KCCA Gives Vendors 14-Day Ultimatum to Leave Kampala Streets

Government through the Ministry of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs and KCCA has given vendors 14 days to vacate the streets of Kampala or face forceful eviction.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, Minister for Kampala, Minsa Kabanda said since the political season has ended, it is high time everything returns to order.

“Government will no longer tolerate disorder, lawlessness and abuse of public space in the name of survival or politics. Kampala has now entered an immediate phase of strictness and effective enforcement of all city laws and ordinances,” Kabanda said.

She explained that for months, enforcement was moderated to allow peaceful participation in politics, adding that the window is now closed and the capital must now function.

“Street vending and hawking on roads, walkways, drainage channels, junctions and road reserves is illegal and will not be tolerated. Illegal boda boda stages are also abolished with immediate effect.”

The minister said government has listened, warned and provided alternatives to vendors, noting that now is time to act.

She said going forward, the vendors have been given 14 days to leave Kampala streets or be forced off.

“KCCA has in the past few days issued notifications and now we are issuing a final notice to illegal operators to vacate prohibited areas voluntarily within 14 days. Going forward, enforcement will begin operations with zero tolerance and no negotiations.”

KCCA deputy Executive Director, Benon Moses Kigenyi said out of the 15 KCCA owned markets, they have identified nine with 2520 workplaces across all divisions in Kampala.

He said that the street vendors can occupy those market.

The deputy KCCA ED also revealed that the popular Sunday market is soon returning with three streets including Allen Road, Johnstone and Wilson proposed to host it.

“The market shall operate from 7:30am to 6pm to allow for evening cleaning and normalcy on the streets for Monday business,” Kigenyi said.

He added that to facilitate the operations of the market, vendors may be required to pay a modest fee to cater for services such as sanitation and cleaning each vendor’s workspace.