The Minister for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, has directed traders in Mubende District to stop operating along roads and streets, and ordered taxi operators to halt loading and offloading passengers on roadsides.
The directive follows a prolonged dispute between Mubende municipal leadership and district authorities over enforcement of town order regulations, which had reportedly been resisted by sections of local leadership and traders.
The disagreement, which had persisted for months, involved Mubende District Chairperson Michael Ntambi and municipal leaders over the implementation of measures aimed at relocating traders into the government-constructed market and clearing roadside vending.
Upon arriving in Mubende on Tuesday, Minister Balaam first met traders operating at Simmons Food Mat, where they raised concerns about what they described as heavy-handed enforcement by municipal authorities.
“We are not opposed to government programmes, but we want to be treated fairly and given enough time to adjust to the new arrangements,” some of the traders said.
The traders were later joined by District Chairperson Michael Ntambi, who has been at the centre of the dispute. Some traders, however, accused him of politicising the enforcement process for personal political gain.
Ntambi defended his position, saying his concern was the welfare of residents affected by the relocation exercise.
“My concern has always been the welfare of the people. Any enforcement exercise must consider the livelihoods of ordinary traders,” he said.
Mubende Municipality MP Sumayah Nabawanuka expressed concern over the escalation of the dispute, saying it should have been resolved locally.
“The disagreement should never have reached this level. Leaders should have sat together and resolved it before involving the central government,” she said.
Mubende Resident District Commissioner Fred Nayebare Kyamuzita also called for cooperation among leaders to ensure smooth implementation of government programmes.
Minister Balaam said his intervention was aimed at restoring order while safeguarding government investments in the town infrastructure.
“I have not come here to take sides. I have come to ensure that government policy is implemented while protecting the interests of our people,” he said.
He emphasized that traders should fully utilize the government-funded market, noting that the state had invested heavily in its construction.
“Government invested heavily in this market. Traders should occupy the market and conduct business from there so that the investment benefits the community,” he added.
He then issued firm directives to all stakeholders.
“No trader should operate on roadsides, and no taxi should load or offload passengers outside the gazetted stages. These directives must be followed by everyone,” the minister said.
Municipal leaders, including Town Clerk Daniel Kasala and Mayor Innocent Ssekiziivu, accused the district leadership of interfering with enforcement efforts, saying it had undermined town order implementation.
“Political interference has undermined our efforts to enforce town order and ensure proper management of the municipality,” Kasala said.
While many traders welcomed the minister’s intervention, some expressed dissatisfaction with parts of the resolution, alleging inconsistency in communication during the engagement.
“We appreciate the minister’s intervention, but he changed his statements according to what he said on a phone call conversation with Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja,” one trader said.
The conflict between district and municipal leadership began after the municipality banned taxis from operating in the town centre, later expanding into a broader dispute over removal of roadside traders.
The matter was eventually escalated to the Prime Minister’s office, which directed the Local Government Minister to intervene.
