of society.
“For many years, you have blamed the Government for not cleaning up the city, now is the time to support it in this endeavour,†said Nasasira.
However, a number of opposition MPs called for the stay of evictions, citing security and economic implications.
“We are not against decongesting the city, but the abrupt nature of the eviction will leave thousands of people unable to fend for their families, Kassiano Wadri said.
He also warned against the security threat posed by rendering thousands of people unemployed.
“You will not be safe in your bungalows if vendors are evicted. You will be the first targets of these poor unemployed people you are kicking off the streets,†Wadri said.
Sebuliba Mutumba said the Government should halt the evictions until viable alternative places or markets have been secured to relocate the vendors.
“Let us consider our backgrounds. Many of our parents did petty businesses to see us through school,†Mutumba observed.
Vendors have been told to relocate to 69 markets within and around Kampala.