Hawkers will now be limited to ply their trade in gazetted trading centres following a directive by government barring them against hawking outside the trading centres.
A directive has been issued by the Security minister, Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi. In a letter directed at Resudent District Commissioners Resident District Commissioners, District Police Commanders (DPCs), and District Internal Security Officers (DISOs, Muhwezi says the hawkers have become a security threat.
We have received information that there are criminals around the villages especially in the Western region, masquerading to be hawkers/traders. The practice of moving in villages selling items should not be allowed as it is a source of insecurity. Those who want trade should do so in trading centres,” reads the directive
All relevant authorities have been asked to enforce the directive with immediate effect.
There are over 2million hawkers around the country according to stats from the National Hawkers Association.
