Kampala Traders Feel the Pinch as City Tightens Street Vending Rules
Kampala, Uganda
Kampala’s central business district has grown noticeably quieter in recent days as city authorities step up enforcement of street vending regulations, pushing thousands of informal traders off pavements and road reserves. Kampala Capital City Authority officers say the move is aimed at restoring order, easing congestion and improving sanitation in the city center.
Traders displaced by the operation say the crackdown has cut off their primary source of income, with many reporting losses within days of enforcement. Several vendors told The Urban Gazette they had not been offered alternative trading spaces, forcing them to operate at night or retreat to residential neighborhoods.
City officials insist the exercise is part of a longer-term urban management plan and say designated markets are available. However, traders argue that many of the markets are already overcrowded or located far from customer traffic.
Why it matters
Informal trade employs a significant share of Kampala’s working population and plays a critical role in food distribution and household survival. Sudden enforcement actions risk deepening urban poverty and heightening tensions between authorities and residents, particularly at a time of rising living costs.
What to watch
Observers will be watching whether the city follows through on promises to expand market infrastructure and engage traders’ associations. The possibility of legal challenges or organised protests could also influence how long the enforcement campaign continues.
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