More than 500 vendors evicted from roadside operations in Luwero Town Council have relocated and established a new market, offering them a renewed source of livelihood.
On April 13, enforcement officers from Luwero Town Council, backed by police and soldiers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, evicted vendors selling agricultural produce from Balikyewunya taxi park along the Kampala-Gulu highway as part of a nationwide crackdown to enforce licensing regulations, restore order in public spaces, and improve sanitation.
Following the eviction, vendors were directed to relocate to gazetted markets, including Kasana and Luwero Central markets. However, they declined, citing limited space and poor business prospects due to the market’s location.
Instead, the vendors have set up a new marketplace in Kiyenje village, near the Presidential State Lodge and a weighbridge along the Kampala–Gulu highway. The group secured six acres of land from private landlords, where they will operate temporarily as they pursue a permanent site.
Abed Sserugga, chairperson of the newly established market, said the vendors turned to local landlords after failing to secure space within the town council. He noted that negotiations are underway to formalise their stay through a memorandum of understanding.
Sserugga said the relocation has restored hope among the vendors and called on the town council to officially recognise the site as a market.
Enock Ssentumbwe, one of the vendors, said the new market will enable them to continue earning a living and supplying food to the community. Other vendors appealed to the authorities to provide essential services to support smooth operations.
Christopher Ssegujja, LCI Chairperson of Kiyenje Village and one of the landlords, said they agreed to host the vendors to support their livelihoods and spur local development. He added that the landlords are prepared to sign a memorandum of understanding allowing vendors to operate on the land for five years, as the town council works to secure a permanent market site.
Chris Buwembo, LC III Chairperson of Luwero Town Council, welcomed the relocation, stressing the need to support small businesses in an organised and safe environment. He said the council will meet to assess the possibility of officially designating the new site as a legal market.
Despite the site not yet being formally gazetted, vendors have already begun paying daily market dues ranging from 500 to 2,000 shillings to town council collectors.
The relocation comes amid renewed enforcement of the national Trade Order. Last week, the Cabinet approved its reinstatement, directing the removal of street vendors, hawkers, and illegal kiosks from urban spaces.
Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi described the directive as “non-negotiable,” emphasising the need for vendors to operate from designated markets to improve urban order and sanitation.
Even so, the vendors in Luwero say they remain determined to rebuild their businesses and adapt to the new environment after decades of roadside trade-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com.
