MBARARA, Uganda – Authorities in Mbarara City have issued a two-week ultimatum to street vendors to vacate the streets and relocate to gazetted markets as part of efforts to streamline trade and restore order in the central business district.
According to city officials, Mbarara has a total of 11,845 vendors. Of these, 6,513 are already operating in 21 gazetted markets, while 5,332 continue to conduct business along the streets.
The affected vendors have been directed to relocate within 14 days to designated markets, including Mbarara Central Market, Nyamityobora Market, and Koranorya Market.
The Speaker of Mbarara City Council, Bonny Tashobya Karutsya said the decision was reached after deliberations by council leaders. He noted that, unlike Kampala, where vendors were abruptly removed from the streets, Mbarara authorities opted to provide a two-week grace period to allow traders ample time to relocate.
Mbarara Central Market alone was constructed to accommodate 1,500 vendors but was later expanded to house up to 3,000 traders. Meanwhile, about 700 vendors operating in Koranorya Market face possible eviction, with 605 of them previously having received government support.
City records indicate that Mbarara has 12,784 licensed businesses, suggesting that many street vendors are operating within the informal sector.
Authorities say efforts are underway to accommodate displaced street vendors in available trading spaces, including Kakoba Market, Ruti Market, Katete Market, Kyeera Market, as well as weekly markets in Kizungu, Rwebikona, and Kyeera.
City leaders maintain that the relocation exercise is intended to create a more organised trading environment while ensuring that vendors continue operating from legally recognised spaces.
