Vendors in Kampala, Ugandan capital on Saturday said they are preparing to return to the streets a week after security officers evicted them from the city’s central business district.
Enforcement officers from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in collaboration with the police last week removed vendors, boda boda riders, and taxi operators of the streets in the city centre following the expiry of a directive requiring them to evacuate.
The vendors were told that they would be relocated to government-owned and private markets
The vendors accused authorities of failing to communicate a clear plan for their relocation and without providing them alternative marketplaces.
Expressing complaints by the action of Police, Ssemanda Brian, chairperson of the CBD vendors’ section told local media that traders have received no guidance from top city officials since the eviction.
“It is now over a week and we have not heard from the top authorities on what is next. Many of these vendors are now squeezed on balconies, while others were absorbed into small shops,” Ssemanda said.
“We are not sure they will manage the rent because it is expensive. We are ready to fill some streets, including Nabugabo,” he added.
However, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) dismissed claims that traders lack alternative spaces, insisting that thousands of vacant stalls are available in city markets.
KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabwine said multiple markets have capacity to absorb the displaced vendors.
“It is not true that vendors cannot fit in the available markers.”
But Ssemanda rejected the proposal, arguing that the suggested markets are far from the city centre and disconnected from the vendors’ customer base.
“Those are not our targeted customers. We serve travelers and people working around the city. Vendors in town operate differently from those in markets outside the city centre,” Ssemanda added.
The affected vendors told local media that they are planning a meeting in March to agree on their next course of action as tensions continue to rise as traders struggle to recover livelihoods disrupted by the operation.
“We call upon all vendors to join us in this meeting. We must look for a way forward or return to the streets. We cannot remain like this for long. Our children are still at home and have not returned to school,” the vendors said.
MG/as/APA