By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has urged government to adopt a more humane and consultative approach in enforcing the ongoing trade order, warning that the current crackdown on street vendors could worsen social and economic challenges.
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters on Wednesday, party president Michael Jimmy Akena Obote said while UPC supports efforts to restore order and sanitation in urban areas, authorities must provide viable alternatives for affected traders.
“Somebody has built over years, then suddenly you wake up and say you are destroying the business. At least give some notice. Let us find a win-win situation,” Akena said. “If it is not tenable for it to remain there, don’t destroy it with stock inside. That merchandise has been paid for, often on credit.”
His remarks follow intensified enforcement of trade regulations in early 2026, which has seen vendors evicted from roadsides, walkways and other undesignated trading spaces in Kampala and municipalities across the country.
Akena criticized what he described as poor planning, warning that abrupt evictions could trigger unintended consequences such as increased school dropouts, crime and mental health challenges.
“Many of these vendors have been there for years. We know them. What is needed is proper relocation planning,” he said, adding that traders should be treated with dignity. “These people are doing the right thing in the wrong place.”
He further faulted government for undermining entrepreneurship, noting that many of those being evicted are the same small-scale businesspeople it has been encouraging.
“You are promoting entrepreneurship, but now you are chasing these entrepreneurs away. To where? Have you made provisions? Have we prepared?” he asked.
Akena said UPC would instead prioritize manpower development and structured transition plans to help informal traders integrate into the formal economy.
The nationwide enforcement stems from a directive issued by the Ministry of Local Government on March 10, 2026, requiring all chief administrative officers and town clerks to restore trade order in their jurisdictions.
According to the ministry, the move is anchored in the Trade (Licensing) Act, which mandates traders to operate only in designated areas and possess valid licenses. The policy aims to improve urban organization, public safety and sanitation.
Authorities say the rise in unplanned trading has been driven by rural-urban migration, with many people turning to street vending due to limited formal employment opportunities and inadequate capital.
However, UPC argues that while the objective of restoring order is justified, its implementation has exposed gaps and unfairness.
“We want families to survive and businesses to grow. What is needed is an environment that supports that growth,” Akena said.
