Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA has embarked on implementing the law and maintenance ordinance 2006, which prohibits the display of merchandise on doors and pavements. Recently, KCCA published a notice in the newspapers notifying members of the business community involvement in displaying their merchandise on walkways, doors and pavements to desist from the practice.
Peter Kaujju, the head of the KCCA public corporate affairs department says that they issued the notice after realizing that traders in the city center display their merchandise on walkways, doors and pavement in breach of the law. He explains that KCCA only issues licenses to traders to sell merchandise inside their shops.
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However, various traders interviewed by Uganda Radio Network are opposed to the enforcement of law barring them from displaying their merchandise. Christine Kalule, a dealer of suites operating along Speke road says that she could lose business if she does not displace her merchandise.
She argues that they pay for the entire building including the doors and verandah, adding that they have to utilize the entire space to maximize their rent. Charles Matte, a trader along Luwumu Street accusing KCCA of hiding behind such laws to chase people out of the city.
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He is worried that KCCA would soon start cracking down on shops occupied by various people saying, this would result in an escalation of crime
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Enoch Lubega, a shoe dealer along William Street says that displaying merchandise on the streets enables them to attract potential customers. He says that the display of merchandise is an acceptable practice world over in places such as Dubai, China and Nairobi, and wonders why KCCA wants to behave differently.
