Traders in Ibanda Municipality have raised concerns over the ongoing enforcement of the Trade Order Act, saying the exercise was implemented abruptly without giving them enough time to prepare for relocation.
The enforcement operation, launched by municipal authorities on Thursday, seeks to remove illegal vendors and structures operating in public spaces within the municipality. However, several affected traders say the move has left them uncertain about their future sources of income.
The traders argued that their businesses are the primary source of livelihood for their families, enabling them to meet basic needs such as paying school fees, buying food, and accessing healthcare services.
“We survive entirely on these small businesses. We pay school fees, rent, and buy food from the little income we earn daily. Authorities should first provide us with alternative places to operate from before forcing us out,” said Vandiano Twayembe, one of the affected traders.
The traders further appealed to municipal leaders to engage them through dialogue and establish designated trading areas to ensure a smooth transition during the implementation of the policy.
However, the Ibanda Principal Commercial Officer and head of the Trade Order Task Force, Deo Tugume, defended the operation, saying traders had earlier been informed through mass sensitization campaigns conducted by the municipality.
“We warned the traders in advance through several engagements, and many of them complied with the directives before the exercise began. Overall, the operation started on a positive note because some traders voluntarily vacated the illegal structures,” Tugume said.
Ibanda Deputy Mayor Deus Warugaba also urged traders still operating in unauthorized spaces to comply with the policy, emphasizing that the enforcement exercise is part of a nationwide implementation drive aimed at improving urban order.
“This policy is not only being enforced in Ibanda but nationwide. Its main purpose is to promote orderly urban development. We ask all affected traders to cooperate with authorities for the good of the municipality,” Warugaba said.
Municipal authorities maintain that the operation is intended to improve sanitation, accessibility, and the general appearance of urban centers. Similar enforcement exercises have recently been carried out in several municipalities and cities across Uganda as local governments seek to streamline trade operations and reduce congestion in public spaces.
Despite the authorities’ justification, traders continue to call for a more humane and consultative approach in enforcing the regulations, arguing that relocation without clear alternatives could negatively affect household incomes and livelihoods.
