KCCA evicts street vendors
Impounded. KCCA law enforcement officers take away some of the goods confiscated from street vendors in the City Centre recently. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Vendors had returned on the streets of Kampala soon after the KCCA Executive Director, Ms Jennifer Musisi, tendered in her resignation. The vendors have been leaving garbage in the middle of the roads.
- Taxi operators had also taken advantage of the chaos to establish illegal stages on major streets which caused traffic congestion in the city centre.
Kampala. Pedestrian walkways in the streets of Kampala Central Business District yesterday were clear after Kampala Capital City Authority evicted vendors.
Unlike previous evictions of vendors that were characterised by with brutal arrests and fights, this time the operation was largely civil.
Walkways on Market Street, Burton Street, Dustur Street, Luwum Street and Ben Kiwanuka Street that have previously been covered by vendors were cleared.
Vegetables were being sold on Kampala Road between Centenary Bank and Cairo Bank.
Kampala Capital City Authority spokesman Peter Kaujju said the operation was not intended to arrest vendors but to prevent them from operating on the streets.
“It was more of a preventive operation. We had massive compliance today without any significant vending in the city. We shall continue with surveillance and engagement for an orderly city. No arrests were made. We believe continued sensitisation and enforcement will deliver it for us,” Mr Kaujju said.
Running battles
Vendors were seen running with the merchandise to the taxi parks and arcades whenever the KCCA enforcement and police officers patrols approached them.
One vendor told KCCA enforcement officers that they should allow them operate on the streets during this festive season and thereafter they will willingly return to the markets.
It has been a habit of vendors turning streets into markets during the festive seasons, thereafter decline to leave.
Ms Musisi has been tough on street vendors that most of them had decided to run back to the markets after several arrests and impounding of their stock.
Last week, the Minister of Kampala, Ms Betty Kamya, warned vendors to get off the streets.
The traders in arcades and markets had also complained of unfair competition since the vendors were selling the same commodities they deal in yet those on the streets were not paying taxes and rent.
Concern
Vendors had returned on the streets of Kampala soon after the KCCA Executive Director, Ms Jennifer Musisi, tendered in her resignation. The vendors have been leaving garbage in the middle of the roads.
Taxi operators had also taken advantage of the chaos to establish illegal stages on major streets which caused traffic congestion in the city centre.
