Tayari News
HOIMA – Hundreds of street vendors returned to Hoima city streets on Saturday morning, a day after city authorities violently evicted them in an effort to restore order. On Thursday evening and Friday morning, law enforcement officers from Hoima City Council raided major streets, targeting vendors operating on Hoima-Fort Portal, Bunyoro Kitara, Old Toro, Freedom, Persy, Kwebiha, Duhaga roundabout, and Butiaba streets, among others.
The evictions affected vendors selling second-hand clothes, shoes, tomatoes, cabbage, home utensils, roasted chicken, chapatis, mobile money services, and roadside restaurants. Authorities also confiscated several goods during the crackdown. City officials said the vendors had occupied gazetted walkways, creating congestion and disorder in the city centre.
Despite repeated warnings, vendors ignored directives to vacate voluntarily. However, by Saturday, the vendors had resumed their usual business along the streets. Many told Uganda Radio Network (URN) that they would not leave unless the authorities provided a proper relocation site. Grace Mateka, a mother of three, explained the urgency of her situation.
Jane Kusemererwa, a vendor on Hoima-Fort Portal road, criticized the city for failing to engage vendors before evicting them. She warned that she was ready to face law enforcement if evictions occur again without a clear relocation plan.
William Musinguzi, Chairperson of Duhaga roundabout street vendors, condemned the impromptu evictions, calling for dialogue between city authorities and vendors to agree on a solution.
Godfrey Tumusiime Bantebya, LCI Chairman of Kiryatete East, emphasized the need for gazetted vendor sites before evicting them.
Sylvia Nalumaga, Deputy Mayor of Hoima city, stressed the importance of a clean and orderly city, urging vendors to adhere to directives. She confirmed that vendors can still use the Hoima central market, but many have refused to occupy the available stalls.
Meanwhile, Elly Akugizibwe, a resident of Kinubi cell, Hoima East Division, welcomed the city council’s actions, saying the vendors had caused congestion and disorder in the city center.
-URN-