Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has issued a tough condemnation against the government’s planned move to evict street vendors from the city. While addressing the council members on Thursday, Lukwago said that evicting street vendors without a proper plan B is illegal, and should not be pushed further.
Lukwago’s remarks come at the back of a five days ultimatum issued by the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Hussein Hudu, that all vendors relocate from the streets and work from gazetted markets. Hudu directed vendors to find space in Usafi or Wandegeya markets. He warned that failure to leave the streets would attract arrest from the authorities.
Lukwago, however, says Hudu is doing wrong. “The law constitutes that street vending and hawking is illegal which is not true. Like the trade order ordinance 2006, the Trade Licencing Act 1969 provides for hawkers licence and Kampala street traders by-laws,” Lukwago said
“We should be oblivious of our mission and vision as KCCA for creating an all-inclusive, vibrant, attractive, sustainable and liveable city. For us to realise our mission and vision, we should have a mechanism that offers opportunities and working space for the urban poor,” he added
He suggested that government reignites plans to construct modern markets in Busega, Kitante to accommodate the urban poor.
Hundu asserts that the move to get street vendors off the streets is ended to help them fight poverty. “You cannot grow economically strong when you do not have an address where you do your work from,” Hundu argued.
