Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) has called on street vendors to embrace relocation to designated markets, as enforcement by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) intensifies.
Speaking during Next Morning Switch hosted by Next Radio on Monday, KACITA Chief Executive Officer, Abel Mwesigye, highlighted the ongoing challenges of street vending in the capital.
“It is unfortunate that some vendors, to this day, have not yet accepted the new normal of eviction and are still trying to stay on the streets, despite the market stalls running out,” he said.
Mwesigye added that past experiences with government interventions have made some vendors aware of systemic loopholes, which they exploit.
“This is not the first government action taking people off the street. It is just that people know the system. That is why they only take advantage of weak systems because they know where the loopholes are,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Mwesigye encouraged traders to remain positive.
“Business is going on smoothly, but not as expected. Nevertheless, it is always good to stay positive in everything,” he said.
Mwesigye further emphasized that the process of evicting street vendors should include proper relocation.
“Evicting street vendors should call for a relocation of the street vendors, and not just harassing them off the street, because at the end of the day, we do recognize them as members of our business space,” he said.
Traders operating in KCCA-managed markets have previously called on the city authority to fully enforce its directive removing street vendors from major roads and walkways, arguing that inconsistent enforcement has weakened business within designated market spaces.
Roughly 30,000 registered traders operate within KCCA markets, yet many stalls remain vacant as vendors continue to sell along busy streets with higher foot traffic. A recent inspection of markets, including Usafi Market, Busega Market, and Kamwokya Market, revealed numerous empty stalls, some covered in dust and cobwebs.
At Usafi Market, traders were observed operating outside the premises despite more than 1,000 vacant stalls inside. Busega Market, which spans approximately three acres, also had around 500 unoccupied stalls. Traders remaining inside markets cited low customer turnout due to competition from street vendors along nearby roads.
The enforcement, initially announced by Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda, has been championed by KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, who maintains that the authority is restoring trade order and will not turn a blind eye after the February 19 deadline.
The directive targets vendors operating along major streets and junctions across the capital.
While KCCA manages 17 public markets, with 69 others privately owned, critics argue that many of these facilities lack proper planning, affordability, and accessibility for low-income traders.
Ahead of enforcement, officials intensified inspections to assess market occupancy and readiness for street vendor relocation.
By February 19, officials had offered 2,320 free stalls across city markets — including Usafi, Busega, Owino, and Wandegeya — with an additional 1,980 stalls in Entebbe, Mpigi, and Mukono.
Many vendors have since rejected the offer, citing inadequate space, and urged the government to construct dedicated markets to accommodate the growing number of traders.
