Leaders in Masaka City have defended the ongoing enforcement of trade order regulations despite growing concerns from women traders whose businesses have been affected by the operation.
The enforcement exercise, which has targeted the Welcome area in Nyendo, focuses on the removal of containers, kiosks and other structures erected without approved physical development plans.
Accompanied by security personnel, enforcement teams demolished several makeshift business structures, leaving many women traders stranded and without a source of income.
The affected traders expressed frustration, saying they relied on the small businesses for survival and had been abandoned by the fathers of their children. They said the income from these businesses supported basic needs such as school fees, medical care and daily household expenses.
“This kiosk was my only source of income. I used the little profit I made every day to feed my children and pay school fees. I don’t know where to start now because everything has been destroyed,” one of the affected traders said.
The women further appealed to government authorities to reconsider the operation, noting that many of them had taken loans from SACCOs to establish their businesses and now face the risk of financial ruin.
“We borrowed money from SACCOs to start these businesses,” another trader said. “The government should first provide us with alternative places to work. We are now left with debts and no income.”
The affected traders also called on President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and review the implementation of the policy affecting small-scale businesses across the country.
“We are not against development or trade order, but the government should remember that many families survive on these small businesses,” said Florence Owamaria, a trader in Nyendo. “We appeal to President Museveni to help us find a solution.”
Some residents blamed Members of Parliament for passing laws that have led to the enforcement measures, while others criticized local political leaders for failing to protect the interests of ordinary citizens.
“Our leaders should have consulted the people before these measures were enforced,” one resident said. “Those we elected have remained silent while ordinary traders suffer,” Owamaria added.
Other traders demanded that the city council stop collecting rent and other fees from occupants of structures now being declared illegal.
“For years we have been paying rent and other charges for these places where we placed our kiosks. It is unfair for authorities to collect money and later declare the structures illegal,” they said.
Meanwhile, Masaka City Town Clerk Prosper Tagobya maintained that the authorities will not relent on the operation, stressing that all illegal structures must be removed in line with the law.
“The operation is aimed at restoring physical planning standards and trade order within the city. Any structure erected without approval is illegal and must be removed regardless of ownership. We encourage all developers and traders to follow the established procedures,” Tagobya said.
He added that the enforcement exercise will continue across all divisions of the city to ensure full compliance with physical planning regulations.