VANESSA A
Street vendors operating during the day in Rukungiri Municipality have been given 14 days to vacate the streets and relocate to designated trading areas as authorities move to restore order in the town.
The directive was issued by the Town Clerk of Rukungiri Municipality, Isaiah Tumwesigye, during a meeting held at the municipal headquarters. He explained that the action follows a communication from the Ministry of Local Government instructing all local authorities across the country to remove vendors, illegal kiosks, and other structures from streets and public spaces.
Tumwesigye said the municipality has been compelled to implement the directive and has therefore allowed a two-week grace period for affected vendors to relocate to gazetted markets such as Katerera, which still has available space. He added that the municipality is also working on creating additional space to accommodate more traders.
He further noted that the municipality will register vendors who operate during evening hours, from 5pm onwards, to ensure they comply with the set rules and regulations. Plans are also underway to establish designated and gazetted areas for night vendors, with emphasis on maintaining cleanliness in their working environments.
The Municipal Health Inspector, Evas Asiimwe, confirmed that night street vending will be allowed to continue under strict guidelines. These include operating only from 5pm, wearing proper uniforms with headgear, and maintaining high standards of hygiene. She emphasized that all registered vendors have already been allocated specific spaces and urged them to keep their areas clean to promote a healthy town environment.
However, some vendors have expressed concern over the directive, citing uncertainty about their future. Hawkers operating near Skylight Hotel along Karegyesa Road said the municipality should prioritize allocating them alternative working spaces instead of simply evicting them. They also warned that relocating all vendors to a single area could lead to congestion and negatively affect their earnings.
The municipality has maintained that the move is aimed at improving order, cleanliness, and proper urban planning within the town.
