ENTEBBE, Uganda — The Ugandan Cabinet has authorized the resumption of trade order enforcement operations nationwide following a brief suspension for stakeholder consultations.
Minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi told reporters Tuesday that the decision was reached during a Monday Cabinet meeting at State House Entebbe. The enforcement measures are designed to relocate traders from unauthorized areas such as streets, walkways and corridors to designated formal markets.
Magyezi said the government previously halted operations after receiving petitions from traders’ associations and religious groups requesting more time to prepare. However, he noted that Cabinet determined the enforcement must continue to preserve recent improvements in urban organization.
Implementation will include a focus on public health. Local government officers have been directed to ensure trade occurs only in gazetted areas and to stop the sale and preparation of food in unhygienic locations, including areas atop sewer lines.
To support the transition, Magyezi said the ministry will increase community sensitization efforts and establish a task force to collaborate with stakeholder representatives.
Minister for Kampala Minsa Kabanda confirmed the directive applies to the capital city, describing the trade order as nonnegotiable. She said maintaining order in Kampala is essential to the country’s image and that progress made in clearing the streets cannot be reversed.
