Kampala Capital City Authority Begins Enforcement of Trade Order

By Ambrose Wanagoli.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Thursday commenced enforcement of a government directive aimed at restoring trade order within Kampala, clearing vendors from walkways, road reserves, and other unauthorized public spaces following weeks of sensitization and preparation.

The operation officially took effect at 8 p.m., in line with a February 5 directive issued by the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Minsa Kabanda. Traders had been given up to February 19 to comply.

During a media briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, State Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Kabuye Kyofatogabye said the enforcement process is grounded in established policy frameworks and extensive preparation.

“Our objective is not to remove people from the economy,” Kyofatogabye said. “Our objective is to organize the economy, restore order, and protect legitimate businesses.”

He emphasized that public infrastructure must serve its intended purpose.

“Walkways are for pedestrians. Roads are for movement. Drainage channels are for water flow. When these spaces are occupied unlawfully, the entire city suffers,” he added.

By midnight, enforcement teams dressed in clearly marked blue uniforms, supported by security agencies, began clearing illegally occupied spaces. Vendors operating on walkways, road islands, medians, and other ungazetted areas face confiscation of goods and potential court

KCCA officials stressed that the exercise is intended to formalize livelihoods rather than eliminate them.

Ahead of enforcement, the authority mapped and verified trading spaces in 17 KCCA-managed markets, identifying 2,520 stalls available for allocation. Additionally, KCCA engaged 69 private markets within Kampala and across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area to expand capacity.

Authorities also established 1,980 workspaces in neighboring municipalities to accommodate traders willing to relocate.

Market vendors operating within established markets were consulted and encouraged to integrate incoming traders. Allocation of stalls will follow registration and verification procedures, with priority given to women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

The Uganda Police Force pledged full support for the operation.

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma urged voluntary compliance.

“Traders should move before being moved,” Kituuma said. “As a trader or Ugandan, do you feel proud of what is happening on our streets, the congestion and disorder? We shall be coming to remove those who may have refused to vacate peacefully.”

Authorities maintain that restoring order will improve sanitation, consumer protection, and mobility within the city while safeguarding critical infrastructure such as drainage systems, roads, and pedestrian corridors.

Taxi operators have been directed to operate strictly from designated parks and terminals, with illegal roadside stages banned.

KCCA is also in the process of gazetting formal boda boda stages across the five city divisions. Of the 929 required stages, 166 have so far been approved.

Officials described the enforcement as firm, lawful, and people-centered, calling it one of the most comprehensive trade reorganization efforts undertaken in Kampala in recent years.