Authorities in Hoima City have identified 2.5 acres of land where street vendors evicted from Duhaga Roundabout will be temporarily relocated as they await formal approval to operate from the new site.
The vendors, together with city political and technical leaders, identified the land located in Kiganda along the Kampala–Buliisa highway.
During an inspection of the proposed site, Hoima City Town Clerk Edward Lwanga said the city had no objection to the location but noted that vendors could only be allowed to operate there after an Environmental Impact Assessment is approved by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
On Tuesday morning, vendors who had been operating at Duhaga Roundabout woke up to find their stalls demolished and merchandise removed by city authorities as part of the ongoing nationwide trade order enforcement.
About 300 vendors were affected by the eviction, many of whom were left stranded and uncertain about their next move after finding the area cleared.
Later that evening, city technical leaders and political leaders held a meeting with the vendors to identify a temporary relocation site where they could continue operating.
The vendors, working with their leaders, approached a private landowner, Peter Ndiwarana, who offered his idle 2.5-acre piece of land in Kiganda near the city lagoon along the Kampala–Buliisa highway.
According to the agreement reached, each vendor will pay Shs 20,000 for space, and the vendors will be required to vacate the land once the owner decides to develop it.
On Wednesday morning, city leaders led by Town Clerk Edward Lwanga, Resident City Commissioner Badru Mugabi, area Woman Member of Parliament Asinansi Nyakato, and the vendors visited the proposed site.
While addressing the vendors, Lwanga said the city understands their situation but emphasized the need for order and safety in the city.
“We are not happy to see vendors cry, but we all need a clean city. Working on the streets is risky. When people died in Kitezi, it was technical people who were arrested. If people die while working on the streets, it is us who will be faulted,” he said.
MP Nyakato urged authorities to consider the livelihoods of the affected vendors, saying many are single parents and depend on street vending for survival.
“Fine, we need trade order, but where are you taking these people? Many will turn into criminals. We also have single parents who have to hustle for their families," she said.
"Why send them away from their working areas? I will continue working for my people. The town clerk has said we wait for an assessment; we shall wait, but we hope the process will be quick."
Resident City Commissioner Badru Mugabi called for calm among the vendors, assuring them that a lasting solution would be found.
“These operations are across the country. Let us heed the guidelines as issued,” he said.