Kabale Traders in Limbo as Trade order Leaves Businesses Without Alternative Space

Traders operating in the Butcher area and timber dealers in Kabale Municipality are stranded following the implementation of the trade order, which has left them uncertain about where to relocate their businesses. Kabale Municipality authorities had scheduled Monday, May 11, 2026, as the date to begin enforcing the trade order through the demolition of marked structures.

However, the Deputy Town Clerk, Eric Sunday, told our reporter that the operation was postponed because leaders had travelled to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for the swearing-in ceremony of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. A survey conducted by our reporter on Tuesday found several lock-up owners in the Butcher area demolishing their own structures. Among those found dismantling their lock-ups were Hebert Mpeirwomugisha, Gashomu Bamanya, and Vicent Kaguriro.

The traders said they decided to demolish the structures themselves to avoid bigger losses, noting that waiting for enforcement officers would damage materials such as bricks and iron sheets, making them difficult to salvage safely. They accused the authorities of unfairly implementing the trade order without first providing an alternative place for them to operate from. According to the traders, they are currently storing materials removed from the demolished lock-ups at their homes because no relocation space has been officially allocated to them.

Gaddie Speridon, Christopher Jackson Barayavuga, and Gashom Bamanya said the trade order had caused them losses worth millions of shillings. They explained that they could not wait for enforcement officers to demolish their businesses. However, they criticized the municipality for failing to provide an alternative location where they could continue operating.

But Sunday said Kabale Municipality has already secured alternative spaces for the affected traders in Kakabano, Upper Bugongi in Northern Division, Igabiro in Mwanjari, and Kirigime in Southern division.