Kampala, Uganda | URN | Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has made good of its threats to evict street vendors in an attempt to create trade order in the city and stop the spread of COVID-19.
On Tuesday 10, August 2021, a team of KCCA law enforcement officers backed by armed police officers started evicting vendors from Ben Kiwanuka street, Kikuubo lane and Allen road.
The officers apprehended some of the vendors and confiscated their merchandise. However, some of the vendors resisted arrest leading to running battles with KCCA law enforcement. Some of the vendors expressed disappointment with the operation.
Morris Kyalisiima, one of the vendors told this publication that it is not their wish to vend merchandise on the streets but they are being forced by the poverty situation in the country. He acknowledged that street vending is where they find more customers compared to any other and vowed to fight on rather than die of hunger.
Esther Kajumba, a vendor in Kikuubo lane said that she was forced on the streets to fend for her children, adding that she even missed the COVID-19 cash relief from the Prime Minister’s office.
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Rajab Mugoya, a vendor of apples on the street also said that he decided to come on the streets because he is the sole breadwinner of his family. He called upon the authority to organize them and allow them to operate other than pushing them off the streets.
Cissy Nalule, a retail trader asked the government to allow the vendors to at least display limited merchandise so as to attract customers and earn a living.
Muhammad Wanzagilo, a street vendor said that he has been in and out of court because of street vending and isn’t about to stop. Wanzagilo told this publication that he lacks money to rent a shop, which forces him to the street, where he requires as a low as Shilling 20,000 as capital.
Last week, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatogabye announced plans to evict streets vendors. He said the operations would continue until they create trade order in the city.
