Authorities in Hoima West Division have ordered retail traders, landlords and business owners to immediately stop allowing vendors to sell fresh foods from shops, corridors and verandas, citing public health and trade order concerns.
In a directive issued on April 28, the Town Clerk of Hoima West City Division, Catherine Mbambu, said the practice of selling items such as vegetables, fruits, fish, matooke and Irish potatoes in undesignated spaces contravenes existing regulations.
“It has come to the attention of this office that some retail traders, business owners and house owners have been allowing vendors to operate within their shops, corridors and verandas,” the notice reads in part.
“This practice contravenes public health, trade order regulations and physical planning standards.”
City authorities say the trend has contributed to congestion, obstruction of pedestrian walkways and poor hygiene, while also creating unfair competition for vendors operating in gazetted markets.
Under the new directive, all affected parties have been instructed to immediately cease the sale and display of fresh foods in areas that are not licensed or designated for such trade.
They have also been given seven days to remove any unauthorised structures, including stalls and tables set up in front of their premises.
The Town Clerk warned that failure to comply would attract enforcement action, including confiscation of goods, prosecution under the Public Health Act and relevant council by-laws, and possible suspension or revocation of trading licences.
Hoima City has in recent months intensified efforts to streamline urban trade and improve sanitation, in line with broader government policy on restoring order in urban centres.
Local leaders, including LC1 chairpersons, have been called upon to support enforcement of the directive within their areas of jurisdiction.
The move is expected to affect hundreds of small-scale vendors who have been operating informally within private premises, particularly in busy trading areas of Hoima West Division.