Authorities in Rukungiri Municipality on Thursday, May 28, 2026, commenced the enforcement of the new trade order policy by demolishing temporary and illegal structures obstructing public spaces.
The operation targeted structures erected without approval as well as those encroaching on public areas.
Among the structures demolished were those at Healing and Deliverance Church in Farmers Centre, T. Light Church, Rukungiri Central Secondary School, Rukungiri Kindergarten and Primary School, and several private properties, including residential houses.
Most of the affected traders expressed frustration over the exercise and appealed to the government to help them secure alternative space for their businesses and belongings.
"They demolished our structures without giving us enough time to prepare. We are asking the government to help us find space where we can relocate our belongings," some traders said.
Some residents, who requested anonymity, criticized the Rukungiri Municipal Council leadership for allegedly failing to adequately sensitize the public about the trade order policy before its implementation. They also claimed that some structures were demolished despite not being marked with an 'X'—the symbol authorities had reportedly been using to identify structures slated for demolition.
However, the Senior Physical Planner for Rukungiri Municipality, Vastine Kenganzi, defended the exercise, saying residents and business owners had been given sufficient notice to relocate before enforcement began.
"Municipal authorities gave people enough time to relocate ahead of the exercise. About 70 percent of those affected had already moved voluntarily," Kenganzi said.
She warned that the operation would continue until all illegal and non-compliant structures are removed from the municipality. Kenganzi urged traders, institutions, and property owners to follow the proper approval procedures before constructing any structures and advised owners of marked buildings to voluntarily remove them before enforcement measures are taken.