VIDEO: Vendors cry foul as KCCA demolishes illegal kiosks

KAMPALA- A cloud of fear and despair on Wednesday hang over vendors operating on Nakivubo Road as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) law enforcement officers demolished their makeshift kiosks and stalls.

The operation which started at 6 am left at least 50 wooden and metallic kiosks demolished and over 200 vendors stranded.

The operation paralysed business in St. Balikuddembe Market and other nearby businesses.

 Some of the affected vendors were selling charcoal, second hand clothes and food among other items.

Vendors who spoke to Daily Monitor accused KCCA of carrying out an operation without informing them which move has left them stranded.

“KCCA isn’t fair at all. Why have they demolished some kiosks and stalls and left others? This means that they are favouring particular people. You can’t demolish my stall and you leave others yet we are all working along a water channel reserve,” Mr Peter Kirabira, one of the affected vendors said.

Ms Stella Nakalema, a mother of four said: “This is the only place where I have been getting school fees for my children.  I request KCCA to give us an alternative.”

However, Mr Jeff Ssebuyungo, KCCA official said that they were implementing an order from the Physical Planning Department.

“We served these people with a notice one month ago, informing them that we shall be demolishing all illegal structures on the Nakivubo Channel Reserve. We allowed them to get their items out before we could demolish,” he said.

Last year, the Minister for Kampala Affairs, Ms Beti Olive Kamya, directed KCCA to evict all street vendors to restore the trade order in the city.

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