After weeks of escalating tension over the enforcement of trade order in Mbarara City, Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi has addressed the controversial removal of street vendors from the central business district.
In a move that has stirred the local political landscape, the mayor revealed that the ongoing crackdown is not a purely local initiative, but a directive from the Ministry of Local Government.
Speaking to Nile Post, Kakyebezi explained that the push to restore “trade order” is part of a broader national strategy aimed at modernizing urban centers.
“For many, the eviction looks like a betrayal. A significant portion of the affected traders are loyal supporters who campaigned and voted for me in the last election, but this is beyond me—it is a directive from the Ministry of Local Government,” Kakyebezi said.
He added that vendors had been disrupting formal businesses by displaying goods at shop entrances, blocking access and affecting licensed operations.
However, the explanation has done little to calm the anger of hundreds of vendors who were removed from the streets.
The vendors, argue that the crackdown is harsh, lacks a clear transition plan, and has deprived them of their primary source of livelihood during an already difficult economic period.
“We voted for a leader who promised to protect the small person,” said Maria Kemigisha, a fruit vendor. “Now we are being chased like criminals from the very streets where we earn our daily bread.”
The mayor’s remarks highlight growing alignment between local authorities and national urban planning standards. Mbarara City is currently undergoing a major facelift through infrastructure projects supported by the World Bank.
These multimillion-dollar developments, aimed at improving road networks and drainage systems, come with strict requirements to maintain clear and orderly streets. City officials argue that continued congestion could jeopardize future funding and undermine the value of the new infrastructure.
Authorities insist that, for Mbarara to remain competitive and modern, trade must be confined to designated markets rather than spilling onto pedestrian walkways.
This shift presents a delicate balancing act for Kakyebezi. While aligning with the ministry secures technical and financial backing from the central government and development partners, it risks alienating his grassroots support base.
As the city pushes forward with its “smart city” vision, the key challenge remains how to modernize without leaving vulnerable citizens behind. For now, the streets of Mbarara may be clearer, but the political atmosphere remains tense.
