By KT Reporter
Members of the Jinja City Development Forum are calling for structured dialogue with kiosk owners affected by the ongoing trade order enforcement operations in the city.
The forum has proposed a series of public barazas where traders will engage directly with authorities to discuss preferred resettlement options. During these meetings, participants will also receive detailed information about available trading spaces in designated markets within Jinja’s Southern and Northern divisions.
The President of the Jinja City Development Forum, Joy Kawanguzi, said the distress and economic strain faced by evicted traders can be eased through inclusive platforms that allow all stakeholders to collectively identify practical solutions. She noted that the planned barazas will provide safe spaces for traders to openly express their concerns, particularly on how enforcement operations can be carried out without infringing on their rights.
Kawanguzi emphasized that the forum’s goal is to create an enabling environment where businesses of all sizes can thrive, noting that small-scale enterprises play a critical role in sustaining livelihoods. She expressed optimism that continued dialogue will help establish safer and more organized working spaces, ultimately generating decent employment opportunities for the growing number of job seekers in Jinja City.
A member of the Jinja City Traders Association, James Mawanda, welcomed the dialogue approach, saying it fosters positive community perceptions of government programmes compared to abrupt and forceful evictions. He observed that while enforcement in Jinja’s central business district was sudden and marked by excessive force, areas in the Northern Division that embraced dialogue saw traders voluntarily relocate.
Mawanda urged Jinja City Council to institutionalize dialogue as a core operational strategy, arguing that it helps affected traders better understand available solutions and prepare in advance.
Meanwhile, a clothing dealer, Mariam Nanyanzi, said that although the enforcement operations have contributed to a cleaner city, the manner in which affected traders are handled remains a concern. She recounted that many traders were evicted without being offered alternative trading spaces, and in some cases, their merchandise was confiscated, discouraging them from restarting their businesses.
Nanyanzi called on members of the forum to strengthen communication with city authorities to ensure traders are informed in a timely manner about planned operations. She noted that consistent communication would allow for prompt feedback and reduce the risk of loss of property and livelihoods during enforcement exercises.
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