Enock Ndyamuhakyi | Tayari News
KABALE- Opinion leaders in Kabale District have called on Kabale Municipal authorities to adopt a more inclusive and well-planned approach in implementing the Trade Order directive, warning that failure to do so could negatively affect livelihoods, particularly among vulnerable groups such as street vendors.
The Trade Order directive is intended to regulate urban trade, improve order in municipalities, and enhance revenue collection. However, its implementation in Kabale Municipality has generated mixed reactions from stakeholders, with concerns centring on how it is being enforced.
Speaking in an interview, Wilkens Arinaitwe, the Kabale District chairperson of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), acknowledged the importance of the policy but cautioned against its hurried enforcement.
“The idea of organizing our town is good and necessary,” Arinaitwe said. “However, the implementation should not be rushed. Authorities must first consider the safety and welfare of the people who depend on street vending for survival.”
He warned that abrupt evictions without providing alternative means of livelihood could have unintended consequences, including an increase in crime.
“Many of these street vendors are unemployed youth trying to make ends meet,” he explained. “If you remove them from the streets without clear alternatives, you risk pushing them into criminal activities. We must plan carefully and assess the likely impact before enforcement.”
Arinaitwe further emphasized the need for the municipal authorities to engage stakeholders and provide viable solutions, such as designated vending areas, before removing traders from the streets.
Similarly, Edmund Atusasire, a researcher and former Rukiga LC5 chairperson aspirant, expressed concern about the inclusivity and sustainability of the directive. While he acknowledged that the Trade Order addresses important issues such as urban organization and public safety, he stressed that its success depends on proper consultation.
“Urban trade management is not just about enforcement; it is about inclusion,” Atusasire said. “If you implement policies without consulting the people affected, you create resistance and low compliance.”
He added that meaningful engagement with vendor associations, market leaders, local councils, and community representatives is essential for the smooth implementation of the policy.
“Stakeholder engagement ensures that people understand the policy and feel part of the process,” he noted. “When people are involved, they are more likely to support and comply with the directive.”
Atusasire also highlighted the importance of sustainability, urging authorities to consider long-term solutions rather than short-term enforcement measures.
On the other hand, Robert Kakuru Byamugisha, the Executive Director of Kick Corruption Out of Uganda, defended the Trade Order, describing it as a necessary step toward modernization and improved urban management.
“This directive is not politically motivated as some people may think,” Byamugisha said. “It is a strategic move aimed at transforming our towns to meet global urbanization standards.”
He urged citizens to support the policy, emphasizing that organized urban spaces are essential for economic growth and development.
“Urbanization plays a key role in economic development,” he explained. “Cities are hubs of productivity, and for them to function effectively, there must be order.”
However, Byamugisha also acknowledged the need for proper planning and preparation by the government to ensure that the implementation does not harm vulnerable groups.
“The government must establish and facilitate gazetted market spaces where vendors can operate,” he said. “Without proper alternatives, the directive may lead to losses and increased hardship for traders.”
He stressed that providing adequate infrastructure and support systems is critical to the success of the policy.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Town Clerk of Kabale Municipality, Erick Sunday, called on vendors to comply with the directive and vacate unauthorized trading areas.
“We are urging all vendors operating in unauthorized spaces to comply with the Trade Order,” Sunday said. “This is necessary to ensure order, proper urban planning, and the smooth movement of people and goods within the municipality.”
He added that the municipality is working towards improving designated market areas to accommodate traders and create a more organized business environment.
Despite these assurances, many stakeholders remain concerned about how the directive will affect small-scale traders who rely on street vending for their daily income.
Observers note that the success of the Trade Order in Kabale will largely depend on how well authorities balance enforcement with social and economic considerations. While the need for organized urban spaces is widely recognized, there is growing consensus that the process must be handled carefully to avoid unintended consequences.
As discussions continue, opinion leaders are urging the government to adopt a people-centered approach that prioritizes dialogue, planning, and support for affected communities.
“The goal should not just be to remove vendors from the streets,” Arainaitwe emphasized. “It should be to create a system where everyone can operate in a safe, organized, and sustainable environment.”
With the livelihoods of many residents at stake, the implementation of the Trade Order in Kabale remains a critical issue that will require careful coordination, transparency, and collaboration among all stakeholders.