Muhanga Town Council in Rukiga District has announced May 11, 2026, as the official date for the enforcement of the Trade Order Act, marking the start of a major urban regulation drive aimed at restoring order in business operations and physical planning.
The Trade Order Act, enacted by the Parliament of Uganda in December 2023, is designed to streamline business activity in cities, municipal councils, and town councils by reducing congestion, improving infrastructure planning, and ensuring traders operate in designated areas.
Muhanga Town Council Mayor James Twijukye confirmed that the town is fully prepared to implement the law following a series of stakeholder engagements and sensitisation meetings held across the area.
“Muhanga Town Council is ready to implement the Trade Order Act. We have already held several stakeholder engagements and sensitisation meetings regarding the implementation of the law,” Twijukye said.
He explained that traders, local leaders, enforcement officers, and technical staff have already been briefed on the upcoming exercise to ensure smooth implementation.
According to the mayor, before a temporary suspension of enforcement issued by the State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, the council had already given traders a two-week ultimatum to comply with the new regulations.
The ultimatum, he said, remains in effect, with the grace period expected to expire on May 10, 2026—one day before enforcement begins.
“The two-week grace period expires on May 10, 2026. This deadline remains unchanged. We are now in the final week before enforcement begins, so we are intensifying sensitisation to avoid misunderstandings,” he said.
Twijukye added that the council is stepping up community outreach campaigns to ensure traders and property owners understand the requirements of the law and avoid losses resulting from non-compliance.
He particularly warned owners of buildings marked for corrective action, urging them to act before the deadline or risk enforcement measures, including demolition or eviction where necessary.
“I call upon traders, business owners, and property owners to comply with all procedures and guidelines issued by the town council to avoid losses that may arise from forceful evictions. Owners of buildings marked with an ‘X’ must take corrective measures before the deadline,” Twijukye said.
He emphasized that the enforcement is not intended to punish traders but to promote a cleaner, more organised, and business-friendly urban environment in Muhanga.
The upcoming implementation is expected to test compliance levels among local businesses, as authorities across Uganda continue to roll out the Trade Order Act as part of broader urban management reforms.