The outgoing LC3 Chairperson of Bisheshe Division in Ibanda Municipality, John Kanyomozi, has blamed former leaders of the then Ibanda Town Council for losses suffered during the ongoing enforcement of the government’s trade order policy.
The enforcement exercise, which officially began on Thursday, has seen the demolition of illegal structures and buildings reportedly worth billions of shillings, leaving several traders counting heavy losses.
The government recently reinstated a strict nationwide trade order policy aimed at removing street vendors and illegal structures from urban areas in a bid to restore order in towns and municipalities.
Speaking about the exercise, Kanyomozi said the current losses are a result of corruption and poor leadership decisions by previous authorities who allowed illegal developments to continue.
“The current situation is partly caused by leaders who allowed people to construct illegal buildings. They knew it was wrong, but because of corruption, they permitted it, and now businesses are suffering the consequences,” Kanyomozi told Nile Post on Saturday.
He revealed that during his time in council, some leaders strongly opposed the construction of structures in road reserves and other unauthorized areas, but their efforts were frustrated.
“When we were still in council, there were buildings we rejected because they lacked approved plans or were being constructed in road reserves. Unfortunately, some individuals used corruption to push through their construction,” he said.
Kanyomozi further disclosed that he was once arrested for attempting to stop illegal construction activities in the municipality.
“I was once arrested and taken to Nyabuhikye Government Prison because I stopped people from building in road reserves and without approved plans. At the time, many people misunderstood us, but today the consequences are clear,” he said.
He urged citizens and leaders to avoid corruption and adhere to proper planning procedures in construction and business operations to prevent future losses.
“People should avoid corruption because it always brings suffering in the end. Leaders and citizens must respect the law to avoid such painful losses in the future,” he added.
The enforcement exercise continues across Ibanda Municipality as authorities implement government directives on trade order and urban planning regulations.
