Kampala, Uganda: Government has directed all local authorities to fully resume enforcement of the controversial trade order, weeks after its implementation triggered nationwide tensions, resistance from traders, and a temporary slowdown.
The Minister for Local Government, Hon Raphael Magezi Tuesday reaffirmed that the trade order policy will proceed as earlier planned following a Cabinet resolution on April 27, 2026.
Magyezi instructed Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks, and city authorities to restore order in urban areas by relocating traders operating on streets, pavements, corridors, and drainage channels into designated markets and formal trading spaces.
The minister also ordered the removal of campaign posters, enforcement of proper food handling standards, improved sanitation in markets, and stricter licensing of all trade activities under existing laws.
Authorities further emphasised that no trader should return to unauthorized trading spaces, urging the public to cooperate with enforcement teams to ensure clean, organised, and safe urban centres.
“I strongly advise all Ugandans to cooperate with the local authorities; no trader is expected to go back to places that are not authorised for trade. Let us work together to contribute to this good cause of having towns and localities that are organized, clean, healthy, and safe for all of us to live in,” Magyezi wrote.
Background
The trade order enforcement drive was first activated earlier this year as part of a broader government push to restore urban order, sanitation, and compliance with business regulations, particularly in Kampala and other major towns.
The crackdown largely targeted roadside vendors, informal traders, and operators working in undesignated spaces, many of whom depend on daily street trade for survival.
However, the exercise quickly sparked tension across several urban centres, with traders resisting eviction from streets and raising concerns over inadequate space in gazetted markets, loss of income, and lack of consultation.
The situation forced authorities in some areas to slow down or temporarily halt enforcement amid growing public pressure and logistical challenges in relocating vendors.
However, Cabinet resolved on April 27 to continue implementation of the trade order, signaling a firm government position despite earlier disruptions.
The Ministry of Local Government has now outlined additional measures to strengthen the rollout, including intensified community sensitisation, formation of an inter-ministerial taskforce, and engagement with key stakeholders such as traders, religious leaders, and local authorities.
Government also pledged to address gaps in market space by reallocating traders who have not yet been accommodated in formal trading areas and encouraging local governments to establish weekly market days.
The renewed directive underscores government’s attempt to balance urban order with economic realities, as informal trade continues to play a critical role in livelihoods across Uganda’s cities.
Officials say the policy is essential for improving sanitation, easing congestion, and formalising business operations, but its success will depend heavily on how relocation and enforcement are handled on the ground.
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