KCCA Moves to Crack Down on Illegal Street Vending in Kampala CBD
Kampala, Uganda
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has launched a renewed enforcement operation targeting illegal street vending in the Central Business District, citing congestion, sanitation risks, and obstruction of pedestrian movement.
The operation, which began early this week, saw enforcement officers confiscate merchandise and disperse vendors operating along major corridors including Luwum Street, Ben Kiwanuka Street, and parts of Kampala Road.
KCCA officials argue that the city cannot sustain unregulated commercial activity, especially as Kampala’s population continues to swell. “We are not criminalizing poverty,” a KCCA spokesperson said. “We are enforcing order and public safety.”
Urban analysts warn that without alternative trading spaces, enforcement-only approaches risk escalating tensions between city authorities and vulnerable populations.
Why It Matters
Street vending supports thousands of urban households. How cities manage informality speaks to broader questions of inclusive urban planning, economic survival, and social justice.
What to Watch
Whether KCCA provides alternative vending zones
Potential legal challenges or protests
Impact on traffic flow and pedestrian safety
