MICHAEL N
Ntungamo Municipality is set to clear over 400 traders and street vendors from its streets as part of Uganda’s New Urban Development Program aimed at decongesting municipal and city roads.
The directive comes following a letter issued by Mukobi Seleverio Byarufu, the Town Clerk of Ntungamo Municipal Council, on 18th March 2026, which warned street traders and vendors to remove their businesses from public roads. According to the letter, affected businesses include kiosks, containers, temporary structures, all street vendors, and sanitary lanes. Vendors have been given 14 days to comply before the operation begins.
Seleverio Byarufu explained that any business extending from designated business lanes onto the roads, unauthorized containers, boda boda stages, and businesses displaying stock outside their premises will be affected by the clearance.
Jacob Kafureeka Jack Jex, the Mayor of Ntungamo Municipality, said the directive comes from the Ministry of Local Government for the enforcement of the Trade Order, and local authorities are required to implement it. However, Mayor Kafureeka expressed concern for the affected residents, noting that many of the vendors and kiosk operators are youths without sufficient capital to rent larger premises. He also highlighted the lack of free land in Ntungamo Municipality that could be gazetted for these businesses to relocate.
Street vendors, including yellow banana sellers, shop menders, kiosks, and container operators, led by Purakiseda Kanohiri and Laban Mwesigwa, told our reporters that although they have heard about the directive, their leaders have not informed them where they are expected to relocate. Many have been selling yellow bananas on the streets for over 10 years, relying on these small businesses for household income and school fees. The vendors also expressed fears that eviction could lead to increased theft among the youths who operate these businesses.
