Government Assures Displaced Traders of Alternative Workspaces Amid Trade Order Enforcement

Kampala, April 23, 2026 — The Government has reassured traders affected by the ongoing implementation of the Trade Order that deliberate efforts are underway to secure alternative workspaces, ensuring that no vendor is permanently pushed out of business.

Speaking during a high-level consultative meeting at the Ministry of Local Government headquarters in Kampala, the Permanent Secretary, Ben Kumumanya, emphasized the Government’s commitment to creating sufficient and organized trading spaces across cities, municipalities, and town councils.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including traders’ representatives led by John Kabanda, President of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA). The engagement focused on addressing concerns arising from the ongoing enforcement of the Trade Order, assessing progress, and harmonizing implementation strategies across local governments.

Kumumanya reassured traders that while the policy aims to restore order in urban centers, the Government is equally focused on ensuring that affected vendors are supported to resume their businesses promptly. He reiterated that the objective of the Trade Order is to enhance sanitation, improve traffic flow, and ensure that commercial activities are conducted within gazetted and approved areas in line with existing laws.

“The issue is not the Trade Order policy itself, but rather how it is being implemented,” Kumumanya noted, acknowledging concerns raised by traders. He strongly condemned reports of excessive force by some enforcement officers, including forceful evictions, confiscation of goods, and demolition of business structures without adequate notice. Such actions, he said, contradict the spirit of the initiative and must be addressed.

He stressed the need for enforcement to be conducted in a fair, humane, and lawful manner, calling on local authorities to exercise restraint and professionalism while implementing the directive.

Representing the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), spokesperson David Nuwabine highlighted the early gains of the exercise, noting a significant increase in licensed traders within the city. According to Nuwabine, the number of licensed traders in Kampala has risen from 12,536 to over 20,000 since the enforcement began in February 2026, reflecting progress in formalizing businesses and strengthening urban management systems.

Kumumanya further revealed that the Ministry will convene a follow-up meeting within two weeks to provide updates on the resolutions reached, following broader consultations with stakeholders nationwide.

In a bid to improve public understanding and compliance, the Government also plans to roll out nationwide sensitization campaigns and community barazas aimed at educating traders and the general public about the objectives and benefits of the Trade Order.

The meeting was attended by several senior government officials, including Commissioners Charles Magumba and Steven Koma from the Ministry of Local Government. Also present were Jones Makula Mukasa from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, and Presidential Advisor on Markets Winnie Atwine.

The consultative meeting marks a critical step in aligning government policy with the realities faced by traders, as authorities seek to balance urban order with inclusive economic participation.