Authorities in Mbarara City have announced plans to remove street vendors operating within the central business district (CBD), saying the move is necessary to restore order and ensure compliance with city regulations.
The Mbarara City Town Clerk, Justine Barekye, said the council is preparing a crackdown targeting vendors who display and sell merchandise along streets, especially during evening hours.
According to city officials, unregulated vending has led to congestion, blocked walkways, and concerns over sanitation and public safety. “We must enforce the law and maintain order in the city,” Barekye noted, emphasizing that vendors will be required to relocate to designated markets.
City leaders argue that the enforcement is not meant to punish traders but to create a more organized and safer business environment for both vendors and customers. They say operating within gazetted areas will help streamline revenue collection and improve service delivery.
A similar operation is already underway in Kampala, where the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has intensified efforts to clear street vendors from unauthorized spaces. In Kampala, enforcement teams have been deployed to ensure traders vacate pavements and road reserves, with authorities insisting the directive is aimed at restoring order in the capital.
Mbarara officials say they are following the same path, stressing that regulated trade benefits the wider community and supports long-term urban planning goals.
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