Tayari News
KAGADI – Authorities in Kagadi Town Council have launched enforcement operations targeting street vendors, illegal garages and unregistered boda boda riders in a move aimed at restoring order in the town.
The operation, led by Senior Town Clerk John Isingoma on Thursday, targeted vendors displaying goods along roadsides and shop verandas. Town council officials said the vendors had occupied gazetted walkways, causing congestion, dirt and disorder in the town centre.
Isingoma said the operation followed earlier warnings issued over local radio stations and other communication channels, which some traders ignored. He noted that vendors whose goods were confiscated will be required to pay a fine of 100,000 shillings to recover them.
During the ongoing crackdown, authorities also impounded 13 motorcycles from garages operating outside the designated industrial area. The motorcycles were taken to the town council headquarters, and owners have been asked to claim them before further action such as public auction is taken.
The town council has directed all artisan workers and garage operators to relocate their businesses to the gazetted industrial area. However, some traders have protested the directive, saying displaying goods outside shops helps attract customers and increase sales. Joseph Ayebale, a spare parts dealer, said many businesses have not relocated because the industrial area remains poorly developed, citing poor drainage, garbage and limited accessibility for customers.
Ronald Kusiima, another trader along Kagadi Market Street, urged authorities to allow limited display of goods outside shops for advertisement purposes and called for more consultation with traders.
Isingoma insisted that traders must keep goods inside their shops while fresh food vendors should relocate to the main market in order to maintain cleanliness and order in the town.
Meanwhile, the leadership of boda boda riders in Kagadi Town Council has issued a 30-day ultimatum to riders operating illegally to register with recognized stages or face arrest and impoundment of their motorcycles. The decision was reached during a meeting on Thursday at Kagadi Freedom Tree chaired by the riders’ leader Ategeka Amuza. He said the move aims to curb crimes such as motorcycle theft and passenger fraud while creating fair opportunities for registered riders.
The proposal has received mixed reactions, with some riders supporting the move while others fear it may limit their operations beyond the town council. Assistant Resident District Commissioner Edward Birungi supported the initiative but advised leaders to allow a grace period for riders to comply with the registration requirements.
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