MBARARA CITY, Uganda — Authorities in Mbarara City have arrested four people during an ongoing operation aimed at removing street vendors and restoring order in the city’s central business district.
The enforcement exercise, conducted by the city’s enforcement teams with support from security operatives, began on Monday morning and targeted vendors operating along major streets and pedestrian walkways.
According to city officials, the operation started on Mbaguta Street and is expected to extend to other busy areas including Bananuka Drive, Buremba Road, Makhan Singh Street, and Victor Bwana Road as authorities seek to enforce urban trade regulations.
Business activities in the city centre were temporarily disrupted as enforcement teams cleared roadside vendors, demolished illegal extensions, and removed temporary structures that had encroached on public walkways.
Several vendors were seen hurriedly leaving the streets with their merchandise, including shoes, stockings, bags, and carpets, while traffic congestion built up in parts of the city during the morning operation.
Justine Barekye, the City Clerk of Mbarara, defended the crackdown, saying traders had earlier been given a two-week ultimatum to vacate the streets and relocate to gazetted markets.
“The grace period is over. We announced the directive on radio stations and gave traders enough time to prepare. Our aim is to restore order and ensure the city remains clean and organized,” Barekye said.
She urged traders to take advantage of available space in established markets such as Mbarara Central Market, Nyamityobora, and Rwebikona, noting that many stalls remain unoccupied.
Some traders, however, expressed frustration over the operation. Pius Tagaywa, also known as Smart, a jewelry vendor at Mbarara Central Market, claimed his merchandise was confiscated despite having already paid the council trading license.
