Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA will not allow any street vending during this festive season, Jennifer Musisi, the Executive director has said. According to Musisi KCCA will continue monitoring the street to prevent street vending. In August and September 2011, KCCA evicted about 8000 street vendors as part of its plan to decongest the city.
Many city traders welcomed the move saying street vendors were causing unfair competition as most customers prefer to buy cheaper merchandise from the streets to shops. Last week, the vendors under their umbrella organization Kampala City Vendors Association petitioned parliament over what they called wrongful eviction. They accused the authority of failing to listen to their concerns and failing to find them alternative areas of operation.
They asked to be allowed to return to the streets during the Christmas season to get rid of their old stock. However, Musisi says that there is no legal provision requiring the authority to find alternative land for the evicted vendors. She instead advises the vendors to occupy the available stalls in various city markets.
By last week the authority had identified about 300 empty spaces in Mulago and Kamwokya Market. Musisi says the planning directorate is in the process of identifying land to establish more markets in Kikoni, Wankulukuku, Kabowa and Nalukolongo.
