MP Malende challenges Govt over plight of evicted Kampala street vendors

‎Kampala District Woman Representative Shamim Malende has called on the government to provide affordable and accessible trading spaces for street vendors and hawkers who were removed from the city’s roadsides.

‎‎Malende raised the concern in Parliament, saying many vendors continue to struggle with limited trading spaces, high market-stall costs, harassment and confiscation of their merchandise.

‎‎The concerns follow a government directive issued early this year, requiring street vendors, hawkers and other illegal operators to leave Kampala’s roadsides, pavements, walkways, road islands and drainage channels. The enforcement, implemented through Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, was intensified after a final deadline issued in February 2026.

‎‎The government said the directive was intended to restore order in the city, ease traffic and pedestrian congestion, improve sanitation and protect formal businesses operating from recognised premises. Authorities have also maintained that the crackdown is not meant to destroy livelihoods, but to move informal traders into organised and designated trading spaces.

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‎However, Malende said the alternative arrangements have not adequately addressed the challenges facing those removed from the streets.

‎‎She said vendors are still struggling to find affordable places to conduct business, while some of those who secure spaces face costs they cannot afford.

‎‎“Right Honourable Speaker, when the street vendors and hawkers were being taken off the roadsides in Kampala, government promised to provide them with alternative trading spaces, markets in the different city divisions, but to date, they still face challenges of inadequate trading spaces, high cost of market in the market stalls, harassment and confiscation of their merchandise among others,” Malende said.

‎‎She asked the government to make good on its promise to establish alternative markets across Kampala's city divisions and ensure that the spaces are within reach of low-income traders.

‎‎“Our prayer, Right Honourable Speaker, is that we ask the government to commit, through the line minister, to provide affordable and accessible trading spaces for hawkers and vendors in Kampala, and this also includes very many single mothers and widows that now lack a living,” she added.

‎‎Malende said the issue goes beyond street trading, arguing that many households depend on small-scale businesses as their main source of income.

‎‎Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for Trade David Bahati said the government was aware of the shortage and was working to create additional spaces, particularly for women and young people.

‎‎“We are aware of it, and we are working on it to get spaces to be able to provide for these, especially women and youth who are on the street,” Bahati said.

‎‎Bahati said some city markets still have available spaces, although he acknowledged that more facilities are required to accommodate the affected traders.

‎‎He said the government would continue working on the matter and update Parliament on progress as resources become available.

‎‎KCCA has identified several markets where vendors can seek space, including Usafi Market, Kamwokya Market and the City Abattoir in Central Division.

‎‎In Nakawa Division, spaces are available at Nakawa, Luzira and Ntinda New markets, while more than 500 spaces have been set aside at Busega Market in Lubaga Division.

‎‎Authorities require traders seeking the designated spaces to present an LC1 introduction letter and a copy of their National Identification card, as the government seeks to shift roadside trade into organised markets without leaving vulnerable traders without a source of income.