Vendors Defy Police Order

Dec 15, 2001

STREET vendors and hawkers in Kampala have defied the order of the Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Katumba Wamala, to stop operating business on verandahs of banking institutions, reports Steven Candia.

STREET vendors and hawkers in Kampala have defied the order of the Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Katumba Wamala, to stop operating business on verandahs of banking institutions, reports Steven Candia. Katumba on Thursday issued an order that street vendors and hawkers should stop selling goods in front of banking institutions. The order was immediately effective. But by yesterday morning vendors with merchandise ranging from Christmas cards, shoes, clothes and electronic appliances were still operating on the verandahs of banking institutions in the city. Kampala Police chief Ahmed Wafuba said the order, just like any other would take some time to be effected. “But all orders take time to be effected, this order came out yesterday and do you think that most of the vendors know of it?” he asked. Wafuba said, “an order is an order and this order will have to be effected. Police personnel are on the ground making sure that the order is effected and soon there should be some noticeable change.” He said the police will first act independently of Kampala City Council in enforcing the order but did not rule out the possibility of working together at some time. Wafuba said only clients of the banks and security personnel guarding them are expected to be seen outside the institutions. He said the police had the ability to push vendors from the bank verandahs if the need arises. Ends

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