Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda Defends Crackdown on Street Vendors and Unlicensed Transport Operators

Kampala, Uganda: The Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda, has defended the ongoing enforcement operations targeting street vendors, hawkers, unlicensed taxis, and boda boda riders operating within the city centre, saying the measures are necessary to restore order, cleanliness, and smooth traffic flow in Kampala.

Speaking during recent engagements with city stakeholders and residents, Kabanda emphasised that the crackdown is not intended to punish city dwellers but to reorganise Kampala’s public spaces and address growing concerns over congestion and sanitation.

She noted that uncontrolled roadside trading and illegal transport operations have contributed significantly to blocked walkways, traffic jams, and poor waste management in key business areas.

“You are our people and we love you. I thank you for voting for me and my President Yoweri Museveni, but now you have to let us do our work,” Kabanda said, urging traders and riders to cooperate with city authorities during the ongoing operations.

The minister added that city leaders are under pressure to balance the needs of informal traders with those of licensed business owners who pay rent and taxes but face unfair competition from roadside vendors selling goods in undesignated areas.

According to Kabanda, many shop owners have repeatedly complained about reduced customer access due to overcrowded pavements and unregulated street trading.Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), working alongside security agencies, has in recent weeks intensified operations in several downtown areas, removing makeshift stalls, clearing pavements, and impounding motorcycles and vehicles operating without proper documentation.

Authorities argue that the exercise is part of broader efforts to improve urban planning, enhance public health standards, and create a safer working environment for both traders and pedestrians.

However, the enforcement campaign has drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some residents and formal business operators have welcomed the move, saying it could improve cleanliness and reduce chaos in the central business district, others particularly informal traders have expressed concern over losing their only source of livelihood.

Kabanda acknowledged the economic challenges facing many vendors but maintained that the city must be organised to function effectively. She said government and KCCA are exploring alternative designated markets and structured operating areas where traders can work legally without disrupting traffic or sanitation standards.

City authorities have urged affected groups to engage with KCCA officials to identify lawful operating spaces and to regularise their businesses and transport services.

Meanwhile, enforcement operations are expected to continue as part of Kampala’s broader urban management strategy aimed at transforming the capital into a more orderly and sustainable metropolitan area.