Alice
Following the directive of the minister of works and Transport Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala that all roadside vendors vacate with immediate effect, the Mayor Central division Richard Muhumuza has also advised Fort Portal roadside vendors to vacate.
In a decisive initiative to tackle urban congestion and prioritize public safety, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, last month issued a compelling directive, ordering the prompt evacuation of all roadside vendors.
While issuing this stringent directive Gen Katumba indicated that his objective is to improve city functionality and prioritize the well-being of citizens by reclaiming public spaces.
Gen Katumba emphasized that engaging in trading on the road reserve and walkway is illegal, as stipulated by the Road Safety Act passed by Parliament in 2019. By Section 65(1)[e] of the Roads Act, 2019, the act explicitly states that a person conducting a business activity on the shoulder, sidewalk, or road reserve of a public road commits an offence. Upon conviction, they are liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred sixty-eight currency points, imprisonment not exceeding seven years, or both.
According to Muhumuza, all roadside vendors should vacate and occupy gazetted markets like Mpanga, Kabundaire, Kasusu among others or less they negotiate with business people around them to operate from their verandas.
He says that the Central division leadership has given 3 months to those operating a long Kibogo road as they complete the construction of the Kiculeta market they should occupy.
